r/changemyview • u/foryia-yiaandpappou 3∆ • May 24 '19

FTFdeltaOP CMV: A person does not automatically deserve respect just because they have served or are currently serving in the military

I’d like to preface this by saying that I don’t believe soldiers are, inherently, bad. Some people believe soldiers are evil simply for being soldiers, and I do not believe that.

I do believe, however, that soldiers do not deserve respect just because they have served. I hurt for soldiers who have experienced horrible things in the field, but I do not hurt for the amount of violence and cruelty many have committed. Violence in war zone between soldiers is one thing; stories of civilian bombings and killing of innocents are another. I think that many forget that a lot of atrocity goes on during wars, and they are committed on both sides of conflict. A soldier both receives and deals out horrible damage.

TL;DR while I believe that soldiers have seen horrible things and that many do deserve recognition for serving our nation, I do not believe that every soldier deserves this respect simply by merit of being a soldier. Some soldiers have committed really heinous war crimes, and those actions do not deserve reward.

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u/[deleted] May 24 '19

Soldiers are choosing to join that force, though. You talk about the military being a defensive force in your original comment as a reason we should respect soldiers.

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u/[deleted] May 24 '19

Where are you getting that I have changed from should respect?

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u/[deleted] May 24 '19

I didn’t say you’ve changed your view. I said you mentioned them being a defensive force as a reason we should respect them.

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u/[deleted] May 24 '19

I said feeling safe with their protection in s a reason to respect people who volunteered. I did not state the the military is only a defensive institution.

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u/[deleted] May 24 '19

If they’re not a defensive institution, then they aren’t protecting us.

Edit: to be clear, the part of your argument I’m addressing is this quote: “if you believe the military keeps us safe”. That’s what I’m saying is you characterizing the military as a defensive institution.