In a sermon, a pastor gave an example of where Japanese volunteers were called upon to go on a suicide mission for the glory of the emperor. On this mission, each solider would at most be able to cut one or two pieces of barbed wire before being gunned down by the enemy. The pastor read favorably in essence how it was shameful that Christians weren't as dedicated. While one might be called upon to sacrifice much for the Lord, is it really proper for those in leadership to manipulate those under their authority by claiming that God told the authority figure to tell the mere lackey for the lackey to throw their life away? Why is such fanaticism held up as the ideal rather than struggling through the mundane drudgery of everyday existence?