I’ve been reading about the horrible atrocities that occured at Haditha, Iraq. Yes, an American Marine was killed and his buddies reacted in the fog of war and killed a couple dozen innocent Iraqi citizens. It’s not the fault of the Marines although they are the guys who pulled the triggers. It is the fault of a government and a people who didn’t object strongly enough to war. We say we’re a Christian nation and that “In God we trust.” It’s on our currency. We have politicians, pundits and others who want to post the Ten Commandments wherever they can find a place to hang them.
This atrocity in Haditha while terrible is nothing new. December 20, 1864, at Sand Creek in the Colorado territory hundreds of innocent Native American women and children were slaughtered by elements of the United States Army. The United States Cavalry massacred 150 Sioux Indians at Wounded Knee in 1890. We have a long history of murder and genocide. We’re not alone. Our principal ally in the Iraq fiasco, the British, have their own history of slaughter. The Massacre at Amritsar at which 400 civilians were killed and 1200 wounded. On March 16, 1968, Charlie Company, 11th Brigade, Americal Division wrote their names in the blood of history with the massacre of 300 unarmed civilians.
Is it any wonder that the unbelievers of the world doubt what we say about Jesus and the Gospel. Mahatma Gandhi said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Is it any wonder that the rest of the world doubts our intent? What will it take to atone for the atrocities of Haditha and elsewhere in Iraq? Pray for the United States Marines. Pray for Haditha and all Iraq. Peace.
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