I recall a movie (The Lighthorsemen) in which a young Aussie soldier froze up under fire. The Brits in that war would have shot him for cowardice; the Aussies put him to driving an ambulance. Unarmed.

Our fetishization of The Warrior is a symptom of a deep sickness, I think. Yes, we need soldiers, but do we need to worship them, and destroy those who don’t measure up?

ps – I should probably say that I was in the army for ten years

* Positively the principle may be expressed: In matters of your intellect, follow your reason as far as it will take you, without regard to any other consideration. And negatively: In matters of the intellect, do not pretend that conclusions are certain which are not demonstrated or demonstrable. That I take to be the agnostic faith, which if a man keep whole and undefiled, he shall not be ashamed to look the universe in the face, whatever the future may have in store for him.

Then I read that he had already done one tour of duty in Iraq. I think he should have been able to quit the army for any reason. I respect his courage for fighting in a war and, IMO, he should be let out of his contract. I do not care whether he wanted out for moral reason or because he missed his mother’s cooking.

It is difficult to assess the depths of his beliefs because they rest solely within his own thinking and personal values without the support of background, family, or faith group.

I think this quote by Karen Frantz quoting the military chaplain disturbs me the most.

Anyone, and many, many do, fake a depth of belief with the “support” of background, family, or faith group.

No, each person’s faith and beliefs must rest solely within their own thinking and personal values. Anything more is simply culture.