Their Finest Hour| Religious imagery in war and Lieutenant General “Jerry” Boykin

Their Finest Hour

Lieutenant General “Jerry” Boykin has been battered with unprecedented criticism for his description of the War on Terror as a battle between Christianity and Satan. Most notably (and most hypocritically, for a group that promotes a fundamentalist religious agenda) CAIR is demanding his dismissal and/or reassignment, so that he can’t bring this conviction to bear against their terrorist masters.

Reader Daniel A. sent me a very interesting email, pointing out that in World War II, military and political leaders frequently used strongly religious imagery and references when speaking about the conflict, and no one thought twice.

For example, Winston Churchill, in one of his most important and historic speeches, on June 18, 1940 after being sworn in as Prime Minister said, “Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilisation.” FDR and Truman used similar religious terminology in their speeches, as did Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.

And no one ever condemned them for their words, or demanded they be reprimanded or fired. Because, in a very real sense, we were all on the same side then—unless you were on the side of the enemy.

Today there are many confused people in this country, who (in spite of the defining event of September 11) don’t know which side they’re on—and we saw this acted out today in Washington DC, as deluded, pierced and tattooed young people and deluded aging ex-radicals aligned themselves with causes that, if successful, would claim them as the first victims.

This is why, even though I might not agree with his religious views, I support General Boykin wholeheartedly. He knows which side he’s on. Call the enemy “Satan.” Call it “the Dark Ages.” Call it the “Religion of Peace.” Call it whatever you like, in whatever terms you like. If you’re on my side, we’re fighting together. No holds barred. Until the finish.

Our enemies do not suffer from the same doubts. Our enemies know what they want. Our enemies are not tortured by moral relativism. Our enemies cut the throats of flight attendants, and drive planes full of screaming people (just like you and me) into the skyscrapers we built (with sweat and blood and inspiration and vision), calling out the name of their false god.

Our enemy boards a bus in Tel Aviv. Our enemy drives a truck loaded with explosives into an embassy in Kenya, or a nightclub in Bali, or a hotel in Jakarta.

General Boykin is not our enemy.

Never forget 9/11.

by Charles at 07:35 PM PST | 310 comments | link
last comment by: Colt
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