'God's Basic Training' Coming Under Fire

[unhappycamper]

'God's Basic Training' Coming Under Fire
Military.com | By Bryant Jordan | December 18, 2007

The warriors pose for the camera in a group shot - some holding their weapons in one hand and their holy book in another.

Elsewhere, a poster bears a quotation calling for the killing of enemy leaders and forcing the defeated people to convert.

If you think the images come from Islamic fundamentalist training camps in remote regions of the Middle East you'd be wrong.

The photo depicts Army trainees at Fort Jackson, S.C., where in addition to basic combat training recruits may also attend "God's Basic Training," while the poster -- boasting a quotation from conservative author Ann Coulter -- adorns the door of a Military Police office at Fort Riley, Kansas.

"These are startling and disgusting revelations of further unconstitutional behavior by technologically the most lethal organization ever created by humankind -- the U.S. military," said Mikey Weinstein, whose group, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, discovered the evangelical-oriented program at Fort Jackson and the Coulter poster at Fort Riley.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,158531,00.html



uhc comment: The poll results:

What should the relationship be between religion and the military?

No relationship. Separation of church and state is an important precept of our constitution. 24%
Strong relationship We are a Christian nation and our military should reflect these values. 27%
Some relationship. The military should not push one religion, but should provide places for worship. 48%

[xchrom]

1. conservative christians are a nightmare.

it's not about jesus with them -- it's about power. period.

[mediaman007]

2. Amen!

[RC]

3. The military encourages religious beliefs because of the

afterlife most religions push. In other words you will be more willing to be a hero if you think you will be rewarded in the "Next Life" instead of just being dead for your efforts.

War, the life force of religion.

[fasttense]

4. That picture is seriously scary.

Bible in one hand, weapon in another, all smiling as if what they are doing is something good. Reminds me of the pictures of people taken after a lynching. The same unknowing grin, the same slight look of bafflement. Very sick, very depraved. Keep a copy, it will be a horror shot in a few years.