History Main / ChurchMilitant

The moral questions surrounding the idea of religious authorities advocating violence have been around since the beginning of monotheism. Polytheistic religions generally don't result in dissonance, instead delegating war behavior to [[WarGod deities who are specifically devoted to kicking ass]]. Monotheistic religions, on the other hand, have always had the problem of reconciling a loving God (assuming He is loving to begin with) with the specifically unloving human behavior that is intrinsic to warfare. Sometimes it is based on the idea that wrongdoers and criminals, domestic or cosmic, [[{{Criminals}} lose variably some or all of the protection of God and society because of their bad actions]] and therefore should come quietly or be defeated. There is the philosophy that [[MartialPacifist self-defense and the defense of others from bad guys -- out of love]] for others -- is acceptable and just in God's sight. It must also be understood that soldiers face death every day, and naturally have a vested interest in spiritual pursuits. Also, in general, non-Christian religions portrayed as Church Militants are usually [[UnfortunateImplications frowned upon]].

* In ''Fanfic/ExitumEternal'', the Exitum itself is a strange case of this. All the church's zealotry is devoted towards fighting the forces of [[VideoGame/{{Doom}} Hell]] rather than purging heretics or converting others to their cause.

Oftentimes, they might instead favor [[CarryABigStick the mace]], hammer, or a staff out of an alleged commitment to peace. This doctrine is espoused by the Order of the Blunt Instrument because ''theoretically'' bludgeoning weapons allow for [[TechnicalPacifist "just" beating the hell out of an opponent]], and they take a [[ExactWords "strict" view]] of the commandments against "spilling blood" or "taking up the sword." Also blunt weapons are cheap, and there are vows of poverty to consider.

* In ''Literature/PayMeBug'', [[TheEmpire The Empire of the Radiant Throne]] is one part theocracy, two parts authoritarian dictatorship.
* Brothers Benedict and Tobias of ''Literature/{{Revelations}}'' hail from such a group, which amazingly avoids being a gathering of {{Well Intentioned Extremist}}s, though more because all the "heroes" of Revelations do nasty things from time to time than from their own moderation.

* The Payshmura Church in ''Literature/TheRifter'' trains all of their priests in combat forms, and occasionally weaponizes them against the populace. Once sect, the Kahlirash'im, takes it to an even greater extreme, [[ScaryTeeth filing their teeth into points]], living in a temple that doubles as a fortress, and worshipping the Rifter, the destroyer aspect of the god Parfir.
* Seret knights in ''Literature/TheRiyriaRevelations'' are the Nyphron Church's [[spoiler:(and eventually, New Empire's)]] enforcers-''cum''-inquisition, beholden only to the Patriarch and Sentinels.
* In Bernard Cornwell's ''[[Literature/TheSaxonStories Saxon Stories]]'', there is a certain Father Pyrlig, who relies on people assuming fat men can't fight. Usually by the time they realise that they can, they're dead. There is also a OneSceneWonder Abbot, an ex-soldier who the main character notices is carry a BFA (Like BFS but with an axe), a heavily used one with notches. When the narrator enquires after it, he is cheerfully told, "It is sent many a pagan to Hell, Lord." Since the Abbot has a large scar on his face, you believe it.
* The demonic narrator of ''Literature/TheScrewtapeLetters'' describes the church as seen from the spiritual dimension (where things that seem mundane to humans, such as a simple prayer, take on very real and tangible consequences) this way:
-->“…the Church as we see her, spread out through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners…"
* The Church of the Silver Crown in ''Literature/ShatteredTwilight'' has '''two''' orders of openly militant clergy (the Purgatai and the Justicai) as well as a '''standing army''', the White Guard.

Oftentimes, they might instead favor [[CarryABigStick the mace]], [[DropTheHammer hammer]], or a staff out of an alleged commitment to peace. This doctrine is espoused by the Order of the Blunt Instrument because ''theoretically'' bludgeoning weapons allow for [[TechnicalPacifist "just" beating the hell out of an opponent]], and they take a [[ExactWords "strict" view]] of the commandments against "spilling blood" or "taking up the sword." Also blunt weapons are cheap, and there are vows of poverty to consider.

* Inspired by these groups, the Order of the Dragon was an monarchical knightly order established to defend the cross against its enemies -- more specifically, the Ottoman Empire which was expanding over the Balkans. It was an Catholic organization since many of its members swore their allegiance to the Pope, but many Orthodox Christians partnered up with them. Among its most famous members include as {{UsefulNotes/Skanderbeg}} of Albania, John Corvinus of Hungary and UsefulNotes/VladTheImpaler of Romania (in fact, his father Vlad Dracul took his name from the order).

* The Ethos from ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'' is the worlds main religious body, and seems to have a rather large number of [[BadassPreacher gun-wielding priests]] at their disposal. One of them even joins your party.

* [[BigBad The Paladins]] in ''Film/{{Jumper}}'' are a NebulousEvilOrganization of religious fanatics that have been operating since the medieval era who hunt down people with teleporting abilities [[VanHelsingHateCrimes simply because it's unnatural]].

* The Church of Abel in ''TabletopGame/AnimaBeyondFantasy'', complete with monks who use martial arts, countless knights orders, and an Inquisition whose members more often that not are very proficient in combat (and when not, they've magic and the like at their disposal). When your CrystalDragonJesus and his followers were kicking supernatural asses elsewhere, that's something to be expected.
* In ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'', Clan Cloud Cobra are known for as "the clergy of the Clans". Being founded by a Chaplain, the Cloud Cobras all follow a ecumenical religious movement called "The Way', although they have subdivisions based on Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and other faiths.

* TabletopGame/{{Chess}} -- at least the standard version -- gives us the Bishop. The French, however, call this piece the [[CourtJester Fool]] instead, while the Russians (and Chinese in TabletopGame/{{Xiangqi}}, where it is somewhat different}} call it the elephant, and the Germans call it the runner. The piece was originally the elephant in [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaturanga Chaturanga.]]
* The ''TabletopGame/CyberEurope'' expansion to Iron Crown's ''CyberSpace'' RPG introduces some hotshot special forces of the Vatican, such as the ''Apostolic Carabiniers'' SWAT unit and a Mission-Impossible-ish intelligence service, managed by Jesuits. These organizations are consistently portrayed as (reasonably) good guys, which is surprising since the authors are all Swedes.
* Within ''TabletopGame/TheDarkEye,'' there are numerous churches that fit this trope. The church of [[WarGod Rondra]](goddess of honorable battle), the church of her son [[WarGod Kor]](god of war, bloodshed and mercanaries) are at the forefront, but most churches have an order or two, that is more militant than the rest of the church.

** And, as of 4th edition, the Avenger class, who are clerics mixed with rogues to become assassins of God.

** All clerics in the TabletopGame/{{Eberron}} setting are holy knights, most ordinary priests are just adepts or experts. The Church of the Silver Flame are particularly well known for their [[KnightTemplar zealotry]].
** It's worth of note that back in the AD&D times, in the ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'' setting the very least, things were more varied with available classes including besides the standard cleric and "specialty priests" -- which had exclusive notes and requirements for them and could be quite different of the former class, with all deities having at least the latter one -- monks, shamans, crusaders, mystics, paladins, and druids, each church having more or less of those (if any) and even others not listed here.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'''s Immaculate Order is what happens when you take this trope, add WarriorMonk, SupernaturalMartialArts, and ElementalPowers, and stir vigorously.
** Then there's [[http://wiki.white-wolf.com/exalted/index.php?title=Characters:Peleps_Deled Peleps Deled,]] a Water Aspected Dragon-Blood who would (and has) kill someone for disagreeing with him on the smallest and most trivial parts of the Immaculate Doctrine.
** There is also the entire Zenith Caste of Solar Exalted themselves: every Zenith is inherently a priest of the Unconquered Sun, is intended to preach the word of Heaven and inspire the masses with their raw charisma and social strength, and, given that they are [[CanonSue Celestial Exalts]], spend most of their time fighting injustice and beating the snot out of creatures of darkness, {{Eldritch Abomination}}s and other enemies of Creation.

*** In TheEmpire, all major religions (apart from the cult of Shallya, Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, and Ranald, God of Thieves) have their own military branches associated with them, both in the form of temple guards and the like, and in the form of militant orders. Naturally, the more warlike the god, the larger the militant following.
*** The cult of Ulric, god of Survival, Wrath and Winter, is one of the Empire's {{War God}}s, and his priests often lead armies into battle. Ulric's followers are forbidden from wearing helmets or skins from wolves they didn't personally kill with weapons of their own manufacture, since they are expected to show courage and self-reliance. Ulric-worshippers are common in every battle-line in TheEmpire. The cult also sponsors an order of knights, the Knights of the White Wolf.
*** Sigmar, the Ur-Emperor of the Empire, is venerated as the founder, uniter and protector of The Empire, and, as such, his priests can be found in many capacities throughout The Empire. The War Priesthood are sent out to lead the Empire's armies and bolster morale when fighting Chaos, so that the men can feel Sigmar's will is with them.
*** The iconic Church Militant of the game is the War Priest of Sigmar, with shaved head, orange robes, plate armor and warhammer.

*** The third war god (yes, the Empire is the kind of place that needs three separate war gods), Myrmidia, is more worshipped in Tilea and Estalia, and her worship has only recently spread to the Empire. Still, she is popular enough with officers and {{Combat Aestheticist}}s. Myrmidia's knightly order is the Knights of the Blazing Sun, who, while not large, steadily gain in popularity.

** In ''TabletopGame/{{Necromunda}}'' the [[ApocalypseCult Cult of the Redemption]] are a highly violent offshoot of the Imperial Cult native to the planet that has since [[CanonImmigrant spread to the wider Imperium]]. The Cult aggressively persecute anyone who deviates from their strict beliefs of physical and spiritual purity and launch armed crusades against the deviant inhabitants of the [[UnderCity underhive]].
* The Sisters of Mercy from the ''TabletopGame/FengShui'' supplement ''Glimpse of the Abyss'' are a convent of [[AmazonBrigade Nuns With Guns]] based in the Netherworld who hunt down and kill those whom their Mother Superior deems to be deserving of the respite of death from the suffering the Sisters believe life to be. Those whose names end up on the Rolls of Mercy and are targeted for "deliverance" often aren't so keen on dying.
* ''TabletopGame/HunterTheVigil'' has ''three'' of these: the Malleus Maleficarum, a secret arm of the Vatican dedicated to hunting down monsters (and usually of the "suffer not a witch to live" ethos); the Long Night, a loose group of pre-millennialist fundamentalists devoted to "redeeming" monsters; and the Knights of St. George, an Anglican group that focuses mainly on demons and sorcerers.
** Also in the ''TabletopGame/OldWorldOfDarkness'' there's the Society of Leopold, your basic secret Catholic monster hunters.
** And in the ''TabletopGame/NewWorldOfDarkness'', there's the Fire-Touched from TabletopGame/WerewolfTheForsaken, who act like this. One of the Pure Tribes that rejects service to Luna in favor of fighting the Forsaken, they see their undertaking as a holy cause and their tribal totem as a near-divine prophet. They're about equally happy to convert or kill their foes.

* The ''TabletopGame/IronKingdoms'' setting has a whole nation of these, called the Protectorate of Menoth.
* The parody RPG ''TabletopGame/MachoWomenWithGuns'' has only three character classes: Bimbos, Succubi, and Combat Nuns. I'm sorry, "Sisters of Our Lady of Harley Davidson". Needless to say, that game is made of raw [[RuleOfCool Awesome]].
* The Boros Legion from ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'''s Ravnica setting.
** Additionally, the Cathars of the Church of Avacyn on Innistrad, [[GothicHorror by]] [[CrapSackWorld necessity]]. In fact, the angels in Innistrad are also divided into several groups, and one of them, the Goldnight, is a Church Militant group.

* The Order of the Sacred Hamaxe from ''TabletopGame/RocketAge''. They form war-bands made up of members from every Martian caste and roam around performing exorcisms as well as fighting dangerous animals and bandits. Unusually a band member of any caste can become a war-priest, although they are usually Kastari.
* The Machine Cult in ''TabletopGame/StarRealms''. Being surrounded by a hostile alien species means the Cult has to have a well-armed star fleet just to survive. In addition, one of the Cult's Hero cards is the War Elder.
* The ''TabletopGame/{{Talislanta}}'' RPG allows players to become (among other things) any one of several types of intolerant cleric. Although few have any spellcasting abilities, these classes are interesting in that they are the only characters that come with the "torture" skill.

* In ''TabletopGame/SavageWorlds'' game ''Necropolis 2350'', Salus (more commonly known as Necropolis) the only inhabitable planet remaining for humanity, is under attack from the undead alien Rahaim. To counter the Rahaim threat, there emerged the tyrannical Third Reformation Church and its militant branches the Sacri Ordines.

* In medieval Korea (during the reign of Goryeo Dynasty), there was an official army faction of Buddhist monks, with the badass sounding name of 'the army of Demon repellers'('Hangmagun' in Korean), which fought against Jurchens and Mongolians. The succeeding Joseon Dynasty (which disliked Buddhism due to its Confucian nature) banned these 'Monk Armies'('Seung-byeong', which means the same as Japanese 'sohei'). But later during the 1592 Japanese Invasions, many Buddhist monks took up fighting again as Seung-byeong, and some famous monk-generals such as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samyeongdang Samyeongdang]] contributed greatly in driving out the invading Japanese forces. Their names and feats were so well-known that there were many folk legends created about monks being able to use magic and supernatural powers.

* ''{{Series/Cursed}}'': The Catholic Church in the series is portrayed as having an army called the Red Paladins who hunt down Fey, whom they have deemed demons. There is also another force called the Trinity Guards which is said to be even more fearsome. Pope Abel threatens Father Carden with the Trinity Guards now usurping the Red Paladins if he is unable to produce results in the hunt for Nimue.

*** High-level Affinity units sometimes approach this from the opposite direction -- while their military pedigree is obvious, as they develop Affinities tend to go from strictly practical philosophies of development, to rigid and dogmatic ideologies, to the level of out-and-out religions. This is especially true of the Purity Affinity and its ultimate unit, the LEV Destroyer (a floating citadel/artillery unit that wouldn't look out of place on a ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' battlefield). Individual Destroyers have "reliquaries" that hold items from Earth or the possessions of first-generation colonists, and bear names like "St. Germaine's Destroyer".

* ''ComicBook/RobinSeries'': Crucible uses his own twisted and cruel interpretation of religion to excuse his torture and murder of others, saying he's eradicating sin.

* The Church of Zakarum from the ''{{VideoGame/Diablo}}'' series has the paladins, who were founded to protect the monks who were meant to spread the religion. For some reason, the kind, generous, armed knights were more inspiring to the populace than the monks. They faded from view once Zakarum fell under the influence of [[TheCorrupter Mephisto]] and no longer put a lot of effort into converting people, only to make a comeback when the Prime Evils started attacking the mortal world, and Zakarum started converting again. This time, anyone inconvertible was deemed evil and killed. A small band, including any paladin player characters from ''VideoGame/DiabloII'', chose to go rogue, and directly confront the Prime Evils. They later discovered that the church they served was corrupt, and had to face several enemies that were themselves examples of this trope.

* ''Series/TheWheelOfTime'': The Children of the Light, colloquially known as Whitecloaks due to their uniforms, are an armed Crusader/Inquisition like group devoted to hunting down Aes Sedai, female magic users whom they believe to be evil, serving [[GodOfEvil the Dark One]].

* In ''LightNovel/IzureShinwaNoRagnarok'', the church is one of the two most influential organizations in the world and the protagonist, Raika, works for them to investigate the other organization, though he has his own reasons for doing so. The militant part comes into play when Raika displays the combat techniques they taught him, which are enough to survive against humans possessed by gods.