Saints and Soldiers

Religion is not about trying to gain power over people. The only one with power over me is God. I am the same as any other human being. Now I listen to my pastor, and parents because they have more wisdom then I do. The church isn't there to force you to pay money through tithes and offerings, nor does it shove Jesus down your throat. You go to church because you want to, nobody forces you to go. I believe that Christ died for my sins and through that I am forgiven and promised eternal life in heaven. Christianity isn't a reward/punishment religion, it's a religion based on grace and forgiveness. I'm not going to go to hell because I lived a bad life. If you don't accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and accept His gift of forgiveness to you then you won't be in heaven with Christ. I'm not writing all of this to judge or anything like that cause it's not my place to judge. I'm writing this because I love discussing religion, God, Spirituality and so, and I think this movie is an amazing way to show that people around the world with different lifestyles and beliefs can still impact each other's lives.   See 24 other replies

Very well put DM. Far more open-minded, practical, and articulate than either of the ones you were responding to. And at 14? Bravo!I think you put it very succinctly. I myself am a member of the US armed forces and I can attest to everything you have said. We all join for different reasons and we have the whole spectrum of political/social/religious views represented. However I would say that there is little more patriotism in us than you give us credit for. It's hardly worth it to go get shot at in order to go to college ... there are plenty of easier ways to get an education. Especially since 9/11 with deployments going on all the time ... it is much different than a peace-time military where people just join for job security and an education.And as an aside to Katherine,
While I fully respect your right to have and express your opinion -- however narrow-minded and cruel it may be -- I think you lack a little understanding.
Being a military member I know that we are fully informed about what is and what isn't a lawful order and what to do about it if we receive one. And we are, by and large, a generally moral and responsible group. I think what is happening is that your skewed view of reality has caused you to believe that there is something innately morally wrong (as if moral is actually equal to legal -- abortion anyone?) about this and thus that everyone involved -- down to the lowliest private -- should be strung up by their toenails simply because US foreign policy doesn't line up with your worldview   See 24 other replies

Jesus, you are a moron. All religion is based on reward and punishment. Would you really believe if there was no heaven to go to? When you die that is just it? I don't think so. Religion is a way to gain power over people. Hey will you send just one dollar? You're doing the lord's work!!! It really takes no research. Just make a trip to your local church and witness the sheeple.   See 24 other replies

"take the court martial"Easy reply for a CPA. "calls themselves Christian, because it would be an egregious and blatant lie. "I'm sure many of the Chaplin’s and RA's do. I'm also sure that both know a whole lot more about the path to god then you do.“The Nuremberg analogy is very fitting. I have extensive historical knowledge, but it is not worth arguing about. You sound like a dense jarhead anyways.”No, it isn’t. No you clearly don’t. While some of my friends are “jarheads” No, again you are wrong."two countries that had nothing to do with 911""Saudi Arabia or Pakistan, which both had a lot to do with 911"Afghanistan was quintessentially ran by Al Qaeda, of coarse they didn’t invite us, the rest of the country likes that we are there, although the great war/history expert you are you must know more then the people who actually have been there. Regardless of Sadams connection to 911 he was a horrible dictator who murdered hundreds of his own citizens and deserved to be pushed out of power. The Saudis are a huge business partner of ours and the leaders of that country had nothing to do with the attacks. Why would you start a war with the person that keeps your company in business? The Pakis are starting to get theirs, and will. As a (And I hate to call you this) citizen of the most powerful country in the world you have to be ok that you don't need to know everything. Trust that some times the Generals, Admirals and the presidents of our country know more about the situation then you do. If you’re not willing to fight for anything other then personal defense (I doubt you would even do that) YOU CAN move to a country that will do only that... France comes to mind.   See 24 other replies

"Soldiers, Sailors, neither Airman nor Marines have the luxury of picking their orders."You always have a choice. Sometimes the honorable choice is to follow orders. Sometimes the honorable choice is to take the court martial. If you have absolutely no moral base, then you never consider the court martial as a choice, but it is still an available option. I sincerely hope that no one who goes into war in Iraq or Afghanistan calls themselves Christian, because it would be an egregious and blatant lie. The Nuremberg analogy is very fitting. I have extensive historical knowledge, but it is not worth arguing about. You sound like a dense jarhead anyways. "Let the real men and women handle the over seas fighting so it never ends up here."Real men? Ha ha ha ha ha. Good one. On that note, the fight will be more likely to end up here now. We attacked two countries that had nothing to do with 911. I bet those people love us. Furthermore, we did not attack Saudi Arabia or Pakistan, which both had a lot to do with 911. Wow. Thanks for making us so safe, Mr. Military Man.   See 24 other replies

Your repetitive over thought out rants display absolute ignorance of military policy. Soldiers, Sailors, neither Airman nor Marines have the luxury of picking their orders. We vowed to follow the orders of those appointed over us and do so out of respect and commitment. You are correct in one aspect though. We do not fight for you. We fight for our country that you just happen to live in. We pledge our lives in support of our country so that weak people like you do not have to. We cherish the support we receive but we don’t require it. We will continue to fight in the sand, mud and snow until we are told not to, regardless of how you feel about it. You constantly repeat Nuremberg but clearly know nothing about it as you consistently use it out of context. So relax you internet warrior. Read a book. Maybe take a World History class at the local community college. Sit in your nice lazy boy behind your desk and continue to keep up the good fight here at home. Let the real men and women handle the over seas fighting so it never ends up here. I would hate to have to trust a weak person like you to protect anything other then a keyboard.   See 24 other replies

It doesn't matter whether you approve or not. Living in this country is all they need to keep doing acts in your name. Leave if you can't be grateful for the sacrifices others make for you. Thank God someone will, I wouldn't break a nail to save your life. As far as I'm concerned if you aren't willing to stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them. Bullets aren't picky.   See 24 other replies