A recent Article in the CNN claimed that the Pentagon deleted portions of Gen, Boykin's official apology. This includes a statement that God had placed Pres. Bush in his current position and that Boykin himself would refrain from speaking at Christian meetings. I wonder why?
Boykin, deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence, said in a speech to a Christian prayer group in June that radical Muslims hate the United States "because we're a Christian nation, because our foundation and roots are Judeo-Christian and the enemy is a guy named Satan."
Taken at face value, I may have joined the multitudes in lambasting Boykin, given his active role in the US Military. Why allow such a person to participate, lead even in the war against terror? Is that not like adding fuel to the fire?
Take a step back. Many likeminded people took exception to Dr M's statement that Jews ruled the world, without first understanding the context in which it was spoken to, and particularly the audience to which the same was directed at. Let me offer a word of moderation (not defence for I would definitely be castigated and cast as a proponent of hateful racial bias). The Christian belief is that we live in a human and spiritual world. The bible, which forms the basis of a believer's faith, clearly states that there is a spiritual world, and that Jesus Christ is THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE. It goes on to say that our battles are not against flesh and blood but the against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph 6:12). These powers and authorities are referring to the spiritual element, not the physical reality we all know. How do I interprete this? Well read the verse in context it should include the verses before and after it:
11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore 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. (Eph. 6)
Boykin was speaking to a group of Christian evangelicals who did not need the added clarification and background before drawing their own conclusions. The influence and manipulative power of the fourth estate as Sir Jeffrey Archer puts it, means that news is now no longer as we see it, but how THEY (the reporters) see it. If it serves their prupose to publish something by leaving parts relevant to it out, they will do so! Of course most people do not share Boykin's spiritual opinion... if you do, you would probably be a Christian!
The manner in which this was taken out of context and thrust to the world as the fleshly ideology of a military man designed to enflame the Moslem community only goes to show that the truth is really whatever we want it to be. Whether to fan religious fervour or just to sell more newspapers, the fact is, Boykin was speaking not to you or me, or the 1 billion Moslems worldwide. Ask any Moslem general if Christians would go to heaven and then judge for yourselves.
What was his wrongdoing? If he had drawn on his position as a military leader to lend credance to what he said, that was irresponsible. But as far as we know, he was speaking in a spiritual context for a spiritual meeting - or has prayer meetings taken a new dimension I am not aware off. Frankly, I do not know Lt. Gen. Boykin, nor am I aware of his military record. But just as I joined the chorus in defending the "anti-semitism" remarks of our outgoing PM, I'd rather be consistent that hypocritical.
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