General Boykin's God is Bigger Than Your God

October 20, 2003

William Boykin, a Lt. General and newly promoted "Deputy Undersecretary of State of Defense for Intelligence" has been criticized for Christian comments he made at church services over the past two years. Now, many want him fired, reassigned or reprimanded. Given the current Christian conservative Administration, he will probably keep his job.

He has the right to be a Christian (or a Muslim) and voice his opinions. He beliefs are protected but the bigger issue is not about free speech... it is about using his military position to help make religious points. This shows poor judgment. He knows better.

Bush is trying very hard to characterize the War on Terror as non-religious, though most describe it in religious contexts. Perhaps the general felt shielded by the fact the Administration is mostly run by Christian conservatives. Still, he should have prepared for this reaction.

Speaking out is fine for you and me but not a general. When he speaks he represents his government and president. The problem.... his words do not reflect Bush's statements since 9/11. He should know that.

His comments to an evangelical group about his god being bigger than the Muslim god is childish, like kids say,  "My dad can beat up your dad." Both the Somali warlord, a Muslim and General Boykin have idols as their gods. There is but one god for everyone and everything. Too bad General Boykin doesn't know that.

By couching his war speeches in religious terms and making "his god is better than yours" comments, he continues the evangelical Christian mantra that all Muslims are bad. This is not true. Not all are bad but many are. As with Christians, some are bad but not all. He divides us even more by saying the War on Terrorism is a fight with Satan. This equates Muslims with Satan. This wrong. He should know this.

Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld says he supports Boykin's right to have his views but what would Rumsfeld do if Boykin said the Iraq War was based on lies? Or said, "Jews run the world?"  We know what would happen. General Boykin would be another general retiring before the end of the year. You cannot contradict Administration policy and survive. The general should know that.

The general made his comments while wearing his uniform. This gave his audience the impression they were sanctioned by "the government". Certainly his evangelical Christian audience hoped so. He should know he doesn't speak for the Administration and should never give an impression he does.

He said god chose Bush as president. He reportedly said: "Why is this man in the White House? The majority of Americans did not vote for him. He's in the White House because God put him there for a time such as this." It is certainly true Bush was not elected by the country and the Supreme Court decided the election.  But do people really believe god would steal an election for Bush? Apparently General Boykin and his audiences believe it.

General Boykin told church members in June that America could not ignore its Judaeo-Christian roots. "Our religion came from Judaism and therefore [Islamic] radicals will hate us forever." It is true we must not forget our Judaeo-Christian roots and they are one reason Muslim radicals hate America. He simplifies a complex problem though. He should know that.

It is good that Boykin will curtail his speeches and said, "I don't want to come across as a Right-wing radical," Its about time, but too late. The real problem here is that he didn't see anything wrong with proselytizing for Christianity while in his general's uniform. He should have known it was wrong.

His comments will have the following effects:

More will think, perhaps correctly, the War on Terrorism is a war between Christians and Muslims. One side, good, presumably Christian and the other bad and satanic, the Muslims.

His comments play into the hands of terrorists and helps them recruit for their holy war. They can say, "Look, an American General says we are evil and satanic, it is about religion. Join us to defeat them."

Bush says the War on Terrorism it is not about religion. Boykin's comments make it tougher for the Administration's to maintain its credibility.

General Boykin's needs another spiritual conversion to let him see reality and resolve to keep his mouth shut from now on. He might plan on retirement too, just in case.
 

The general sounds a lot like Ann Coulter, a fellow religious conservative who said on September 13, 2001, "We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity."