The Wolf at the Door
March 5, 2003

Pastor Chuck Roots has been called away from Ripon Free Methodist Church to active duty as a Navy chaplain to the U.S. Marines

Earlier this week I was floored by an article written in the San Francisco Chronicle which highlighted the ministry of several Navy chaplains who are providing ministry to our Marines in Kuwait. It came out on February 24 with the headline, “Faith in the shadow of war — U.S. troops in Kuwait find themselves turning to their God.” I say "Bravo!" to John Koopman for this courageous article. Why was I floored? First of all, it was all positive! Second, they interviewed a couple of guys who talked about being born-again. That’s right! They used the term Jesus used in the Gospel of John, chapter three.

The Letters to the Editor equally amused me the next day. One fellow suggested this was merely making the case that the United States is in Kuwait to launch a war against Islam. It would be wise to understand that Iraq’s leader, Saddam Hussein, is not a Muslim. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Yes, I know there are the never-ending film clips on the evening news showing Saddam genuflecting in a show of obeisance to Allah. Prior to the Gulf War of 1991, Saddam called for a jihad (holy war) four different times against the Western nations, particularly the United States, which is ofttimes identified as the “Great Satan.” When the call for a jihad goes out, all able-bodied Muslim males are to rally in defense of the faith. No such rally took place. In fact, there was a collective yawn throughout the Muslim world. No one took Saddam seriously because they know he’s not a Muslim.

The free world’s beef is with Saddam, not Islam. It’s important to remember this because there are those who would be ecstatic if we were to get into some protracted war where the Islamic faith is the issue. As long as we are ridding the world of violent terrorists, regardless of philosophical or ideological stripe, we avoid the appearance of targeting a religion and its people. This is ticklish and must be handled with adroit diplomacy. If we fail to prosecute these maniacal creatures, we appear weak and, by default, an easy prey for their diabolical attacks.

Freedom is not free. It is bought with the blood of patriots. Every generation of Americans has been required to stand up against aggressors. Today is no different. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this were not necessary?

At times I find myself reflecting back to the Vietnam War, and remembering how not one single serviceman that I knew wanted to end up dead in that far-off land that many could not even find on a world map. Yet, the responsibility was set before us to stop the spread of Communism throughout the Asian rim. This was accomplished, albeit at great cost in American lives. Thirty years later Communism is rapidly disappearing from the world stage, and free people paid the price.

So, I thank God for those who stand in the breech to insure our freedoms. You see, it is the military of a free America that has kept the wolf away from the door for over 220 years.

God bless America!