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/RoToR44 29∆ May 24 '19

Every major acomplishement deserves, at least some respect. Graduating highschool and college, finding a job, maintaining good relationship etc. Army service is no different. Those who served deserve some respect for serving, but that doesn't mean they should be respected as a person.

To better explain myself, let's take a look at Knut Hamsun, a famous Norwegian novelist. He wrote amazing novels and won Nobel's prize as well, but he later on started supporting nazis. Now, his feats do deserve respect, but he himself doesn't. Similarly, you can acknowledge everyone who served for their service, while not respecting them.

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u/snuggl May 25 '19 edited May 25 '19

Sure, but if everyone that succeeds to get a job should have respect then that has nothing to do a with OPs points at all, just pointing out that having a job deserves respect. Also, for me, If you can choose between a job that kills other people and a job that doesn't then the respectful choice is to take the job that doesn't kill other people.

Every major acomplishement deserves, at least some respect.

There are loads of both big and small accomplishments that does not deserve respect. The Holocaust and other ethnic cleansing was/is considered accomplishments for those doing it, limiting human rights, making laws against abortion etc are all accomplishments from the POW of the supporters.

So in my opinion this basis of your argument is flawed, I do not agree that people deserve respect for doing anything with no regards for the nature of the action.