BBC article
Quote:
US firm to remove Biblical references on gunsights
Soldiers are concerned the markings could put them at risk if captured
A US military contractor has said it will stop engraving Biblical references on rifles used by the US army.
The markings, in the form of coded references, have been appearing on products made by the US firm Trijicon, based in Michigan, for decades.
But on Thursday, US military chief Gen David Petraeus, said the practice of scripture references was "disturbing" and "a serious concern". With al due respect Sir, dont you have better things to do like fighting a war?
The firm also sells the gunsights to Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
The inscriptions - which include "2COR4:6" and "JN8:12", relating to verses in the books of II Corinthians and John - appear in raised lettering at the end of the stock number.
The company pledged to remove the inscription reference on all products destined for the US military yet to be shipped and ensure all future procurements from the department of defence are produced without scripture references.
Religious sensitivities
It also said it would provide 100 modification kits to forces in the field to remove the references. "Trijicon has proudly served the US military for more than two decades, and our decision to offer to voluntarily remove these references is both prudent and appropriate," the firm, founded by a devout Christian, said in a statement released on Friday.
oh great, at more cost to the taxpayers. Just leave the sights alone have shipped and let the soldiers suck it up and deal with it. Some might actualy want it to remain. I can see it now, the weapons guys with thier dremels running around grinding off some letters.. how dumb.
The references - first reported on by ABC News - had raised concerns that they broke a US rules barring troops proselytising in the predominantly Muslim countries of Afghanistan and Iraq, where they are widely used by both the US and British military. Ah well, there ya go, PC MSM, gotta find something to bitch and moan about.
Gen Petraeus, head of the US Central Command, said: "Cultural and religious sensitivities are important considerations in the conduct of military operations."
I will give you that one Sir, but why not just say, oops, we didnt' know it was there. No more will be shipped with it on it and life will go on.
kindal like me not telling the kids to NOT write on each other with magic marker and having two kids covered in drawings. Hey that is not cool, don't do it again! and get on with life.
In a letter sent to the US president on Thursday, the head of the Interfaith Alliance said the gunsights "clearly violate" the rule.
WTF are they? the pc police?
"Images of American soldiers as Christian crusaders come to mind when they are carrying weaponry bearing such verses," Welton Gaddy said.
Earlier in the week, the Church of England told the UK's Guardian newspaper: "People of all faiths and none are being killed and injured in these *conflicts, on all sides, and any suggestion that this is being done in the name of the Bible would be deeply worrying to many *Christians."
And whom did you poll for that comment Sir? Dont' think many in my world would agree with you.
On Thursday, New Zealand's defence ministry said it was in talks with Trijicon about the best way to remove the markings without damaging the sights.
Australia too is reportedly assessing how best to respond
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Marcus Aurelius wrote, "there are but two rules, to keep an untroubled spirit and
to look things in the face and know them for what they are."
Honestly who cares what a Christian owned company that makes really good sights puts on them does as long as they do the job they were intended on doing?
I bet no one would be complaining if the playmate of the year were stamped on the gunsights right?
Apologies if I offend. But I think that the MSM is making to much of this. It could be argued that the letters are the company's trademark .. now if they had copyrighted it on thier sights, it might be a trademark violation.. no idea but any agruement is worth a shot.