Joining The Armed Forces, During A "unjust War"

[Paladin D]

Theoriatically speaking. (typo)

[Aloysius]

i donno... if you didn't know it was an unjust war i can safely say no you're not culpable for any sin...

but if you believed it was an unjust war?

well, it's all you're intentions. say you believed the start of the war was unjust on the part of your country, but now that it was started it hasta be followed through with might for the greater good. in that case i would say it's alright, in that the most just outcome of the war is for your side to win because otherwise there could be danger or chaos or something, even if the original start of the war was unjust.

[Ash Wednesday]

Like Aloysius said, a lot of it depends on circumstances and reason behind the actions. If you are drafted into the armed forces, for example, you're obviously not entering the war voluntarily. Entering the armed forces doesn't always mean you're guaranteed to fight in a war.

If someone's entering the forces because they want to fight in an unjust war and kill people, obviously they've got problems.

In any case, people can serve in the armed forces in wartime under conscientious objection and alternative service, in such a case they are not actively participating in the war -- in those situations you would serve in other ways, like the medical facilities or hospitals, aiding the wounded, for example.

However, conscientious objectors are objecting not just because of a particular war and political reason, but because it goes against the core of their beliefs. They are not allowed to be selective of wars -- and are stating as such to be in opposition toward all wars.