another critical fact apparently left out of our children's history education. hmmmmmm...
-
Trouble logging in? Send us a message with your username and/or email address for help.
Bible verses on weapons
- Thread starter Bob
- Start date
another critical fact apparently left out of our children's history education. hmmmmmm...
scooterbug44
SoWal Expert
Yep, fueled by religious fervor surrounding a war - sound familiar? :roll:
GoodWitch58
Beach Fanatic
Leonard Pitts Jr.: Taking aim at biblical verses on weapons | tallahassee.com | Tallahassee Democrat
I think Leonard Pitts sums up the incident well..
"The point is not that he or we can do what Martin Luther King did or be who Mother Teresa was — we all suffer in that comparison. No, the point is that truest faith is not seen in a secret code on a gun sight, a trinket from a store or words on a rock. Rather, faith is seen in the substance of a life lived in service to others, lived as if God were "not" in fact one's personal echo chamber in the sky."
I think Leonard Pitts sums up the incident well..
"The point is not that he or we can do what Martin Luther King did or be who Mother Teresa was — we all suffer in that comparison. No, the point is that truest faith is not seen in a secret code on a gun sight, a trinket from a store or words on a rock. Rather, faith is seen in the substance of a life lived in service to others, lived as if God were "not" in fact one's personal echo chamber in the sky."
Last edited:
scooterbug44
SoWal Expert
He certainly summed it up quite effectively IMO!
"In the first place, the gun sights actually seem a clear violation of a regulation specifically prohibiting service personnel from proselytizing in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In the second place, the revelation is a fresh embarrassment for the United States, which has labored for nine years to convince the Muslim world that it is not leading a Christian crusade against Islam.
In the third place, the coded scriptural references provided a recruiting tool to warlords and terrorists who could truthfully tell followers they were being shot at by Jesus guns.
In the fourth place, Munson's airy dismissal of his critics as "not Christian" (e.g., we can ignore them) speaks volumes about the smug, insular fundamentalism at work here.
In the fifth place, there is a rather jarring cognitive disconnect involved in seeing weapons of war used to lionize the prince of peace.
And finally, in the sixth place: Is this not one of the cheesiest expressions of religious faith you've ever seen? Not that that would make it unique."
"In the first place, the gun sights actually seem a clear violation of a regulation specifically prohibiting service personnel from proselytizing in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In the second place, the revelation is a fresh embarrassment for the United States, which has labored for nine years to convince the Muslim world that it is not leading a Christian crusade against Islam.
In the third place, the coded scriptural references provided a recruiting tool to warlords and terrorists who could truthfully tell followers they were being shot at by Jesus guns.
In the fourth place, Munson's airy dismissal of his critics as "not Christian" (e.g., we can ignore them) speaks volumes about the smug, insular fundamentalism at work here.
In the fifth place, there is a rather jarring cognitive disconnect involved in seeing weapons of war used to lionize the prince of peace.
And finally, in the sixth place: Is this not one of the cheesiest expressions of religious faith you've ever seen? Not that that would make it unique."
He certainly summed it up quite effectively IMO!
"In the first place, the gun sights actually seem a clear violation of a regulation specifically prohibiting service personnel from proselytizing in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In the second place, the revelation is a fresh embarrassment for the United States, which has labored for nine years to convince the Muslim world that it is not leading a Christian crusade against Islam.
In the third place, the coded scriptural references provided a recruiting tool to warlords and terrorists who could truthfully tell followers they were being shot at by Jesus guns.
In the fourth place, Munson's airy dismissal of his critics as "not Christian" (e.g., we can ignore them) speaks volumes about the smug, insular fundamentalism at work here.
In the fifth place, there is a rather jarring cognitive disconnect involved in seeing weapons of war used to lionize the prince of peace.
And finally, in the sixth place: Is this not one of the cheesiest expressions of religious faith you've ever seen? Not that that would make it unique."
perfectly said.
jesus on a gun. you cannot make this kind of stuff up.
Alicia Leonard
SoWal Insider
From NPR, All Things Considered:
January 25, 2010
Benjamin Busch was an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps. He served two tours of duty in Iraq.
As a Marine invading Iraq in 2003, I thought we actively separated church and state from our motives.
I know that Scripture embedded in the obscure numbers on rifle scopes may seem like a small detail, and that manufacturer Trijicon likely intended no particular malice by placing biblical references on its equipment. Like, 2COR4:6 represents 2 Corinthians 4:6, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." There seems to have been neither marketing nor secrecy associated with the presence of these inscriptions.
But these are not innocent times, and the codes are still messages printed and sent out. These notes have now been read and exposed, and we have the baggage of explaining ourselves to people convinced that many of our actions are motivated by religion instead of self-defense, justice or altruism.
As a Marine, I aimed at Iraq through rifle scopes, my vision amplified. When viewing other cultures, even enemies, I think we should be wary of seeing them through a lens marked by religion.
I did not go onward as a Christian soldier. I went forth as an American, a Marine.
The United States is fighting Islamic extremists. But we are not Christian extremists. When I returned for my second tour in 2005, we were in the embattled city of Ramadi, and we fought jihadists, tribal factions and criminals alongside almost entirely Muslim Iraqi soldiers. It was impossible to segregate the ambitions of singular religions then.
Although the rifle equipment was stamped as a private act by a private company, it was sold to governments, and therefore unavoidably and knowingly coupled with politics. Biblical quotes were thoughtfully chosen ? thoughtful enough not to be allowed as innocent of larger context.
By branding weapons with Christian messages, there is a deep and ugly blending of religion, politics and bloodshed, and it has unwittingly painted our government and military with the embarrassing language of "crusade."
America is largely composed of people who consider themselves Christian, separated by various interpretations of the same book. But I did not go onward as a Christian soldier. I went forth as an American, a Marine. I was sent by my country to fight a threat, and thereafter with the best intentions of democracy, not theocracy.
Our efforts in the Middle East were complicated enough, and small symbols are examined carefully by our opponents. Based on my understanding of the teachings of Christ, he would be very disappointed to see his Gospel assigned to war of any kind in the first place.
I leave you with a verse that has not been stamped on our weapons: "But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you" ? Matthew 5:44.
Audio for this story from All Things Considered will be available at approx. 7:00 p.m. ET
January 25, 2010
Benjamin Busch was an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps. He served two tours of duty in Iraq.
As a Marine invading Iraq in 2003, I thought we actively separated church and state from our motives.
I know that Scripture embedded in the obscure numbers on rifle scopes may seem like a small detail, and that manufacturer Trijicon likely intended no particular malice by placing biblical references on its equipment. Like, 2COR4:6 represents 2 Corinthians 4:6, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." There seems to have been neither marketing nor secrecy associated with the presence of these inscriptions.
But these are not innocent times, and the codes are still messages printed and sent out. These notes have now been read and exposed, and we have the baggage of explaining ourselves to people convinced that many of our actions are motivated by religion instead of self-defense, justice or altruism.
As a Marine, I aimed at Iraq through rifle scopes, my vision amplified. When viewing other cultures, even enemies, I think we should be wary of seeing them through a lens marked by religion.
I did not go onward as a Christian soldier. I went forth as an American, a Marine.
The United States is fighting Islamic extremists. But we are not Christian extremists. When I returned for my second tour in 2005, we were in the embattled city of Ramadi, and we fought jihadists, tribal factions and criminals alongside almost entirely Muslim Iraqi soldiers. It was impossible to segregate the ambitions of singular religions then.
Although the rifle equipment was stamped as a private act by a private company, it was sold to governments, and therefore unavoidably and knowingly coupled with politics. Biblical quotes were thoughtfully chosen ? thoughtful enough not to be allowed as innocent of larger context.
By branding weapons with Christian messages, there is a deep and ugly blending of religion, politics and bloodshed, and it has unwittingly painted our government and military with the embarrassing language of "crusade."
America is largely composed of people who consider themselves Christian, separated by various interpretations of the same book. But I did not go onward as a Christian soldier. I went forth as an American, a Marine. I was sent by my country to fight a threat, and thereafter with the best intentions of democracy, not theocracy.
Our efforts in the Middle East were complicated enough, and small symbols are examined carefully by our opponents. Based on my understanding of the teachings of Christ, he would be very disappointed to see his Gospel assigned to war of any kind in the first place.
I leave you with a verse that has not been stamped on our weapons: "But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you" ? Matthew 5:44.
Audio for this story from All Things Considered will be available at approx. 7:00 p.m. ET
Jesus
Beach Lover
Even though I didn't have an account, I've been a lurker here for all eternity. But I've decided to jump in once in a while to set you people straight.
This whole putting bible verses on guns thing. It didn't bother me. Bigger things to worry about. But it's for the best that it's going to stop.
Dad's name on the dollar- could care less.
Alright. That's enough for now. I'm going to catch sunset.
JC
This whole putting bible verses on guns thing. It didn't bother me. Bigger things to worry about. But it's for the best that it's going to stop.
Dad's name on the dollar- could care less.
Alright. That's enough for now. I'm going to catch sunset.
JC
Just Curious
Beach Fanatic
Considering that these are the best scopes available, so I've been told, I think that it is in the best interest of our soldiers to "tolerate" them.
LuciferSam
Banned
I don't think it's too much to ask the manufacturers to cut the sh-- from hereon.
Last edited:
yes certainly, and the soldiers have done just that for quite some time I believe.