An exploration of the relationship between combat and changes in Christian religious practices among World War II veterans

Timothy R. Reichard

Etd

An exploration of the relationship between combat and changes in Christian religious practices among World War II veterans

Public Deposited

MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Timothy R. Reichard. An Exploration of the Relationship Between Combat and Changes In Christian Religious Practices Among World War Ii Veterans. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/58011402-2050-4be5-bb12-b0813181e0f8?q=2008.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

T. R. Reichard. An exploration of the relationship between combat and changes in Christian religious practices among World War II veterans. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/58011402-2050-4be5-bb12-b0813181e0f8?q=2008

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Timothy R. Reichard. An Exploration of the Relationship Between Combat and Changes In Christian Religious Practices Among World War Ii Veterans. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/58011402-2050-4be5-bb12-b0813181e0f8?q=2008.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

Creator

Timothy R. Reichard

Keyword

Practice (Theology)

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Abstract

Warfare not only taxes a soldier physically and psychologically but spiritually. For Christian soldiers having to take the life of others or witnessing the tragic death of friends brings challenges that may alter faith, beliefs and practices. This study explores the relationship between combat experiences and changes in Christian religious practices among World War II veterans. Six Americans and one German veteran were interviewed and asked a series of questions assessing the impact of war on their religious beliefs and practices during and following the war. The goal of the questions was to determine if there were changes in religious practices that resulted from: a previous practice taking on a new meaning in light of their experiences, a sense of thankfulness for having survived the war, or a sense of guilt for having killed another human being. Three areas of Christian practices were explored: practices related to church community, practices related to personal spirituality, and practices related to forgiveness of self and others.The results demonstrated a number of things: warfare deepens Christian practices, there are spiritual costs and questions associated with war, there are spiritual experiences present that serve to deepen or reinforce faith, practices change as expressions of faith, and there is little time for reflection on spiritual matters during times of war.The study has implications for understanding the struggles of faith that soldier's have during times of war and when they return home. It also illuminates that there are special considerations that need to be taken into account when providing pastoral care to veterans. Finally it offers suggestions for including veterans in the on-going conversation of warfare in general.

Year