"Love thy enemy" -- U.S. soldier gets discharge

Tue Oct 16, 3:32 PM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier who said his Christian beliefs compelled him to love his enemies, not kill them, has been granted conscientious objector status and honorably discharged, a civil liberties group said on Tuesday.

Capt. Peter Brown -- who served in Iraq for more than a year and was a graduate of the elite U.S. military academy West Point -- said in a statement issued by the New York Civil Liberties Union that he was relieved the Army had recognized his beliefs made it impossible for him to serve.

"In following Jesus' example, I could not have fired my weapon at another human being, even if he were shooting at me," said Brown, who plans to continue seminary classes he began by correspondence while in Iraq.

While in Iraq, Brown processed insurgents and detainees, the NYCLU said.

Brown said he had no conflict between his faith and military service until after he graduated from West Point in 2004 and began to study scripture and his belief.

During his Iraq deployment he applied for discharge as a conscientious objector but the request was denied, the NYCLU said. In July 2007 the NYCLU and the American Civil Liberties Union asked a federal court in Washington, D.C., to order the honorable discharge.

"Before the court acted, the Army reconsidered the issue, this time granting Brown's request," said the NYCLU, adding it would now withdraw the lawsuit.

The U.S. Army was not immediately available for comment.

Choosing Against War: A Christian View

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071016/ts_nm/usa_soldier_beliefs_dc

I must admit, I am quite nervous to do my first brew. We are just at the point with our house that I can start brewing, and I have no idea how I should go about starting.

Well, that's not true, I have plenty of ideas from what I have read, but I am not sure what the best way to start is.

Help me Sean!!!

So, It has been just a few months since I last posted and already here is what has changed

• We wrecked our car on May 5th, God provided us with a brand new paid for 2007 Honda Fit Sport on July 3rd.
• On June 2nd I married my best friend, Justine Ross Trego. We honeymooned in Palm Coast, Florida, an hour outside of Daytona and St. Augustine. It was unbelievable.
  
• I finished working at The Common Market Co-op, but had a great summer building relationships and learning much about natural foods and about people who aren't exactly like me.
• On August 3rd, Justine, her family, and myself moved almost all of our possessions 500 miles from Frederick, MD to Cedarville, OH. This move was the hardest one to Ohio yet, because my relationship with my parents is closer than it has been in quite a while.
  
• We moved into married housing where we pay just over $400/month for rent and utilities, and have four of our best friends living next door. (Richard & Hana, Robbie & Brittany)
  
• This is my senior year at Cedarville University, and I will be graduating this May with a B.A. in Youth Ministry.
• The guy who was the worship leader at my church was told by his work to pack up his bags and move to Illinois in three weeks, thrusting me into the position of being the worship leader. I start next Sunday.

I will post pictures of our new apartment and car soon. (we are still getting things arranged and set-up)

A Heart for the City: Effective Ministries to the Urban Community

• Faith that does nothing in the face of human need is not true Christian faith.