Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Is America's Military Becoming an "Evangelical Christian Force"?

The following from Washington Post should be highly unsettling for Muslims, Jews, and all other non-Christians, but especially for Muslims. It is one thing for the military men to be 'people of God', but quite another when that faith is the Evangelical kind. As Muslims are keenly aware, the Evangelical movement has been the most vitriolic against Islam. We cannot forget how Pat Robertson, Falwell and the like have demonized Muslims and our beloved Prophet (S). So, when you find the followers of these bigots and fanatics running the ‘show’ at the Pentagon, you really do wonder if they will be any more ‘fair and balanced’ than FOX is, in their attitudes and opinions about Muslims, esp. the Muslims they are fighting in the battles raging in Iraq and Afghanistan. Wouldn’t the terrorists find this more of a fodder for their propaganda that America’s war is a war against Islam? [Note: excerpts only]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/10/AR2006121000883.html

Inquiry Sought Over Evangelical Video
Defense Department Asked to Examine Officers' Acts Supporting Christian Group
By
Alan Cooperman
Washington Post Staff WriterMonday, December 11, 2006; Page A03
A military watchdog group is asking the Defense Department to investigate whether seven Army and Air Force officers violated regulations by appearing in uniform in a promotional video for an evangelical Christian organization.
In the video, much of which was filmed inside the Pentagon, four generals and three colonels praise the Christian Embassy, a group that evangelizes among military leaders, politicians and diplomats in Washington. Some of the officers describe their efforts to spread their faith within the military.
"I found a wonderful opportunity as a director on the joint staff, as I meet the people that come into my directorate," Air Force Maj. Gen. Jack J. Catton Jr. says in the video. "And I tell them right up front who Jack Catton is, and I start with the fact that I'm an old-fashioned American, and my first priority is my faith in God, then my family and then country. I share my faith because it describes who I am."…
The 10-minute video is on the group's Web site, Christianembassy.com. The organization was founded nearly 30 years ago by the late Bill Bright, who also founded Campus Crusade for Christ. The Christian Embassy Web site says the group holds prayer breakfasts each Wednesday in the Pentagon's executive dining room and organizes small groups to help military leaders "bridge the gap between faith and work."
Army Brig. Gen. Bob Casen refers in the video to the Christian Embassy's special efforts to reach admirals and generals through Flag Fellowship groups. Whenever he sees another fellowship member, he says, "I immediately feel like I am being held accountable, because we are the aroma of Jesus Christ."…
In 2003, Army Lt. Gen. William G. "Jerry" Boykin drew criticism for appearing in uniform before church groups and saying, in remarks captured on video, that President Bush was "appointed by God," that the United States is "a Christian nation" and that Muslims worship "an idol." The inspector general's office determined that Boykin had not violated any rules, and he remained in a top intelligence post. [MORE]

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

"The following from Washington Post should be highly unsettling for Muslims, Jews, and all other non-Christians"
Why? Who cares what their religion is, the fact that they are killing Muslims everyday is even more unsettling.
They have killed hundreds of thousands, injured many more,destroyed homes, and completely destroyed a whole country, and all you are worried about is that the American army is becoming more Christian.
I am really questioning where your priorities are at the moment.

Amad said...

Its easy to sit behind an anonymous id and throw darts at people! So, first of all, be a man (or woman) and next time display your name.
As to why this matters... its already too late, we cannot rewind the war and prevent it... America is IN. So, how the army attacks the problems, or in better terms, how it solves the problems could be affected by the faiths of those in charge. If the faith of the generals goes by the evangelical leaders that Muslims have a demonic faith, well then they will be apt to treat them like demons... that's the point.

Anonymous said...

Listen buddy...Your logic is screwed up. If the American soldiers were all Muslims instead of Evangelical Christians, would it still matter if the outcome was the same? Definitely not! If someone is killing your family, it doesn't matter what religion they practice. The fact is still the same whether they be Christian, Atheist, or whatever.
Let's try to focus on what really matters instead of minor details like religion (or what my name is).

Amad said...

Anonymous buddy, how this war/killings proceed can be definitely affected by the religious attitudes of people. For instance, the extremist terrorists claiming Islam as their motivation, see killings in a certain light, which guides their evil actions. Similarly, any screwed up religious extremism may lead to more killings if the attitude is that it is being done in the name of their god. Comprehendo?

Anonymous said...

wow, we are definitely not on the same page. I think we can both agree that this article was a waste of time though...try posting something beneficial instead of just adding insult to injury, buddy.