What does the phrase, “support our troops” mean? People who oppose the current war in Iraq and those who believe it is just and necessary all say they support our troops. Each means something different by the phrase.
One group means support troops, but not the war they fight. In fact, many “support” the troops, not as soldiers conducting the war, but as people, particularly as themselves victims of the War. This support (cards, gifts, news stories of their suffering and coverage of their Funerals) is often in fact, really a way many show their distain for the War and Mr. Bush who is, they insist, personally putting these people, aka soldiers, into harms way.
However, opposing the War usually means vilifying the military actions of these troops- calling that action terrorism and oppression of innocent Iraqi citizens. Opposing the War usually include demands for withdrawal of the troops. That would mean leaving their objectives unfinished and thus rendering their military action meaningless. That would leave them wondering why they fought, suffered and died fighting the War in the first place. How is all of this supporting them as human beings?
It is ironic that those opposing the War are inadvertently using the slogan that Evangelicals have made popular: “Love the sinner, but hate the sin“. The above argument reveals that sometimes, this slogan is impossible to carry out in practice. Sometimes, the “sinner and the sin” are inseparable. The only way we can truly support the troops is to support what they do as troops. Supporting them requires supporting the War. Giving them all the resources they need to successfully accomplish their military objectives.
Personally, I never have understood or appreciated people, over the years, who have told me that they love and support me personally, but can not agree with what I have preached or done as a Pastor. I would rather have my work valued more and be “supported” less.
