Marines accused of proselytizing in Fallujah; gospel verse on coins

The Seattle Times ^ | 5/29/08 | Jamal Naji and Leila Fadel

[XR7]

FALLUJAH, Iraq — At the western entrance to the Iraqi city of Fallujah on Tuesday, Muamar Anad handed his residence badge to the U.S. Marines guarding the city. They checked to be sure he was a city resident, and when they were done, Anad said, a Marine slipped a coin out of his pocket and put it in his hand.

Out of fear, he accepted it, Anad said. When he was inside the city, the college student said, he looked at one side of the coin. "Where will you spend eternity?" it asked.

He flipped it over, and on the other side it read, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16."

"They are trying to convert us to Christianity," said Anad, a Sunni Muslim like most residents of this city in Anbar province. At home, he told his story, and his relatives echoed their disapproval: They'd been given the coins, too, he said...

"Iraq is investigating a report that U.S. military personnel in Fallujah handed-out material that is religious and evangelical in nature," said Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, a U.S. military spokesman, in a statement e-mailed to McClatchy Newspapers. "Local commanders are investigating since the military prohibits proselytizing any religion, faith or practices."

Residents said some Marines at the western entrance to their city have been passing out the coins for two days in what they call a "humiliating" attempt to convert them to Christianity.

In the markets, people crowded around men with the coins, passing them to each other and asking in surprise: "Have you seen this?"

[Zhang Fei]

Seems to me that handing out coins is a different approach to conversion from the Muslim one, which was to urge conversion to Islam or face beheading.

[shineon]

This is the best picture I could find.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

At this stage of the war, having just recently gained much cooperation from the Iraqi population, I don’t think this is a good idea!

Agree strongly. Soldiers are there for a specific purpose - spreading Christianity is no part of that purpose. The soldiers who are trying to proselytize are antagonizing the locals and endangering the success of our campaign to pacify Iraq.

[contemplator]

But they like the coins that read “IN GOD WE TRUST”.

Of course they do, why wouldn't they? As far as they are concerned, Allah IS the god of Abraham.

[John Leland 1789]

For free? Even at a cost, I’d like to have some in Chinese and some in Korean. Who has the supplier’s info?

[Red Badger]

Christians don't behead muslims when they say no. ......anymore........

[MrB]

Back in the yahoo message board days, when I could tell there were Muslims onboard, I’d post something to the effect of

“this morning I made an ‘image of Muhammed’, then I flushed it”

I’m probably on a few lists.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!"

Peter and the other apostles were not US soldiers. Those in the military who believe that their religious beliefs give them the right to defy official policy and orders from superiors probably shouldn't be in the military.

[MrB]

ah, another person needing to read this:

http://www.amazon.com/Politically-Incorrect-Guide-Crusades-Guides/dp/0895260131

[donna]

Let’s make the Marines Christian-free and see what happens.

The fiercest warriors on earth - without God. Not a good idea.

[kbennkc]

Is that a rule for that theater of operations, or a general military rule?

Excellent question . 40 years ago we were given the admonition to avoid proselytizing and political activities in the same @$$ chewing .

[Boonie]

“Out of fear, he accepted it....” Did the Marine threaten him if he didn’t????

C’mon now.....

This sounds like literary license by a liberal newspaper to me...

[SMARTY]

OK, let’s make a deal... you stop your BS Muslim recruiting in our prisons, etc.

[SaltyJoe]

“this really is a pretty stupid”

Thank God that Jesus will judge the Marine differently. If only all Christians can be accused of proselytizing via dishing out coins with messages of God's love. It's a big difference from flying a jetliner into skyscrapers demanding conversions.

But let's go back to what could be the last Christian actions of a Marine who could die at any moment...even from accidental “friendly” fire. What if distributing one message of love were the only kind actions that wins this Marine’s Salvation?

Virginia Ridgerunner, I know that in your heart that don't see error in the Marine or his action. If there are those demanding condemnation for Christian kindness, then judge the Marine and shoot him yourself. I find no fault in this man.

[Red Badger]

I wasn’t thinking of the Crusades so much as I was thinking of the Spanish Inquisition and the expulsion of the Moors from Spain and Portugal............

[NTHockey]

>>Although I’m sympathietic to the Marines here, this really is a pretty stupid thing to be doing in Fallujah or anywhere else in Iraq while we’re trying to snuff out the insurgency and Mahdi Army threats.<<

A. You ASSUME that civilians are telling the truth and our marines are stupid.
B. This is ANOTHER attack on our best and finest.
C. See Ann Coulter’s comments on this cult of death, posing as a religion.

Semper fi.

[MEGoody]

Out of fear, he accepted it, Anad said.

Oh puhleeze.

[MrB]

Ah... well, we don’t claim “’dem Catholics” anymore... :)

[caveat emptor]

Twaddle.

[Boagenes]

Ann Coulter had it right, from the beginning.