The Language of “Sacrifice” in the Buildup to War: A Feminist Rhetorical and Theological Analysis

Abstract

This article investigates the language of “sacrifice” used in official U.S. government communications to build up support for the Iraq war in the American public. Drawing on the rhetorical analysis of victimage rhetoric and framing, and feminist theological criticisms of Christian atonement metaphors in popular American culture, I argue that in the wake of 9/11, the familiar religious connotations of sacrificial language created a frame with deep emotional resonance that encouraged quietistic support for war, manipulated self-sacrificial identity inculcation in the American military, and enabled a comforting interpretation in the face of what seemed an incredible event. My analysis will demonstrate the importance of inclusion of theological inquiry as a part of a broad multi-disciplinary approach to adequately understand the dynamics of the present political and cultural moment.