Hi everybody.
I have just finished reading a very serious book about the nature of the soldier. I found quite a few truths but a lot of questions did raise up in my mind. So I wanted to ask the main question here and get a little feedback.
The warrior/soldier goes to war with the warrior/soldier from another belief system, when the life of one is taken from one by the other, because of that belief, Is there such a thing as Right and Wrong/Good and Evil? Or is the judgement made simply by the victorious?

Great question. History is written by the victor. Most Americans don't see it that way,as they are blinded by patriotism. be seeing you

*runs*

All I can say, and it might sound primitive to some, but I think every soldier has their individual duty to their own vision of either their idea of self, or a power greater than themself, like God.

What is said and done collectively is the decision of the soldier to adopt as their own personal belief, or not.

Is only a soldier a warrior...?

Let's hope so,but i thnk the military (of any country) dehumanizes most of its members into zombie-like killing machines. be seeing you

I don't think victory determins right or wrong/good or evil. Example Saddam was victorious in overtaking his own country by brutality, assination, and fear while most of the world includeing the USA looked the other way. If soldier would have assinated him they might or might not been victorious in over throwing his supporters but to me that person would have been in the right even though he committed a crime by killing someone; especially the leader of a country.

Often soldiers are ordered to do things that don't fit with in the confines of morality or justice on and individual level but appeal to the greater issue of allowing freedom, survival, or return to power of the masses. The atomic bomb in Japan was a horendous end to what could have been a war that would have gone on for years destroying many countries.

Each "side" believes they are right..each "side" believes that God.. is on their side and therefore they will be victorious.

The confusion comes because God does not choose sides...although I'm sure many would disagree with me on that.

War is hell, killing in war is still killing, it's just..justified killing.

jmo

Yes, yes, break them down, build them back up.. touche.

What is getting me is the idea of the net thing Obama wants to do.. give us all free internet, and then regulate it.. HOLY CRAP!

Biggg brothahhhhh!

i concur

Warrrrriorrrs. Come out to PLA-AYYYY.

Sorry I did not mean to imply that only soldiers are warriors.
There is of course the concept of a "Just war" I think that Augustine or Aquinus elaborated upon the subject at length. When the warrior is dying does he still see his cause as "Good" and therefore "Godly"?

First of all, most soldiers through history have been conscripts, not volunteers. Some made it a profession, blood lust and everything, but not all wars are holy wars. The majority of the wars of ancient Europe or ancient Asia were about land conquest and increased revenue (I mean the gold of vanquished empires has always been a real prize, ask the Aztecs). Before the modern church, when there were many gods, religuous wars would be hard to mobilize. Everyone worshiped someone different. But nationalism can easily be raised, all you need to do is find a common enemy.

No side is right in war - ours, theirs, the reasons given for fighting are rarely the real cause. Wars have begun over personal vendettas (See the campaign of William Wallace), expansionism (American Indian Wars), treasure (Conquestadors), personal glory (Hannibal), do you think that is how they were sold to the men who actually had to fight them? You know the ones that actually had to die for their country?

What war really is, is a necessary evil to help keep the overall population in check. Short of that, I can't think of a single "good" reason to start one.

Grow in intellect.

Thank you for your understanding.

Lol. Is that something I can grow?

Sorry for the off-topic.... it reminded me of the movie.

nothing to apologize for..i thought it was funny..and sometimes heavy subjects deserve a bit of humor...

Yes it is a serious subject. I was trying to elict understandings that others had. Obviously you have a serious lack of understanding and opend your mouth only to check your shoe size. I suppose that that could be considered to be humerous.

I was in the United States Marine Corps, and the general idea taught is kill or be killed. It's a job. It doesn't matter if it's right or wrong. You do what you are ordered to do. I had a great time, but in the civilian world the mind set is different. I agree that winners write history books. When Santa Ana kicked _ss at the Alamo, it wasn't viewed as a good thing. The battle at San Jacinto turned that around(I think lol), but most people remember the Alamo.