Iraq War Veterans Are The Church's Responsibility Too

[grayman]

It looks like the VA will be getting help for the Iraq vets, not sure what the Afghanistan vets will do:

It's asinine that Americans expect the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA), alone, to meet the re-entry needs of Iraq veterans. The government is ill-equipped to address the core needs of veterans and the church needs to man-up and lead the nation in restoring the emotional, marital, familial health, and dignity of Iraq war veterans (Matt 5-7).

Remember, Jesus loves you:

Iraq veterans need to be given Jesus, the warrior. The Jesus who fights for his people. The Jesus who came not to bring peace but the sword (Matt 10:34). The Jesus who knows ancient combat. The Jesus who has defeated the Enemy, atones for his people, empowers, and sends them back into mission (1 John 3:8; Eph 2:10).

Sends them back into mission? You mean even Jesus doesn't have an exit strategy?

 

[Huntster]

What's with the biblical citations?

 

[Gurdur]

What's with the biblical citations?

A hell of a lot.
Contrary to your position, Jesus didn't come down to bless and lead the American military. Bit of an anachronism there, what, what?

And to ram the point further; there is no Biblical justification whatsoever for any view that Jesus or God had any special favouritism for the USA armed forces.

That's just for starters; the other rather obvious aspect is that the position quoted in the OP was stunningly irrelevant to the needs of returning Iraqi veterans. It has far more to do with simplistic war-god propagandizing, like with Thor and Kali, than it has to do with any honest help for returning vets or with genuine Christianity.

But then, your own theology is the simplistic sidelines-cheerleader-for-the-war-god type, not genuine Christianity of any form at all, eh?

 

[WildCat]

Contrary to your position, Jesus didn't come down to bless and lead the American military.

Of course not. He came down to ensure that the sports teams that pray hardest to him will win.

 

[Mephisto]

We need a "war God" like we need another "war President."

As a disabled veteran myself, I see how injurious the policies of this administration are when it comes to meeting the needs of returning veterans. Waiting for the benefits to be delved out can throw most families into poverty, and that's IF the benefits are assigned.

One of my biggest complaints about this administration is the fact that they are waving the flag while insisting that WE support the troops (by supporting the war) while they (with the other hand) are taking away veteran's benefits at a time when they're needed the most.

If Jesus is indeed a warrior, send HIM to war (his father can hold the sun still for a day so he'll have enough light to slaughter by) and bring our troops home.

 

[ImaginalDisc]

The Jesus who knows ancient combat.

Is The Matrix a Holy Christian text now?

Jesus: I know Kung Fu.

 

[Huntster]

Originally Posted by Huntster
What's with the biblical citations?

A hell of a lot.
Contrary to your position, Jesus didn't come down to bless and lead the American military. Bit of an anachronism there, what, what?

And what does that hve to do with Matthew 5-7 or 1 John 3:8; Eph 2:10?

Those are biblical citations attached to words with no explanation whatsoever (John 9:39). < Like that.

 

[COLONEL]

I am a disabled vet also and the govt. says they are helping us but at the same time they are thinking of ways to take away our benefits. Do you know that if you do not have a service connected disability they make you pay for your sevices based on your income . and unless you are 50% or less disabled you have to pay for nonconnected disability services.

 

[pgwenthold]

One of my biggest complaints about this administration is the fact that they are waving the flag while insisting that WE support the troops (by supporting the war) while they (with the other hand) are taking away veteran's benefits at a time when they're needed the most.

This is what happens when the concept of "support our troops" is turned into an issue of waving flags and buying yellow magnet stickers for your SUV as opposed to anything substantive.

Yes, it was a shame the way that Korea and Vietnam vets were treated when they returned (Korean vets were ignored), but "support our troops" has to mean more than just letting vets know that we appreciate them. However, tangible support gets pushed aside so that they can use the "support our troops" meme as a way to ostracize those opposed to the administration's policies on the war.

If it comes down to a question of something substantial, then the only difference between me, one who has been opposed to the invasion of Iraq from the beginning, and the average most ardent Rush Limbaugh loving war supporter is that I don't have a magnetic yellow ribbon on my car (although I probably pay more toward the war effort than they do, because I pay a lot more taxes than most people).

 

[COLONEL]

When all is said and done we will end up paying for the Iraqies too.

 

[Marc L]

And what does that hve to do with Matthew 5-7 or 1 John 3:8; Eph 2:10?

Those are biblical citations attached to words with no explanation whatsoever (John 9:39). < Like that.

Wow, Hunster. For once I actually agree with you.

Matthew 5-7 is the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus talks about loving your neighbor, your enemy, and gives the Beatitudes-i.e. a non-warlike message. I agree with you, it has nothing to do with that paragraph, which is talking about healing returning veterans.


1 John 3:8 talks about Jesus coming to destroy Satan, which can be compared to Bush vs. Terrorism.

Ephesians 2:10 looks like it has nothing to do with anything, either.

In case you didn't notice, though, it wasn't grayman adding these quotes, it was the original article itself.


Marc