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This is far better guidance for our military than the latest from the "living Constitution".
1 posted on 04/03/2008 4:56:36 PM PDT by hanfei
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To: hanfei
Further, Pope Leo IV writes (xxiii, qu. 8, can. Igitur): "As untoward tidings had frequently come from the Saracen side, some said that the Saracens would come to the port of Rome secretly and covertly;

Muslim MO hasn't changed in centuries.

2 posted on 04/03/2008 5:30:40 PM PDT by JPJones (Cry havoc and loose the Freepers!)
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To: hanfei
If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful: whereas if he repels force with moderation, his defense will be lawful. . . . Nor is it necessary for salvation that a man omit the act of moderate self-defense to avoid killing the other man, since one is bound to take more care of one's own life than of another's. St Thomas

In fact St Thomas goes further by stating that NOT defending innocent human life is in and of itself sinful.

3 posted on 04/03/2008 5:32:32 PM PDT by jwalsh07 (Obama, the King of Hope-a-Dope)
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To: hanfei

I love St. Thomas Aquinas. He was a great Catholic, and look at all those references to Scripture! My, my.


7 posted on 04/03/2008 6:25:07 PM PDT by TradicalRC (Ferraro/Wright: democrat racism rears its ugly head.)
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To: hanfei
I answer that, In order for a war to be just, three things are necessary. First, the authority of the sovereign by whose command the war is to be waged. For it is not the business of a private individual to declare war, because he can seek for redress of his rights from the tribunal of his superior. Moreover it is not the business of a private individual to summon together the people, which has to be done in wartime. And as the care of the common weal is committed to those who are in authority, it is their business to watch over the common weal of the city, kingdom or province subject to them. And just as it is lawful for them to have recourse to the sword in defending that common weal against internal disturbances, when they punish evil-doers, according to the words of the Apostle (Romans 13:4): "He beareth not the sword in vain: for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil"; so too, it is their business to have recourse to the sword of war in defending the common weal against external enemies. Hence it is said to those who are in authority (Psalm 81:4): "Rescue the poor: and deliver the needy out of the hand of the sinner"; and for this reason Augustine says (Contra Faust. xxii, 75): "The natural order conducive to peace among mortals demands that the power to declare and counsel war should be in the hands of those who hold the supreme authority."

Interesting, it seems Aquinas is often misrepresented in his thinking about war. I to often see trolls who try to use him to bait Christians against the war, simplify his thoughts down to a word or two and not truly put things within context or with full meaning- but should we be surprised, that is the general modus operandi of the left, go with the feeling first and try to justify that versus looking at the full evidence and ramifications of all options.

8 posted on 04/03/2008 8:37:27 PM PDT by mnehring (Why are goldbugs so willing to trade their gold for your fiat currency?)
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