‘Jesus Rifles’ Threaten U.S.Troops

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The code on an ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight) made for the U.S. military by defense contractor Trijicon. The lettering at the end, JN8:12 refers to the Bible passage John 8:12. Pic courtesy of U.S. Army officer, Ft. Hood, Texas

On January 18, 2010, ABC News reported Michigan-based manufacturer Trijicon was placing references to Bible verses, of all things, in the serial numbers of sights sold to the U.S. Military.

The ABC News story was initiated by Mikey Weinstein and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, after being alerted to the practice by multiple sources including active-duty service members.

Tom Munson, director of sales and marketing for Trijicon, said the practice of including the references was started nearly 30 years previously by the company’s founder, devout Christian Glyn Bindon, who died in a 2003 plane crash. When hearing about this even some Christians objected, but little was done until recently to correct this condition.

On January 20, 2010 the BBC reported that the British Ministry of Defense, which had—when unaware of the issue—recently purchased 480 Trijicon sights for use in Afghanistan, but appreciated that the markings could cause offense, and had taken the matter up with the company.  We don’t know what happened next but one can hope the company offered some assurances that this odious practice was stopped.

When the so-called “Jesus rifle” came to light in Jan. 2010, it sparked constitutional and security concerns, and a maelstrom of media coverage. The Pentagon ordered the removal of the secret code referring to Bible passages that the manufacturer had inscribed on the scopes of the standard issue rifles carried by U.S. soldiers into battle in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A spokesman for U.S. Central Command, which manages military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, opined the inscribed sights do not violate the military’s self-imposed ban on proselytizing because there is no effort to distribute the equipment beyond the U.S. troops who use them. “This situation is not unlike the situation with U.S. currency”, said the spokesman, Air Force Maj. John Redfield. “Are we going to stop using money because the bills have ‘In God We Trust’ on them? As long as the sights meet the combat needs of troops, they’ll continue to be used”.

Nearly three years later — despite the military’s assertion that is making “good progress” — the code remains on many rifles deploying to Afghanistan, which some soldiers argue is endangering their lives by reinforcing suspicions that the United States is waging a crusade against Muslims.

The Department of Defense said it would modify the scopes, starting with those on bases, though in March said it might take as long as a year.

Not all observers thought removal of the unobtrusive lettering on the scopes was a matter of great urgency.

“I understand that we have already started to address this issue,” said retired Lt. Col. Robert Maginnis, in a debate with Weinstein on ABC News in March 2010. “You may argue it’s not fast enough,” but he said he saw “no evidence” that the code presented a security issue.

I submit that Mr. Maginnis is likely a Christian proselytizer, because taking such a position when the United States is involved heavily in the Middle East flies in the face of common sense.

Fast forward two and a half years, and “Jesus rifles” are still widely used in the United States and in areas of conflict, according to the Fort Hood officer, who was deployed to Iraq in 2010-2011. He says he has never seen a fixit kit.

Weinstein of MRFF said he has received more than 2,800 complaints from troops about the Jesus rifles — now even more widely known to Afghans and Iraqis, in part because of the controversy.

Iraqis “absolutely” know that it’s a Jesus rifle, said the Fort Hood officer, based on his experience.

“Do all the Afghans and Taliban know about this? Probably not. But the ones who do could ultimately affect the life of a soldier,” said the  officer. “There’s absolutely no reason this couldn’t have been done in the first six weeks. And that just leads me to wonder why is the Army leadership not taking ownership of the responsibility of completing this task?”

So, it appears the Jesus Jumpers are having a negative influence on America’s combat efforts.  It’s bad enough that the Crazy Christians rushed to invade Iraq with missionaries, but now they are jeopardizing the security of American troops by placing references to a book that for centuries has been responsible for the senseless slaughter of millions

Many thanks to NBC News and Wikipedia for their contributions to this article.

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Professor Mike

Professor Mike is a left-leaning, dog loving, political junkie. He has written dozens of articles for Substack, Medium, Simily, and Tribel. Professor Mike has been published at Smerconish.com, among others. He is a strong proponent of the environment, and a passionate protector of animals. In addition he is a fierce anti-Trumper. Take a moment and share his work.
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Music35
11 years ago

This emotional topic along with other events that “moved us” helped inspire us to write “Jesus Rifle” the music video by “Andrea Speaks” youtube As far as the future of these codes, we feel whatever is best for our troops should be done. Some troops may find comfort, some may feel endangered, some may feel religiously awkward. We want our troops to have what they need to function, but above all be safe. Thanks

trisha
11 years ago

Why is there a goofy-looking bug-like thing next to my name? I didn’t put it there – nor choose an avatar at all O.O

Bill Formby
Reply to  trisha
11 years ago

Luck of the draw I guess Trisha.

trisha
11 years ago

@ anonymous…. what the HELL? where the HELL do you get suicide out of John 8:12?!? Oh, yes, from HELL itself! That sounds like something Satan would do! John 8:12 is referring to LIGHT and EVERLASTING LIFE…. NOT suicide! very sad how folks will twist stuff into whatever form they want it to be… even if it no longer even RESEMBLES the TRUTH! scary world. CRAZY CHRISTIANS aren’t nearly as scary or dangerous as uneducated UNTHINKING heathens spreading hate… for ANYTHING! …. and it’s no WONDER you want to remain ANONYMOUS!

Anonymous
Reply to  trisha
11 years ago

Christian thinker HA!

Tommy
Reply to  trisha
11 years ago

If there was a god, people wouldn’t be going to war over who has the best imaginary friend.

Ex-Canuck
Reply to  trisha
11 years ago

Take a deep breath girl……

Bill Formby
11 years ago

Not that the obvious reason of making life more dangerous for the troops isn’t reason enough to recall the rifle sights and correct the problem, but what about the thing in the ten commandments of “Thou Shalt Not Kill” being on a piece of equipment made solely for the purpose of killing. Of course the Christians were never serious about following that anyway because God went around killing people all the time.

pete
11 years ago

There’s plenty of responsibility to go around here. The army idiot saying it’s not a big deal, and the government not canceling the contract with this company. This is a mix again of church and state and that’s because our government is still filled with bible bogglers left over from Bush.

Anonymous
11 years ago

If this isn’t just a big coincidence, it’s odd that the verse pointed to by those numbers refers to committing suicide. That doesn’t seem very patriotic at all.

PolackMSgt
Reply to  Anonymous
11 years ago

The passage is, John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
It is, along with John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” the main Bible passages that establish Jesus as the path to heaven.
In other words, the core belief of Christianity

11 years ago

It’s not just christians, all of these religious loons are responsible for killing millions if not billions of people.

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