In the decade 1995-2005, 2 million child soldiers were killed and 6 million permanently disabled or injured in armed conflict, according to a United Nations report. Of the estimated 300,000 children (younger than 18) currently serving as soldiers in various parts of the world, some have joined voluntarily, out of economic desperation or for their own safety. Others have been forcibly recruited, trained and deployed by rebel forces. But many are conscripted and used in combat by recognized sovereign governments---at present the governments of nine countries, and eight of the nine receive military assistance from the United States. The eight: Burundi, Chad, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Uganda.
-Dean Peerman, Christian Century,''Kids in Combat---US funded Child Soldiers''

The persistance of the US government to arm foreign nations has forced the American government into an economic/human rights conondrum: do we continue to ''recycle'' our military weaponry by selling off to foreign countries if they will let thirteen year olds brandish them?  Is it right to fight injustice by injust means?

Thankfully, World Vision and other groups that advocate for human rights are backing a bill in congress sponsored by former presidential candidate Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)  Durbin said, ''even during times of war, the law should never fall silent for the most vulnerable among us---our children.''

It is irresponsible for a government of ''values'' and ''freedom'' such as the United States to financially back child soldiers against international law and treaties the US have signed that prevent this behavior, along with the paradox that is the US State Department, which brands child soldiers from the countries our government supplies with weoponry ''terrorists'' and refuses asylum or immigration status to these young men.

Christ had harsh words for those who lead his children astray.  Please contact your local Senator to tell them to bring this bill out of committee and to the Senate floor for a full vote.