British Army cleric in Afghanistan: killing is ‘morally justified’
Monday, 9 November 2009
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British soldiers in Afghanistan should be prepared to die in a “fight against the evil of fundamentalism”, the senior chaplain in Helmand province has said.
Padre Mark Christian said killing “to defeat evil” was “morally permissible”.
He said: “In a perfect world, the world that God intended for us, we would all live at peace with each other. But we don't live in that world, we live in a fallen world where evil exists and it is the obligation of all good people to confront evil and to defeat it where they can.
“Unfortunately that necessitates us in doing things like killing, which in the abstract is wrong.
“But when you are doing that to defeat a greater evil I think it is morally permissible, but it requires soldiers to have a very, very high degree of understanding of morality.”
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Oh come on. I bet he for Bush Jr. both crusades too. The troops are putting their lifes on the line for what? This Afghanistan crusade is wrong from day one and history says that no one will change this country. Russia left after nine years and their miltary wanted more troops also there. This guy speaking of evil should have a long talk with a mirror.
Posted by phl | 09.11.09, 17:41 GMT
I f God wants this to be "a perfect world" maybe he could snap his mighty fingers and destroy evil once and for all, because obviously humans, his imperfect creations, are not able.
Posted by toadstool | 09.11.09, 14:20 GMT
Killing "in the abstract" is wrong ? That must be one of the many later-inserted sub-clauses of The Ten Commandments.
Posted by Nigel Cooke | 09.11.09, 13:44 GMT
Isn't religion just wonderful?
Posted by WH | 09.11.09, 10:42 GMT
“fight against the evil of fundamentalism”, said the fundamentalist.
Posted by McD | 09.11.09, 10:17 GMT
I wonder how close to the front line this Padre Mark Christian will be? Talking about spilling the blood of others is easy.
Posted by terry | 09.11.09, 10:09 GMT
Not Christian teaching Padre! Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you. Turn the other cheek. Thou shalt not kill.
You cannot defeat evil by doing evil.
Defeat evil by doing good.
Posted by WAC | 09.11.09, 06:20 GMT