Posted on 05/21/2015 3:11:32 AM PDT by NKP_Vet
The attempt to reconcile Christ’s injunctions against violence with the unfortunate necessity of war resulted in the development of what philosophers now call the “just war theory,” the conditions under which war can be waged without sin. It is fitting that the first great philosopher to write about the just war, Augustine of Hippo, lived during the death throes of the Roman Empire, in a world plagued by the strife of nations. Over eight hundred years later, the man who would further develop this theory, Thomas Aquinas, lived in a world where warfare had assumed a truly spiritual function through the concept of the crusade and the blending of monastic and knightly traditions. Faced with this new idea of positive warfare, Aquinas reinterpreted Augustine’s theology to fit this context.
Introduction: Christianity has always had a difficult relationship with the concept of war. After all, it is impossible to follow Christ’s command to “love one’s neighbor” on the battlefield. Indeed, “turning the other cheek” in such a situation is very likely to allow one to meet God face to face. Christian pacifism was particularly prevalent in the early years of the Church, when many Christians steadfastly refused to join the Roman army, a move that caused governmental authorities some concern. As the empire began to crumble in the third century, the Christian repudiation of violence eventually led to persecution by the state. Guided by the pacifist theology supported by the early theologians Origen and Tertullian, many Christians went meekly to their deaths, winning the crown of martyrdom.
(Excerpt) Read more at medievalists.net ...
The next reply (156) adds to my thinking
Yet also did not Jesus directed, “sell your cloak for a sword” ?
Just ponder for a second (or two), the Church’s tortured justification for ‘killing’ (or mass killing.... Dresden, Hiroshima) innocent human beings....in the cause of a ‘just war’.... but when it comes to allowing a divorced and remarried person to receive Communion (the Host and Body of Christ).... that is not allowed!
“Just ponder for a second (or two), the Church’s tortured justification for ‘killing’ (or mass killing.... Dresden, Hiroshima) innocent human beings”
There is NO “tortured” justification for killing innocent people. The Church says there is no justification at all EVER for killing innocent people.
The Catholic Church never approved the Atomic Bomb or the fire bombing of Japan. Not even MacArthur knew the Atomic bomb was going to be dropped on Japan. No since in badmouthing the Just War theory. If applied right it is is the only way to fight a war.
Not surprisingly, I prefer the more ambivalent and atheoretical approach we Orthodox have to the matter: the old Trebnik has a prayer for the blessing of weapons and warriors, the Russians have a special panakhyda for fallen warriors, but there is still a canonical penance for killing in war.
Wow. Misquoting the Lord on a par with the snake in Genesis. Using a sword is fine. The quote is "lives by the sword". There is a world of difference between living by the sword and using a sword.
Just like there is a difference between killing and murder.
“The Catholic Church never approved the Atomic Bomb”
Never said that they driectly “approved”, but by calling wars “just wars”, where do you draw the line on the act of ‘killing’ other human beings??
Listen, don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that I was ‘against’ fighting WWII. I am taking an issue with religion and some of the edicts on conduct, where a woman who might have had a husband who cheated on her, emotionally abused, etc.., got divorced and remarried....and is not allowed to receive Communion. But if she had gone to war and been involved in killing a bunch of other human beings... she can still receive Communion.
“The Church says there is no justification at all EVER for killing innocent people.”
Wake up. It happens all the time in wars. What world do you live in?
“Wake up.”
I’m wide awake - and 100% correct.
“It happens all the time in wars.”
No one said it didn’t.
“What world do you live in?”
This fallen one. How about you?
Eclisiastes 3:
A time for peace and a time for war.
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