Christians And Combatant Military Service ?

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by SarahElizabeth

As far as UPC, this is in their Articles of Faith:..I see (1940) there, does that still apply?

CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLES

We recognize the institution of human government as being of divine ordination, and, in so doing, affirm unswerving loyalty to our Government; however, we take a definite position regarding the bearing of arms or the taking of human life.

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we believe in implicit obedience to His commandments and precepts which instruct us as follows: ".. that ye resist not evil. . ." (Matt. 5:39): "Follow peace with all men..." (Heb. 12:14). (See also Matt. 26:52; Rom. 12:19; James 5:6; Revelation 13:10). These we believe and interpret to mean Christians shall not shed blood nor take human life.

Therefore, we propose to fulfill all the obligations of loyal citizens, but are constrained to declare against participating in combatant service in war, armed insurrection, property destruction, aiding or abetting in or the actual destruction of human life.

Furthermore, we cannot conscientiously affiliate with any union, boycott, or organization which will force or bind any of its members to belong to any organization, perform any duties contrary to our conscience, or receive any mark, without our right to affirm or reject same (1930).

However, we regret the false impression created by some groups or so-called "conscientious objectors" that to obey the Bible is to have a contempt for law or magistrates, to be disloyal to our Government and in sympathy with our enemies, or to be unwilling to sacrifice for the preservation of our commonwealth. This attitude would be as contemptible to us as to any patriot. The Word of God commands us to do violence to no man. It also commands us that first of all we are to pray for rulers of our country. We, therefore, exhort our members to freely and willingly respond to the call of our Government except in the matter of bearing arms. When we say service, we mean service-no matter how hard or dangerous. The true church has no more place for cowards than has the nation. First of all, however, let us earnestly pray that we will with honor be kept out of war.

We believe that we can be consistent in serving our Government in certain noncombatant capacities, but not in the bearing of arms. (1940).

We further believe that our military personnel must live in a manner consistent with the Articles of Faith.

My father served in the US Army during WWII, as a noncombatant medic, served on the front lines and treating the wounded in the middle of combat all without any weapon of his own. He was preserved by his faith, and was a true testimony of honor and courage to his fellow soldiers. He received not a scratch in some of the heaviest fighting in the Philippines and afterward in Japan. Except for God's protection I would not be here today.

My older brother served in Vietnam, in the same manner. He however, did get injured when the jeep he was riding in hit a big bump and the surgical scissors in his back pocket were impaled into his rear end. Otherwise, he also received perfect protection.

I believe the individual must have a deep faith and conviction to pursue these paths, otherwise you better have the weapons. I believe there is a difference between murder and service to preserve one's country.