Chaplain's letter from Fallujah

[FoodPoisoning]

It saddens me to hear this...
Just because people may use God and religion to their advantage doesn't mean God is not true. Obviously there is some inconsitency to a man "righteously" killing the "barbaric" Muslims and the example of Jesus Christ.
Put him to the test. Read what Jesus said and did on your own, and see if it fits or if it doesn't.

 

[IDupedInMyPants]

You don't have to apologize to me, man. It's not like you killed my dog or something, and truth be told we don't know who this guy is any more than we know who wrote the original post's letter. Even if he has first hand knowledge we can't just go around taking one source's word as all-encompassing gospel. No offense Cypress, you can probably tell I agree with you but I'm just trying to be objective here.

Everybody's got their opinions and everybody can find enough stuff coming home from the war to support that opinion.

 

[Underseer]

Fair enough.

 

[Anakha1]

I don't know about anybody else here, but I'd follow this chaplain right down into the bowels of hell and expect to come back. I doubt any athiest can say the same.

Oh give me a bloody break. So what's your point? Because I'm an athiest and a soldier I'm going to die sooner than everyone else? The only reason I'd go sooner is because some Christian zealot soldier put one in my back for not believing in his god. Or is it just that I wouldn't follow him around? Damn right, I wouldn't. A bullet rends his flesh just as easily as it would mine.

You should try harder, Smeg. I don't think they can hear your chest thumping from Iraq yet.

 

[jmervyn]

I was in Fallujah when the Marines rotated in to replace us. They replaced the better part of the 82nd’s 3rd Brigade Combat team(I was with 1/504 PIR). I did right seat rides with their commanders to brief them on targets and other areas of interest. They treated myself and the rest of the Army command that they replaced with the arrogance of veterans, which they were not. During our operates there we had to go deep into the city to get targets, be it people or caches, but when we did it, we did it in the middle of the night as fast as possible. This way American soldiers lives were put at the most minimal risk as possible, also operating in this fashion helped avoid stand-off situations like the Marines are in now putting innocent Iraqi lives in danger. We played Fallujah like a game of chess as careful and calculated as possible, waiting every move out, instead of trying to surround it and take it forcefully. We still lost 11 soldiers from our battalion over the course of our 7 months there. I’m not sure how many Marines have died in the city but I’m sure its more then that. The cost of the arrogance of the Marine command has been paid in the blood of the hardworking peons.

Cypress, you & I disagree greatly on the significance of the Chaplaincy, but I'm fascinated by what you describe with the transfer. Having trained the Misguided Children alongside regular GI's, I can also easily envision it.

The 'hit the beach' mentality (I'm sure you know the standard jarhead jokes) isn't at all appropriate for many combat situations, and I would love to find out if this could be correlated as having anything to do with our increased casualties. Do you know if anyone else has a similar impression, particularly one that has been published?

Oh, and I thought these were interesting articles, though ones that hardly would be reported in mainstream media:
http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=1793635
http://www.theolympian.com/home/specialsections/War/20031224/8470.shtml
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ_SILENT_KILLERS?SITE=APWEB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Though this one probably would be:
http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18414

After all, the mission is to paint the U.S. military as babykillers. Not report use of human shields or question outlandish claims by the Iraqis.

 

[Hippie Holocost]

Lets get one thing straight real quick. I think that this debate could be boiled down beyond religous zealots and simple patriotism.

I believe this has more to do with self-confidence than anything else. The Chaplain is assured in his thinking and this upsets people in here because his self-affirmation doens't leave much room for anyone else.

Now of course people can argue that this mentality isn't always the best. Assuming that I'm always right could very well mean disaster for the human race. (i.e., the Saints would win the superbowl next year).

However, what more could you expect from a warzone? Uncertainity is often paid for with lives. It behooves everyone fighting (on our side) to believe that they are right and the enemy is wrong. This requires self-confidence, and that is what the Chaplain provides, along with a side of religion.

Also Sir Knightmare, Your little smartass snipes are cute but far from the thinking of anyone over there fighting. The Chaplain wasn't trying to make this sound like a crusade, he was simply rallying the troops with his sermons, giving them hope. You don't have to be religous to understand the importance of the instatution. But go ahead and keep doing your thing, because the crusades were bad and we don't like those.


Oh and weren't the Crusades AFTER the Muslims inavaded Gaul? Hmmm...

*Hands Sir a history book*

 

[SirKnightmare]

Also Sir Knightmare, Your little smartass snipes are cute but far from the thinking of anyone over there fighting. The Chaplain wasn't trying to make this sound like a crusade, he was simply rallying the troops with his sermons, giving them hope. You don't have to be religous to understand the importance of the instatution. But go ahead and keep doing your thing, because the crusades were bad and we don't like those.


Oh and weren't the Crusades AFTER the Muslims inavaded Gaul? Hmmm...

*Hands Sir a history book*

*Throws Hippie's book in the fireplace*

I don't need your devil's work, it is going straight back to hell where it belongs. All I need is the Bible, the words of Jesus Christ Almighty and many other of men sent by God.

The crusades were not bad, they were a great event in history. We tried to spread the Word of God to people with a false belief and they fought us, so we slaughtered them like they deserved. Sure, they fought us off, but that is because God said that enough noble christians have died and He needed to make some more room in heaven.

Like I said I firmly believe we need more crusades, those atomic and hydrogen bombs have to be good for something and I believe it is to wipe the scum off this earth and purify it of all Satan's followers.

How dare you call me a smartass, I am simply being a noble and loving Child of God. And if you have anything against that be certain that will go to the same place as those Muslim Animals. Nonetheless I will pray for you.

 

[Anakha1]

I really, really, really, REALLY hope Sir Knightmare's post was a joke. Cause if not... wow. That's possibly the dumbest thing I've EVER read on this forum.

 

[Hippie Holocost]

*Throws Hippie's book in the fireplace*

I don't need your devil's work, it is going straight back to hell where it belongs. All I need is the Bible, the words of Jesus Christ Almighty and many other of men sent by God.

The crusades were not bad, they were a great event in history. We tried to spread the Word of God to people with a false belief and they fought us, so we slaughtered them like they deserved. Sure, they fought us off, but that is because God said that enough noble christians have died and He needed to make some more room in heaven.

Like I said I firmly believe we need more crusades, those atomic and hydrogen bombs have to be good for something and I believe it is to wipe the scum off this earth and purify it of all Satan's followers.

How dare you call me a smartass, I am simply being a noble and loving Child of God. And if you have anything against that be certain that will go to the same place as those Muslim Animals. Nonetheless I will pray for you.

Of course its a joke, Sir is one of the most hollow people in the forum. The ironic tone doesn't suit you buddy. Oh and stop exaggerating the crusades, you obviously have no idea what you are talking about and frankly I'm offended by your mocking of Christianity. While I'm athiest I have always respected other peoples beliefs, expecting the same in return. People like you give atheists like me a bad name, thanks buddy.

 

[Module88]

However, what more could you expect from a warzone? Uncertainity is often paid for with lives. It behooves everyone fighting (on our side) to believe that they are right and the enemy is wrong. This requires self-confidence, and that is what the Chaplain provides, along with a side of religion.

I'm in full agreement. This is one reason for my arrogance (Not too much to be blind, but not too little). Anakah, I don't suppose you have been sent to Iraq? Well, when you have to sit and think about what to do next when your soldier asks you, it causes problems. You don't know what to do as a CO? Make something up, but try to make it good. If not, well lives ARE at stake.

 

[Anakha1]

I'm in full agreement. This is one reason for my arrogance (Not too much to be blind, but not too little). Anakah, I don't suppose you have been sent to Iraq? Well, when you have to sit and think about what to do next when your soldier asks you, it causes problems. You don't know what to do as a CO? Make something up, but try to make it good. If not, well lives ARE at stake.

No, I've never been to Iraq. Canadian troops aren't in Iraq right now. Yes, I know COs have to be on the ball and never hesitate, but that wasn't the point I was trying to make.

 

[SirKnightmare]

Of course its a joke, Sir is one of the most hollow people in the forum. The ironic tone doesn't suit you buddy. Oh and stop exaggerating the crusades, you obviously have no idea what you are talking about and frankly I'm offended by your mocking of Christianity. While I'm athiest I have always respected other peoples beliefs, expecting the same in return. People like you give atheists like me a bad name, thanks buddy.

I am hollow in no way shape or form. Do you know what I am full of? You got it, Jesus Christ, Son of God. I would never mock this great and only true religion, this determines how I live my life.

How dare you call me an atheist, if I am giving "hollow" people like you a bad name then more power to me. But you better as heck not put me in a group with you.

You know what I don't understand? Jesus Christ died on the cross FOR YOU!!! He bled and suffocated FOR YOU!!! He was betrayed FOR YOU!!! God gave his only son FOR YOU!!! He did that all that FOR YOU!!! All to wash away your sins and you throw this gift right back His face. You are a fool, and on this road you are on you shall burn in hell. But I am happy to tell you that it is not too late, you can still accept Christ's Sacrifice.

One final thing, I am not your buddy, I never was your buddy, and unless you accept The Lord Almighty I never will be. You will be in my prayers, God Bless.