World Affairs Brief, May 22, 2009 Commentary and Insights on a Troubled World.

Copyright Joel Skousen. Partial quotations with attribution permitted. Cite source as Joel Skousen’s World Affairs Brief (http://www.worldaffairsbrief.com)

BACKING EVIL WITH SCRIPTURE

Many Christians think it is wonderful anytime government officials mention God or quote from the Bible. I take strong exception, and not because I believe it is improper for government officials to appeal to God. I simply object to dropping the name of God or quoting scripture to cover for evil, and otherwise convince naive troops and Christians in general that an evil cause is just. TPM.com correspondent Steven Waldman recites what we know now about the misuse of God to add a religious sense of righteousness to the Bush wars.

“Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld put Bible verses on the top of the ‘Worldwide Intelligence Update’ presented to President George W. Bush, Robert Draper reports in GQ. Flip through this gallery of these extraordinary memos. Each cover page features inspiring color photographs — soldiers praying, a young man preparing for battle, Saddam’s statue falling. With them are biblical quotes, some related to providing strength to the soldiers but some about the godliness of the cause. Next to a picture of an American tank is the quote: ‘Open the gates that the righteous nations may enter, The nation that keeps faith. Isaiah 26.2’ A photo of two soldiers in prayer is accompanied by the quote, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us. Here I am Lord, send me! Isaiah 6:8’ A photo of an American tank at sunset has superimposed on it, ‘Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13’

Mr. Draper writes that these were the brainchild of Major General Glen Shaffer, a director for intelligence serving the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the secretary of defense.” In almost all the scriptures highlighted by Shaffer, the true context is a spiritual war for the soul, not a physical battle.