Christianity and American State Violence in Iraq: Uncovering the Hidden Truths

The invasion and occupation of Iraq by the United States in 2003 marked a watershed moment in the Middle East and beyond. The war, which was justified in part on the grounds of liberating Iraq from a brutal dictator and preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, has had far-reaching and devastating consequences for the Iraqi people. While the role of American neoconservatives and the war on terror have been extensively analyzed, the influence of Christianity on American foreign policy in Iraq has largely been overlooked.

Christianity and American State Violence in Iraq: Priestly or Prophetic? (Routledge Advances in International Relations and Global Politics Book 135)

by William Bligh

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In recent years, a growing body of scholarship has begun to shed light on the complex relationship between Christianity and American state violence. This book, Christianity and American State Violence in Iraq, builds on this work to provide a comprehensive and critical examination of the role of Christianity in shaping American foreign policy in Iraq, exposing the deep-seated motivations behind the invasion and its devastating consequences.

The Rise of the Christian Right

The rise of the Christian Right in the United States has played a significant role in shaping American foreign policy. The Christian Right is a coalition of conservative Christian groups that have been politically active since the 1970s, advocating for a variety of social and political causes, including opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. In the realm of foreign policy, the Christian Right has been a strong supporter of Israel and has pushed for a more aggressive stance against Islamic extremism.

The Christian Right's influence on American foreign policy became increasingly apparent after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In the wake of the attacks, the Bush administration launched the "war on terror," a global campaign against terrorism that included the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The Christian Right enthusiastically supported the war, seeing it as a battle between good and evil. They argued that Saddam Hussein was a threat to the United States and that removing him from power would help to spread democracy and Christianity in the Middle East.

The Neoconservatives and the Invasion of Iraq

The neoconservatives are a group of foreign policy intellectuals who have been influential in shaping U.S. foreign policy since the 1970s. Neoconservatives believe that the United States should use its military power to promote democracy and human rights around the world. They have been strong supporters of the war on terror and have advocated for a more aggressive approach to dealing with rogue states.

Many neoconservatives are also devout Christians, and they see the war on terror as a religious struggle. They believe that the United States is a Christian nation and that it has a moral obligation to spread Christianity to the rest of the world. This belief has led many neoconservatives to support the invasion of Iraq, which they saw as an opportunity to overthrow a secular dictator and establish a pro-Western, Christian government in the heart of the Middle East.

The Invasion of Iraq and Its Consequences

The invasion of Iraq in 2003 was a major turning point in the U.S. war on terror. The war, which was launched on the pretext of preventing Iraq from developing weapons of mass destruction, quickly turned into a bloody and protracted conflict that lasted for years. The invasion and occupation of Iraq resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, the displacement of millions more, and the destruction of much of the country's infrastructure.

The war in Iraq has also had a significant impact on the United States. The war has cost the United States trillions of dollars and has led to the deaths of thousands of American soldiers. The war has also damaged the United States' reputation in the world and has contributed to the rise of anti-American sentiment.

The invasion of Iraq was a tragic mistake that has had devastating consequences for the Iraqi people and the United States. The war was based on false pretenses and has led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, the displacement of millions more, and the destruction of much of Iraq's infrastructure. The war has also damaged the United States' reputation in the world and has contributed to the rise of anti-American sentiment.

The role of Christianity in shaping American foreign policy in Iraq is a complex and controversial issue. However, there is no doubt that Christianity has played a significant role in the decision to invade Iraq and in the conduct of the war. The Christian Right and the neoconservatives, both of whom are influenced by Christian beliefs, have been strong supporters of the war. Their belief that the war is a battle between good and evil has led them to support policies that have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and the destruction of much of Iraq.