From a reader:
The Churches of God have never recognized the love and good deeds of other Christians even sabbath observers. In fact they often mock other churches known for their good works. Perhaps the best example of this is the apparent reluctance to praise the stellar example of Desmond Doss who was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church.
Desmond Doss was the only conscientious objector to win the Medal of Honor during WWII. A pacifist, he was persecuted in boot camp by his fellow soldiers for his odd religious beliefs. His commanding officer offered to give him a Section 8, but Doss refused the offer because he did not want to dishonor his faith. Desmond also insisted on going to church on Saturday, and was allowed to do so. Doss promised his commanding officer to make up for the training, and also that God would aid him in battle. This promise appears to have been met in extraordinary ways.
Despite being persecuted and mocked for his beliefs Desmond Doss, as a combat medic, would distinguish himself numerous times under fire for risking his life to save others. His entire life and service would be characterized by a profound desire to serve and to love his fellow human beings. I hope the COGs who are well known for their lack of love for their fellow man, lack of good deeds, and brutal leadership will learn from Doss’s light of devotion, kindness and selfless love.
Aristophanes
Desmond Thomas Doss (February 7, 1919 – March 23, 2006)[1] was a United States Armycorporal who served as a combat medic with an infantry company in World War II. He was twice awarded the Bronze Star Medal for actions in Guam and the Philippines. Doss further distinguished himself in the Battle of Okinawa by saving 75 men,[a] becoming the only conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor for his actions during the war.[b] His life has been the subject of books, the documentary The Conscientious Objector, and the 2016 Oscar-winning film Hacksaw Ridge, where he was portrayed by Andrew Garfield.
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While serving with his platoon in 1944 on Guam and the Philippines, he was awarded two Bronze Star Medals with a "V" device,[11] for exceptional valor in aiding wounded soldiers under fire. During the Battle of Okinawa, he saved the lives of 50–100 wounded infantrymen atop the area known by the 96th Division as the Maeda Escarpment or Hacksaw Ridge.[12] Doss was wounded four times in Okinawa,[13] and was evacuated on May 21, 1945, aboard the USS Mercy.[14] Doss suffered a left arm fracture from a sniper's bullet while being carried back to Allied lines and at one point had seventeen pieces of shrapnel embedded in his body after a failed attempt at kicking a grenade away from him and his men.[14] He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Okinawa.[15]