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US Army Burns Bibles in Afghanistan
On the heels of a report that Donald Rumsfeld included Crusade-esque cover sheets on his intelligence briefings comes a jarring follow-up to the story of proselytizing soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Jake Tapper reports that Bibles sent to soldiers in Afghanistan for distribution to locals were rather unceremoniously disposed of:
The crux of the original story was the allegation that the soldiers were violating General Order 1, which forbids proselytizing. The Pentagon denies this, but when you've got video of a Chaplain urging his men to be bounty hunters for Jesus, that's a tough argument to make:
Still, did they have to burn them?
PD toolbar!I mean, it's not like with flags, is it? There doesn't seem to be a right way to destroy a Bible.
Brody's point is well taken. Couldn't the Army have sold the Bibles to a local bookstore?
While I am firmly in the camp that says religion has intruded too far into government (as evidenced by the brouhaha surrounding the President's speech at a merely tangentially religious institution), I also think religious texts ought to be respected, even if their owners don't always extend that respect to others.
Surely, there's a middle-ground between being soul-snipers for Christ and burning stacks of Bible?
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Jake Tapper reports that Bibles sent to soldiers in Afghanistan for distribution to locals were rather unceremoniously disposed of:
On May 5, Army spokeswoman Major Jennifer Willis told Reuters that at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan "the Bibles shown on Al Jazeera's clip were, in fact, collected by the chaplains and later destroyed. They were never distributed."Yikes!
Today, Christian Broadcasting's David Brody says "the Bibles were burned because the rules on the base say that all garbage is burned at the end of the day. But just asking here; if the U.S. Military seized a stack full of Korans, would they be burned? You think that might cause a little outrage in the Muslim world?"
The crux of the original story was the allegation that the soldiers were violating General Order 1, which forbids proselytizing. The Pentagon denies this, but when you've got video of a Chaplain urging his men to be bounty hunters for Jesus, that's a tough argument to make:
Still, did they have to burn them?
PD toolbar!I mean, it's not like with flags, is it? There doesn't seem to be a right way to destroy a Bible.
Brody's point is well taken. Couldn't the Army have sold the Bibles to a local bookstore?
While I am firmly in the camp that says religion has intruded too far into government (as evidenced by the brouhaha surrounding the President's speech at a merely tangentially religious institution), I also think religious texts ought to be respected, even if their owners don't always extend that respect to others.
Surely, there's a middle-ground between being soul-snipers for Christ and burning stacks of Bible?
Tommy on: Daily Dose:
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Tommy Christopher
Tommy Christopher is a freelance writer, blogger, and online journalist based out of New Jersey and Washington, DC...moreRelated Articles
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Comments (23)
Caleb Howe
3:34PM May 19th 2009
How is it groups of religious people protesting the appearance of a speaker who opposes their religious values at their own premier PRIVATE religious educational institution proof of government being "intruded" upon by religion? I'd call that sloppy reasoning but I don't want you to get a big head thinking it was reasoning.
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(0) 
TERRI
3:45PM May 19th 2009
WELL SAID CALEB!
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(-3) jfrank5317
4:13PM May 19th 2009
What a crock of s**t. We go out there and protect these people under the cloak of DEMOCRACY, and there is nothing at all democratic as to how they view us, or our tolerance for other religions to exist.
I wonder how they reconcile the fact that their fragile "democratic" Govt. only exists with the help of the very "infidels" many of their countrymen vow to kill in their daily prayers?
I wonder how they reconcile the fact that their fragile "democratic" Govt. only exists with the help of the very "infidels" many of their countrymen vow to kill in their daily prayers?
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(6) Tom
5:05PM May 19th 2009
"Protect these people"? Say what? "Cloak of Democracy"?
We imposed a colonial government Afghanistan, which is now known, even amongst our handlers as about as corrupt as any government in the universe.
The Taliban, as odious as they were, cut back on the opium growth and trade. We gave opium farmers a free pass and even use our "reconstruction" trucks to help move the heroin out of Afghanistan to waiting customers in the west.
"Their fragile democratic govt only exists"? No, it doesn't exist. U.S. military colonial rule exists. And if you speak out against it, watch out for the drones which will rain down on your family.
Burning Bibles, or Talmuds, or Korans is bad. But not as bad as an people who have access to the truth insisting on deny the truth, just so they have a basis for supporting oil wars.
We imposed a colonial government Afghanistan, which is now known, even amongst our handlers as about as corrupt as any government in the universe.
The Taliban, as odious as they were, cut back on the opium growth and trade. We gave opium farmers a free pass and even use our "reconstruction" trucks to help move the heroin out of Afghanistan to waiting customers in the west.
"Their fragile democratic govt only exists"? No, it doesn't exist. U.S. military colonial rule exists. And if you speak out against it, watch out for the drones which will rain down on your family.
Burning Bibles, or Talmuds, or Korans is bad. But not as bad as an people who have access to the truth insisting on deny the truth, just so they have a basis for supporting oil wars.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
(1) rwayne
4:20PM May 19th 2009
No wonder this country is going down the toilet. I never thought I'd see book burnings here, especially Bible burnings, but the U.S. is just another big pile of shit comparable to red China now. If these were korans that were being burned, every left wing goon group from the ACLU to the NAACP would be raising hell. But since they all hate Christians and Christianity so much, they're all for it.
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(4) Gregory Dittmer
4:59PM May 19th 2009
rwayne
4:20PM May 19th 2009
If these were korans that were being burned, every left wing goon group from the ACLU to the NAACP would be raising hell. But since they all hate Christians and Christianity so much, they're all for it.
###########################################################################
In either case, both books are simply paper with words written on it. The words written there do not elevate those sheets of paper above other sheets of paper to ANY person with reasonable and rational thinking. The primary reasons of burning either book would be the ONLY rational complaint. If either book was burnt as a means of intimidation or an attempt to belittle the beliefs of others, then I would think it is wrong to do so. If burning of either book is simply the disposal method chosen to be rid of a surplus, big deal!
I know SOME people place a ridiculous amount of significance to a book simply because it is called the Bible. I know one woman that would raise high holy hell if anyone put something on or otherwise covered her Bible. However, I am a Christian and I own many different Bibles, I also own other non Christian books. It really matters not if the book is a dictionary, a book of children's stories or the Bible, aside from the expense of losing something one has paid for, there is no reason to worry about the books' destruction.
BTW... I am often considered one of those left wing loonies even though I am a Christian... so not ALL left wingers are anti Christian or hate Christians.
4:20PM May 19th 2009
If these were korans that were being burned, every left wing goon group from the ACLU to the NAACP would be raising hell. But since they all hate Christians and Christianity so much, they're all for it.
###########################################################################
In either case, both books are simply paper with words written on it. The words written there do not elevate those sheets of paper above other sheets of paper to ANY person with reasonable and rational thinking. The primary reasons of burning either book would be the ONLY rational complaint. If either book was burnt as a means of intimidation or an attempt to belittle the beliefs of others, then I would think it is wrong to do so. If burning of either book is simply the disposal method chosen to be rid of a surplus, big deal!
I know SOME people place a ridiculous amount of significance to a book simply because it is called the Bible. I know one woman that would raise high holy hell if anyone put something on or otherwise covered her Bible. However, I am a Christian and I own many different Bibles, I also own other non Christian books. It really matters not if the book is a dictionary, a book of children's stories or the Bible, aside from the expense of losing something one has paid for, there is no reason to worry about the books' destruction.
BTW... I am often considered one of those left wing loonies even though I am a Christian... so not ALL left wingers are anti Christian or hate Christians.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-3)
(-3) timsdrums
5:47PM May 19th 2009
PISS on Bibles and then burn them! Better colors that way (if you let them dry out first). Hopefully that just induced a few well placed strokes and heart attacks in the Christian nut jobs out there :-)
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(-5) ronpunkrock
5:18PM May 19th 2009
Based on this, I think we deserve to lose.
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(2) ProPalin
5:27PM May 19th 2009
Gregory wrote: "both books are simply paper with words written on it."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You are not a Christian, if you do not believe the Bible is God's Word. By your comment, you don't. So, you're not a follower of Christ. Or, let me ask...do you believe He is the Son of the Most High? Perhaps you are young in Christ and haven't had a chance to read the Word?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You are not a Christian, if you do not believe the Bible is God's Word. By your comment, you don't. So, you're not a follower of Christ. Or, let me ask...do you believe He is the Son of the Most High? Perhaps you are young in Christ and haven't had a chance to read the Word?
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(1) Pundit
6:01PM May 19th 2009
While Your minority favors a recent heavily edited copyrighted Biblical version, without the original Gnostic inclusions of the book of Mary, etc, others prefer to focus on all prophets as recognized equally by God, regardless of who holds the copyright & editing control.
Your philosophy of exclusion proves no better than any other non-secular ideology.
The US Milt has no business proselytizing while killing 1.3M innocents in Iraq alone. http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2006/burnham_iraq_2006.html
An inclusive 'All roads lead to the top of the mountain' philosophy would serve you & Earth better than your prejudiced brainwashing, not condoned by Jesus or his teachings.
Your philosophy of exclusion proves no better than any other non-secular ideology.
The US Milt has no business proselytizing while killing 1.3M innocents in Iraq alone. http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/press_releases/2006/burnham_iraq_2006.html
An inclusive 'All roads lead to the top of the mountain' philosophy would serve you & Earth better than your prejudiced brainwashing, not condoned by Jesus or his teachings.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-2)
(-2) Welcome Ya'll!!
5:29PM May 19th 2009
NO WONDER WE ARE LOSING WARS ALL OVER THE WORLD. OUR CHAPLAINS SPEND THEIR TIME, AND OUR TAX MONEY BURNING BIBLES BECAUSE PROSYLITIZING IS AGAINST OUR SECULARIST BENT. GEN. GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD HAVE COURT MARTIALED THOSE SO-CALLED CHAPLAINS AND NOT BURNED AS "TRASH"THE BIBLES OF OUR MARINES WHO WANT TO SHARE THEIR BELIEF IN JESUS CHRIST...REGARDLESS OF THEIR DENOMINATION.
SHAME ON AMERICA.
SHAME ON AMERICA.
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(5) ProPalin
5:31PM May 19th 2009
I agree. I feel we already HAVE lost, with BO in the white house. He is just the guy to cut off support to Israel and when we are no longer Israel's ally, we are dead. Israel is where God chose to become Flesh and give Himself for us. They are His Chosen, even though they reject Christ as Messiah. Israel will destroy Iran, China and Russia will attack Israel, and God will save them. Then they will believe He is Messiah. So says the Bible.
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(2) ProPalin
5:32PM May 19th 2009
SO right, Bro. We are what we are today, because of God and His Word.
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(0) Ed
5:33PM May 19th 2009
We should not give a shit about what other countries or religions think of our soldiers or our people. We are America and we feed and defend the world and all these stupid people that let their leaders take away their faith and freedom. Now a few raghead or towelheads are trying to changing our beliefs. We should change our leaders and replace them with men with a pair of balls. General Patton would never have caved in when he led our troops through Africa or any other part of the world we defended with our brave men and women. To hell with the Muslims. If they and our leaders don't repent they will all share a place in Hell.
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(3) ProPalin
5:34PM May 19th 2009
I have clicked on REPLY to Welcome Ya'll and ronpunkrock but my comments don't appear below their posts. Oh well...!
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(2) GIMEL LAMED
5:49PM May 19th 2009
I AM A BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN AND GRADUATED FROM BIBLE COLLEGE AND LEARNED
YEARS AGO THAT YOU CANNOT GO AROUND CONVERTING PEOPLE BY CARRYING A GUN IN YOUR HAND. THE GUN IS THE DEVIL'S RIGHT HAND AND THERE IS NO RECOCILIATION BETWEEN GOD AND THE DEVIL!
YEARS AGO THAT YOU CANNOT GO AROUND CONVERTING PEOPLE BY CARRYING A GUN IN YOUR HAND. THE GUN IS THE DEVIL'S RIGHT HAND AND THERE IS NO RECOCILIATION BETWEEN GOD AND THE DEVIL!
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(-2) Pundit
6:11PM May 19th 2009
Thank you so much for your excellent seeing!
The Mark of the beast is indeed most likely the mental disability to use any gun that kills, maims & destroys another persons life liberty & pursuit of happiness in violation of the obvious.
The Mark of the beast is indeed most likely the mental disability to use any gun that kills, maims & destroys another persons life liberty & pursuit of happiness in violation of the obvious.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-4)
(-4) michelletx62
7:03PM May 19th 2009
Pundit, you know I love you, but I tell you one thing, if someone were trying to kill someone in my family, and I had a gun...I would protect what is mine, and not bat an eyelash over it.
that person can just go prusue their form of happiness and liberty somewhere else...I will not tolerate violence, I'll meet it head on.
NOW, as for the Bible thing...I see no issue with the Bibles being on site...if there are citizens of Afgahistan or any other country, that may express an intrest in learning more, about who is in their country, then whats the issue? I do not believe however, that our fighting men and women should be "witnessing" out in the battle zone...
But never, turn your back on someone, that approaches you, off time mind you...and showing them, what can make this country so great, if kept in proper boundaries...American Religion.
we should not be forcing anything like this on them, we are already there in their country, and maybe for good reason, maybe not..that remains to be seen.
but to educate those of another religion, about so called "christians" should not be a problem. maybe if they understood better, and didn't have a radical viewpoint of christians, they could slow the production of radicals being created out of their numbers that want to kill those not like them. Then maybe we could all live in peace..
Pretty huh?/
now, how are they gonna explain to them, how that lovely book, can relate back to the country that now has taken them by force??
this is more complex, then we even realize at this time...
that person can just go prusue their form of happiness and liberty somewhere else...I will not tolerate violence, I'll meet it head on.
NOW, as for the Bible thing...I see no issue with the Bibles being on site...if there are citizens of Afgahistan or any other country, that may express an intrest in learning more, about who is in their country, then whats the issue? I do not believe however, that our fighting men and women should be "witnessing" out in the battle zone...
But never, turn your back on someone, that approaches you, off time mind you...and showing them, what can make this country so great, if kept in proper boundaries...American Religion.
we should not be forcing anything like this on them, we are already there in their country, and maybe for good reason, maybe not..that remains to be seen.
but to educate those of another religion, about so called "christians" should not be a problem. maybe if they understood better, and didn't have a radical viewpoint of christians, they could slow the production of radicals being created out of their numbers that want to kill those not like them. Then maybe we could all live in peace..
Pretty huh?/
now, how are they gonna explain to them, how that lovely book, can relate back to the country that now has taken them by force??
this is more complex, then we even realize at this time...
RATE THIS COMMENT: (3)
(3) michelletx62
7:07PM May 19th 2009
ProPalin
The bible has said alot of things, that over time, have proven to be askew...
come on...do you really think, a 7headed monster is coming in our future?
The bible has said alot of things, that over time, have proven to be askew...
come on...do you really think, a 7headed monster is coming in our future?
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
(1) stuckinthemiddle
1:45AM May 20th 2009
The Bible frequently uses symbolism, especially in reference to prophecy. The Book of Revelation was written by the apostle John nearly 2000 years ago. When a vision of the world as we know it today, or even another 1000 years from now was revealed to him, those visions were totally foreign to him. How would someone from that time, or the time of Daniel and other prophets decribe helicopters/planes that shoot missles, drop bombs, etc. Or how would they describe the future countries, societies, leaders, diseases, etc.. if their time had no knowledge or names for those revelations. Who knows though, with current&future science and cloning experiments, maybe it will be a 7 headed monster!
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(4) 
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