Christian GI Ruled Conscientious Objector

Oregon Native Granted Discharge After Saying Religious Awakening Left Him Opposed To War

(AP)  A federal judge has ordered the Army to grant conscientious objector status and an honorable discharge to a soldier who says he experienced a religious awakening in Iraq.

The ruling supersedes the Army's decision last year to deny Pfc. Michael Barnes' request. Barnes had told the Army that his religious experience two years ago left him opposed to war in any form.

U.S. District Judge John Sedwick said military investigators failed to provide "a basis in fact" to support their contention that Barnes' religious objections to war were insincere.

Barnes, a 26-year-old native of Portland, Ore., said Monday in a statement released by his lawyer that he was thankful the court found his request was based on his "sincere belief as a Christian."

Barnes enlisted in the Army in March 2005 and arrived in Iraq in September 2006. Soldiers in his unit testified that he devoted much of his spare time to reading the Bible.

"I have been trying to justify being a soldier and finding a way to do so while still being a Christian, because that is what I wanted to do since I was a kid," Barnes wrote in his request for conscientious objector status in December 2006.

"But I can no longer justify spending my short time in this world participating in or supporting war. ... I must try to save souls, not help take them."

Barnes remained in Iraq through the duration of his unit's 15-month deployment. His brigade returned to Anchorage last November.

It was not immediately clear if the Army would appeal the ruling. An Army spokesman late Tuesday could not immediately comment.

[surinbasebal]

What convenient timing for his religious awakening, right at the time when he was supposed to perform the duties when called upon by our country. What a waste of taxpayer money which funded all of his training, meals, housing, filled his pockets, etc. Yeh, let all of our troops have "religious awakenings" so we can implement the draft and make service involuntary for even those that think his actions were worthy. Why do you even live in this country that was founded through military actions against the Brittish and has always been protected by the very armed forces men and women you condemn as sinners, or is it OK to send them out to do your "dirty work"?

[libluv2cnsor]

here is the synopsis..

HE IS A COWARD...

[winslowe1]

Sounds like Cassius Clay all over again. Pathetic.

[libluv2cnsor]

Good for Michael Barnes. If more of these kids would make that same decision, these warmongering leaders wouldn''''t be able to cause so much loss of life and limb all over the world, just to forward their own agendas.


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Posted by CncrndCtzn at 02:43 AM : Sep 25, 2008
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I understand your meaning but you have to understand that this MAN decided to SIGN up for the military. He should had the right mind to know what to expect when you become a soldier.

What aflicts this young MAN is nothing more than just simple COWARDICE...plain and simple.

[dmhphils]

FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE

[cncrndctzn]

Good for Michael Barnes. If more of these kids would make that same decision, these warmongering leaders wouldn''t be able to cause so much loss of life and limb all over the world, just to forward their own agendas.

[tootall10142]

When i hit nam in 67 we had a cob assigned to our platoon as a combat medic. WE got orders for long range recon the first time we made contact he changed his mind and picked all the fire power he could carry and survived his tour.There is a old saying among combat soldiers. : Hell is full os soldiers and thier leaders are right behind them.

[differnet]

So, part of the Bush reasoning to go to war in Iraq was to spread Democracy. Are we know going to condemn Democracy as evil because it is used as an excuse for war. Every time you try to blame religion for man''s failings you are doing the same thing. Religion is an idea. You can''t blame an idea. People pervert ideas all the time to justify their desire for power.

[libluv2cnsor]

Posted by Nancy_Naive at 07:41 PM : Sep 24, 2008
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maybe you should understand the word ''faith''...not even on a religious level but on the simple act of ''faith'' may it be faith in the bunny rabbit or the tooth fairy BUT HAVING FAITH..

[libluv2cnsor]

Cute saying, yours? Almost as good as "Strength through Unity. Unity through Faith"...

..I fear what they have done and would do again because of it.




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Posted by Nancy_Naive at 07:41 PM : Sep 24, 2008
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yes it is..

hence YOU beleive because you fear. if you dont believe them THEN THERE IS NO REASON TO FEAR..

regards..............................

[libluv2cnsor]

The " my time is up- or I am gay -does not work- this C O thing did work -we can expect more !


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Posted by babooph at 06:27 PM : Sep 24, 2008
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a lot of liberal athiests in the military will have a religious awakening..religion wins again..(of course, that is if its not all BS..is it?)

[libluv2cnsor]

So the 10 Commandments say you shall not flock with crows?

Murder, kill -- no distinction in usage beyond the courts.

Regards,


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Posted by Nancy_Naive at 12:45 PM : Sep 24, 2008
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For a non-believer..you sure quote the bible a lot..

"attack denotes fear, fear denotes belief"

are you a bitter closet christian?

[libluv2cnsor]

name ONE non-religious society..ONE non-religious nation THAT NEVER DEFENDED THEMSELVES FROM HARM..

[libluv2cnsor]

The " my time is up- or I am gay -does not work- this C O thing did work -we can expect more !


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Posted by babooph at 06:27 PM : Sep 24, 2008
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ever wondered why he ''enlisted'' in the first place??

[libluv2cnsor]

This soldier and those in the trial need to be prayed for. Hopefull God will use this to inform Americans that killing is not good for the pyche, country or soul.


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Posted by ChrisBieber at 05:45 PM : Sep 24, 2008
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that is all good..now are you ready to ''turn the other cheek''..chris

btw..i think you grew up during the carter era..(dont lie now)

[babooph]

The " my time is up- or I am gay -does not work- this C O thing did work -we can expect more !

[chrisbieber]

as a former warmonger militarist and chickenhawk(a Reagan Youth) I saw the error of my ways after first realizing the goal of the miitarization of USA and its globalization and our "leaders" surrendering our soveriengty and then having a nearfatal caraccident and coma...God in his mercy gave me the warmonger talktalk Christian another chance...I gave away my arsenal of guns(Dylan-song like "cant touch them anymore" but am NOT for any gun control)and ditched any hint of violence and militarism....Christ told ALL us to love one another... I hate what has happened to our country, our culture(RAMPANT DEATH and MILITARY idolization) and the Church, proudly waving American Flags and advocating bombing and death and Soviet-like invasions and occupations. That is not showing any love.

This soldier and those in the trial need to be prayed for. Hopefull God will use this to inform Americans that killing is not good for the pyche, country or soul.

[TommyCraig]

"Wouldn''''t a true Christian kill anything that stands in their way? That''''s the way they''''ve been doing it for hundreds and hundreds of years"...
Posted by mjm117 at 03:02 PM : Sep 24, 2008
Understanding...that''s all it will take you.

[TommyCraig]

"Murder, kill -- no distinction in usage beyond the courts".
Regards,
Posted by Nancy_Naive at 12:45 PM : Sep 24, 2008
Why not? Someone attacks me and in my defense I strike the person. He dies. As long as my intent is not to end his life, is this murder? On the other hand, he attacks and I knock him down and continue to strike well beyond what is necessary to disable him. Is that murder? I think that there is a clear distinction.

[mjm117]

Wouldn''t a true Christian kill anything that stands in their way? That''s the way they''ve been doing it for hundreds and hundreds of years...