You have spoken a mouth full, my friend. I would remind you that God himself is referred to in the OT as a man of war, and it is not for nothing that He gives man the authority to wield the sword as a means for curtailing evil. There is also the Just War doctrine of the early church fathers that, in my view, is pretty compelling.

We are to be the body of Christ, in peace and in war.

Having said all that, I know exactly where you're coming from, with a 15-year-old boy of my own.

PS--Bierce cracks me up, and I really enjoy his wit, along with Mark Twain. But I don't think we'll have a chance to query either one of them at The Banquet, if you follow my meaning.