A frontpage photo on the Wall Street Journal a few weeks ago highlighted the presence of faith even in the struggle of war.  From the caption:

RESCUE AND PROTECT: Staff Sgt. Edward Rosa reads the Bible and extends a cigarette to Pfc. Jorge Rostra Obando, who was stunned by an explosion in Afghanistan’s Arghanab Valley. One comrade was killed and two injured in the blast. Pfc. Rostran asked the sergeant to read Psalm 91, a favorite from his childhood. (Ricardo Garcia Vilanova for The Wall Street Journal)

Wall Street Journal photo

In the comments on the WSJ site, a poster who said he was Obando’s father chimed in with pride for his son’s faith; someone who said they were a Gideon even pointed out the fact it was a freely distributed (and well worn) Gideon Bible the two Soldiers were sharing.

Of course, some organizations have demanded that the military “close their doors” to the Gideons, and the publication of the photo brought out similar detractors: 

3:30 pm June 10, 2010
U.S. Atheist service member wrote:
Christian propaganda. We wouldn’t be in this mess if it were not for religion.

1:03 pm June 9, 2010
Jim Douglas wrote:
Keep on fighting the Christian Jihad, oh brave soldiers of Christ! Crush the Muslim empire and bring them the One True Religion!

Despite the incendiary comments (one wonders if they’ve bothered to read Psalm 91), religious freedom remains protected within the US military, even (and perhaps especially) among men in combat.  The military generally protects the right of its members to integrate their faith and with their daily professional lives.  It also recognizes the value of Soldiers’ faith to their mission effectiveness and well-being.

Though some conspiracy theorists would likely claim this photo could be “propaganda” to extremist enemies, the actions of Rosa and Obando are not only permitted, they are encouraged.  It is telling, however, that some would protest the simple act of Soldiers encouraging each other with a Bible verse from a well-worn Testament.

Now, about that cigarette…

Via Lamar Vest, President and CEO of The American Bible Society, who posted an article on the Huffington Post, a liberal-leaning site that generated similar comments to the detractors above.