Choose the issue you want to learn about
Understanding National Defense
Every sovereign nation on the planet has an inherent right — and even a responsibility — to defend its citizens “against all enemies, foreign and domestic” as our own U.S. oath of office dictates. This is the sacred duty of our U.S. Armed Forces. However, our national defense has become more complicated due to entrenched political interests, injecting the military with “woke” ideology, questions about how much should be invested in foreign conflicts, and the confusion sown by enemies who claim to want peace but work for the annihilation of America.
Where does the Bible stand?
In Romans 13, Paul talks about government being a servant and then says in Romans 13:4, “But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.” The sword in the hand of government is used to defeat evildoers, whether that be foreign invaders or a criminal within a country.
Ecclesiastes 3:8 reminds us there is a “time for war, and a time for peace.” Determining when war is appropriate is a difficult question and has led Christian theologians and scholars to develop the “just war criteria.” These criteria raise questions about whether a military action is: a just cause, a just intention, the last resort, a formal declaration, and has limited objectives. During warfare, two other criteria are relevant: proportionate means and noncombatant immunity.
Christians have had different views about whether they can participate in a war. They can be generally summarized under three categories: Activism – it is always right to participate in war; Pacifism – it is never right to participate in war; and Selectivism – it is right to participate in some wars. Most Christians fit into the third category and therefore consider the “just war criteria.”
"for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." (Romans 13:4 ESV).
Where do the parties stand?
REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM
- ". . . if we don’t have a Strong Military, we won’t be able to defend our interests and we will be at the mercy of Hostile Nations. The Policy of the Republican Party must be to ensure that America’s Military is the strongest and best-equipped in the World—and that our Government uses that great strength sparingly, and only in clear instances where our National Interests are threatened." (pg. 5)
- "[We will] deport pro-Hamas radicals and make our college campuses safe and patriotic again." (pg. 7)
- "The Republican Plan is to return Peace through Strength, rebuilding our Military and Alliances, countering China, defeating terrorism, building an Iron Dome Missile Defense Shield, promoting American Values, securing our Homeland and Borders, and reviving our Defense Industrial Base. We will build a Military bigger, better, and stronger than ever before. Our full commitment is to protecting America and ensuring a safe and prosperous future for all." (pg. 21)
- "Republicans will promote a Foreign Policy centered on the most essential American Interests, starting with protecting the American Homeland, our People, our Borders, our Great American Flag, and our Rights under God." (pg. 21)
- "Republicans will ensure our Military is the most modern, lethal, and powerful Force in the World. We will invest in cutting-edge research and advanced technologies, including an Iron Dome Missile Defense Shield, support our Troops with higher pay, and get woke Leftwing Democrats fired as soon as possible." (pg. 21)
- "Republicans will strengthen Alliances by ensuring that our Allies must meet their obligations to invest in our Common Defense and by restoring Peace to Europe. We will stand with Israel, and seek peace in the Middle East. We will rebuild our Alliance Network in the Region to ensure a future of Peace, Stability, and Prosperity. Likewise, we will champion Strong, Sovereign, and Independent Nations in the Indo-Pacific, thriving in Peace and Commerce with others." (pg. 22)
- "Republicans will use all tools of National Power to protect our Nation’s Critical Infrastructure and Industrial Base from malicious cyber actors. This will be a National Priority, and we will both raise the Security Standards for our Critical Systems and Networks and defend them against bad actors." (pg. 22)
DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM
- Democrats “reversed Trump’s un-American ban on transgender servicemembers. . .” (pg. 56)
- "We must rally the world to address the challenges that impact all of us, from climate change and global health to human rights, technology, food security, and inclusive economic growth." (pg. 77)
- "Alongside our allies, the United States has rallied a coalition of approximately 50 nations to provide much needed security assistance to Ukraine and coordinated unprecedented international actions to impose tough sanctions on Russia and hold Putin accountable on the world stage." (pg. 78)
- Democrats “will remain focused on actions at home and abroad to outcompete China. He will continue to stand up to unfair economic practices, restrict the PRC’s access to advanced technologies that could be used to harm American interests, and reshore supply chains for materials and technologies critical for the 21st century.” (pg. 81)
- Democrats “believe a strong, secure, and democratic Israel is vital to the interests of the United States. Their commitment to Israel’s security, its qualitative military edge, its right to defend itself, and the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding is ironclad. President Biden and Vice President Harris recognize the worth of every innocent life, whether Israeli or Palestinian.” (pg. 83)
- Democrats believe “a ceasefire deal will lead to a more secure Israel and unlock the possibility of greater regional integration and historic normalization with its Arab neighbors” and they “oppose any unilateral steps by either side, including annexation, that undermine prospects for two states.” (pg. 84)
- "The Administration opposes any effort to unfairly single out and delegitimize Israel, including at the United Nations or through the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement, while protecting the Constitutional right of our citizens to free speech." (pg. 84)
- "Military force should be a tool of last resort, not the first. Commitment to our values at home and abroad requires working alongside our allies and using every diplomatic tool available to advance American interests." (pg. 88)
- "Understanding that there is nothing more important than addressing the climate crisis, President Biden has kept his word and ensured that the United States leads the world to combat climate change." (pg. 88)
- Democrats "will continue work to strengthen global health systems, bolster pandemic preparedness programs, and alleviate global food insecurity." (pg. 89)
Where do the candidates stand?
Find out now by viewing your voter guide. Just enter your physical address below.
