Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
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Do people in the military go to hell? I know they are protecting the nation and God said to respect the law of the land. But God also said,  "thou shall not kill." The American Pledge of Allegiance, says, "in one nation under God." Are going against God's word and killing in the military? Does that mean that the people in the military are sinners?

We read more about military life in the Old Testament, like in Joshua, Numbers, Psalms, Deuteronomy, Chronicles, etc., and some references in the New Testament as well, but less because at this time, it was not as necessary, and the focus is on the Incarnate Word of God and our salvation. God is not against the military for the purpose of defending the land and its inhabitants, so to ensure law and order prevails in civil societies. The commandment to not kill demands the protection of civility amongst all people, the protection of the world from rage and terrorism, the protection from murders done in vain, and the protection from evil and hatred that is stirred in the heart and executed for the purpose of imposing harm on another person. Thus, we must differentiate between the use and the abuse of power. Military personnel have specific duties. If they go beyond those limits and boundaries, they are abusing their power and will answer to God. There are many saints that were in the military, and we love and revere them dearly: St. George, St. Philopateer Mercurius, St. Mina, Prince Theodore, St. Maurice, St. Victor, the Theban Legion, and many others.
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