Posted on 05/30/2008 5:57:49 PM PDT by daniel1212
BAGHDAD — A U.S. Marine handed out coins promoting Christianity to Muslims in the former insurgent stronghold of Fallujah, outraged Sunni officials said Friday. The U.S. military responded quickly, removing a trooper from duty pending an investigation.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I actually think the AP is more upset than many Muslims.
After WW2 general McArthur wanted 1,000 missionaries as soon as possible in Japan.
I used to suggest that maybe giving out "Chick" type tract showing where suicide bombers really go after the die - and how to really live thru Jesus instead - would both be a deterrent and means of salvation to many.
Inappropriate conduct? I have to say, it took guts.
No he isn't. From the article: "Sunni officials and residents said a Marine distributed about 10 coins at a checkpoint controlling access to the city, the scene of one of the fiercest battles of the war."
Among other things he is violating a direct order and in deriliction of his duties at the checkpoint. He is endangering the lives of his fellow soldiers, and stirring up local resentment when the strategy in place is to work with the local populace to ensure peace, stability and transition to Iraqi control [and hopefully, when appropriate American withdrawal].
Ill considered acts like these undermine the work and sacrifice of everyone who is serving, everyone who has given life and limb, and the American public who are paying for this.
A warrior preaching the teachings of Jesus to conquered people.
There is some irony obvious here. Can’t quite pinpoint it yet..
All our Marines should give out Christian coins and BIBLES AND CROSSES.
islam is the problem
This Marine earned the right to hand out christian anything, the problem is we have a President who sits down with the enemy and celebrates their ramadingdong dinners instead of standing with his Marines.
Despite my commendation of the Marine, it cannot work like that (State supported much less enforced evangelism). But as far as physical war is concerned, there is no country that is viably Biblically Christian that is or would be a military threat to the U.S.
What you are saying doesn’t make sense.
Here’s this marine, at a checkpoint, with a gun, ready to fire, or to restrict access to these people’s own neighborhood.
He is handing out coins that preach a religion of love, turning the other cheek, peace and non-violence.
Do you see something wrong here?
I sympathize with him, and I wish we would do more to encourage conversions in Iraq, instead of sitting on our hands while the Muslims there kill and drive out the remaining Christians in their country.
But I also agree that when you are in the military, you have to obey orders.
Maybe it could be justified when he was off duty, but I’m not sure if you can really be off duty in what amounts to a war zone.
Charlemagne conquered the Saxons and gave them the choice of conversion to Christianity or death. Later, at what is called the ‘Massacre of Verden,’ he executed thousands of Saxons who reverted to their old religion.
It worked. Today almost all Saxons are Christians.
Yes, why aren't the rest of the troops doing the same?
Are you suggesting that one way or the other, we should do this to Iraqis?
Sounds like your Christianity and my Christianity don’t share the same motives and values.
The moment Iraqi's perceive that our mission is proselytizing at gunpoint rather than suppressing disruptive forces from Al Qaeda and other insurgents is the day we become the target. Again. We already tried being the enemy there. That did not work out to well for us.
This kind of nonsense just plays into the hands of our detractors, undermines our mission and will get folks killed.
You're deluded.
A Marine, perhaps, but not an obedient Christian. The Gospel must come first in all situations. Anything else is a victory for the prince of this world.
No.
Because they’re part of the military and a secular governmental organization. They’re not missionaries.
Definately. Yours sounds like Peter's denial of Christ at the trial.
Evangelism is the peace time job of the preacher.
A warrior, in the midst of a violent environment, is not really a good representative of Jesus.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.