Thanks Cathy for your kind words. As we say in Scotland, "You're a wee Gem".
Scott

Wow! When I first signed up for this forum, I signed up to get help, helping my soldier son handle his PTSD. Ignoring all the abuse I recieved form my ex-husband... and simply throwing myself into my children's life to avoid my own problems. I DEFINATELY understand the religion conflict in this thread. My ex was a Christian "when it was convient" I turned away from the the Christian religion because of all the contradicting "rules" My son still says he is a Christian, but doesn't "live the lifesyle" He isvery angry all the time... many sexual partners... not attending services... I believe a soldier can be religious (Christian... Pagan... etc...) but it is very difficult!

Hi Nermal how are you. Thanks for your reply. Whether your son goes out with various women does not make a sinner in God's Eyes. He is merely trying to settle down and him going out with the girls is part of that.
I'm a afraid that being a soldier I've used my rifle on various situations, and I have killed, so I don't know how God sees that, as I was doing my job. And your son did the same many times in Nam.
Thanks for listening to me.
Take care:crazy-blu

Scott,
From my limited knowledge of what you have been through, all I can say is this. I had a friend who was an officer in the 'Nam' conflict. He insisted that all men went to their knees in prayer before they went on patrol. Their AO was near Pleiku. His entire tour went without losing a man in his care. This was even through the 68" Tet. He later became a Babtist preacher. He used this as a witness to many.
I used to hunt with this man and I see one of the reasons they survived. He was the most exceptional snap shot I have ever witnessed.
He believed that if you follow the LEGAL orders you are given, and try to help the non-cobatants Our Lord will honor that.
All that being said, having never been in combat I am not qualified to answer your question and wish my friend were still alive. He would know what to say. All I can do is try to comfort someone who is hurting. I am sure you have seen too much, and pray that you will be comforted by our Lord.

Wayne

Thanks Wayne, it means a lot to me that.
Cheers
Scott

can a soldier be a christian at the same time

As a soldier, you can label yourself as, and believe you are, a "Christian." So I guess the answer would be 'yes.'

In its purest interpretation, to be and live as a true Christian, and also be a soldier, is incompatable. You trade off, or will at some point, one for the other.

"Romans" 5, which says "Vengence is mine, I shall re-payeth said the lord".

Well, maybe this so-called PTSD is punishment!

I don't look at PTSD as punishment anymore -- more like a signal. It's like pain -- your nervous system uses pain to alert to you that something is not right...

Hi Tabitha, how are you. Thanks for your reply, much appreciated. There is still the soldier in my blood, after all I served 15 years. It will always be there.
Despite me having Combat Stress, I would do it all again if I had to live my life again. Because despite my health as it is now, There was a lot of good times when I thought that I was making a difference to peoples lives in a small way, we are not just trained to kill, we are trained to help out people less fortunate than ourselves, I think thats what makes us the best in the world.
I was in Berlin with my regiment the night that the Wall came down, and I think that the Lord was involved in that in some small way. And the joy on peoples faces was wonderful to see. I drunk a few bottles of beer that night and a few kisses from the Frauliens as well. I will never forget it as long as I live.
Cheers
Scott

Uh-oh...you didn't catch Hasselhoff (sp) didja? :biggrin:

Hi Tabitha,
What has David Hasselhoff got to do with it?
Scott :dont-know