Q: Is war ever justified? Should Adventists go to war? Use weapons?

Maria, 17, California, United States: I don’t think that Adventists should go to war and use weapons because it is against our religion to kill, so why should we use weapons to kill someone? Even if it is an enemy, we shouldn’t kill.

Andrew, 14, Michigan, United States: In my opinion you shouldn’t go to war. If you are required by your country to go into war you really don’t have much of a choice, go to war, and see if you can be a doctor or you know something that will not involve using weapons. And when you’re in the army you should be sharing the message of the Lord.

Robert, Jamaica: Its rather difficult to say. Sometimes I believe it is under certain circumstances, and especially in situations when there is a need to defend a weaker nation who is being bullied by another nation.

Lets use Sudan as an example. There are potentially hundreds of thousands of people who are on the brink of starvation because of wrong politics. I believe that whoever is putting up resistance against help for these people should be stopped by war if necessary.

No civilized and democratic nation should sit by and not do something about situations like these.

Meg, 15, Nova Scotia, Canada: I think that Adventists should go to war, if they think that is there is their calling. If they think that the Lord wants them to go to war, then they should go. But I do not think they should use weapons, because mostly when you use a weapon it usually means to kill someone, which is murder. And the Bible says not to kill someone.

Joy, 17, Lagos, Nigeria: I don't think an Adventist should go to war because one ends up killing not just soldiers, but innocent people

Paul Sarai, 20, Port Vila, Vanuatu: In a world of sin war should be dealt with as a way of divining better principles even if we need to use guns; however, we should always remember that the Lord says that we should love our enemies. This then puts us (the Adventist) in a position where we need to think about it very closely.

David, 19, Texas, United States: I believe war is an evil act that was caused as a result of sin. We cannot help this. It's also prophesized in the Bible, which means it must come to pass. I don't believe Seventh-day Adventist should go to war simply because two of the ten commandments are broken here: "thou shalt not kill" and "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy". There is no room for COMPROMISE.

Michael: I think war is sometimes justified (think of all the war in the Old Testament, sometimes commanded by God). But I'm not sure it's OK for Seventh-day Adventists to fight in wars. I'm more open to seeing Seventh-day Adventists serve in a life-saving capacity.

Jimmy, 24, Muek Lek, Malaysia: Individually carrying a weapon is irrelevant to our religious practice. But situations may change for that individual who carries arm. It may be justified as an act of right, e.g. self-defence whereas no one can protect you at that split second. Human beings are built to defend ourselves, mainly for the right cause. However, we do allow room of miracle to take place, that is because of our belief again: God is in control, and He does the best for us, we do the rest.

Secondly, no circumstance that Seventh-Day Adventists should carry arm in a mass/crowd for a mob/fight/protest, for we uphold the value of peace, no matter what circumstance occurs to a big group of Seventh-day Adventist. Even in a situation that Seventh-day Adventists are attacked by terrorists, we are peacemakers still. Jesus ran for many times except the last one.In short, we allow God to take charge of circumstance of any level of difficulty, not arms, violence.

Patrick, 21, Norrping, Sweden: No, Adventist’s don’t have to use weapons, but it can unify the people so that they can stop the war.

Nelson, 26, Tamil Nadu, India: No, because we are living by faith. We are anticipating the second coming of Jesus Christ

Sarah, 16, New York, United States: War is never justified. It is in itself an intolerable act because your intention and circumstances are wrong. If you are not intent on killing why carry a weapon? Why use it? And if you won't carry a weapon...why go to war .unless it is to aid the wounded and share His love with them.

James, 17, California, United States: Well, no. I don’t believe that it is. I think that it is something that should never be done, I think that the only thing war helps is more war. I don’t agree with going to war, and taking away someone’s house, and country.

P.J., 18, California, United States: No, there shouldn't be any war in this world but we cannot stop the because it’s our human nature to fight each other. We should at least try to prevent the war rather use force to solve everything.

Alissa, 17: I’m not sure if war is ever justified. I don't think that as Adventists we should go to war. Sometimes actions can speak louder than words and our actions in war are not speaking very good things about us.

 William, 17, California, United States: War in general is never justified. Then again the politicians that are running the country don't really realize that because in the end, people die. Adventist shouldn't really go to war, but then you read in the Bible that Gods people went to war many times, in order to reach the promised land and to protect themselves. And using weapons, well I don't know because most people don’t feel right when they take a life and I wouldn’t feel right if I took another life either so I guess you can say that we shouldn't use weapons. It would really have to be up to the person.

Paul, 18, California, United States: I personally don't think that we should ever take the life of another human being. But if we ever were put into the situation to go to war, we should try to decline, or do something that's not against our morals, like being a medic, or preach the word so they might still have the chance to be redeemed

Jonathan, 17, California, United States: Yes, Adventists should go to war and use weapons, they should fight for their country.

Sarah, 17, California, United States: No. Adventist should not go for the war. Adventist want peace. They should not use the weapons as well.

Megan, 17, California, United States: Adventists are no different than anyone else; if it's justified for others it should also be justified for Adventists. War is needed in certain situations and along with war comes weapons.

Peace, 17, California, United States: I believe that Adventists should abstain from using weapons and try to avoid going to war if possible. Weapons are a form of destruction, they cause pain and suffering. Adventists should not inflict pain and suffering on others.

Matthew, 17, California, United States: Adventists are no different from any other people who go to war. War is war, it doesn't matter who's fighting it.