Wilson says his skill helps save American troops and Iraqi civilians.
“It doesn’t bother me. Obviously, me being a devout Catholic, it’s a conflict of interest. Then again, God supported David when he killed Goliath,” Wilson said. “I believe God supports what we do and I’ve never killed anyone who wasn’t carrying a weapon.”
From this very interesting article. Call it “inside the head of a U.S. military sniper.”
Aaron Gallegos said,
July 31, 2006 at 7:43 am
Hi Rudy,
This is really sad. I think you have to be very careful when you claim God supports you in the killing of other humans. Can this fellow be so sure that he’s “David” and his enemy “Goliath” in this situation? Remember, this is the same David who wasn’t allowed to build the temple because he had shed so much blood on the earth.
A
bookworm brown said,
July 31, 2006 at 3:02 pm
onward christian soldier?!?!?!!?
David Allen said,
July 31, 2006 at 4:16 pm
My son Don is a Calvalry Scout in the 10th Mountain Division. Next week he heads to Iraq. Don will be in Southern Baghdad patroling some of the most dangerous roads in Iraq. Don drives a Humvee for his unit and has one of the most dangerous positions in the Army. Last week a young man from his High School JROTC unit was killed in Iraq. Needless to say this hit home for our family…too close to home. About half of my son’s unit has already been to Iraq. For some this will be their third tour there. Last week when my son was home and, with a grave tone to his voice, he told me that every single man in his unit that had been to Iraq had killed at least one person during an operation or battle. My son said, “Dad for me it is not a matter of “if” I have to fire my rifle, or “if” I will have to take a life. I am preparing myself emotionally and spiritually to deal with the fact most likely that I will come home having taken a life. How am I going to deal with that?” How does a Father answer that question? I told him it was his job and his duty. I told him it is kill or be killed. I told him to shoot fast and straight.
I hope and pray that my son does his job well and comes home alive. He has no choice but to kill-it is his duty as a soldier. If he does so reluctantly or with reservation it could get him killed.
Before one passes judgement on what a soldier has to do, you better be prepared to walk in their boots for awhile, or maybe have your kid go over there and serve a tour or two.
Rudy you have known Don since he was a very young boy. I think you can proudly say with me that he is truly a man of God. I pray that not only his body but also his soul and spirit come back intact.
bookworm brown said,
July 31, 2006 at 5:52 pm
David,
With all due respect, when is it a man of God’s duty to resist the call of his nation and obey that of his Father in Heaven?
It’s tempting, as Christian, to point to the Old Testament for acts of war done on behalf of God. Even if this type of justification is justified, its not at all clear that the situations are relevantly similar.
David Allen said,
July 31, 2006 at 6:26 pm
We could get into a lengthy theological or hermeneutical debate about how Old Testament pasages should or shouldn’t be applied today.
However, that is not the intent of my posted comment. The intent of my comment is to point out that to insinuate that a soldier who kills is not a Christian or to equate a soldier who kills with Goliath is very insensitive and inappropriate.
Jeremy Del Rio said,
July 31, 2006 at 7:03 pm
David,
My prayers are with you and your son and his unit. Regardless of my views on the Iraq war, I thank God that brave men and women like Don are willing to put their lives at risk on behalf of our country. They fight so that bookworm brown and others can be free to disagree with them.
Jeremy
Aaron Gallegos said,
July 31, 2006 at 7:56 pm
David,
Please make no mistake, I am only praying for your child to be returned to you safe and sound without having to kill anyone.
A
Tom Pratt said,
July 31, 2006 at 10:19 pm
The best lack all conviction while the worst are filled with passionate intensity
David Allen said,
August 1, 2006 at 5:55 am
Needless to say I am a bit sensitive on this issue. There are no easy answers to tough issues like how does one maintain a Christian world view in light of war, the military, especially when your son is heading over there? In my opinion there are two very easy stances to take:
1-You can say killing is always wrong, war is wrong, a Christian should not engage in such things…be a conscientious objector
2-The opposite extreme is the “Christian Nation” stance, where one feels we are fighting a holy war in the Middle East against the evils of Islamic extremism which threatens Christianity worldwide.
I believe both are dangerous.
Jon said,
August 1, 2006 at 5:56 am
You sure you’re right about that?
Jon said,
August 1, 2006 at 5:56 am
(sorry, David squeezed in before me – the question was posed to Wordcat)
David Allen said,
August 1, 2006 at 5:57 am
Right about what?
bookworm brown said,
August 2, 2006 at 2:05 pm
there’s an interesting discussion re: just war at http://www.firstthings.com
Kelvin Francis said,
August 7, 2006 at 6:32 pm
David,
I will be praying for you and your son. I am an Air Force Chaplain. It is most definitley a complicated issue that I struggle with almost daily. Regardless of my views on war, I stand firmly beside the men and women like your son supporting them and praying for them. May the Lord bless and keep Don and return him safely home.
gman yesman said,
September 13, 2006 at 10:34 am
The GOD in Heaven has nothing to do with the War in Iraq. The young men in the military do so out of thier own insane sense of duty to a regime that is corrupt to the core of thier souls, if they have one at all. The soldier that joins today’s army is not fighting for my rights as an american but for the right of the american elite to continue to rape and pillage the third world. The Iraqis have never done anything to hurt me or mine, so why should I gokill them? The world is insane with greed and avarice and you are all at its mercy.
jameswillisisthebest said,
September 8, 2007 at 2:30 pm
This is my first post
just saying HI