On Which Side Do You Fall?
I just watched a news story. President Bush awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to a Soldier who was in a vehicle in Iraq when a grenade was thrown into it. He trapped it between his body and the wall. He died. The other four soldiers inside with him are alive.
I grew up being taught that suicide was a sin. We Lutherans didn’t call it mortal; but, as I recall, it meant you couldn’t go to heaven.
I’m betting God gave him a pass. What do you think?
7 comments:
I can't come up with a good enough word to describe him...."Hero" just isn't good enough.
I just don't think we can call it suicide. Doesn't suicide need to be premeditated? He never thought about killing himself.
But just think how the families of those other 4 soldiers feel about him. Not 1 day, will go by, that they don't remember that he saved their "brother's life."
I don't believe that giving your life to save others is suicide. Someone who could make that decision (to save his fellow soldiers) in an instant and act on it deserves our highest respect and honor. If there is a God, I feel sure that he would see it as the ultimate selfless act, and not a sin.
It is in fact the opposite of suicide - which is without question the most selfish thing a person could possibly do. Giving your life to save others? The most selfless act imaginable.
My sentiments are right up there with the others in the comments section today.
I was raised -and still am -Lutheran but I don't recall ever learning anything about suicide and it being a way to get banned from heaven. Back in January of 1976, there were two young men from our church who shot themselves -within two days of each other too. I don't recall there ever being any questions about where they would spend eternity. I could be wrong about that and just don't remember it being taught in confirmation class or any other class type things in church.
I think he did too and were there medals in heaven, I think he'd be given them also. Definitions only serve the purpose of boxing things neatly. There was no neatness to his self-sacrifice just a split second moment of sheer heroism.
I don't know that there is another side to this one -- this wasn't "suicide" -- which is an inherently selfish act -- but self-sacrifice, which must be the most noble thing a person can do.
One must be truly special to earn a Medal of Honor.
I was at a ceremony a couple of years back for returning reservists at Great Lakes. James Lovell was among the speakers at the ceremony.
Lovell was completely geeked out -- and said so -- although not exactly in those words -- because he was sharing the speakers' platform with two Medal of Honor Winners. This is a man who flew on two different trips to the Moon.... but he knew who was truly impressive.
It was an amazing thing to see.
Dave,
I'm chiming in late on this because I just read this post. I've been in Kansas City all week.
I would have to agree 100% with all of the comments. This was truly an act of self sacrifice for his fellow soldiers and I don't see where suicide could even be used here.
What a great post. This guy didn't need a pass. The gates were open wide for him waiting for his arrival.
Peace!
Post a Comment