Stop the madness!

Ok, enough is enough.   I’ve posted to Facebook my thoughts on subject and people probably shake their head and wonder why.  It matters to me.  It’s about who and what I am as an American and a Christian.  

First, I’ll speak as a recently retired Military Police Company First Sergeant.  As the First Sergeant, I was accountable and responsible for every aspect of my Soldier's welfare.   When the Company was deployed to Afghanistan we were given a TA2 (Train, Advise and Assist) mission with the Afghan Army.  Every minute of every day for a year, I had Soldiers working directly with the Afghan Army and every minute of every day both the Afghan Soldiers and my Soldiers were in direct physical contact with Al Qaeda and Taliban detainees.   Additionally, we worked with Afghan Nationals (civilians) who contracted with the Army as interpreters and in other supportive services.  

This is the thing, actions and rhetoric that encourage the narrative that Islam was our enemy put my Soldiers in harm’s way (think Terry Jones the Florida preacher who burned the Q'uran).  This is a false narrative.  More Muslim’s have been killed than any other group.  I spoke with a Muslim as we looked over the “scorched earth” that the Taliban had burned, robbing Muslim’s of all that was theirs. I’ve talked with Muslim’s, long into the night, about their hopes and dreams, and yes, their search for God.   

   

Think about it!  We’ve got Presidential candidates and Christian leaders preaching hate and encouraging our citizens to arm themselves – at all times, ready to kill those Muslims (ie., see Trump’s Carson’s, Cruz’s and Jerry Falwell Jr’s remarks).  Does anyone really think this isn’t precisely what ISIL is hoping for?  Muslim’s make up 1/3 of the world’s population. Does anyone really think that making Islam the enemy will help in the war in terrorism?   Does anyone really think that we are safer with an increased number of frightened, hate-filled citizens running around armed and ready to kill? 

Maybe you have, or will have,  a son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter, a sister or brother, or maybe a friend that will be working side by side, every minute of every day with faithful Muslims.   If you, or someone you know, is supporting this war against Muslims you need to make sure it stops, because Muslims are not the enemy and they may be sharing a foxhole with your loved one. 

And as a Christian?  Well, nobody that has read the Gospel lately and takes seriously Jesus’ message could believe that this demonization of Muslims is of God.   Not when the Gospel is clear and specific on Jesus welcoming the Samaritans (the Muslims of his day), the tax collectors (government workers) the poor and the sick (the 49%), as well as Nicodemus and Josephus (progressive preachers) into the Kingdom.  At every single turn, Jesus was clear that the Kingdom of God would be built through loving God and our neighbor – not through a militant religious war.   Hawk, dove or just-war advocate, no one can say that responding to terror out of fear and by demonizing the Islamic faith is of God.  It just can’t be done.