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U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanistan

Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

I guess you don't understand the concept of perception. I know it's hard to understand but maybe some muslims don't think about religion in the same way you do. Handing a bible to a devout muslim just might be the same to them as saying, your religion is false, here's the true religion. They might take offense and they might perceive it as our nations policy to convert islam. They might not want their children exposed to what they believe is a false religion, because like fundy xian parents, they fear that their efforts to inculcate their children into the correct religion will be undermined.

I understand the concept just fine, thank you.

This does not make there perception or anyone else's that think a book can insult you anything other than childish, period.
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

How many times have we done this now? 10? 20?

Just because some Christians did something doesn't mean they did it purely because they were Christians. Bigotry is bigotry and it is a part of human nature, not the religion.

You do realize there are political elements to that whole Ireland thing, don't you?

Nevermind...you probably don't and you most likely wouldn't acknowledge it if you did. That would be a little too inconvenient to your hard on for slamming Christians.


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And it's quite obvious that you ignore the fact that it's the struggle for political and religious power between the 2 xian cults, with a little my version of xianity is the right one sprinkled in...
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

Have you ever seen anyone bludgeoned into conversion?
Nope, but history provides all the evidence of the attempts. Convert or die... I wasn't alive when the pagans were being "converted" by the sword.
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

It is a harmless book. That's like blaming guns for murdering people.
I guess you don't understand the concept of coercion nor of accessory or conspiracy.
If I stand behind a guy and egg him into committing a violent or otherwise illegal act, will I be guilty of any crime? :2wave:
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

And it's quite obvious that you ignore the fact that it's the struggle for political and religious power between the 2 xian cults, with a little my version of xianity is the right one sprinkled in...

You are truly ignorant with a little rabid blind hate sprinkled in.
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

On the first part of what you posted, I completely agree with you. If we want to do humanitarian missions, then we should strengthen the Peace Corps, and let the military do what it does best - Killing threats to America's security.

Well, I think I'm with you on this but here's the catch.....

During the Cold War, the military and the CIA had one enemy. Even though nuclear holocaust was the fear, we lived in a predictable, simple era. After the Cold War, the CIA found itself without a mission. The politicians on both sides of the aisle cheered over the prospect that "we won" and that final peace was upon us. They began to strip down the military numbers and cut funding to both the military and the CIA. Programs meant to strengthen favorable ties with tribes and local populations in the third world was cut completely. But despite this near sighted behavior on behalf of Republicans and Democrats alike, Democrats made matters worse by veering from crisis to crisis on the back of the U.S. military. We were under manned, under trained and over tasked for the new "World Disorder." And even worse than this was the CIA, which was extremely successful during the Cold War, but was not made to face off with tribal threats in the absence of a single national enemy. And how did they deal with this? The consequence of a smaller overall military and bewildered CIA was that many military and intelligence tasks were outsourced to private contractos, who often operated outside the bounds of proper accountability. (Years later, Bush would be blamed for this as if he made this mess, but in all fairness, were it not for 9/11 the status quo would have been maintained.)

Now, this next phase (post-Cold War) saw the third world start to erupt and every where an American boot touched the ground was a former European colony set free, which was maintained throughout the Cold War by the America/Soviet struggle. Iraq invades Kuwait. Yugolsavia could have exploded into something that threatened to cross borders. The HOA was/is a location of great interest because of the international trade route and this area host the nations of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Sudan. Religion in Sudan and warlords and starvation in Ethiopia and Somalia can easily turn into bigger problems that knock on our door (piracy).

Though Democrats over used and under-resourced the military for missions that traditionally layed outside the bounds of the national interests, they unwittingly addressed the future. The military started recognizing that humanitarian issues are in the interests of the nation's security. That not dealing with a crumbling African nation can turn into a bigger problem later. That prescribing humanitarian aid towards certain nations in the regions would help to maintain good will and stability towards the populations throughout. President Clinton also recognized this and appointed more power towards the regional commanders (formerly called "CiNCs"). These generals of CENTCOM, SOCOM, PACOM, ....etc., without public scrutiny or knowledge, slowly came to surpass their civilian leaders in resources and influence around the world. The Clinton amdinistration pushed these leaders to adopt a higher diplomatic profile as part of a new military mission to "shape" regional environments. (Then 9/11 happened and all that General Zinni and CENTCOM knew about how to take out and build Iraq was thrown out the window by the Rumsfeld coven.)

Globalization has reared its negative side. People think in terms of financial institutions because of the current economical breakdown and that of 1998 in Asia. But globalization has ensured that borders don't contain a thing anymore. Disease from impoverished nations cross over and travel. Genocide sees victims run into bordering nations causing problems beyond the abusive nation that caused it. The poor economics of one nation and the waste dumping of others in that nation's fishing waters may cause piracy in international waters, which affect free trade. In other words, the small humanitarian issue that is not of "national interests" will eventually become a national interest when the issue is much bigger, more expensive to deal with and far deadlier for the man in uniform.

More often than not, these humanitarian missions are going to be amidst warlords, armed thugs, tribal rages, and rampaging terrorist/tyrannical organizations. The Peace Corps can do very little in terms of dealing with this rabble while securing their own safety and dealing with the humanitarian needs of the population. This is the world we have entered. Democrats discovered it on the backs of the worn out military when Clinton sat upon high and Republicans were rebuking it. Republicans preached about it on the backs of the spread out military when Bush sat upon high and Democrats belly ached over it. The fact that both parties agreed on the issue and fought on the issue depending who was in the White House tends to lend support towards the reality of it.

But what do I know.
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

Yes, you basically said if the military does anything wrong, ignore it.

Once again...what did the "military" do wrong?
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

Again, if you can show that Christianity and "that book" were the basis for millions of deaths and not the people and their motivations, I'll convert to buddhism today.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

You can't possibly be serious. The people were motivated by the book. Xian doctrine provided the necessary vehicle to advance all sorts of heinous actions including murder or as you'd probably rather call it "war".

The cross has been illustrated quite often upon crests of shields, in the plating of armor or even as engravings upon weapons.[1]

Those who fought in the name of God were recognized as the Milites Christi, warriors or knights of Christ.[2] Christian fighters believed that victory was achieved through divine intervention or aid from God, and took great pride in their beliefs. These blessed warriors pursued opposing armies and the heretic religions and cults of the time, and were highly admired by the Church and the State.[3] Often, these enemies would be one and the same, such as the Lombard Legions, which were portrayed as a common enemy of Rome and a satanic Pagan tribe as well.

The ideals and duties of religion were used as tools to legitimize warfare. Religion essentially gave the armies an excuse for their conquests under the guise of "Christianization", but their holy conquests turned out to be a long, violent series of raids for territorial expansion, trade and world-wide dominance, in the name of God.

Ever hear of the French Wars of Religion, the Crusades, the Reconquista, Northern Ireland, Manifest destiny, the Thirty Years War, All of the wars mentioned in the OT, the four wars of The Reformation, The Puritans Massacre... I could continue with a very long list of examples.
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

:rofl

Another leftist unable to converse calmly. You people are so predictable. :lol:
You haven't made any effort to converse you've simply floated a bunch of nonsensical one liners and insults. Are you sure you're not user "American" under another alias? :shock:
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

Well tell us what you know.
The god of the OT promoted all kinds of war and killing... It's the same god, right? Jesus, god the father, the holy ghost... you know, the trinity, 3 gods as one. Go take a xian theology course if you're unsure about the connection.
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

I guess you don't understand the concept of coercion nor of accessory or conspiracy.

That has nothing at all to do with handing someone a Bible or any other book.

If I stand behind a guy and egg him into committing a violent or otherwise illegal act, will I be guilty of any crime? :2wave:

Yes you would. This again has little or nothing to do with handing someone a book.
 
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Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

The god of the OT promoted all kinds of war and killing... It's the same god, right? Jesus, god the father, the holy ghost... you know, the trinity, 3 gods as one. Go take a xian theology course if you're unsure about the connection.

That has nothing to do with the here and now, nothing at all. It has even less to do with what we are taught by Jesus.

It is amazing how Christianity finally matured, but you seem to still be living in ancient times.
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

Once again...what did the "military" do wrong?

Ummm....you said

I'm saning the military will deal with its own problems without the aid of outside whiners seeking to stand behind pulpits while validating the exaggerated accusations of the enemy. Was this "interesting" too?

To which I said, "Yes, you basically said if the military does anything wrong, ignore it." I've already said that as it relates to this case it is not a widespread problem with the military itself, but the actions of some individuals. If it were a problem with the overall military, the outrage would have to be kicked up a few orders of magnitude. But what you quoted in your post was a reply to a specific question you had, did I find your statement to be interesting. And I did find it interesting because basically you said that if the military or its personnel do anything wrong, that we should ignore it because they'll take care of it themselves. On which I further commented that I do not have faith in "self-policing" arms of the government, I don't think it happens; least not well enough should there be an overall problem.
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

Yes, but as you know as I have told you many times it is not what Christians are to follow. That is if you go by what Christ said.
Doesn't matter what you've told me because xians take the text of the bible and interpret it claiming their interpretation is gods meaning. Even the things Christ supposedly said are cross referenced to other things he supposedly said to come up with the exegesis for whatever position they wish. Until god comes along and says - this is what I meant - then we are left only to the various and myriad interpretations.
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

You can't possibly be serious. The people were motivated by the book. Xian doctrine provided the necessary vehicle to advance all sorts of heinous actions including murder or as you'd probably rather call it "war".



Ever hear of the French Wars of Religion, the Crusades, the Reconquista, Northern Ireland, Manifest destiny, the Thirty Years War, All of the wars mentioned in the OT, the four wars of The Reformation, The Puritans Massacre... I could continue with a very long list of examples.

Yes you could continue with a very long list of examples which you ignorantly draw upon in rabid blind hate of something you know little about. Yes, you could continue to play the fool and yes, I can continue to laugh at you.
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

I don't know, you brought the Puritans into this.
That's right, you don't know, you simply opened your mouth and some meaningless crap fell out. He used the Puritans as an example of forcing one religion or more specifically in the case of the Puritans, another version of the same religion, on another. Your comment has ****all to do with his statement so it's clear, before you said "I don't know", that you don't.
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

Because them preaching Christianity in a country where it is illegal can lead to death.
Not to mention they are not there to spread the Bible or whatever other religion. They are there to do a job that they are paid for.
If Soldiers wish to help people "to" Jesus. Do it when you are off duty and out of the country
Their is no "off duty" in the military. You are bound by military laws and regulations 24/7.
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

That just makes you wrong.


This is, of course, a lie.

Well, no, that's not necessary true.
You may actually believe that NO Muslim actively seeks to convert others.
That just makes you wrong; its not a lie unless you KNOW what you're saying is false.

(Of couse, I believe you KNOW what you're saying is false)
Do you have any proof to share with us of Muslims proselytizing? :waiting:
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

Military rules are there for a reason .... i doubt it was there for fun

What anger?
Don't you know that neocons and especially xian neocons don't feel they are bound by silly rules or laws if they believe those rules or laws are in conflict with their interpretation of scripture or their fantasy of the world?

Oh, and if you disagree with them, then you must be angry, irrational, emotional and a liar. :doh
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

Don't you know that neocons and especially xian neocons don't feel they are bound by silly rules or laws if they believe those rules or laws are in conflict with their interpretation of scripture or their fantasy of the world?

Oh, and if you disagree with them, then you must be angry, irrational, emotional and a liar. :doh

Well now this is totally false. Except the part about you being an angry, irrational, and emotional liar.
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

This is nothing to be concerned over. Hardly anyone gives a **** what the Chaplain says. They come in, make everyone wake up, stop eating, stop reading, stop playing their PSP so we can all get together and listen to them run their mouths for about ten minutes. Most of the troops are just looking at their watches, waiting for him to shut up, so they can go back to doing whatever it was they were doing before this jerk interrupted their free time. Honestly, this is nothing to be worried about. Troops don't care about converting anyone. They care about the following things:

1. Avoiding death.
2. Avoiding injury.
3. Sleeping and eating.
4. The occasional port-a-potty fantasy.

That's it, nothing more to it. Perhaps there are a few morons who think it's alright to go around trying to convert people but they'd never actually be allowed to do it. Their squad-leader, or team-leader, or platoon commander would just tell them to stfu and watch their sector. Seriously, I’m laughing right now just thinking about someone in my team trying to convert an Iraqi during a combat patrol. I would have punched the **** out of them.
While I agree with you that most of the grunts feel this way (unless you're there to say god doesn't exist, then those same apathetic troops turn into jesus freaks) it doesn't square with having bibles printed in native dialects. SOMEONE was pushing them to SOMEONE who doesn't read english... Hmm...:confused:
 
Re: U.S. soldiers encouraged to spread message of their Christian faith in Afghanista

Read Sante Fe Independent Schoom District V. Doe.

Our military is part of our goverment and as such religion can be practiced by government members as long as its nonsectarian and non-proselytizing. As soon as you take off the uniform or are no longer acting as constituient of our government you can prosletize and preach all you want.
Not if there is a rule against it, because you are never NOT representing the military during enlistment.
 
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