SDA view of Joining The Armed Forces

[christian78]

I'm not gonna go in depth about my story but simply gonna ask the question.
It's been a hope for most of my life to join the USMC but it's all just starting to click in my head. Would it contradict my Christian more importantly my Adventist faith.

 

[OntheDL]

Greetings,

SDA church supports non-combatancy of its members in service. It however leaves the decision to the individuals.

Here is what the bible says on this subject...

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Matthew 26

51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Take the nation of Israel in the OT for example, its strength lied not in its army, but in the relationship with the Lord. When it had complete trust and dependence on God, it defeated the mighty Egyptian army without firing a single arrow.

However one can serve in the army without carrying weapons. So if this has been a dream of yours, don't let anyone's opinion discourage you. Let God alone convict your heart of what you should do.

 

[RND]

Greetings,

SDA church supports non-combatancy of its members in service. It however leaves the decision to the individuals.

Here is what the bible says on this subject...

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Matthew 26

51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Take the nation of Israel in the OT for example, its strength lied not in its army, but in the relationship with the Lord. When it had complete trust and dependence on God, it defeated the mighty Egyptian army without firing a single arrow.

However one can serve in the army without carrying weapons. So if this has been a dream of yours, don't let anyone's opinion discourage you. Let God alone convict your heart of what you should do.

Well said. Sage advice.

 

[JonMiller]

THere are a lot of military and exmilitary people at my church.

JM

 

[NightEternal]

Kill them all and let God sort them out.

But seriously-if we did not have people fighting for our freedom, we would not have it, period. Nothing irks me more than armchair critics who judge and condemn soldiers for what they have to do, even as these self-righteous ones sit back and get fat enjoying the very liberties obtained at the expense of bloodshed.

It's almost as if we Adventists expect to just keep our hands clean, making sure our salvation secure, while letting others be lost doing the the dirty work of killing. We let them do the dirty work, enjoy the freedoms, and then condemn them for doing it.

Shame on us.

Fight for your country. And kill for it if need be. God will not hold it against you. The commandment prohibits pre-meditated murder, not killing that is necessary to maintain a free nation.

 

[OntheDL]

Kill them all and let God sort them out.

But seriously-if we did not have people fighting for our freedom, we would not have it, period. Nothing irks me more than armchair critics who judge and condemn soldiers for what they have to do, even as these self-righteous ones sit back and get fat enjoying the very liberties obtained at the expense of bloodshed.

It's almost as if we Adventists expect to just keep our hands clean, making sure our salvation secure, while letting others be lost doing the the dirty work of killing. We let them do the dirty work, enjoy the freedoms, and then condemn them for doing it.

Shame on us.

Fight for your country. And kill for it if need be. God will not hold it against you. The commandment prohibits pre-meditated murder, not killing that is necessary to maintain a free nation.

I have risked my life for freedom but not in the ways of killing my way through. I don't think you comprehend what freedom really is if you have not experienced the opposite. Have you experienced political persecution? Lost you possessions? Have your loved ones exiled, killed? Carried an invisible label when you grow up?

So what is this freedom you are talking about??? To be able to say whatever you want on the computer? To be able to watch any program you want on TV?

You judge people whom you have ZERO idea about. If that's what you do, shame on you. Don't accuse others.

 

[NightEternal]

Wars must be fought to maintain freedom. Killing must take place in any war. Someone has to do it. Who's going to do it?

I can state my opinion if I want. Save your bullying ways for someone else.

 

[sentipente]

I have risked my life for freedom but not in the ways of killing my way through. I don't think you comprehend what freedom really is if you have not experienced the opposite. Have you experienced political persecution? Lost you possessions? Have your loved ones exiled, killed? Carried an invisible label when you grow up?

So what is this freedom you are talking about??? To be able to say whatever you want on the computer? To be able to watch any program you want on TV?

You judge people whom you have ZERO idea about. If that's what you do, shame on you. Don't accuse others.

DL, what is this about? Did you even understand what NE wrote? These kneejerk reactions are becoming annoying.

 

[Avonia]

I have risked my life for freedom but not in the ways of killing my way through. I don't think you comprehend what freedom really is if you have not experienced the opposite. Have you experienced political persecution? Lost you possessions? Have your loved ones exiled, killed? Carried an invisible label when you grow up?

So what is this freedom you are talking about??? To be able to say whatever you want on the computer? To be able to watch any program you want on TV?

You judge people whom you have ZERO idea about. If that's what you do, shame on you. Don't accuse others.

Ouch! Why are you attacking? When you are angry and reactive you weaken yourself. In the long run that betrays whatever cause you most care about. DL, this is clearly a really important issue to you, and I respect that. I would be interested to know why you care about it and what I can learn from your experience. Would you care to take another pass at it?

 

[OntheDL]

DL, what is this about? Did you even understand what NE wrote? These kneejerk reactions are becoming annoying.

A kneejerk reaction? Maybe. I'm just tired of people labelling adventists and misrepresenting our believes.

 

[sentipente]

A kneejerk reaction? Maybe. I'm just tired of people labelling adventists and misrepresenting our believes.

You were upset because of your experiences not because of any beliefs that were being attacked.

 

[OntheDL]

You were upset because of your experiences not because of any beliefs that were being attacked.

I was upset because of my experience? You are a psychic?

Am I upset with you now because of my experience?

Or was I ticked off because NE mispainted some one else (as always) to justify his belief?

 

[sentipente]

I was upset because of my experience? You are a psychic?

Am I upset with you now because of my experience?

Or was I ticked off because NE mispainted some one else (as always) to justify his belief?

I thought the laundry list you posted was of things you had experienced. I did not expect you to be accusing NE of being in the same situation you were. My apologies.

 

[OntheDL]

I thought the laundry list you posted was of things you had experienced. I did not expect you to be accusing NE of being in the same situation you were. My apologies.

My experience is irrelevant.

I was upset at NE because he basically said the adventists have the pacific stance on the matter is because in his words we sit in our high chairs to suck our thumbs so other can do the dirty work for us. That's the gross misrepresentation of our belief.

If NE believes so much what he said, why didn't he enlist himself and go to Iraq???

 

[sentipente]

You are confusing me, DL. Let's drop this.

 

[NightEternal]

A kneejerk reaction? Maybe. I'm just tired of people labelling adventists and misrepresenting our believes.

I don't know what you are talking about. I have not done any such things. Also, I was speaking for myself and expressing my own opinions. I'm sorry if you cannot handle that, but that is not my problem. This is a public discussion forum, and if you cannot deal with it if someone does not agree, then you should not be here.

BTW, there are plenty of SDA's that are pro-combatant and are not concientious objectors, so your claim that pacifism is the predominate belief in Adventism is highly questionable.

 

[NightEternal]

Or was I ticked off because NE mispainted some one else (as always) to justify his belief?

I misrepresented nothing nor do I have to justify anything, least of all to you.

 

[NightEternal]

I was upset at NE because he basically said the adventists have the pacific stance on the matter

No, they all do not.

The reason I used Adventists in my example is because this is the church where I have heard with my own ears people claiming these brave soldiers are condemned for violating the commandments. It is based on my own personal experience, as I do not know how people in other denominations deal with this issue.

is because in his words we sit in our high chairs to suck our thumbs so other can do the dirty work for us. That's the gross misrepresentation of our belief.

You are completely not getting what I said. Read my post again. I have no problem with people who want to be pacifists. It is those who CONDEMN and CRITICIZE the military for having to kill as a necessary part of war who I am speaking out against. I do not personally endorse pacifism, but that is neither here nor there.

It's clear to me: Those who condemn and judge soldiers for having to kill are in no position to do so if they are enjoying the constitutional freedoms that very act provides.

If NE believes so much what he said, why didn't he enlist himself and go to Iraq???

Irrelevant to the issue at hand. I have not and do not criticize the fighting soldiers. I support them.

And if I ever did decide to do such a thing, I would have no qualms about using my weapon in battle.

 

[mva1985]

I for one come from an Adventist family that supports our soldiers and their families. The troops and their families pay a terrible price to keep us safe.

I say God Bless them all.

 

[DRL]

When there was a draft the SDA church recommended that all SDAs drafted go in as non combatants and medics. The draft ended after the Vietnam war. My three brothers were all drafted and went in as non coms and medics. During the time of the draft the SDA church ran camps for the draft age men and taught them all about being a non combatant. I do not know exactly what was taught as I am a female. I just know those camps existed.
I am no longer SDA, but even when I was SDA I supported our troops. My son joined the Air Force as an SDA and is now active duty as a Major. He was just promoted this past Tuesday. He prayed about joining the USAF and went where God led and that was into the Air Force. He carries a gun when he is flying.
I have read articles by SDAs about SDAs being pacifists. That was just one persons opinion.
Thought I would give you a little history.
DRL