I believe it’s widely accepted that there is as much of a psychological component of warfare as there is a component of hardware and intelligence. The US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan are met with such ardent opposition both because the insurgents are on ‘home turf’ as well as the fact that they are fighting in many cases what they believe to be ‘infidels’ representing a decadent and godless society. Significant support for this is the example of the many suicide bombers who are willing to blow themselves up – yes because their families receive payoffs, but also – because they truly believe they are obeying the dictates of their diety and will be sent straight-away to heaven.

Now pan 180 degrees to the American forces, going on 8 years of occupation in Afghanistan alone; some soldiers re-upping for 3rd and 4th consecutive tours. What is there to keep the American forces’ hearts and minds in the fight, past exhaustion and homesickness?

Certainly, if there is a component of Christian righteousness to act as a diametrically opposing force to the Muslim extremism that is so effectively warding off the world’s “premier military power”, then the U.S. military has at least a two-fold boost to it’s long term efforts (which may be seen as losing potency?) First, the US troops (who take to their Jesus programming) gain the ’strength of the Lord Our Saviour’. Second, the opposition is increasingly reminded that it not only has more modern weaponry to contest, but also equally powerful religious fervor. Even the most ardent athiest has to admit that religious fanaticism bestows a special limitless power to those wielding it; whether it comes from ‘Above’, or from the supplicant’s own adrenal glands and sense of righteous indignation.