Ron Paul on the Christian doctrine of "Just War"

Ron Paul on the Christian doctrine of "Just War" and the requirements that must be met before a war is considered justified.



"Military force is justified only in self-defense; naked aggression is the province of dictators and rogue states. This is the danger of a new "preemptive first strike" doctrine. America is the most moral nation on earth, founded on moral principles, and we must apply moral principles when deciding to use military force."

Congressman Ron Paul, U.S. House of Representatives
Arguments Against a War in Iraq - September 4, 2002

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The intervarsity Christian fellowship defines Just War as follows:

1. Just cause. All aggression is condemned; only defensive war is legitimate.
2. Just intention. The only legitimate intention is to secure a just peace for all involved. Neither revenge nor conquest nor economic gain nor ideological supremacy are justified.
3. Last resort. War may only be entered upon when all negotiations and compromise have been tried and failed.
4. Formal declaration. Since the use of military force is the prerogative of governments, not of private individuals, a state of war must be officially declared by the highest authorities.
5. Limited objectives. If the purpose is peace, then un­conditional surrender or the destruction of a nation's eco­nomic or political institutions is an unwarranted objective.
6. Proportionate means. The weaponry and the force used should be limited to what is needed to repel the aggression and deter future attacks, that is to say to secure a just peace. Total or unlimited war is ruled out.

http://www.intervarsity.org/news/the-just-war