can you be in the military AND a "true" christian?

why not?

"onward Christain soldiers"
don't know much do ya?

I believe it is impossible, an oxymoron....

I believe you can be a slodier and then a christian by salvation.... but I do not believe you can go to kill and call yourself a christian at the same time...

it is the ulimate oxymoron.

christians believe that they live after god takes them from here anyway, so why would they fear death enough to break one of the holiest of comandments?

and if they are killing to fight somekind of evil, do they not have enough faith in God to fight that battle?

it is I would propose impossible to be both at the same time.

I have to say, sometimes you make me shake my head in dismay

it worked for sgt york

Hmmm. I would answer "of course". As a matter of fact I think a more challenging question is the reverse; can you be a Christian in America and a pacifist at the same time?

Afterall, there is a huge difference between following the (reported) teachings of Jesus Christ and being a Christian...

Most would say that Jesus Christ cared for the poor; yet American Christians overwhelmingly vote Republican and against any social programs to help the poor.

Most would say that Jesus Christ was a peaceful man; yet many American Christians would rather be dead than denied their firearm ("from my cold, dead fingers").

Most would say that Jesus Christ would not support the death penalty; Christians overwhelmingly do.

Most would say that Jesus Christ didn't believe in vengance; Christians do, of course.

Most would say that Jesus Christ railed against religious hierarchy and the injustice it inevitably creates; yet Christians give billions to their church leaders, and stand by them even as they cover-up the molestation of children.

Modern Christianity has nothing to do with Jesus Christ.

I would say that Christians have exactly the mean streak and the killer instinct that American military recruiters are looking for - and they come in with minds that have been demonstrated to be easily molded to boot.

I've heard people say that fundamentalist Christians have infiltrated and taken over the Republican party. I don't know about that - I think it's the reverse - the bullies have infiltrated and taken over Christianity.

http://www.christiancambridge.uklinu...icle.php?id=10

Yes. You can be a christian and still be a soldier.

And yes, you can be a christian and you can vote republican.

Yes, but technically you are "sinning"....

yes, why not?. it's really possible.

Saul has killed his thousands and David has killed his tens of thousands.
I Samuel 18:7

David was considered a man "after God's own heart", yet he had slain tens of thousands on the battlefield.

There is biblical precedent for being a soldier and a man of God.....even though on the surface it does seem to conflict with the commandments.

ynot?! it's a cool thing!

that's old testament though.

David is one of my favorite men in the old testament

can you be a christian and be in porn?

Why would you want to be a christian? ....You don't really beleive those fairytales do you?.......thats funny

YOU do that to me

oh really? which ones?

Killing your enemies is not at all against the bible, it happens throughout the entire book. Killing someone who is not your enemy is against biblical teachings. Therefore, being a soldier is not only compatible with christianity, but darn near mandatory.

All the real christians love war, silly.

He was asking about being a true christian, has nothing to do with old testament.

Doesn't it say in the bible that there is a time for war and a time for peace...

Of course not.

Jesus would have been out there with the anti-war protesters.

There is no question.

The answer has to depend on whether you define a Christian as someone who believes in Christ and his teachings, or merely as someone who is nominally a member of a "Christian" church.

Let's face it, if JC appeared in any so-called Christian country today, hardly a line of the new testament would need changing. Alter the place names, update the language, and you are done...