Thursday, June 5, 2014

The Release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl


Why do I think the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl this past week from captivity by the Taliban is a harbinger for an even more complex and troubled end to the war in Afghanistan?

And what is a Christian to think in the echo chamber that is today’s 24-hour news cycle? -- Beyond partisan politics and debates over Rose Garden optics…

Should it matter if Bowe Berghahl walked off his post? Did he? 

Should it matter if he began to question the war? What was his mental state?

Is there a process in place to adjudicate his case and have him answer to potential charges of desertion? 

What was it like to be his parents during this time?  What is like to be parents of others who serve in the military?  How do they feel and what emotions do this all kick up?

Did other soldiers die searching for Bergdahl? 

Why did the military promote him from private to sergeant if they believed he deserted?   

What should we do with prisoners held in Guantanamo?  Will they or can they ever be released?  How should we think of and treat any prisoner?

What are we to think of others help captive around the world that we do not know about?  Praying for the kidnapped school girls in Nigeria…

It seems to me that the more we walk through this recent news event/controversy, it might be a good time to check in with the core values of our faith.

How is God present on our battlefields and in our prisons?

How is God present in parent’s anguish? 

How do we pay for mistakes we make? 

Is reconciliation possible? Ever?  (Yes, but it's not easy) 

As you can see, I have more questions than answers.  And I pray for an end to war, the safety of those who serve in the Armed Forces, and peace around the world.  No small thing. 

Comments welcome. 


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