Very disturbing report from AFP:
Men with buzzcuts and clad in their camouflage waved their hands in the air, M-16 assault rifles laying beside them, and chanted heavy metal-flavoured lyrics in praise of Christ late Friday in a yellow-brick chapel.
They counted among thousands of troops surrounding the city of Fallujah, seeking solace as they awaited Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi’s decision on whether or not to invade Fallujah.
“You are the sovereign. You’re name is holy. You are the pure spotless lamb,” a female voice cried out on the loudspeakers as the marines clapped their hands and closed their eyes, reflecting on what lay ahead for them.
The US military, with many soldiers coming from the conservative American south and midwest, has deep Christian roots.
In times that fighting looms, many soldiers draw on their evangelical or born-again heritage to help them face the battle.
“It’s always comforting. Church attendance is always up before the big push,” said First Sergeant Miles Thatford.
“Sometimes, all you’ve got is God.”
No wonder there are no atheists in foxholes — who’d admit to such a thing surrounded by ritualistic battle rites like this?