Discussion Board 4
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Liberty University *
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Philosophy
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Jan 9, 2024
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Discussion Board 4
Ryan Chrzanowski
CRIS607-D02
Liberty University
For this week’s discussion board, we are tasked with examining not only why military
combat leads to the highest percentage of PTSD development, but also what biblical
encouragement may offer for those that have experienced trauma in the past. The easiest way to
make sense of why military combat causes the highest cases of PTSD is to examine not only the
Bible and literature such as the DSM-V, but also art and philosophy, because there are subtle
meanings and references throughout history.
Theology and Biblical study elude to the soul being the essence of oneself, something
that is taken to heaven or hell when we die, and that our bodies are merely husks that hold our
souls while we live on earth. The Bible itself has many verses regarding the importance of a soul,
and how living with sin as well as seeking forgiveness are important aspects of being redeemed
and cleansing the soul. “From oppression and violence, he redeems their life, and precious is
their blood in his sight” (Psalm, 74:14).
However, one of the 10 Commandments itself is “Thou Shall Not Kill.” The Bible views
killing as one of the ultimate sins because God himself is the only one who should have power
over life and death. When someone kills someone else, out of malice, in self-defense, and even in
military combat, it is said that the taking of another person’s life, in a way, fractures the soul.
This concept is even present in media and entertainment. In the Harry Potter books, Lord
Voldemort fractures/splits his soul through the act of murder.
It is also important to note that the taking of someone else’s life, or witnessing someone
else’s life being taken is a very traumatic and life changing event. It changes the fundamental
core of someone. Military personnel are in a lot higher likelihood to be in this position because
of the nature of their job. “The power and intensity of combat is an unquestionable force and that
the acts of violence that take place in war can be horrifying (Cash & Weiner, 2006). The
possibility of having to take a life, or witnessing a life being taken increase exponentially when
that military member is deployed to a combat zone, even if their job is not directly combat
related. This is also why military personnel have a higher level of guilt and shame, because they
have had to witness or engage in horrible things and could do nothing to stop it.
“When you are in the military, you may see combat. You may have been on missions that
exposed you to horrible and life-threatening experiences. Or you may have experienced a serious
training accident” (NCPTSD, 2023). Living with this heightened sense of danger, violence, etc.
for long periods of time can also alter a person fundamentally, changing out a persons hope with
despair, sense of fun with a sense of constant fear, and causing a usually calm and mellow person
to constantly be on guard and tense. Military combat can, in some people, trigger their fight,
flight, or freeze response, ramp it up to 11, and then leave it there for good.
This is why it is vital that military members suffering from PTSD get the help they need,
the help that will show them how to regain control over their fight, flight, and freeze responses in
a healthy manner and allow them to return to a sense of normalcy. This is also why a lot of PTSD
treatments include a form of religious or spiritual aspect, because those verses help people work
through their guilt and shame. Bible verses can help people find comfort, strength, and love and
they help remind us that God is always with us. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed,
for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous
right hand” (Isaiah, 41:10).
REFERENCES
The Bible ESV
. (2008). Good News Publishers ; Crossway Bibles.
Cash, A., & Weiner, I. B. (2006).
Wiley concise guides to mental health: Posttraumatic stress
disorder
. Wiley.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2018, July 24).
How Common is PTSD in Veterans?
.
National Center for PTSD.
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp
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