Holy War
This week there have been reports that a combat unit commander told his non-commissioned officers (NCOs) to tell their troops not to be afraid, that this war with Iran is a part of God’s plan, and that if they die they will be martyrs. They made number of references to the Book of Revelation, Armageddon, and the return of Jesus. From what I have been able to gather, this report came from an independent journalist, Jonathan Larsen, based on reporting from an organization called the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) that they have received over 200 complaints from servicemembers. MRFF was founded by Mikey Weinstein. His critics say is atheist but is in fact he is an agnostic Jew. The foundation received one complaint made on behalf of 15 soldiers, 11 of whom were Christian, 1 Jewish, and 1 Muslim. MRFF reports it “is keeping the complainants anonymous to prevent retribution by the Defense Department.” After an investigation, Snopes reported they don’t “rely on anonymous sources in our reporting. Larsen and Mikey Weinstein, the MRFF founder, both said they had not received any video or audio recordings of the reported Christian messaging by commanders. Therefore, we leave this claim unrated.” However, they also said that “at the time of this writing, it was unclear whether the Defense Department would investigate complaints received by the MRFF”.[1]
Is this a case of propaganda by MRFF? Or will there be a coverup by the Defense Department? Time will tell. Either is possible. Propaganda, secrecy and coverups are a part of any war effort. Predictably Americans will draw their conclusions based on their political leanings. Those who support the war will point out that MRFF is a “liberal” organization, while those opposed to the war will insist on a full investigation by the Pentagon. Everything in today’s America is political.
If these accusations are true, the commanders are in complete violation of the establishment clause in the First Amendment to the Constitution and the principle of the separation of church and state. According to the First Amendment, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Many Americans are rightly concerned about the rise of so-called Christian Nationalism, and fear the military will be forced to defend this attempt to violate the boundary commonly known as the separation of church and state. Protestant Fundamentalist Christianity may believe in a future apocalypse that must precede the return of Jesus Christ, but many Americans, including Protestants, Roman Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Atheists, and those of other faiths serving in our military do not. They have the right to the free exercise of their religion without fear of repercussion from their superiors. Military commanders wield a great deal of power over their troops, and rightfully so. But they are not theologians, and have no right to push their particular religious beliefs. Even military chaplains are not allowed to proselytize.
It is natural to want to take the gods with us when we go to war. When the Israelites lost a battle with the Philistines, the elders said to the soldiers, “Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant [which signified God’s presence] from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.” (I Samuel 4:3). In the American Civil War, both the North and the South claimed God was on their side. Chaplains report that services held immediately before a military operation where many casualties are expected are filled beyond capacity. The presence of the gods or God with us on the battlefield offers hope for both safety and victory. Military chaplains are a reminder that even in the hell of war, God has not abandoned them.
But the commanders have gone beyond the message of the chaplains. Their message is not just that no matter what, God will never forsake them. They have declared Holy War, Jihad. Their message is no different than that of radical Islam. Christian fundamentalism replaces Islamic fundamentalism. The return of Jesus replaces virgins as a reward for martyrdom. Christian Nationalism replaces an Islamic Caliphate as the desired political order.
When the wall of separation between church and state is broken down, both lose. The (Christian) church is ruled by the state instead of the Word of God. The state is no longer required to look out for the interests of all its citizens, but only for a select few. The church is no longer able to function as an objective moral compass for the state and the state is no longer able to ensure, in the words of the American Pledge of Allegiance, “liberty and justice for all.” Both genuine religious faith and Democracy are compromised.
For the good of both the church and the state, I hope these allegations made against the combat unit commanders are left-wing propaganda, and I hope the Pentagon will investigate them thoroughly.
