By DAVID EPPS
Pastor

Of all the surprises since Sept. 11, perhaps the most unexpected development is the discovery of at least one American, possibly as many as three, who have been fighting with the Taliban. Two of the suspected Americans are said to be in the hands of the Northern Alliance and have not yet been identified. One, however, has been positively identified as John Philip Walker of Fairfax, Calif. Currently, he is in the custody of American forces.

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said last week, "We found a person who says he's an American with an AK-47 in a prison with a bunch of al-Qaida and Taliban prisoners." The Associated Press reported that an injured man who identified himself as John Walker was receiving medical treatment from U.S. forces after emerging from a battle-scarred fortress in Mazar-e-Sharif. Walker, 20, the son of Roman Catholic parents, who converted to Islam when he was 16, was said to have suffered grenade and bullet wounds.

The question on the minds of some is, "What is going to happen to John Walker?" If Walker's father has his way, apparently nothing very dramatic.

On CNN's "Larry King Live" program Monday night, Walker's father, Frank Lindh, said it appeared his son had been a combatant with the Taliban. "He's really not much more than a boy," he said. "We want to give him a big hug. I also want to give him maybe a little kick in the butt for not telling me what he was up to and for not getting my permission, because I would not have given him permission to go to Afghanistan."

Not much more than a boy? Give him a big hug? A little kick in the butt? What does Lindh not understand about this situation? His son is a traitor to his country, he has renounced the faith of his childhood, and he is a terrorist (excuse me "alleged terrorist") who has taken up arms against his own nation.

While Lindh may think his 20-year-old son is little more "than a boy," there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of 17-, 18-, 19-, and 20-year-old men (who have earned the right to be called "men") who are serving with honor and distinction with The United States Army and United States Marines on the ground in Afghanistan. There are many others of that age range who are serving on board ships with The United States Navy and others who are proudly serving in the United States Air Force in or near that troubled land.

My wife and I have a 20-year-old son who is serving his nation with the United States Air Force and this much I know my 20-year-old is not a "little boy." He is a man with a man's load to carry. A little boy? John Walker is old enough to carry an AK-47 and presumably fire upon other human beings.

The Taliban is well known for torture, brutality, and murder in Afghanistan. Is there any reason to suspect that Walker, already confirmed as a traitor, would hesitate to be a good Taliban soldier? Was he among those who routinely murdered farmers, peasants, women, and children in Afghanistan?

Give him a big hug? As a father, I understand the desire to hold one's son and to think the very best about him. But I have to wonder why did this father not oppose his son's conversion to Islam at the age of 16? Sixteen-year-olds are not trusted to buy ammunition, buy alcohol, or vote. Why did he think that he was responsible enough to choose a faith other that that of his training? And who paid for his Islamic studies in Yemen and Pakistan, of all places? Perhaps Walker should have been given a few swift kicks a few years ago, instead of being offered sentimental hugs today.

Give him a little kick in the butt? Is that really what Lindh thinks should be the fate of his son? Does he really think that the folks on the ground who have been shot at by Walker and his comrades are going to say, "Gee son, you've been confused. Here, have a Twinkie and go home to Daddy"?

If the Northern Alliance has their way (as one could argue that they should, since Walker has been shooting at them), Walker could be tortured, mutilated, and executed. After all, that's the Taliban way. This past week, Taliban soldiers cut the noses and ears off of six men who had shaved their beards in violation of Taliban rules.

Or does Lindh think that these "misguided" Taliban soldiers are little more than boys who need a big hug and a little kick? These vicious butchers are members of the same Taliban that Walker joined and fought with. The same Taliban that supported the attacks on American that took thousands of lives on Sept. 11. The same Taliban that would kill Lindh, and all other Americans, if they could.

If Walker is judged a traitor, as he should be, one supposes that he could merely be shot or hanged. Or perhaps he could be brought back to the United States to spend most of the rest of his life in prison.

Lindh said he was concerned about some statements his son reportedly made supporting the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the Taliban's resistance to the U.S. anti-terrorism campaign. Yet, in the same breath Lindh said, "I don't know of any information that he's done anything wrong. I hope he could be debriefed and come home." He must be kidding.

Walker has made his choice. He chose to leave the United States, embrace a violent strain of Islam, and join a brutal, outlaw, terrorist organization. He made the choice to go to Afghanistan. His choice should be honored. The Northern Alliance would be more that happy to extend to him the same kind of hospitality that the Taliban extended to so many others.

David Epps is Rector of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church in Peachtree City. He may be contacted at FatherDavidEpps@aol.com.

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