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I’m curious as to whether there is a different perspective on use of the military or ones mindset of death in wars based on religion vs non-religion.
My background:
Personally, I have no direct military connections(family or self). I was a Christian for more than 35 years and have converted to atheist in the last 3 years. During this time I have had to rethink my position on several issues.
My question can be viewed from different perspectives(soldier,mother,wife,politician etc.). Would your perspective change based on whether you were the other between being religious or not?
Now, we can presume that everyone doesn’t want to die or see a soldier die. I’m looking more at how what you would think about engaging this risk based on the religion question. Examples:
From my perspective as a Christian, while life is dear, I was less likely to consider dying for a cause, an ultimate sacrifice. This would bring into question what wars were worth the risk. My new perspective is that I’m less inclined to want to see the use of the military or for a citizen, cop etc., sacrifice their lives in ways that might come easier when believing in an afterlife. I now consider death more final and to me it brings more into question, what am I willing to die for. I’m fully convinced I would die for most anyone in my family for different reasons. I’m convinced I would have no problem dying for a direct threat to my country and liberty itself. But, I’m not sure I would so easily sign up for the military or step into a civilian situation considering that there are many instances that I don’t consider worth dying for.
In the big picture concerning the military, I would think that a military leadership, soldier and or families would be more sceptical about what would constitute a reason to send in military personnel. This question basically asks the religious to think outside your religious box.
This is a can-of-worms matter that has no conclusive opinion among Christians. The Old Testament shows quite a bit of war, but the New Testament reveals Jesus (the Prince of Peace), and "blessed are the peacemakers". So in the end, it's a mix that shows hot and cold, dark and light, and the dualistic ways of nature and life.
Sometimes we have two sides that must exist together, for balance. Neither is inherently wrong or right in and of themselves. Both need to be looked at together, along with the particular circumstances of the situation. Only in that totality can we come to conclusions. Without that, vague and broad conclusions become knee-jerk.
Last edited by Thoreau424; 12-19-2018 at 11:22 AM..
This is a can-of-worms matter that has no conclusive opinion among Christians. The Old Testament shows quite a bit of war, but the New Testament reveals Jesus (the Prince of Peace). So in the end, it's a mix that shows hot and cold, dark and light, and the dualistic ways of nature and life.
Sometimes we have two sides that must exist together, for balance. Neither is inheritantly wrong or right in and of themselves. Both need to be looked at together, along with the particular circumstances of the situation.
I'm sure this thread though will blow up into a war-like discussion (wink).
I can see this from an official aspect, but I’m more looking at the personal aspect. Bible aside, My opinion is that leadership and citizens too easily send/accept sending an 18 year old into deadly situations. Of course, their are legitimate reasons, but I’m curious as to if the afterlife perspective makes this decision a little too easy.
...I’m more looking at the personal aspect. Bible aside, My opinion is that leadership and citizens too easily send/accept sending an 18 year old into deadly situations. Of course, their are legitimate reasons, but I’m curious as to if the afterlife perspective makes this decision a little too easy.
Well, it comes down to people and individuals. Sending people to war can governmental (with a draft), and so bears upon the character of those making decisions (encouraging war, etc.) That's a subject of its own, and will be a problem for this area of the forum, and no politics.
Otherwise, it's a personal decision if one wants to go to war. It's freedom. Some would never do it, some might, others reluctantly go, others are thrilled to. The reasons and philosophies will vary. The afterlife can be a factor or not, and will also vary in importance.
Maybe you're trying to get a sampling of people here, but there are too many factors and facets to nail down any conclusive and overreaching pattern, such as how it applies to Christianity.
When it comes to belief in an afterlife, I'd guess...obviously my opinion only and from those I know that have been in the military... that most people would chose to live regardless of whether or not they believed in one and isn't the basis for how or why they chose to voluntarily participate in war.
Except, of course, extremists like "suicide bombers" who've been promised the 72 virgins and paradise in return for martyrdom.
Probably only those that have faced it can give you a real answer as to whether it had any bearing.
When it comes to belief in an afterlife, I'd guess...obviously my opinion only... that most people would chose to live regardless of whether or not they believed in one and isn't the basis for how or why they chose to voluntarily participate in war.
Except, of course, extremists like "suicide bombers" who've been promised the 72 virgins and paradise in return for martyrdom.
Probably only those that have faced it can give you a real answer as to whether it had any bearing.
This question could pertain to those who throughout history have lived/accepted enslaved difficult lives believing they would be rewarded in an afterlife. I can see that my conversion from religion to non comes with a different perspective as to the importance of life. It has become far more precious to me. I didn’t used to give this much thought as a Christian. I just believed this life was a drop in the ocean compared to eternity. It seems there has to be a significant difference in how people value life.
Well, it comes down to people and individuals. Sending people to war can governmental (with a draft), and so bears upon the character of those making decisions (encouraging war, etc.) That's a subject of its own, and will be a problem for this area of the forum, and no politics.
Otherwise, it's a personal decision if one wants to go to war. It's freedom. Some would never do it, some might, others reluctantly go, others are thrilled to. The reasons and philosophies will vary. The afterlife can be a factor or not, and will also vary in importance.
Maybe you're trying to get a sampling of people here, but there are too many factors and facets to nail down any conclusive and overreaching pattern, such as how it applies to Christianity.
I guess it could also come down to whether those in charge would risk soldiers if their own family was being sent. There has to be a different perspective as to the value of life between those who believe in an afterlife as opposed to those who see this life as final. It should be extremely difficult and call for heavy scrutiny, whether you are the president or a citizen, to send soldiers into battle. IMO, considering some of the wars we’ve been in, this scrutiny was lacking. Could the afterlife belief be a significant factor?
I guess it could also come down to whether those in charge would risk soldiers if their own family was being sent. ... It should be extremely difficult and call for heavy scrutiny, whether you are the president or a citizen, to send soldiers into battle. IMO, considering some of the wars we’ve been in, this scrutiny was lacking. Could the afterlife belief be a significant factor?
The matter of leaders considering their family members or not has been kicked around a lot over the years, but never goes nowhere. Most of them choose based on government officials around them, and for political reasons. Family rarely enters the picture. That's just the way it is.
Considering the afterlife may or may not be relevant. We're supposed to have separation in that area anyway, and it is a personal view not a political one.
It's nice to wish the world was a better place, but we have to face and accept the way things are, and work within that system.
The matter of leaders considering their family members or not has been kicked around a lot over the years, but never goes nowhere. Most of them choose based on government officials around them, and for political reasons. Family rarely enters the picture. That's just the way it is.
Considering the afterlife may or may not be relevant. We're supposed to have separation in that area anyway, and it is a personal view not a political one.
It's nice to wish the world was a better place, but we have to face and accept the way things are, and work within that system.
Assuming you’re a theist and putting that aside, if you had never heard of an afterlife and had no other reason to believe one existed, do you think you would have the same or a different perspective of the risk of a loved one going to a battle field? Would you feel more apprehensive?
Does believing you may never see them in an afterlife make a difference in your apprehension?
This is important from both perspectives, the person at risk and we who are loved ones. I think about the loved ones who have died and believe I will never see again. Additionally, I’m concerned that that loved one is going to cease to exist. I would be less apprehensive as a believer in an afterlife than as an atheist that believes life is it.
Of course, Christians generally comfort themselves with the belief of an afterlife, which is one of the good tenants of religion. To the contrary, not believing does and should promote an urgency to respect life itself, IMO.
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