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Army officer, Fort Hood, Texas
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.
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.
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.
"I honestly believe that this is a dangerous situation. It literally could be a matter of life and death for a soldier if he fell into the wrong hands," said an Army officer who spoke to NBC News from Fort Hood, Texas. "The fact that combatant commanders are not following (rules set by Department of Defense) commanders is very disturbing to me."
The officer, who asked not to be named out of fear of reprisal from commanders, provided a photograph, taken on Tuesday, of the code on an M-4 rifle assigned to a soldier who is slated to deploy to Afghanistan in coming weeks.
The code stamped into the metal of the soldier’s ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight) ends with the model number with "JN8:12." which refers to the New Testament passage, John 8:12, which reads: "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."
Other rifle scopes among some 250,000 provided by Michigan-based manufacturer Trijicon were imprinted with codes that point to passages in Matthew, Mark, Luke, Corinthians and Revelation, ABC News reported when it broke the news in 2010.
Trijicon, reportedly had been following this practice for at least two decades, and it was well known to gun enthusiasts.
But these scopes attach to M-4 assault rifles used by U.S. troops, allies and Afghan and Iraqi forces being trained by the U.S. military.
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit group that aggressively pursues the separation of church and state in defense institutions, first flagged the issue in late 2009 after receiving scores of complaints from active duty military members.
"It’s constitutionally noxious," said foundation president Mikey Weinstein. "It's an embarrassment and makes us look exactly like the tenth incarnation of the crusades which launches 8 million new jihadist recruiting videos."
The military first said it was unaware of the biblical code. Then Gen. David Petraeus, formerly the head of U.S. Central Command overseeing U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, in Jan. 2010 issued a press release saying he was "very concerned" to learn of the biblical markings, which were "contrary to U.S. Central Command guidance."
"Our mission is to protect the population we're serving and establish conditions for security, stability, and development, and we strive to do that while remaining sensitive to the cultural and religious norms of the populace we are supporting," he said.
In Jan 2010, Trijicon which had a multi-year Defense Department contract to provide up to 800,000 sights, announced it would stop printing the verses on new scopes for the military use and provide modification kits for the removal of the code on existing scopes.
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.
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?"
Contacted by NBC News, scope-maker Trijicon directed calls to the head of sales and marketing Tom Munson, who relayed the message through his secretary that "he had no interest" in discussing the Jesus rifle.
NBC News queries to the military about the plan to remove the gospel-referencing code were answered in the form of an email statement saying the "corrective measures the Army took to remove the code were still ongoing."
"We had to take steps to ensure the corrective measures did not impede ongoing operations in theater, but we've got procedures to catch this at multiple points," said the statement provided by Matthew Bourke, in the U.S. Army Media Relations Division. "We're making good progress."
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Leave a Comment:
A more important story would be about the new ROE in Afghanistan. Our guys hands are tied, why are we still there?
Religion is not the problem ... it's that people feel compelled to shove it in someone else's face. Just keep whatever you believe to yourself or those that believe as you do and the world will get along nicely.
God trumps all you fools. You allow kids 14 years old to have next-day pills given to them in secrecy at school to kill their babies without parental consent, but a reference to a Bible Scripture, oh that angers you. You root for homosexuals with rec-tum itches to bully you into "acceptance" but a Bible Scripture destroys you. What a bunch of dum-b-ass-es. You are an embarrassment to humanity.
Amen.
Your invisible fairey has no power over me, and neither do you.
I say give our soldiers a choice: (1) Choose the John verse if you are Christian crusader, (2) Choose Esther 9:5 if you are Jewish warrior, (3) Choose Sura 3:157-8 if you are Muslim martyr and (4) Choose the Peace symbol if you are an atheist.
Well I guess In-n-out burger won't be welcome over there either since they put bible passages on the bottom of their soda cups.
Thanks for telling me that no IN N OUT for me.
Correct.
The U.S. Armed Forces acknowledges all religions within its ranks. To allow just one of them to be promoted is not only wrong, it also alienates everyone that doesn't practice Christianity.
Not to mention, that fast food chain doesn't exactly promote a healthy lifestyle our troops need.
Trijicon makes a great product. It's been their trademark for years. THe bible verse is a play on the tritium used in the sight, which makes the reticle visible in low light conditions. God is in our constition, he's on our currency and there is even verses on the walls in congress. Deal with it.
Those big nosed muslim goat humpers can can go pound sand.
We have many real problems in this country. This isn't one of them.
However, pandering to muslims and their imaginary little friend allah, is...
This country is on the wrong track...
Where have you been?
I never noticed that reference on my ACOG. Awesome.
I think it's righteous.
I think it is stupid.
Again we are having to bow down to the muslims out of fear! It is time that the christians, catholics, jews, etc anyone of any different religions to stand up for their RIGHTS. Like the photo of many muslims bowed down before the white house praying but yet a football player exercising his faith by kneeling after a touchdown is not okay?? I am afraid that people need to start pushing for ALL rights gays n christians, etc on an equal basis. Not just one side or the other but as we are given certain INALIENABLE rights! Not just one or the other-both and all! However, I blame the news media for keeping this in the news. As a company they should have the right to place what they want on their products. Now the news could kill it instead of trying to encourage muslims to be excited. Yet it is amazing that these same illiterrant people supposedly memorizes the quoran but cannot read simple instructions-reason that we need to be killing their priest/imam, etc Thus the reason that our military are taking so long to train as they have to have extensive hands on. Unlike in america where we train then give reading assignments after classes-not so with those dummies!
Neil,
NO, I'm NOT happy now, and I won't be happy until Christians stop trying to infuse their faith into public matters and public life. Public Christianity and government-endorsed or government-sponsored Christianity are against the American ideal, which prescribes SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE (STATE being any PUBLIC sphere). Christianity is a private matter between the adherent and their deity. It belongs IN CHURCHES on Sundays, and IN YOUR HOME. Y'all ought to keep it there and not presume to bring it out in public, pretending that it's a "norm" that everyone should be okay with. Not everyone finds the practice of Christianity beneficial, especially as it's practiced in THIS country. Indeed, we have seen that some of the most vile bigots in America are self-professed, practicing Christians, and that they are willing to denigrate and insult people of other faiths. If you want to advertise services and the like, to try and attract new adherents, fine. But start injecting it into government policy? Start stamping New Testament verse citations on tools meant to be used by government employees, many of whom do not believe in your faith? No. I know this annoys you, which is why you complain about it being a case of "political correctness". It is not a case of political correctness. Keep your faith private, and we'll be fine.
No one should shove their faith in your face. However, as a soldiers you have very limited rights. Besides whats the problem again. Afraid of what might happen if he is captured. Are you kidding me. Have you seen what happens to our POWs? You think this will put them over the edge. Get real, stop living in a box. Besides do u know what the 1st act of our 1st president was? He dedicated the US to God. So yeah it has been there long before you.
There is not one word in the U.S. Constitution about "separation of church and state".
This is a crusade by the Muslims against the West. It's the resurgence of the Ottoman empire and the Islamic Crusades. The rifles should say "Onward Christian Soldiers"....and the terrorists should be wrapped in pork and executed, publically. They can all go to Hell where they belong.!!!!!
Just what we need Government by Fairy Tales. As was stated above by another poster the Religious Right is neither. There is no place for religious tests or references on Government Issued materials, be they tax forms or rifles..
Forget the Jesus rifles..... what about this forced maiming and death due to our illustrious military leaders...
Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Sitton knew there was the threat of casualties when he deployed to Afghanistan for his third tour of duty, but he said he was "totally on board with sacrifice for [his] country."
What he didn't agree with, though, was his chain of command, who mandated Sitton's 25-man platoon to take twice-daily patrols through fields littered with explosive devices. The platoon was averaging an amputee a day, Sitton said, and since the patrols didn't have an end goal, he didn't see the point of risking such extreme danger.
Sitton was so concerned with his platoon's safety and morale that in June, he wrote a measured letter to Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Fla., who chairs the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.
"I feel myself and my soldiers are being put into unnecessary positions where harm and danger are imminent," Sitton wrote in an e-mail. "There is no endstate or purpose for the patrols given to us from our higher chain of command, only that we will be out for a certain time standard."
"We are walking around aimlessly through grape rows and compounds that are littered with explosives," he wrote.
On Aug. 2, less than two months after he sent the email, Sitton, 26, was killed by an IED blast. He left behind a wife, a 9-month-old son - and an 81-year-old Congressman with a new perspective on Afghanistan.
Young is the longest-serving Republican member of Congress, and he has continuously voted against troop drawbacks from Afghanistan, or even for setting a timetable for troop withdrawal. But after Sitton's death, Young noted a change of heart.
"I think we should remove ourselves from Afghanistan as quickly as we can," Young told the Tampa Bay Times this week. "I just think we're killing kids that don't need to die."
Young's new position on Afghanistan comes as President Obama's troop drawback plan marks another milestone. Last June, Obama ordered the U.S. military to withdraw 33,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of this summer, effectively ending the troop "surge" he deployed in 2009. Today the last of those troops left Afghanistan; 68,000 American troops remain.
The plan also calls for those American troops to be out of Afghanistan by 2014. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney supports this timetable, but Young's influential position in the House could mean more GOP support for the drawback.
In a meeting with Tampa Bay Times editors, Young said he's come to a new realization throughout the past three months, as he visited Veterans Administration hospitals and met with veterans about their time in the field.
Sitton's death also played a role, he said. Young said the Army Ranger predicted his own death in that e-mail, adding, "What he said would happen, happened."
Young has served in the House of Representatives since 1970 and is now running for his 22nd term.
Thank you for this information. You are absolutely right. Best comment (including my own) that I have read thus far. We need more Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Sitton's, maybe have had them but they weren't acknowledged.
Condolences to every member of the Armed Services who have been murdered or maimed in this horrendous war. Condolences to the families that have stood by all of them.
Mickey Whineystein and all the others that somehow take offense can kiss my a_s! Its about time people quit the bull-crap game playing when it comes to the religion that guided the USA for over 250 years until the politically correct idiots and those that believe in NOTHING began to exert their brand of intimidation. Muslims in Afganistan, Libya, Iraq and elsewhere are murdering our son's and daughters and people whine about a cryptic code on weapons we use to blow the crap out of out enemies with??? What moronic stupidity. I would like to see that code tatooed on the forehead of Mickey, as well as some of the fools that opine on a regular basis against anything to do with religion - starting with some of the editorial staff of NBC whose journalistic acumen is on par with that of cold war era Pravda! I would also like to see that whiney ass soldier put on point on future patrols to teach him the meaning of prayer again! What a sorry ass article!
You have got to be S#@ting me. Of all the things to be concerned about. I know going into battle I know i want to know my heart is right with the lord and that he is with me. What better place for a biblical verse. I know I would want my aim to be true. GOD bless America and the USMC
Amen.
I am a card carrying atheist and i dont see one damned problem with these scopes. We are there to kill these goat-raping terrorists, not sit and talk about their feelings! If they dont want us there with our western ideals and religion, then they can stop doing terrorist acts!
These F--ing animals kill women who've been raped, they kill people for not liking islam or the slightest bad word or thought about their precious pedophile prophet (who married a 6 yr old girl and de-flowered her at 9 yrs old!).
You know I don't give a crap what they do in their own country, bring our men and women home.
Since when does a muslim need a Bible verse to have a reason to kill an American. The people in the towers were not carrying weapons at all, remember. For those that believe religion is the root of all evil, hey it gave you a good reason to hate me, what would you have with out that? I don't hate you. If that verse reference provides the least bit of comfort to a soldier why would you deny him/her that. Just becaus knowing it is there offends you? You do not have to look at it. A lot of soldiers wear Crosses, St. Christopher Medals, Stars of David, etc. Are you going to take those away as well? Don't forget these are the people fighting for your freedom to make life harder for them. That sounds cruel to me. Leave them alone. If you really want to help them BRING THEM HOME.
That's fine remove the serial numbers.........I have a suggestion for the new one though. . . .Either anrold or porky.
How did this even make the news? Is this another attempt of the media to try and divide the country?
No.
YES!
DoD has let us down again. With all the progress President Obama has made in the middle east, we see this rear it's ugly head. Somebody should hang for this. litterally hang.
Obama&JOe 12
?????
because of the REGRESS that Obama has made is why we are here. you can not kiss the but that is in the air and get respect. Give an inch and they take a mile. Out with Obama the American traitor.
...how sweet is that...holy wars...I'm an atheist...keep me out of it...
I seriously doubt you're anything remotely resembling "in it".
Why is this a big deal? Cancel the contract with the vendor and don't pay them. Problem solved.
It's a CONTRACT. They are legally obligated to pay.
Problem not solved our soldiers now have no guns....STUPID!
Breach of contract by Trijicon.
OK, lets think about this.....digits on a sight that have to be magnified to even read mean that we are going to inflame the soldiers we are fighting against...and somehow make people think we are fighting a holy war....if I were authoring a satirical comic book I could not come up with a further stretch.......and this my friend is why we are losing the daily battle in the fight towards common sense and reason.
Trijicon is without a doubt the finest battle optic in the world and being that it can do what it wants. Chances are if you wind up it the crosshairs of one of these "Jesus Rifles"you will never be able to read the inscription in this world any way.
I want one.
Then enlist and get one.
I can't even see it.