What do you think?
November 9, 2004
I didn’t know what to say when I first saw this photo. Is it the same as a Christian soldier simply wearing a cross around his neck? Is it different? At first glance, I’m really disgusted by this picture. I think Crusades. I think jihad. I have no idea of the heart of the person in this picture, or their motivation for putting the rosary on the tank. But I can’t help feeling really…yah, I don’t want to be a Christian when I see this picture. When you see this picture, what is the first thing you think?
Tags: Christianity, Cross, Fighting, Soldiers, War
Posted in Politics
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Adam Walker Cleaveland: 
November 9th, 2004 at 7:58 pm
i see and think of prayer and that this soldier maybe sees it as more of a desire for protection. it doesn’t make me not want to be a christian, i agree, that it could be suggesting something wrong or dimented, but overall i see a soldier that doesn’t want to die, and so the beads that he has held onto in order to connect with God and hopefully be heard, he puts at the front of his tank for hopes of protection.
November 9th, 2004 at 10:05 pm
I sort of have a split reaction when I see that picture. Part of me sees someone that relies on the cross for protection, someone who just wants to get home to see his wife and his kids. Living in San Diego County, I know an awful lot of people who worry every day about their loved ones in Iraq. They pray every day that their husbands/dads/uncles/friends will get home safe and soon.
But the fact that the rosary is around the tank does kind of send a different message. Its almost as if the soldier thinks that putting a cross on his weapon somehow justifies any of the damage that that weapon will inflict.
Of course, that is probably reading into it too much. Like Adam said, we can never know that soldier’s heart, or their motivation, so I guess it doesn’t really matter what I think about it.
November 9th, 2004 at 11:25 pm
My comment…the tune of “Onward Christian Soldiers” comes to mind. I am a Christian and I am all for just war, but there have been so many people killed in the name of God and with God as their excuse, I am not impressed. If he wants to wear a cross close to his heart that is one thing, but to hang it from the barrel of a gun… Jesus was nailed to a cross for us, not for a gun.
November 10th, 2004 at 1:56 am
desperation…
November 10th, 2004 at 3:33 am
I find it disturbing, does he think (or even hope) that God is on their side? Isn’t the cross the ultimate middle finger to war? Jesus wouldn’t bomb anyone!
November 10th, 2004 at 11:44 am
theology and politics aside, i see a young man who is not sure what to make of the world. we (meaning those of us at our computers) may disagree, but we are not sitting in a tank. maybe he is doing his best to pray, to figure out why he is where he is.
November 10th, 2004 at 11:47 am
And this is one of the reasons I have a blog - to enlarge my world and perspective. Thank you Jamey for offering another perspective on this picture…I appreciate your words…
November 10th, 2004 at 4:27 pm
Well I wouldn’t think too much of it. Like the above poster said, people get real religious in wartime. I was in Gulf War I and I saw much the same thing. Usually they were only displays though kind of like saying prayers or displaying a cross would somehow supernaturally protect them.
One thing about the Iraqis is that they respect religion way more than our culture does. They respect Christianity far more than we respect Islam. So, in that sense I can’t say that the average Iraqi would view that cross on the tank and then conclude that this is some kind of Christian-inspired religious war. Don’t forget than Saddam was considered anathema to Islam and our removing him was widely seen as a good thing in Iraq. In ‘91 the Iraqi civillians welcomed us and I never felt safer anywhere than in southern Iraq.
My sincere advice to those who are so worried about the Iraqi perception that we’re waging a Holy War against Islam would be to GO THERE and show them otherwise. Remember, it’s easy to sit in the comfort and safety of the U.S. and slam our guys in the field. In reality it’s hard to know their perception when you haven’t been there.
November 12th, 2004 at 12:52 pm
He may have it there to pray for protection, but he is in a TANK and the people he is aiming the gun at are NOT. Thanks for posting the pic and asking the q. Adam.
November 22nd, 2004 at 11:08 am
i was in the army and i served in very hazardous units almost my whole time in. even in “peace” time it was not unusual for a close friend in my unit to be “kia”. when your whole world is in chaos, the only thing that can even give you a remote sense of peace is Jesus Christ. No matter how dangerous the mission was, i knew God had my back. when you are in these situations, you cling to any semblance of your faith. You take simple things like this guy’s rosary which you know that in of itself has no power except the simple reminder that God has your back. Also, people have a tendency to run to God when they think that they might die tomorrow. People knew that i was a christian and they would ask me to pray with and for them. it was probably my best chance i’ve ever had to minister to my fellow man and share the gospel. for all we know, this guy might be hanging up a sign for his fellow soldiers, saying, “hey! i love God, come talk to me if you need His love and guidance.” and one final thing, no matter what your stance on war or peace or anything like that is, your job is to love and encourage your fellow man. let’s love this guy in the tank and not gossip about him and talk bad behind his back-kim. adam, great topic for discussion