Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - The psychological/spiritual consequences of taking a life?

Plan9 · 01-08-2011, 09:10 AM

I'll second the notion that the "kinder, gentler" US military has bred a whole new generation of squeamish pussies despite the lack of hands-on required to actually do the deed these days (pulling a trigger at XX meters versus ramming a bayonet into their gut). It's just like Slims said: "killing is wrong" (pfft!) and "feelings require treatment" (making an illness out of a feeling). I speak as a subject matter expert: I'm a giant do-nothing pussy myself. Every time I was in a situation where I was justified in returning fire and killing enemy personnel, permission was denied by those above platoon level. I've never killed anybody, but I've had no problem following all the steps up to the point where a trigger pull separates them from this life and the next. I think the key to success is to remember that they're trying to kill you too and that the guy to your left and right want to go home at the end of the day.

I've also read On Killing (have a copy by the dining room table right now, actually) and find it to be an important reference for discussing this topic.

My general thought on the topic is: You can't be "right" in Modern Live-for-Today Society and be an effective soldier. Pick one.

...

BONUS: I hope this thread rapidly devolves into a game of who's-killed-somebody-and-how-cool/awful it is. I'm sure the hippie side will love it.

...

I'd also like to note that the "spiritual" consequences of taking a life are a joke. I'd imagine those that are actually religious wouldn't join the military.

That and god is a mythical outer space superhero and has absolutely nothing to do with you ventilating some RPG-toting Afghan teenager.

01-08-2011, 09:10 AM	#12 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	I'll second the notion that the "kinder, gentler" US military has bred a whole new generation of squeamish pussies despite the lack of hands-on required to actually do the deed these days (pulling a trigger at XX meters versus ramming a bayonet into their gut). It's just like Slims said: "killing is wrong" (pfft!) and "feelings require treatment" (making an illness out of a feeling). I speak as a subject matter expert: I'm a giant do-nothing pussy myself. Every time I was in a situation where I was justified in returning fire and killing enemy personnel, permission was denied by those above platoon level. I've never killed anybody, but I've had no problem following all the steps up to the point where a trigger pull separates them from this life and the next. I think the key to success is to remember that they're trying to kill you too and that the guy to your left and right want to go home at the end of the day. I've also read On Killing (have a copy by the dining room table right now, actually) and find it to be an important reference for discussing this topic. My general thought on the topic is: You can't be "right" in Modern Live-for-Today Society and be an effective soldier. Pick one. ... BONUS: I hope this thread rapidly devolves into a game of who's-killed-somebody-and-how-cool/awful it is. I'm sure the hippie side will love it. ... I'd also like to note that the "spiritual" consequences of taking a life are a joke. I'd imagine those that are actually religious wouldn't join the military. That and god is a mythical outer space superhero and has absolutely nothing to do with you ventilating some RPG-toting Afghan teenager. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake." Last edited by Plan9; 01-08-2011 at 09:25 AM..