,,,,,This week's star of the non-separation of church and state in foreign policy is the good Lt. Gen. William G. "Jerry" Boykin, an apparently talented intelligence officer and former member of the Special Forces who is also an evangelical Christian. He confused the military uniform he wears, pledging him to protect a country that believes in the separation of church and state, with his own beliefs when he debased the Islamic religion before a series of church meetings.......
....Most of the overt and immediate blame goes to this administration. President Bush said in Aquaba recently that he had been called by God to make peace. American dollars back religious Jewish projects in Israel, such as the settlements, making it appear to the world that America agrees with every Israeli move; and Christian evangelicals serve as President Bush's "cushion" for wars that are perceived across the world as purely anti-Islam.
It's not hard to know what should be done: This injection of religion into foreign policy should be stopped. It goes wholly against our history. Islam after 9/11 is a problem -- of course -- but the small number of fanatics could be easily split off from the traditional Muslims by fairer American policies, in the Middle East particularly. Gen. Boykin should be removed, if only for his carelessness. And, oh please, guys, let up on the "God sent me!" until you can offer a little proof.
Finally, virtually none of the real problem areas -- take Israel/Palestine -- are about religion at all. They are about politics, they are about land, they are about justice and respect. And even as the U.S. is getting caught up in religious name-calling, the cool European Union is employing the old principles to become the biggest trade and investment force in China, a resurgence that many believe is defining the new world while we are loquaciously busy elsewhere.......
http://www.uexpress.com/georgieannegeyer/?uc_full_date=20031023