Is the Adventist Stance on Noncombatancy Shifting

[Stan]

Source

September 22, 2006 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States .... [Elizabeth Lechleitner/ANN]

Where have all the Desmond Dosses gone? Epitomizing the traditional position advocated by Seventh-day Adventists during wartime, Doss was a World War II United States Army medic who refused to carry a weapon, yet earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for single-handedly rescuing 75 wounded soldiers amid a blitz of enemy bullets on the island of Okinawa, Japan.

Ever since the Adventist church's beginnings, its official statements and members' behavior have generally reflected an equal commitment to nonviolence.

But today, an estimated 7,500 Adventists serve in the United States military. And virtually all of them are enlisted as combatants, barring the 50 chaplains classed as noncombatants by the Geneva Convention, says Chaplain Gary R. Councell, the associate director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries at the headquarters of the world church.

Councell has observed that Adventists in some other nations also serve their respective militaries voluntarily. But Reinder Bruinsma, president of the Adventist church in the Netherlands, disagrees.

"I can only talk for Holland, " he says, "but I think that the European attitude toward serving in the military in combat roles more reflects Adventist tradition than in the States. The kind of shift in attitude among Adventists--where you serve your country by fighting--is largely an American phenomenon."

Ekkehardt Mueller, associate director of the Biblical Research Institute at the world church headquarters, echoes this attitude. He maintains that "there has been a conscious effort by the church in Germany to discourage involvement in the army. From my experience as a division and union leader and as a pastor [in Germany], I know of only one Adventist [in Germany] who joined the army as a combatant."

Mueller also notes that much of the German reticence toward active military service stems from its traumatic experience during World War II, which, clarifies Bruinsma, "may still linger in the collective Adventist European consciousness."

Bruinsma says Europe, in large part, no longer issues a draft, which tends to eliminate the issue of armed service altogether. Both Councell and Doug Morgan, director of the Adventist Peace Fellowship, say the absence of the draft may have influenced Adventist military involvement in the United States differently. In fact, most scholars cite the 1970s--more accurately, the cessation of conscription in '74--as the turning point in Adventist attitudes toward military service.

Morgan allows that "The church's historic position always assumed the pressure of a military draft. The ideal wasn't some kind of absolute church 'law' or test of fellowship. People in varying situations and under varying types of government had to do their best in accordance with their consciences."

But, he points out, "Prior to the 1970s, the thought of a practicing church member volunteering for a combat role in the military would have been inconceivable to the vast majority of Adventists." Not so anymore.

In many countries, such as Korea, involuntary military service remains a troubling auxiliary issue. Adventists in those countries still face strict conscription laws, opposition to which more often than not lands them in prison where Sabbath-keeping and adhering to dietary laws is extremely difficult. And then there are countries such as Israel, where citizens are required to serve as reservists subject to call until age 50.

Clearly, "there are many legal, moral, and practical considerations when it comes to military service on a global scale," says Councell. And draft or no draft, in an increasingly volatile and violent world, he says maintaining total neutrality is difficult.

Determining why attitudes have shifted intrigues Councell. He holds current socioeconomic conditions--for example, the exorbitant cost of college education in the United States and the government's promise to help cover it in exchange for military service--largely responsible for Adventists enlisting in the military in record numbers. Post-draft Adventists "have tended to ignore the matter and no longer wrestle with the ethics of military service," he says.

While skirting the issue might have worked post-Vietnam when the majority of citizens were particularly disenchanted with the brutal reality of warfare, Councell has noticed that young people today--Adventists included--are likely to view the military as a viable career option. Why? Because it offers stability and a sense of belonging, says Councell.

Bruinsma notes that "it would be considered very unusual" if an Adventist young person in the Netherlands were to choose a military career.

"In Europe, it's still a feeling by and large that serving in the military is not according to Adventists principles. Many people do feel that there are potential problems with that position. What about police and other public servants? Do we just leave this to others and profit from what they do? That is a problem. But, still I think that European Adventists are far more reluctant to serve than their American counterparts," reiterates Bruinsma.

That doesn't mean European Adventists never serve in military positions, however. Roman Chalupka, secretary of the Adventist church in Poland, reports that some young Polish Adventists do choose to join the military, but that it "is their decision and their own responsibility." He says the Polish church does not advocate military service, but nor does it "press anybody to avoid the army."

Of young American Adventist enlistees, Councell worries that many join without so much as considering the consequences. Larry Roth, a former Navy chaplain and Adventist Peace Fellowship member, agrees. "With near zero training on the subject and very few 'experts' in the church available to counsel those youth who raise the issue, it is fully understandable why today very few of our youth see combatancy as an issue. They are not getting any counsel on the topic--at school, at church, and probably not at home. It is too late once they sign up with the recruiter."

Both chaplains Roth and Councell reiterate the conscience-driven nature of this issue. The "church would support them in whatever position they took," Roth says, referring to the Adventist young people he counseled during his years as a chaplain.

Above all, Councell says, it is unfair to single out the issue of noncombatancy. He views slackening attitudes toward active combat as a symptom of a larger issue: a general shift in the values climate of Adventism, reflecting current socio-cultural trends.

On the possible cause-and-effect relationship between a person's cultural context and stance on noncombatancy, Bruinsma says "things are usually a little more complicated than that."

"The whole attitude and relationship toward government may be much more different in America than here," Bruinsma points out. "America feels it has this role to play in the world. Many Europeans wish America didn't feel compelled to play that role." He allows, however, that "just as American Adventists are part of an environment of reflecting local cultural values, so Europe takes a back seat position, profiling ourselves as having a pacifist attitude. There is less of a desire to see a big army."

Because the issue of noncombatancy is inherently conscience-driven and opinions are highly nuanced, it will likely continue to trigger debate among church leaders and scholars. However, there is broad consensus among Adventists that the issue should not serve as a wedge between members.

Neither should it become a "blind spot" between leaders, says Mueller. "We as a world church have to listen to each other. There are problems in America, and problems in Europe, and leaders [in both places] would do well to listen to other parts of the church and consider what they have to say."

At a recent press conference in Cameroon, Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the Adventist world church, remarked that "using weapons is an inhumane solution to situations that can be solved. There is a better way to live together and that is to co-exist rather than war."

"We must prayerfully and principally seek moral and spiritual counsel regarding this issue," advises Councell. "There is room for differences of opinion and viewpoint. We are all finite individuals and situations are often imposed upon us." But that doesn't change our core commitment to the well-being of humanity, he adds.

And he believes that commitment sometimes demands action. "We have a moral obligation to defend the innocent and helpless, and if you neglect that I think you have shirked your Christian duty. However, [chaplains] are not advocating killing or the use of weapons and force. Killing during wartime may be necessary in some instances, but that doesn't mean it doesn't leave scars. It does."

The ideal, is of course, to find a way to protect and help the innocent nonviolently, such as Desmond Doss. Or John Weidner, a Dutchman who organized the Dutch-Paris underground and rescued some 1,000 Jews and other refugees during World War II.

Referring to Weidner, Councell says, "Here's a man in the midst of a tragedy who found a way to save life rather than take it." It is this sort of Christ-like sacrificial love and compassion for humanity that Morgan hopes Adventists will be able to inspire by example.

"I think it would be terribly unfortunate," Morgan concludes, "if the recognition of complex, even excruciating moral dilemmas in the world with regard to military service were to prevent us from constantly keeping first and foremost the question of what it means to follow Jesus, to commit our lives each day to His peacemaking purposes, to be true to the agenda of His kingdom. Doing that, I think, could make a huge difference for our witness in the world, and for how we work through its ethical complexities."

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[Dr. Shane]

I was a backslidden Adventist when I joined and after five years I got out because of conflicts with the Sabbath. I don't even know if a person can enlist as a non-combatant in our all-volunteer army.

The issue for me wasn't so much the combatant status. When a nation is attacked, it must be defended. Why should the Catholics, Lutherns, Methodists and Pentecostals fight while the Adventists enjoy the luxery of the freedom provided by their blood?

The issue for me is the military lifestyle which makes it difficult to practice one's faith while serving. I could go into details but I wouldn't want the administration here to get flooded with complaints so I will leave it at that. Those that have served know what I am talking about. Based on the atmosphere of immorality alone, I discourage Adventists from joining the military.

[Naomi]

The issue for me wasn't so much the combatant status. When a nation is attacked, it must be defended. Why should the Catholics, Lutherns, Methodists and Pentecostals fight while the Adventists enjoy the luxery of the freedom provided by their blood?

Quote:

Good point Shane. However, it takes lots of guts to serve as a medic. I assume they still go into battle unarmed. It is also much needed to save lives.

I am sure there are situations and issues which can cause one to make difficult choices. Especially when you are young and usually away from home and family for the first time.

Naomi

[Dr. Shane]

Medics carry a handgun unless they are noncombatants and I am not sure there are any in our voluntary army.

But morally shouldn't we ask ourselve if it is wrong to kill other people during time of war, isn't it also wrong to support the people killing other people in time of war? The way I see it, if we want to say that killing people in war is wrong, we need to completely avoid the military altogether.

[Nicodema]

It's like I said on another thread:

I don't claim to know what God condones or does not condone. But this one thing I know: whatever people (who claim to follow God) BELIEVE God to condone, they will condone themselves. And that, in itself, is cause enough for worry.

[aldona]

This is a good article and it is good to see this difficult topic being addressed.

I think there is a great difference between the way the role of the military is perceived in Europe vs. United States.

In the USA, the military is seen as the defender of the nation, of freedom and democracy. Many Adventists do not see a moral problem, as good and law abiding citizens, of joining it in this aim.

In many European nations, the military is/was a tool of totalitarian governments (whether communist or fascist) to oppress and persecute their own people or neighbouring countries, and to curtail freedom and democracy (including freedom of religion). Many European Adventists, particularly those whose parents or grandparents lived through World War 2, were brought up hearing about the lengths people went to, and the miracles that God worked to help them, maintain their faith and their freedom in spite of persecution by the military. It is quite a different thing for a person from one of these countries to join the military.

aldona

[bevin]

Quote:

In the USA, the military is seen as the defender of the nation, of freedom and democracy

which is truely ironic, given that the USA is probably the leading aggressor nation in terms of other countries attacked over the last 30 years.

I am reminded of Andy Capp "Your Honor, I hit him back before he hit me first".

/Bevin

[Dr. Shane]

My hat is off to Aldona for staying on topic and shedding light on the issue. Some find it hard not to take jabs at America and insert anti-American views (which is not the topic of the thread).

[Nicodema]

Shane, once again you are confusing the ability to objectively criticize the government with being "anti-American". I maintain, as any true patriot does, that it is the essence of being American, and that if we are to remain the land of the free and home of the brave, this ability must ever remain and be guarded, protected and encouraged -- not disparaged for something it is not.

The only ones who characterise criticism/critique of a government and its policies as "anti-" the nation are those who support tyranny. I will never support tyranny.

[bevin]

Jesus teaches "turn the other cheek"

The Bush administration teaches "kill him first because he might hit your cheek"

The USA SDA tolerate their members joining the Bush administration's army - and this after raising successive whole generations of kids with the stern injunction against joining the army.

Yes, there has been a HUGE switch in the USA SDA position on combatancy. If there is a draft now, it will be very difficult to get non-combatant status for SDA, they certainly won't be able to use their denomination as the reason any more.

The whole non-combatant medic thing is a load of rubbish - a medic is as much a non-combatant as the guy that winches bombs into the bomb bay of a B-52 - they both enable the army to fight. Desmond Doss's outfit fought better and killed more because he was there.

Personally I think there are wars that a Christian should fight as a combatant. But armies don't let soldiers make that choice - once you have accepted the King's shilling you have to kill who the king tells you to kill.

Sure sounds unequally yoked to me.

/Bevin

[Dr. Shane]

This thread is not about America. It is about Adventist beliefs. It has nothing to do whatsoever about the American government. It does however have something to do with how American Adventists view service in the military differently than other Adventists.

When discussing American politics, a person has every right to express discent for certain policies and positions. Such discent does not make them anti-American (although they may be). However when a person injects their politican discent to American policies into a discussion that is not political or about those American policies, they wave a red flag. Others are then justified in labeling such remarks anti-American because the remarks have no bearing in the discussion except to portrait America in a poor light.

This is an important subject. Very important! Those of us that work with the youth need to discuss this. It does not need to be cloaded with political rhetoric - and shouldn't be. Those that want to criticise America for her policies can start other threads and feel free to do so. Let those of us discussing matters of the church discuss them without being bombarded with political rhetoric.

I am interested in Gregory Matthews' take, as he is a chaplin in the Armed Services.

[Nicodema]

Jesus teaches "turn the other cheek"

The Bush administration teaches "kill him first because he might hit your cheek"

... If there is a draft now, it will be very difficult to get non-combatant status for SDA, they certainly won't be able to use their denomination as the reason any more.

The whole non-combatant medic thing is a load of rubbish - a medic is as much a non-combatant as the guy that winches bombs into the bomb bay of a B-52 - they both enable the army to fight. Desmond Doss's outfit fought better and killed more because he was there.

Personally I think there are wars that a Christian should fight as a combatant. But armies don't let soldiers make that choice - once you have accepted the King's shilling you have to kill who the king tells you to kill.

Sure sounds unequally yoked to me.

an excellent post. nothing to add but just -- amen.

[Nicodema]

This thread is not about America. It is about Adventist beliefs. It has nothing to do whatsoever about the American government.

[Dr. Shane]

Quote:

The whole non-combatant medic thing is a load of rubbish - a medic is as much a non-combatant as the guy that winches bombs into the bomb bay of a B-52 - they both enable the army to fight. Desmond Doss's outfit fought better and killed more because he was there.

This is the point I was trying to make, and no anti-American views had to be expressed to make it.

The real concern I see, as I expressed before, is the incredible immoral environment that exists in the Armed Forces. It makes college dorms look like a monastery. It becomes difficult for a young Adventist to practice their faith in that kind of environment.

[Dr. Shane]

Quote:

It is impossible to discuss this subject without discussing politics to some degree.

That is true for idealogues like Rush Limbaugh and Micheal Moore. It is not true for most people.

[Stan]

I know that I have said this before.. and often when I post an opinion the thread stops not my intention.

My personal belief is the countries need a military. That includes everything from a jet fighter to the one who prepares the food for him/her.

I also believe that we need to join the army of the country where we have our citizenship.

As Christians our citizenship MUST be in Heaven, we MUST join the Lord's Army, our Commander-in-Chief MUST be Christ. Our Battle must be the Lord's Battle.

This may seem very simplistic, but it is critical.

Desmond Doss is a hero of mine, I visited him, and labored with him, and we got him to consent to have his story put to film. That BTW took years to do. (The previous Administration of the Georgia Cumberland Conference cheated us out of the Credit) Doss was not drafted but volunteered for military service.

[Stan]

Here is a photo that was taken just after he consented...

[Stan]

The feature film is well underway... it is going to knock some socks, better graphics than Saving Private Ryan, and a 1000% better story.

The ones who did the Chronicals of Narnia will be doing the actual hands on production.

Distribution through Disney.

That is all public info on www.variety.com

Now back to topic.....

[Dr. Shane]

Personally, if my kids want to do something for their country, I will encourage them to be firemen or medical workers here at home. From what I understand, the Peace Corps' environment is just as immoral as the military's so that wouldn't be a good option either.

[Neil D]

Seems to me that non-combantancy is a personal integrity decision...Any fool can be an enlisted man, and any fool can be a medic [translation: Any person can align himself with the enlisted medical community and be concidered 'patriotic'...But only one who believes God is leading him to be one of His own will forgo the gun.]...but to truely believe that killing in not an option, one needs to forgo the hand gun...Now that is, in my humble opinion, a truely principled man and one who truely believes in God and a true hero's hero...

[Dr. Shane]

I can understand those that join the military during time of war to defend their nation. That is honorable and admirable.

I do not see joining the military during time of peace (like I did) as being so honorable or admirable.

[bevin]

Quote:

I can understand those that join the military during time of war to defend their nation. That is honorable and admirable.

I think one needs to be a little more discerning about which nations one defends.

Would it have be honorable for a Hun Christian to enlist to defend against the attacking Romans?

Would it have be honorable for a Roman Christian to enlist to defend against the attacking Hun?

Just who is the aggressor and who is the defender in the current Arab Israeli conflict?

/Bevin

[Dr. Shane]

I disagree. It was honorable for Iraqi Christians to serve in Saddam's military and it was honorable for American and Brittish Christians to serve in their respective militaries.

Sometimes I think we think too deep. It isn't that difficult.

We never know all the details of why a nation went to war until years after, and then they are still questionable. Either it is wrong to serve our respective civil governments in war or it is not. It cannot be based on what we, as individuals, think of a specific war at a specific time because we, as individuals, never will have enough facts to make that decision as Christ would make it. The best we will ever have is our human reasoning, which will never be enough to make that kind of judgement call.

Notice that Christ commended the Roman centurian for his great faith and said He has seen none like it in all of Israel. Yet this centurian was a soldier, in charge of other soldiers, and undoubtable responsible for the deaths of many.

[olger]

The Stan said:

"As Christians our citizenship MUST be in Heaven, we MUST join the Lord's Army, our Commander-in-Chief MUST be Christ. Our Battle must be the Lord's Battle."

The Stan is right on target. Right on.

There is no way to twist the teachings of Jesus into military service. Franz Hasel's story & Desmond Doss's illustrate the unpolished courage of men who chose to honor God's kingdom at any cost.

olger

[Nicodema]

That is true for idealogues like Rush Limbaugh and Micheal Moore. It is not true for most people.

That statement itself is untrue Shane. War is by its very nature political. Why you feel it is the province of "idealogues" exclusively is beyond me. You must be rather out of touch with reality to make a statement like that. I wonder how you got that far out?