Danny's Dilemma

Sandra said, "What would you like to do, Danny?" We were sitting in my green Ford Festiva. It was an old car, but it still ran well.1

"Why don't we go to Sonic," I answered. Sonic was a drive-in that had car hops and served hamburgers and such. Sandra was my girlfriend. I had given her a promise ring and we were planning to marry when we finished high school. I was a senior and she a sophomore. I was on the basketball team and she was on the pep squad. She was fifteen and I was almost eighteen. I was about to graduate.2

We pulled into a slot at the Sonic and ordered a 44 ounce Coke for me and Dr Pepper for Sandra. "How's Algebra going?" I asked her. She was dealing with some of the complex algebraic formulas and she had been struggling with them.3

"Oh, I am doing okay, I guess," Sandra said. We were both wearing t-shirts and jeans, her shirt was pink and mine was navy. She was slim, average height, brown hair, and blue eyes. I, too, had brown hair, but my eyes were hazel and I was 6'2".4

We had talked about the war in Iraq and I was thinking about whether to join the military or not and which branch. "My father is concerned that the current administration might reinstitute the draft," I told her.5

"What are you going to do?" she asked.6

"Well, I am less likely to see action in the Air Force or Navy," I replied. "I guess I might do that, or go to college. Dad said that during the Vietnam War that they gave deferments to those who were attending college. Also conscientious objectors were not required to serve."7

"What was a conscientious objector?" inquired Sandra.8

"That's a person whose religious beliefs disapprove of killing, but the faith has to be a recognized institution. I don't think that we Southern Baptists are opposed to the war."9

"You father served in Vietnam, didn't he?"10

"Yes, and he doesn't like to talk about it," I responded earnestly.11

"I don't want you to go to Iraq," she said firmly with genuine concern.12

"I may have no choice."13

I drove her to her house and we french kissed for a few minutes then I went home. Mom was at home and she asked me how I was doing. I said I was okay, but I was worrying over the problem of the War in Iraq and whether I should go or not. I decided I would discuss it with my father.14

We lived in a two bedroom rental house. My mother and father both worked, but they had both been divorced. My dad was actually a step father, but I loved him. He was practically the only real father I knew. He had married my mother when I was five. My parents had gone bankrupt when his automobile plant closed down and he lost his job and had to sell the house. The job that he had now paid half what the job he lost had paid, but we were getting by.15

Dad was a big man. He weighed about fifty pounds more than I did and was the same height. He had brown hair like me and Mom, but his eyes were brown. His hair was beginning to gray. "Hi, Dad," I said when he came in. "Can I talk with you?"16

"Of course, Danny. What's on your mind?" he asked smiling.17

"The war in Iraq," I stated simply and Dad's expression underwent a complete change. He became very serious. 18

There was a double recliner in the living room and a sofa. Both were brown and they faced the entertainment center. We sat in the recliners and Dad lit a cigarette. "It's a serious matter and the draft may be reinstituted," he said angrily. "When I joined the Army during the Vietnam War, I thought that it was the right thing to do. With the information I have now, I think it was a war America should have never participated in. It is a war we lost."19

"Christ!" Dad exclaimed. "Women and children were armed and fought against us! Also the Vietcong would booby trap us and mix with villagers. We were rarely sure of friend or foe. After we pulled out, South Vietnam fell."20

"How do you feel about the war in Iraq?" I asked.21

"I think we are primarily there for the oil and Bush's personal vendetta against Saddam," said my father." I also believe that Bush and many of his supporters believe they are fulfilling biblical prophesy. I have listened carefully to Bush, and everytime he speaks; his story changes. The truth doesn't do that."22

"Do you think we should have invaded?" I inquired of my dad.23

"Had they attacked us or one of our allies," responded Dad. "I would have accepted it as possibly an appropriate course of action. However, Saddam was president of a sovereign nation and he appeared to be cooperative with all of the United Nation requests. Bush attacked without provocation and violated moral values and international law. China, Russia, and France threatened to retaliate as Iraq was their source of oil. The situation was very tense.24

"Now that we have invaded both Afghanistan and Iraq, it appears that instead of reducing the number of terrorists; the number of terrorists is increasing. More than 100,000 Iraqis have died, more than 3,200 American military personnel, and additional American and foreign citizens have also died. I feel we were wrong to invade Iraq and Afghanistan. I don't want you fighting in this war."25

"I don't want to be thought of as a coward," I admitted.26

"Better being a coward than risking your life in an unjust war," Dad reasoned. "Bush said Iraq was harboring terrorists. There was no evidence of that. Bush claimed there were weapons of mass destruction. None were found. Next Bush swore up and down that Saddam was a god awful monster and the people of Iraq needed freedom. Since the war, more Iraqis have died than had died under Saddam. The freedom we have brought has led to chaos and civil war. Bush also said 'food for oil'. Now that I believe was the only real truth Bush has offerred."27

"I don't want to be thought of as a coward," I stated emphatically. "And isn't it right to want to serve my country?"28

"Our country is a representative democracy," Father said, "It is the responsibility for citizens who disagree with policies of the government to work to change them by lobbying their representatives, peaceful protests, and through their vote. I have spoken to Senator Imhofe, Governor Henry, and faxed Congressman Cole and Senator Nickles. I am making my will known."29

"You haven't protested, have you?" I queried.30

"I haven't done that yet, but if the draft is reinstated; I will actively oppose it."31

"Hmm. I didn't know," I told him.32

"This is not a good time to serve," said my father. "Why don't we discuss it with Pastor Harwell?"33

"Okay," I said enthusiastically. I liked Dr. Wylie Harwell. He was the Pastor of First Baptist Church with a doctorate in psychology and religion. He was a thin man about 5'10" with blonde thinning graying hair. Dad arranged an appointment with Dr. Harwell for Thursday at 2:00 pm.34

Thursday was warmer and most of the snow had melted. Although it was cold, there was little wind and it didn't seem bad. We arrived a few minutes early, but Dr. Harwell's secretary showed us right into his office. There was a wall to wall book case on one side, his desk in front of that, two chairs in front of the desk, and beyond that a sofa and two chairs in a sitting area. We sat in the sitting area, Dr. Harwell and my father in the chairs and I on the sofa. "Doug," Dr. Harwell asked my father smiling, "What brings you and Danny here today?"35

"Danny is concerned with the war in Iraq and serving our country. I am worried that he could be drafted and I would prefer that he go to college first, if at all possible."36

"I see," said Dr. Harwell. "What sort of advice do you want from me?"37

"We'd like you views on the war, and the perspective of our denomination," I told him.38

"What would Jesus do?" asked my father.39

"Not an easy issue," began Dr. Harwell. "Both Jesus and Paul taught that believers should follow the law. Jesus said that he came to fulfill the law and that we should 'render unto Caesar what is Caesar and unto God what is God's'. On the other hand, Jesus said to 'love your enemies and do good to those who would harm you'. When the opportunity came to fight, he told his followers not to resist.40

"Our denomination as Southern Baptists," he continued. "Supports the war effort. I believe that all Americans should support our troops; but I and, I believe, Jesus would disagree with the administration's policy. I personally feel that we should have never invaded Afghanistan or Iraq."41

"You mean that you disagree with our denomination?" asked my father.42

"The Southern Baptist Conference as well as this church are democratic bodies," said Pastor Harwell. "As individuals and as a church we have the right to accept or reject all doctrinal positions. If as a church or as a member we should feel we are in the wrong denomination, we can withdraw from the denomination. No body of believers is in total agreement or by any means perfect. All must do the best that they can. That is what I do and what I expect of our membership."43

Dr. Harwell smiled and stated, "Yes, I disagree with the denominational stand on the war effort and the Bush administration. I believe that the war in Iraq is in direct conflict with the teaching of 'love your enemies', I also do not feel that it is justified as self defense. In this instance, I feel the Conference is just wrong."44

"What should we do?" I asked him.45

"Even the members of the church are divided on the issue," he explained. "If we can come to an agreement among ourselves, we can teach it in the church and our delegates can vote that way at the conference. In the meantime it is open to discussion."46

"Danny is trying to decide whether to go to college or to enlist and serve. What are your thoughts?" Dad asked.47

"Which branch?" queried Pastor Harwell.48

"I was thinking about the Navy or the Air Force," I said.49

"Do you feel compelled to serve?" he asked.50

"I'm not certain."51

"Have you considered the Coast Guard?" he questioned.52

"Is that considered military service?" I asked of him.53

"Yes," said Harwell. "In fact during times of war the Coast Guard which is usually under the Department of Transportation falls under the Department of the Navy."54

"First I've thought about it," I admitted.55

"The primary responsibilities of the Coast Guard are," said Harwell. "Protecting the coasts of the United States and it's territories, customs, and search and rescue. It times of war the Coast Guard supports the Navy, but most of its operations are focused on US coasts, lakes, and territories. There may be some involvement with the War on Terror, but it should be mostly limited to the protection of the United States. I understand that the benefits and training are essentially the same and ranks parallel."56

"That's very interesting. It sounds ideal," said my father. "What do you think, son?"57

"It seems really good. I'm interested. How would I find out more?" I asked.58

"Well," he began. "I am certain you can find it on the net or get an 800 number for Coast Guard recruiting. The nearest recruiting office is in Dallas, TX; I think."59

"What do you think about killing?" I asked him.60

"Well," he answered. "Jesus and many Christians after him martyred themselves and would never kill for any reason. I find that may be a little much to expect of all Christians. I think the position that 'You shall not kill' is pretty clear in the New and Old Testaments. Some will argue 'an eye for an eye', but I don't feel that the Bible as a whole supports that.61

"I personally feel," he continued. "That killing is only justified in the case of self defense, the defense of one's family, one's community, or nation. I do not think the war in Iraq justified mass killings by any followers of Jesus, but that is my view."62

"Wow," I said. "That sounds almost like treason."63

"Ours is still a democratic nation and every citizen still has the right to try to bring about peaceful change," Harwell said emphatically. Then he explained some of the methods my father had discussed. He added talking with business leaders, political leaders, and the media. "The important thing is developing good contects, having the ear of leaders is having power yourself," Harwell explained.64

"Well, you have given me a lot to think about," I said.65

"I express the way I believe," he said. "I don't considered it wise to hedge around issues which are important to you. I hope I have been helpful.66

"Thanks very much," said Dad. "See you on Sunday."67

In the month that followed my parents, Sandra, and I discussed the various possibilities. I contacted the Coast Guard and found that I was elgible for an officers' training program. After much thought, I decided to go to college and complete the officers' training with the Coast Guard. Sandra and I married the summer after she graduated. As a commissioned officer I would have a four year commitment, but my college was paid. I majored in Computer Science. Sandra majored in Education. My service with the Coast Guard is soon to begin.68