Posted on 10/24/2003 10:15:32 PM PDT by MJY1288
Edited on 07/12/2004 3:40:46 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Sooner or later, we're going to have to get serious about the war against terrorists.
That means, as painful as it may be for this president or whoever follows after, to take an unflinching look at the enemy, and recognize him for who he is. We should show our own troops the respect we pay to those, such as our Saudi "allies," who only pretend to be our friends.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Yes, but notice the the "common era" is measured from the Year of Our Lord. CE and BCE are transparent BS!
1) A high-ranking general invokes his "true God" in his desire to defeat a Muslim enemy. That's his personal business and I don't condemn him for it.
2) The president praises Islam and instead choose a debate of "good vs evil". I accept that GWB is a faithful Christian but he is wise to de-emphasize the religious overtones of the war because he needs the cooperation of some Muslim nations (Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia) to help fight the battle and he also fears unprovoked violence against Muslims in the U.S. In addition, he plans to leave Iraq and Afghanistan eventually and their leaders are likely to be Muslims who are friendly to the U.S. - so he would make it tougher on himself if he implied that there were no "good Muslims". I believe he is taking the correct and charitable course.
3. Christian influences are being beaten back in our own country. There is much woeful Christian-bashing and, frankly, a lot of liberal churches who would rather change the God they worship than apply the teachings He has given us. While I'd love this selective persecution of Christianity to stop, I expect it will only get worse.
Amazing, though, how many reverted back to being very publicly religious right after 9-11. I dropped my jaw when Judy Woodruff on CNN said "what we need now is to pray" when confronted with the rubble of the Twin Towers. And to have the House of Representatives singing "God Bless America" on the steps of the Capitol seemed equally bizarre given that half of those lawyers would deny you or I the right to sing it in a government building because it references God.
But to tie the silencing of Christians at home with wanting to prevent a Holy War abroad is to not understand the clear goal that our president and his administration has. They can pray all they want behind closed doors and offer prayers publicly for our troops. But he is wise to de-emphasize the religious nature of the enemy because it would inflame some we would need if we ever want an exit strategy for the Middle East.
As for General Boykin, this is something that the liberal press is making a giant stink about and is nothing more than another wedge they want to drive between our nation and their president. The general's comments don't bother me and I doubt they bother 90% of our citizens.
Jhn 7:49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
Psa 31:18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
Psa 39:2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, [even] from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
Psa 50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
Isa 41:1 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew [their] strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.
Amo 5:13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it [is] an evil time.
1Pe 4:16 Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Rev 1:3 Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.
Exd 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite [you].
I would also like for Bush to be a little more vocal about his own faith, and be a little more specific about who his faith is vested in. Even self-confessed atheists sometimes use the generic term "God" in their speech. AFAIK the name "Jesus Christ" is still acceptable in public discourse, so why not use it?
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