posted
Augustine debated this many centuries ago providing the concept of the "Just War" to Western thought. What do you think: is war ever good? Necessary? always evil?
-------------------- God's peace be with you A salaam a lakum Shalom Chevarim
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posted
Interesting collection of thoughts so far. Let me stir the pot a little further: I believe war can never be good, though it is sometimes necessary. War is always sin, the worst of all sins, reflecting the huge broken-ness in humanity. That very broken-ness though means sometimes evil people will leave us no choice, Hitler being a case in point. There are people for whom death-dealing and power-grabbing are their coping mechanism. These people must be stopped as they generally force themselves on others.
However, doing the necessary task does not make it "good" or "just." For some war is a "telos" or end in itself, for others war is the means to an end. Either perspective is problematic. My grandpa who lost brothers in both the Pacific and European theaters, and my uncle who served in Vietnam both said the only good thing about war is its ending. I think they spoke well.
-------------------- God's peace be with you A salaam a lakum Shalom Chevarim
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