Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 5/24/2005

Question
Hi,

I'm having trouble understanding the reasoning behind our involvement in the Middle East. It's interesting to me how "Conservatives," who are highly moral supposedly, can justify killing in that kind of "war." First it was "weapons of mass destruction." Then it was so they can have a "free society" and be able to vote, etc. The bottom line is we are loosing many American lives and many others are being maimed and/or psycholigically ruined. And for what? If the major resource over there was broccoli instead of oil, would we be there? What about the many other countries where atrocities are occuring that need our help more, like Sumatra. We can't help everyone all over. And the lives that are being lost are not the sons and daughters of politicians, the rich, etc. I, for one, would NEVER want my children to loose their life in that mess. The Bible mentions "thou shalt not kill." That, to me, means, no exceptions. I feel people who believe we should be there and say they are Christians are hypocrites. What is your opinion and can this kind of "war" be justified if one is truly a Christian? Thanks.

Answer
                  Peace

Dear DJ,
  I am neither "Conservative" or Liberal, I am a Catholic with an active Conscience, that takes its formation seriously.
  First Bush and the others that "you" might called Conservatives didnt say WMD's were the first reason or the only reason to go into Iraq. In fact some "liberals" strong supported the war, and some still do. Other reasons included: the abuse and murder of persons that had different religious or political views then the Baath Party, the use of govemental monies for the person gain of leaders in the Baath party, and 6 or more previous uses of WMD again persons in Iraq. In one mass grave alone they found over 30,000 non militiary persons. Last count they have over a dozen mass graves, most have 1000-5000 bodies.

To Quote You:
The Bible mentions "thou shalt not kill." That, to me, means, no exceptions. I feel people who believe we should be there and say they are Christians are hypocrites.

The Bible does not say: thou shall not kill. A proper translation is : thou shall not murder. Murder is to take a life unlawfully, such the people that were being killed daily inIraq. Unlawfull according moral code, not civil code. Let say  police officer sees someone be attacked, if stops the attacker is he a hyprocrite?
You talk about the number of American soldiers be killed. Last numbers I recall hearing were around 1300, including 3 friends of mine. God grant all eternal peace. Is that number justifiable? Well yes, considering the following:
That a 2 year total, and those death have prevent even more
deaths of innocent civil deaths,that were happening weekly under the Baath regime.  More American were killed in several single day battles in either of the World Wars, Korean and Vietnam wars. Some of those battles 10000 or more in single day of conflict.
 What about other places where evil lurks. US cant be everywhere with arms, to protect the innocent. That why other nations to help in that way if nessecerry. Also the US Goverment is helping in Iraq and other places with food and other humanititiarn aid. Private donations from USA, to title wide victims is well over 400 million dollars yet the so called "oil" rich govenments have given anything close to it.
              your servant in christ
                  george