On January 18, when ABC News released a report about secret 'Jesus codes' being imprinted on rifle scopes used in Iraq and Afghanistan (more here), reaction from the US military was swift. In a statement to ABC News, Marine Corps spokesperson Capt. Geraldine Carey said, "We are aware of the issue and are concerned with how this may be perceived. We will meet with the vendor to discuss future sight procurements." General David Petraeus who, as CentCom commander, has responsibility for US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, told a Washington thinktank that the practice was "disturbing... and a serious concern" both for him and other commanders in the field.But not all of the military is on the same page. Maj. John Redfield, spokesperson for CentCom, told ABC News that he did not understand why the issue was any different from U.S. money with religious inscriptions on it. "The perfect parallel that I see is between the statement that's on the back of our dollar bills, which is 'In God We Trust,' and we haven't moved away from that."
The major's analogy, however, probably isn't accurate. The Supreme Court (Lynch v. Donnelly, 1984) upholds use of the motto "In God We Trust" on money as a form of "'ceremonial deism', protected from Establishment Clause scrutiny chiefly because they have lost through rote repetition any significant religious content." The same cannot be said of the "Jesus codes" on the rifle scopes (John 8:12; 2nd Corinthians 4:6; etc.) which are specifically Christian references.
U.S. military rules specifically prohibit the proselytizing of any religion in Iraq or Afghanistan and were drawn up in order to prevent criticism that the U.S. was embarked on a religious "Crusade" in its war against al Qaeda and Iraqi insurgents. The US Constitution also forbids government endorsement of any religion.
Photo Credit:
1) Jesus with assault rifle (mariopiperni.com)
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Comments
The fact they're on there in the first place is one of the most UNChristian things I can think of! I can't believe the govt. approved of that crap.
Well, let's NOT let THIS Supreme Court rule on this one. They way they're going, they'd rule that all rifles must come with bibles stored in the butt. Which, come to think of it, may be the right place after all...
Onward, Christian soldiers, eh?
I'm happy to see modern atheists tackling such relevant and important issues as this. Do you ever wonder why most of society thinks militant atheists are bitchy, control-freak lunatics? It's stuff like this. No one beyond all the ultra-dedicated Dawkinites give a damn.
Go use your time to raise money for Haiti or something. What a waste.
Mr. Hamburger,
You bet your buns we're tackling issues like this, and we're going to continue to grill them.
Do you ever wonder why most of society thinks arrogant believers like you are bitchy, control-freak lunatics? It's comments like yours.
Based on your words you are likely either intellectually bankrupt, or just simply ignorant. If you're so sure of your god, then you wouldn't have bothered to suggest raising money for Haiti when you could simply pray for it.
You are a nit wit and society is hindered by your continued presence.
And yes, I would like fries with THAT.
Its sad Hugh, but what are we going to do- better the demon no one can really see than the one we have taking our rights here at home...or not?
Great article thank you!
Maj. Redfield strayed a little 'off the reservation' there and I'll bet by now has been shown the error of his ways.
Eugene, ask the Spec Ops guys trying to win hearts and minds in Afghanistan how "relevant and important" this is. Then go look up the Indian Rebellion of 1857 for a history lesson on how even a rumor of religious disrespect caused major problems for the British.
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