Was Iraq a Holy War?

by Aaron Taylor 05-22-2009

Despite the repeated attempts of former President George W. Bush to renege on his usage of the word “crusade” to describe the Iraq War, there are some in the evangelical community who suspected all along that for Bush and his top aides, the Iraq war was indeed a holy war. At the time, the majority of evangelicals — including myself — cheered as the president and his top aides cast the Iraq war in moralistic terms, invoking the name of God to bless the bombs dropped by U.S. planes in the initial “shock and awe” campaign.

When other Christians tried to tell us that invoking the name of God to bless the invasion of a sovereign nation was wrong, we laughed and mocked. Who in the world–other than liberals of course– actually believes that the president of the United States of America would launch a modern day crusade?

It turns out that the minority was right. I was wrong.

Earlier this week GQ magazine released a set of memos from none other than the former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. In a set of memos placed on Bush’s desk every morning over a period of several months (titled the World Wide Intelligence Update), Rumsfeld quoted numerous passages from the Bible and superimposd them against a backdrop of soldiers, tanks, and fighter planes. If the leader of a Muslim country were to invoke passages from the Quran to call on Allah to bless their troops as they attacked their American enemy, we would have with absolute certainty called that fanatacism — and we would have ridiculed anyone who thought otherwise. But because it was our leaders and they were calling on the name of our God and reading from our Bible — even though anyone with an elementary Bible knowledge knew that they were twisting the scriptures by divorcing them from their original contexts — we called them pious.

To my fellow evangelicals who love Jesus and want to see his purposes fulfilled in our world, here are a few examples of how the holy scriptures were twisted by the Pentagon to sanctify a holy war.

In the first picture, there are three soldiers sitting in prayer with their machine guns pointed heavenward. The scripture reference is Isaiah 6:8 which says, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” I can remember as a young boy going to church and seeing these words on a banner hanging over the center stage of the sanctuary. These words have inspired thousands of Christians to go into all the world and devote themselves as Christ’s ambassadors to humanity. Now apparently we’re supposed to believe that God had the U.S. military in mind when he inspired Isaiah to write these words.
In another frame we see a tank gliding across the Iraqi desert as the sun is setting. The scripture for the day? Ephesians 6:13 which says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” I guess I was absent that day in Sunday School when the teacher said the Apostle Paul had America’s War on Terror in mind when he wrote these words. Somehow I always thought this verse was talking about prayer against demonic powers seeking to overthrow believers in their faith. Who would have known?
Perhaps the most bizarre frame is the one using Psalms 33:16. Although the verse says explicitly, “The King is not saved by a mighty army,” the verse is plastered across an American tank, a missile, and a U.S. soldier showing that victory does come through a mighty army. Talk about missing the point! There’s only one word for such a blatant misuse of scriptures to sanctify a political agenda — idolatry!

The American Church let this happen. I let this happen. May God be merciful to us and move upon our hearts to repent.

Aaron D. Taylor is the author of Alone with a Jihadist: A Biblical Response to Holy War. To learn more about Aaron and his ministry around the world, go to http://www.aarondtaylor.com.

Categories: Activism, Violence and Nonviolence, War & Peace

SisterMarie

There was no evidence then or now that Iraq was in any way involved in the attacks of 9-11 or represented a threat to the United States. George W. Bush was absolutely the worst president that we have ever had and we will be paying many years for his stupidity.

letjusticerolldown

The US and UN were engaged in an ongoing conflict with Iraq since 1990. And more fundamentally the US was engaged in the region for a long time before that. Agree or disagree with Bush decisions it simply is not honest to consider the decision for invasion in historical isolation. Putting the invasion on Bush's lap is the same kind of thinking that would argue we needed to invade because of 9/11.

BlueDeacon

Putting the invasion on Bush's lap is the same kind of thinking that would argue we needed to invade because of 9/11.

Actually, a report in the Weekly Standard -- quickly exposed as a hoax -- suggested, by noting that al-Qaeda forces were training in northern Iraq, that it was in cahoots with Saddam Hussein. (In fact, Saddam didn't control that section.)

sgillesp

Good words - however, just to be accurate, the GQ article explains that the verses and pictures were combined by an officer (I believe his name was Shaffer); the indictment of Sec. Rumsfeld was that he allowed it (not that he created the covers).

Anothernonymous

One of my more vivid memories of the run-up to the Iraq war is of trying to convene a meeting at my mainline Protestant church of people who didn't think what our country was preparing to do was consistent with our purpose in gathering together every Sunday to worhsip God. Four people showed up.

I don't claim any special discernment or prophetic ability, but I knew from the beginning that this war was a fool's mission and an obscenity in the face of God. I remember the time before and after it began as a period of indescribable loneliness and frustration. Now I have to resist the temptation to shout "I told you so" and instead pray earnestly that we can begin to be forgiven for the mess we have made of the Middle East, of our young people's lives, and of the lives of hundreds of thousands of others.

Using those Scripture quotations in that way is blasphemy of the highest, darkest order. It goes beyond being merely astonishing: it is a grotesquely hideous perversion of the saving message of what St. Paul, in the same passage from Ephesians, called "the Gospel of Peace."

When I said things like this a little more than six years ago, four people listened.

1Grace

"but I knew from the beginning that this war was a fool's mission and an obscenity in the face of God."

If you put your comments in this frame I am not surprised you were not listened to . In fact today you would still turn off a large aspect of American citizenry also . This regardless if you thought the war was,wrong . As I and many others believe .

I remember thinking how were going to leave . I am from the Vietnam generation , but I remember wondering why no one else was talking about this .
The democrats and republicans in DC were very quiet or talking about the threat of terrorism . I did not have the discernment you acknowledge you don't think you have either . . When Congress more or less gave away their Constitutional power and GAVE it all to Bush in this manner , I figured the democrats would never had gone along with that if thises was not very serious .

at that time I guess. But what really I remember were the only people who were speaking out against it for the most part were also part of the aspect of political think tanks that believe America is always wrong , that if you don't agree with me your evil, that America deserved to be bombed on 9/11 , and that always the evil lying people always are part of one political party . while the political party that better represents their opinions always have mis understood politicans , but never evilllll.
So their creditability as far as as most American people did not go very far because much of their opinion is based on idealogy. Even now the American people do not hate the Chenneys or the Bushes as these folks do , most Americans I believe are just glad their gone . But these folks seem to want to make sure they all hang for evil deeds of the past .

Anothernonymous

"If you put your comments in this frame I am not surprised you were not listened to."

For the record, no I didn't. I was very careful not to come across as someone who believes America is always wrong - which wasn't hard because I am not one of those people. Nor do I want to see Bush and Cheney "hang;" I'm quite happy with Obama's decision to release the torture memos and leave it at that. I am not an ideological person.

I've also been reading David Sanger's "The Inheritance," and it should unsettle anybody who still thinks the Iraq invasion had any justification as a response to 9/11. Sanger makes it clear that the highly ideological decision to invade Iraq completely undermined our efforts in Afghanistan, betrayed the Afghan people for the second time in a generation, and allowed the Taliban to return to a position of virtually unstoppable power and influence.

1Grace

I totally agree with you that Iraq was a mistake . I was speaking to the
national discourse that I guess did NOT take place. Big difference is saying
some one is wrong then saying they are wrong because they are a lying drunk
who just is out for the rich . President Obama gave a great speech recently
at Notre Dame speaking to how we put people into caricatures that show
negative traits to anyone who believes a certain way . I do it , I think
most political junkies fall for it at times . But we always do so at our
own peril , it means we are really only speaking to those who agree with us
. My point was not you personally , but the rants against the war in Iraq
mainly came from a very small fragment in the FAR political left that most
people find hatefull and irrational. You points if made rationally would
have been drowned out by them , Sounds like a good book . Last night i
listened to my son for a couple of hours over a few beers . He is on leave ,
been about 50 miles north of bagdad . He always read books for fun that
college professors make you read , his perspective is quite illuminating to
the culture and what is going on over there . I am more against this war
after listening to him then ever . A huge mistake , but I really hope I am
wrong . I do get tired of political parties using Iraq for personal gain .
Thats my discernment , I use to be a republican , so perhaps its more sour
grapes then discernment .

carlcopas

It's simply not true that the only people to speak out against the war at the outset was the Howard Zinn/Noam Chomsky "blame America first" crowd. Brent Scowcroft, a pillar of the Establishment if there ever was one, condemned it, as did Andrew Bacevich, Paul Krugman, and others whose columns regularly run in all kinds of newspapers.

Anothernonymous, I find your posts right on the money. I would only add that the kind of perversion of the Gospel and Scripture that Rumsfeld encouraged--even if he didn't create them--confirms all sorts of negative stereotypes that non-Christians have about people in the faith. So often, instead of sharing with people how wonderful life is as a follower of Jesus, I find myself having to explain that "I'm not THAT kind of Christian." It gets old, and i don't think "blasphemy" is too strong a label for these Scripture quotations

1Grace

I find myself having to explain that "I'm not THAT kind of Christian."

Yes I can you doing that . But interesting the democratic party voted to
give all authority to the president . That is whatt i was speaking to .
Obviously they were not listening to the better Christians like yourself
either .

blutenhalbmond

Jarod,
There is no Muslim country that is run by Islamic laws. Not even one--not even Saudi Arabia. If it did , the first thing they would do, would be to abolish monarchy for it is not allowed in Islam. Monarchy and an Islamic state do not go together.

Second, I do not know if you are serious when you ascribe all those altruistic reasons of why the US invaded iraq. You mean oil was not the issue? Exerting US influence in the region was not either? Or how about Israel? Was there no pressure from the pro Israeli crowd pushing for the destruction of an arab country that posed some threat in future? Ever read the PNC Document?

But you were not serious, were you?

Someone earlier mentioned about a Muslim using a quote from the Quran to commit an act of terror. I do not know of any Quranic verse that can be used to justify 9/11 or the bombings of the US embassies in Africa.

Not mentioned in any of the discussion, but of a very serious nature is the religious brain washing that is being done to the US Air Force cadets in Colorado Springs. You must investigate this and you will be shocked to learn how much anti Muslim and the most fanatical form of Christianity is fed to these kids. You as enligjhtened Christians will be dismayed to find that the Hagee/Robertson crowd is working overtime time there.

letjusticerolldown

Aaron,
I opposed the Iraqi invasion from before the decision to go was made. I did so largely based on what I heard and understood from Evangelical missionaries. Not all accepted this as a Holy war or even a justifiable war. And to be honest, as much as I disagree with the images you describe--they cannot be taken as more or less than what they are.

One person created several documents combining pictures of the military and words of scripture. Soldiers everyday read scripture. Christian churches send off military families everyday. These things are what they are. They may be righteous, evil, or otherwise. But you can't take the creation of these documents as evidence the US intervention was undertaken as a holy war.

Every human action lacks pure righteousness. In that sense, every action is to some degree idolatrous; and every attempt to defeat an enemy a kind of holy war. If we press hard enough, we can rightly condemn every human and every action. So we should never view ourelves as having come on some great truth by recognizing there is a way we could condemn all to hell.

JamesM

"They may be righteous, evil, or otherwise. But you can't take the creation of these documents as evidence the US intervention was undertaken as a holy war." letjusticerolldown

I disagree. There are numerous instances in which Muslims quote a verse from the Qu'ran and go out and commit some horrendous act and we here in the US, consider that an act of fanaticism and "holy war". To merely dismiss these actions on the part of the Secretary of Defense as being in line with what many other soldiers do, and to dismiss the premise of Adam's argument as invalid because all of our actions are laced with some evil motive renders all discussion of good and evil useless and irrelevant. Words have meaning. Actions have meaning. The words and actions of our "elected" (at least in his second term) leaders and their appointees have meaning. The use of scripture in this manner has meaning-- a deplorable one at that. The Secretary of Defense's preparing these images for the President which could serve no purpose other than to quell his potential misgivings and doubt and/or to embolden him by reinforcing his belief that his actions in making war serve God's purposes. That is the very essence of "holy war".

letjusticerolldown

"There are numerous instances in which Muslims quote a verse from the Qu'ran and go out and commit some horrendous act and we here in the US, consider that an act of fanaticism and "holy war"."

Let the facts speak. I have always considered the bombings of World Trade Center, African Embassies, 9/11, etc. to be terroristic actions with a socio-political objective undergirded with a religious justification. I have never thought it as a holy war. Whether it is or not would not speak to the reality as to whether the United States, the Congress, the President, this administration, the last administration, etc., or any mix thereof considers the Iraq intervention to be a holy war.

There is obviously a worldview and rationale that frames all actions and choices--and somewhere in the mix is how the issue intersects the faith of decision-makers. Al Gore's faith likely intersects with promotion of a cap and trade system. If an aide prepares information for him and includes a picture of a tree with the verse, "The Earth is the Lord's" --it does not provide much evidence to me that Al Gore is on a religious crusade.

"To dismiss the premise of Adam's argument as invalid because all of our actions are laced with some evil motive renders all discussion of good and evil useless and irrelevant. Words have meaning. Actions have meaning. The words and actions of our "elected" (at least in his second term) leaders and their appointees have meaning."

I agree with that. My point is not to make more or less out of it than needs to be made. George Bush and Barak Obama are grown up guys. I am sure if Barak found a quote of Karl Marx to be inspirational and an aide projected it on top of a picture of an ACORN organizer we would have endless reports of this as proof of his communist agenda. Somehow I just have this wierd idea that in the mountain of information and issues these guys confront everyday that seeing such a document does not translate either into a communist revolutionary or a holy crusader.

carlcopas

ando

And you've lived long enough to experience all of them, I presume. Takes the load off Obama, though. Any thing negative that happens the next four years, the response will consist of a noun, a verb and George W.

jarod

There seems to be a basic assumption about the christianity of America that is not considered in this article.

The christianity of America is compared to the islam of a "muslim country". The United States is not a Christian nation. It is a secular nation with secular laws and the separation of church and state. Most Islamic countries are governed by Islamic laws.

Many Americans in the military happen to be christians and receive comfort from God when their duty to their country requires them to participate in war. I do not think Americas leaders or military believed that the bible was telling them to go to war. I believe they found comfort in their religion when faced with the unbelievably difficult circumstances that the attacks on the country placed them in.

It is unfortunate if a soldier thinks that the act of shooting at their enemy is God's will. That is clearly missing the essence of Christ's message. But, sometimes this does happen in the midst of such life threatening situations.

It was not a Holy War. It was not God's will to go to war. However, it can be God's will to protect your family from immanent danger. It can be God's will for someone to serve one's country during a time of war.

A nation ruled by a leader that is not recognized by it's people and is ruled by campaigns of terror is not a sovereign nation (Look up the definition if you don't agree). It may be a controlled nation, but sovereign carries with it recognized leadership by the people. America did not invade Iraq for self-gain or to conquer new lands. It was not a war to promote christianity, it was a war to promote the freedom of individuals to choose their religion and live free from the threat of terror.

The comparison of the Iraq war to some type of "god will's it" war of conquest is really blowing things out of proportion. Why are christians always "we repent" after the fact. If you want to repent, do it for not starting more non-profits to help the innocents in Iraq or for giving less than 2% of your income to worthwhile causes.

Very thought provoking article. Thanks...

dlb77

Mr. Taylor ends his post with these words: "There’s only one word for such a blatant misuse of scriptures to sanctify a political agenda — idolatry!"

I have another word for it: taking God's name in vain. In other words, using God's name in an attempt to gain advantage over another; using God's name in ways that are contrary to God's ways; using God's name in other than love and praise of God.

MarKatJac

For those who see this Gulf War and Invasion of Iraq as somehow connected to a Biblical imperative, my question is this: When will George Bush and all who followed him into battle be brought to justice? If this was truly a holy war, what is the penalty for trampling Ur, the birthplace of Abraham? Will not the rocks cry out?

Perhaps this economic debacle is our just deserts...for those who believe in cause and effect, even if they have to make it up as they go along...