Christian GI Ruled Conscientious Objector
Oregon Native Granted Discharge After Saying Religious Awakening Left Him Opposed To War
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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.
© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.



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See all 55 CommentsPosted by FSW3
Gawd what a traitor--totally against Palins beliefs and the thumpers out there who are praying for "end times".
This has probably been true since mass murderer Constantine took over the original Jewish Messiah cult as an instrument of war and oppression.
Posted by airboatboy1 at 08:44 AM : Sep 24, 2008
The "Christian Crusades" had nothing to do with what Jesus Christ told his followers to do. No where in the bible does it tell believers to go out and baptise by the sword.
Don''t let those nations that in the name of Christ who attempted to convert the world via the sword or gun skew the message of Christ.
Being a believer, however, does not mean that you must not fight in wars. If attacked, one must defend the women and children.
All they will do is waste your time, because their REAL motive is to prepare a defense for themselves.
For example: My son was born in a military hospital. Among all the women (nurses, etc.) on that floor, there was one man. He worked in the nursery and his job was to take care of the babies. I asked a nurse what this was about - she explained he was a conscientious objector. This was during the Vietnam War.
Posted by barbaraf4 at 09:53 AM : Sep 24, 2008
I agree. A majority of enlisted positions never see combat. However, his welcome will not go over very well.
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Personally, I have been against this war since the start; however, unless you have quit paying taxes, you ARE supporting this war just like all the rest of us. If we didn''t have the guts to impeach Bush and get out of Iraq, then we are passively allowing the insanity to continue.
Posted by Nancy_Naive at 09:56 AM : Sep 24, 2008
There is no deliniation between US civilians and military in support for war. Your tax dollars support the effort.
Posted by barbaraf4 at 09:53 AM : Sep 24, 2008
I agree. A majority of enlisted positions never see combat. However, his welcome will not go over very well.
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I am only speculating here but the reason for the discharge is probably because all soldiers, whether you are a cook, army band, medic, mechanic, ect.. you are trained to be a combat soldier first. No matter what your job is you can be called upon at anytime to go out on missions and fight if needed. My personal opinion is that if this individual doesnt want to be a soldier first then he needs to go. The Army is not here for people that dont want to do their job. Plain and simple.
Good for this man, and bless his soul!
"Thou shalt not kill" is fairly resistant to broad interpretation.
When are the rest gonna come around??
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Actually, the original commandment was "Thou shalt not MURDER". People killed in the Bible, without consequence, all the time. It''s sort of like that incest thing - it was legal in the Bible.
As a footnote, the Bible does not list one consequence for failing to obey the 10 Commandments.
Posted by jaydee102 at 10:47 AM : Sep 24, 2008
The Commandment "Thou Shalt Not Murder" is not a revisionist interpretation. Translated from the original Hebrew this is the true interpretation.
It was the Catholic church who originally changed the translation from murder to kill oh so many years ago.
Can you see the benefits to changing it from murder to kill? It has great implications and leaves one powerless to the church.
To not murder, leaves one the ability to protect oneself, their family and their country.
Posted by jaydee102 at 10:47 AM : Sep 24, 2008
Not to argue Christian points on a public forum, but in your logic, wouldn''t this make God a hipocrat since after he gave the commandments, he instructed the hebrews to destroy all of the cannonites?
Posted by shawnp20 at 11:30 AM : Sep 24, 2008
Shawn, for some, they must fall on their face before they realize that they need God.
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Posted by Terrapin78 at 11:15 AM : Sep 24, 2008
Refreshing, isn`t it?
Also, I wish people would stop calling our presence in Iraq a "war". Congress has never declared war and the president cannot without them, so what we have is a "police action", not a war. If this were a war, we would throw all our resources into defeating the enemy which to date we clearly have not. The military is not a police force so why do we insist on using them that way?
I do have an issue with leaders waging unjustified wars of aggression. I do have an issue with people who support leaders in waging wars of aggression.
War should be the last resort of civilized countries, but it seems to be very popular in America as a first response to everything.
And if Americans could connect the dots, they would see that the financial cost of war has been a major factor in the economic crisis we are experiencing. War is bankrupting America--morally and economically.
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.
Posted by mjm117 at 03:02 PM : Sep 24, 2008
Understanding...that''s all it will take you.
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
+ report abuse
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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)
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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??
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?
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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?)
..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..............................
+ report abuse
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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..
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