Biblical Perspectives on a Christian’s Service in War

The Journal of Faith and War has a long and interesting treatise on the Biblical perspective on Christians serving during wartime.

The article covers pacifism, the Bible’s take on military service, and other angles on what is sometimes a controversial topic.

Even if you don’t find a conflict between your faith and your profession, you should still be able to articulate why you do not feel there is a conflict.  The JFW article provides an excellent starting point.

Fort Bragg to Host Atheist Counter Event

Fort Bragg has reportedly agreed to host “Rock Beyond Belief,” the atheist response to last fall’s “Rock the Fort.” Rock the Fort was led by the Billy Graham Evangelical Association in September.  The RBB event is scheduled for April 2nd.  (The “other” atheist event, the “Fort Bragg Freedom Festival,” which divorced from Rock Beyond Belief in October, appears to have been abandoned due to a lack of interest.)

As noted when the push was first announced late last year, it is entirely appropriate for the military to allow its troops the freedom to exercise their faiths.  The military is made up of men and women from all walks of life, beliefs, and ideologies.  Just as Christians are permitted to gather and share their common faith, so, too, can atheists. 

While some supporters are holding their breaths as if this is a watershed event, it is essentially standard operations within the military.  The only reason such an event hasn’t happened to date has been that no one asked.

It is possible and even likely that the atheist event will come and go with little fanfare.

On the other hand, like any ideological gathering, Rock Beyond Belief may Read more

Afghan Christian Convert Sentenced for Execution is Released

Several news organizations are reporting the Said Musa (alternatively, Sayed Mussa) has been released from prison.  An Afghan convert to Christianity, he had been told he was to be hanged for abandoning Islam, with the full support of the Afghan government.

The exact circumstances of his release are unclear:

Mr. Mussa…was released…after prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence to go forward with the case, said Gen. Qayoum Khan, the detention center director. But…a senior prosecutor involved in the case, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he was released only after agreeing to return to Islam.

Musa appears to have left the country, as did the last public convert to Christianity threatened with execution in Afghanistan.  Other Christian converts — as many as 26 were arrested at the same time as Musa — reportedly remain jailed.

“Post-combat” US Soldiers Still in Iraq, and Praying

An Associated Press article printed in New Zealand noted that combat may “officially” be over for US forces, but lethal threats still remain.

However, the picture chosen as the lede was far more interesting than the article itself:

AP Photo
US Army Lt Daniel McCord (left) Staff Sergeant Marc Krugh (centre) and Sergeant Christopher Torrentes, from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, pray before heading out on a patrol south of Baghdad. (AP)

They chose a photo of the men praying together to communicate the character, attitude, seriousness, and heart of the US Soldiers.  The picture is sincere, heartfelt, and even moving — despite being only vaguely connected to the topic of the article.  It seems even newshounds are inexplicably drawn to the meaning-filled act of Soldiers who join together to ask God’s protection and guidance as they launch to accomplish their mission.

The full Associated Press picture and article can be seen here.  More photos of religion in the military can be found here.

Congress Seeks Medal of Honor for Chaplain

As previously noted, the US Army recommended Chaplain (Capt) Emil Kapaun for a Medal of Honor in 2009.  Kapaun died in captivity in North Korea in 1951 after he was captured by the Chinese; he had stayed behind when the unit retreated in order to remain with those who could not flee.  Stories told by repatriated Soldiers were of Kapaun’s continual service and sacrifice, even at great personal risk, to tend to the physical and spiritual needs of the captives.

The Associated Press recently noted that the Kansas Congressional delegation (Kapaun hailed from Kansas) is seeking legislation to grant the Medal of Honor to Kapaun.

Ronald Reagan, World War II Military Chaplain

C-SPAN recently published footage of Ronald Reagan acting in World War II military training films.

In this US military video aptly entitled For God and Country, Reagan plays a Chaplain. Reagan comforts and prays with the men on Christmas, and ultimately dies trying to save one. From the end of the film:

A Soldier: unarmed, yet not unarmed. For what better weapons may a soldier carry with him into battle than those of courage, of unswerving devotion to his faith and to his fellow man?

Interestingly enough, it appears there were no atheists in his foxhole…

The original CSPAN video can be seen here.

Via the Army Chaplaincy blog.

Rutherford to be Next US Army Chief of Chaplains

Chaplain (BrigGen) Donald L. Rutherford is set to become the US Army’s next Chief of Chaplains.  The position is currently held by Chaplain (MajGen) Douglas Carver.

Rutherford is a Catholic and currently the Deputy Chief of Chaplains; he would be promoted to Major General as well.

Chaplain Rutherford recently spoke at the Redstone Arsenal National Prayer Luncheon on the topic of resiliency and spiritual fitness:  Read more

General Discusses Military “Moral Imperative”

The director of the Air National Guard, LtGen Harry Wyatt recently addressed a graduation of an Equal Opportunity course for the Reserve Component.  Wyatt described “equitable treatment” as a “moral imperative:”

[Equal opportunity] graduates are the ‘change agents’ that help to educate people on the need — the moral imperative — to be equitable in our treatment of all people.

The semantic choice is interesting, if you think about it, because he doesn’t say equal treatment.  Equitable means “fair;” equal means “the same;” the distinction is often missed.

1 … 439 440 441 442 443 … 608