Mention the Trijicon controversy among Christians and some will think you're referring to some obscure theological crisis long since covered with the dust of history. On the contrary, this little mentioned story in recent news illustrates the inevitable overlap between politics and religion; church and state.
The story is of the pressure being put on a trusted defense contractor and a United States military cowed by the forces of political correctness (PC). Full details can be had by reading the article in the Christian Science Monitor about the issuing of the so-called "Jesus Gun" to U.S. combat troops.
In actuality it's not about a gun at all but certain rifle sights provided the troops. Though Trijicon, Inc., a Michigan based manufacturer of all kinds of firearms optics (scopes, etc.) has been a defense supplier for decades, it has recently (better late than never I guess...) come to light that the company has been inscribing it's Advanced Combat Gunsight (ACOG) with the code JN8:12 at the end of the sight's serial number.
(Photo Credit - ABC News)
The code is a reference to the new testament book of John, the eighth chapter, twelfth verse where Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Though this has been the company's practice for years it has lately drawn the ire of the priests of PC in our nation's capitol. Critics allege it calls to mind the Crusades of Christendom against Islam in the middle east; that religion, not national security, is the real motive behind our military expeditions of late; and that it furnishes a propaganda tool for recruitment of Islamic extremism. While one would expect this kind of response from the PC crowd, the CSM article also quotes Gen. David Petraeus as saying these allegations are "disturbing."
Some Random Thoughts:
Giving Gen. Petraeus the benefit of the doubt - I'd guess that he doesn't care much with what motive his troops kill Al-Qaeda or Taliban fighters. Rather, what he finds disturbing is the prospect of being raked over the coals again by prudish members of congress.
While the forces of PC seem bent on creating a nation purely secular in thought and action, earnestly contending the current "war on terror" is not about religion, the forces of terror, extremism or anti-Americanism around the world are unabashedly religious. The terrorist attacks upon our nation are framed by their perpetrators as acts of "Jihad", carried out in the name of "Allah", for the Establishment of Islam and the eradication of Zionism around the world. Our nation is even demonized as "the Great Satan." Not about religion??? The war on terror may not be about promoting Christianity, but it is most certainly about keeping this form of Islam at bay.
Apparently a war of secularism vs. Islam is ok with the PC caste. The "Jesus Gun" should be banned and combat troops in a firefight trained to recite "I am not a crusader. I am not a crusader..." as they fire away. Or maybe it would be better if they put it positively: "I kill you in the name of secularism..." I don't know by experience but I've been told combat troops do not function at this level of abstraction during a firefight - once the bullets start flying it's about the buddy next to you.
For those disturbed about conveying the image of a violent Christian deity: WWJS - "Who Would Jesus Shoot?" This is a concern. We do not want to communicate the false message that God is out to destroy only devout Muslims. No, we do not want to communicate that. On the contrary, we want to communicate the fact that Jesus will destroy all the impenitent as His appearing: radical Muslim, devout secularist, or nominal Christian - no one will be spared.
As it is written, "The LORD is angry with all nations; His wrath is upon all their armies. He will totally destroy them, He will give them over to slaughter." Isaiah 34:2
"See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of His holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." Jude 14-15
"Do you think that these... were worse sinners than all the others... do you think they were more guilty than all the others? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." Luke 13:3, 5
