Regarding the war in Iraq, the U.S. military has prosecuted more than 200 cases against its own personnel for crimes against humanity and the violations of the laws of war, including murder, rape, and kidnapping. Christian conservative groups, in coordination with some veterans associations, have established a grass-roots funding campaign to defend the accused and voice their support. Some of the donations include letters stating that “the bible says” Iraq will always be at war and that “the military's work is God's work.”
The groups are claiming that the top military brass are “eating their young” and basing their prosecutions on flimsy evidence. They site the recent dismissal of charges against Lance Corporal Justin Sharatt, who was charged with murder in Haditha in 2005. The groups are using evangelical rhetoric that appears aligned with some of the reasoning used by President Bush to support continued military operations in Iraq. The group www.marinedefensefund.com has stated that “the insurgency has found a new weapon” by accusing U.S. military personnel of war crimes. In addition, spokesmen for the group Military Combat Defense Fund stated that religious conviction drives their grass roots efforts. None of the groups, however, seek assistance for military personnel who have pleaded guilty.
Military records show that there have been many cases involving crimes against humanity and violations of the laws of war in Iraq. U.S. Marines have been accused of murder for 24 Iraqi citizens in the town of Haditha in 2005. In another case, soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division gang raped a 14-year old girl and murdered her and her family. The military is seeking sentences ranging from 100 year sentences to death.
Religious beliefs are the justification for the most violent conflicts in human history. In recent times, both sides in the Iraq war are claiming some moral authority justifies their actions. Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims have been embattled over their beliefs for centuries, while U.S. officials continue with references to the Christian God in their inspirational messages regarding military action in Iraq. An objective analysis would put evangelical beliefs on par with some of the fundamental Islamic groups. The willingness of the U.S. military to examine its own conduct in the court of law, however, suggest there is still of voice of pragmatism in the laws of war.
