Recently, We had to cease the extradition of a person accused of being a German guard at Auschwitz (I'd guess at the private or corporal level) because at 78, his health would not allow for the long trans-Atlantic flight to Geneva to face trial. The guy was a guard. I'm sure he had orders.
If "I was just following orders" becomes an allowable defense, we've already passed the critical point on the slip away from a free society.
There is a difference between being correctly subordinate to your superiors and putting blinders on to things that are just not right around you.
At some point, you must stand against injustice, or you become contaminated in the crime and liable for your actions. "everyone else is doing it" won't work. "I was just following orders" won't work. "It's not my job" won't work.
If you are Christian, Then you must be prepared to follow the example of Christ.
Matthew 21:1-17
1 When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples 2 with these instructions: "Go over to the village across from you. You'll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you're doing, say, "The Master needs them!' He will send them with you." 4 This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet: 5 Tell Zion's daughter, "Look, your king's on his way, poised and ready, mounted On a donkey, on a colt, foal of a pack animal." 6 The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. 7 They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. 8 Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. 9 Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, "Hosanna to David's son!Blessed is he who comes in God's name!Hosanna in highest heaven!" 10 As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, "What's going on here? Who is this?" 11 The parade crowd answered, "This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee." 12 Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. 13 He quoted this text: My house was designated a house of prayer; You have made it a hangout for thieves. 14 Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them. 15 When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, "Hosanna to David's Son!" they were up in arms and took him to task. 16 "Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus said, "Yes, I hear them. And haven't you read in God's Word, "From the mouths of children and babies I'll furnish a place of praise'?" 17 Fed up, Jesus turned on his heel and left the city for Bethany, where he spent the night. (The Message)
