Bible verses on US military rifle scopes

[Storebrand]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/01/19/2010-01-19_firm_takes_flak_for_rifle_scopes_with_bible_verse.html

A Michigan weapons company is under fire for branding thousands of rifle scopes used by U.S. soldiers and Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan with passages from the Bible.

U.S. military rules prohibit any service member from proselytizing while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, which are primarily Muslim nations.

Trijicon, a sighting manufacturer based in Wixom, Mich., has several multimillion-dollar contracts with the Pentagon to make sights.

Along with the sight's stock number, there are coded Bible passages from the New Testament engraved on the sights. One reads JN8:12, an apparent reference to John 8:12, which says, "Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Trijicon did not return calls for comment yesterday but confirmed the engravings to ABCNews.com. And the company's mission statement is steeped in religion, saying it strives to follow morals "based on Biblical standards."

Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, said the sights endanger troops. "This plays right into the hands of maniacs who say, 'Look, it's a jihad,'" he said, adding that he's received several complaints from soldiers and Marines.

U.S. military officials told ABCNews.com they were "unaware" of the biblical markings.

[Remington]

I really, really wonder what Jesus would have to say about stuff like this, if he was still alive.

We could have John Stewart train him in the arts of satire, and then give him a primetime comedy show. It'd be ratings gold.

[Captain Utopia]

I really, really wonder what Jesus would have to say about stuff like this, if he was still alive.

We could have John Stewart train him in the arts of satire, and then give him a primetime comedy show. It'd be ratings gold.

And I bet he'd still get pre-empted for football. 

[The Good Reverend Roger]

I really, really wonder what Jesus would have to say about stuff like this, if he was still alive.

We could have John Stewart train him in the arts of satire, and then give him a primetime comedy show. It'd be ratings gold.

And I bet he'd still get pre-empted for football. 

Of course.  We aren't barbarians.

[Cain]

Trijicon did not return calls for comment yesterday but confirmed the engravings to ABCNews.com. And the company's mission statement is steeped in religion, saying it strives to follow morals "based on Biblical standards."

I didn't know the arms industry was given God's approval in the Bible.  "Blessed shall be the swordmakers" or something, I guess.

Also, srsly, what Weinstein said.  I know he's been tracking religious fundamentalism in the military for years, and it's a good job he's doing.

[Xila31]

I really, really wonder what Jesus would have to say about stuff like this, if he was still alive.

My current observation is that Jesus preached against the pharacies, which ultimately got him killed. Now many of his followers behave very similarly to the pharacies. So, I also wonder what he would say.

This story doesn't surprise me, though.

[Dysnomia]

I really, really wonder what Jesus would have to say about stuff like this, if he was still alive.

"Eat lead by the power of Christ!  Motherfuckers!!!!!"  Would be my guess.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

I really, really wonder what Jesus would have to say about stuff like this, if he was still alive.

"Eat lead by the power of Christ!  Motherfuckers!!!!!"  Would be my guess.

If he's anything like the Jesus I used to know, he'd be making a scourge and cleansing the temple.

[Pariah]

I'm guessing Exodus 20:13 wasn't one of the chosen.

[Fuquad]

I'm guessing Exodus 20:13 wasn't one of the chosen.

While all murder is killing not all killing is murder.

Now if they'll go back and look at the etymology of some other words in the book.

[Dysnomia]

I really, really wonder what Jesus would have to say about stuff like this, if he was still alive.

"Eat lead by the power of Christ!  Motherfuckers!!!!!"  Would be my guess.

If he's anything like the Jesus I used to know, he'd be making a scourge and cleansing the temple.

That reminds me.  At Preschool we learned the story of Jericho in chapel last week (lutheran preschool).     My kids are 3...

[Iason Ouabache]

They decided to stop putting the verses on the scopes and are paying to take them off of existing scopes.

http://rawstory.com/news/afp/US_firm_backs_off_on_Bible_scopes_01212010.html

The Wixom, Michigan company said it has inscribed references to the New Testament on the metal casings of its gunsights for over two decades.

But it said it would supply the military with 100 kits "to enable the removal of the references that are already on products that are currently deployed."

Just under 300,000 of the gunsights are currently fielded, 220,000 by the marines and between 70,000 and 75,000 by the army, a Pentagon official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Trijicon said it had taken the step "in response to concerns raised by the Department of Defense" and to "ensure the war-time production needs of the troops are met as quickly as possible."

The Pentagon said earlier it was "disturbed" after reports emerged this week about the inscriptions. The Marine Corps and the Army have launched a review.

The practice appeared to be a direct violation of a US Central Command general order issued after the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq that strictly prohibits "proselytizing of any religion, faith or practice."

Besides providing kits, the company said it would remove the Biblical references on all US military products that have not yet been shipped and stop inscribing them on gunsights in the future.

[The Johnny]

They decided to stop putting the verses on the scopes and are paying to take them off of existing scopes.

http://rawstory.com/news/afp/US_firm_backs_off_on_Bible_scopes_01212010.html

The Wixom, Michigan company said it has inscribed references to the New Testament on the metal casings of its gunsights for over two decades.

But it said it would supply the military with 100 kits "to enable the removal of the references that are already on products that are currently deployed."

Just under 300,000 of the gunsights are currently fielded, 220,000 by the marines and between 70,000 and 75,000 by the army, a Pentagon official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Trijicon said it had taken the step "in response to concerns raised by the Department of Defense" and to "ensure the war-time production needs of the troops are met as quickly as possible."

The Pentagon said earlier it was "disturbed" after reports emerged this week about the inscriptions. The Marine Corps and the Army have launched a review.

The practice appeared to be a direct violation of a US Central Command general order issued after the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq that strictly prohibits "proselytizing of any religion, faith or practice."

Besides providing kits, the company said it would remove the Biblical references on all US military products that have not yet been shipped and stop inscribing them on gunsights in the future.

Lol? 100 kits? 1:3000?

[Jenne]

*looks for Colbert's take on this from earlier this week or so*

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/262174/january-19-2010/onward-christian-soldiers

[Iason Ouabache]

Not surprisingly, MRFF got some hate mail over this:

http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2010/01/mrff_gets_hate_mail_over_bible.php

From: Curt [last name redacted for privacy] Date: January 22, 2010 6:32:59 PM MST To: Mikey Weinstein Subject: Re: The American Muslim - Do Bible Verses on Rifle Scopes Represent Christianity?

You really love to see your name in print, don't you? In the name of God, get OVER yourself! This is the most caterwauling godless jews and pedophile mohammedans have done since the Knights Templar retook Jerusalem. You're pathetic scum. Go circumcise your neck. Oh, and would that wall be the one that the Zionist jews built in Jordon?

Drop dead,
Curt

From: Shane [last name redacted for privacy] Date: January 18, 2010 7:13:27 PM MST To: info@ militaryreligiousfreedom.org Subject: Task Force Patriot

I am amazed with the zealotry with which you attack this poor group of old veterans. I am not amazed, though, that you are a jew.

You do not fool me, I've done my research on you and your "organization". You are no better than the ACLU and are just one small part of the effort of those that would destroy this great nation from within.

I will see you in the streets.
Shane [last name redacted for privacy]

GOD'S LOVE!!!!
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