Prayers …

Pete Hegseth’s religiosity is the focus of this cartoon, yet it could have just as easily been about Trump, Graham, Cruz, Netanyahu, Huckabee, and so forth. These politicians invoke God to punish their enemies. Hegseth claims the U.S. troops are “fighting for Jesus,” or God is on our side. During the Civil War, Lincoln said, “… my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side …”

What’s Hegseth’s reason for believing God is on our side in this war? Hegseth is part of the Christian Zionist movement. His arm even features a tattoo that reads “Deus vult,” which translates to “God wills it.” Hegseth frequently concludes his remarks, which advocate for the killing of Iranians, with “in the name of Jesus Christ.” The Christian Zionists base their justification for war exclusively on the Old Testament (such as Hegseth quoting the Old Testament, Psalm 14 “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war”), not the New Testament. These warmongers only use the Old Testament or Old Covenant for their justification for war, not Jesus’ New Covenant.

The Old Testament focused on laws and the nation of Israel. Christian Zionists and Netanyahu refer to Iranians as Amalekites. Why? Because Exodus and Deuteronomy recall the slaughter of the Amalekites, an ancient enemy of the Jews. Labeling Iranians, Palestinians, Lebanese, and Syrians as Amalekites dehumanises them and justifies waging war against them.

The Jesus’ New Covenant, according to Christian belief, is for all people. Paul’s New Testament teachings expanded the idea of the “Chosen People,” prioritizing belief over lineage. If genetics were the deciding factor, the“Chosen People” group based on heritage might favor Palestinians over Israelis because of the Israelis’ mostly European ancestry. Nevertheless, Jesus and his disciples hold that everyone, Iranians included, are created in God’s image and likeness. They are children of God and thus a “Chosen People” too. That’s what Jesus taught. Shouldn’t Mr. Hegseth, if he is truly a Christian, acknowledge that? Regarding war, Jesus stated, “Put up again thy sword into his place, for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” — Matthew 26:52 KJV.  I’m not calling for Hegseth to perish, but the very least, Hegseth deserves to be fired for the disastrous Iran War. Hopefully prosecuted for war crimes and crimes against humanity as well.

In contrast to Jesus’ teachings, below are Hegseth’s latest statements regarding the Iranians:

“… break the teeth of the ungodly. "

“… overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”

“… clear and righteous targets, …”

“May every round find its mark against the enemies …”

“… maximal killing …”

“… pour out your wrath upon those who plot vain things …”

“… by the blast of your anger let the evil perish“.

Most people disagree with Hegseth and his Christian Zionist movement. The Pope seems to disagree with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as well, saying:

“God rejects the prayers of leaders who start wars. Their prayers do not rise beyond the ceilings of their palaces; they become trapped in the smoke of the bombs they themselves unleash. Do not waste your breath on prayers, nor profane temples with your ceremonial uniforms in search of a blessing that will never come. As long as even a single child is crying beneath the rubble because of them, every ‘Amen’ they utter will be a blasphemy.

— Pope Leo XIV

If we pray for anything during this Easter season, let’s pray for peace, no wars,  and sanity to return to our government. God bless everyone, including our enemies.