How does a Christian justify enlisting in the defence forces?
This question has been a challenge to Christians of every generation and with every national threat of war. It is agreed that the idea of war is abhorrent to the vast majority of people and, more often than not, involves the senseless loss of life. History, however, speaks of the need for nations to be prepared in the event of serious military threats. This essentially poses an ethical dilemma for many; not only Christians but also a variety of conscientious objectors. It is for this reason that the armed services make provision for noncombatant service positions. In saying that, none would deny the extraordinary debt of gratitude this country owes to those men and women who have defended our nation in the various theatres of war. Some returned; many did not. It is an easy thing to espouse a black-and-white position from the comfort of peacetime armchairs, but entirely another matter, when our freedom and that of other nations is being challenged by terrorists or military aggressors. I
