We read:
"The US military is investigating a marine accused of promoting Christianity in Iraq by giving coins to civilians with a Bible verse written on them in Arabic. "They have initiated an investigation into that and there is some evidence of an individual that was doing that," said Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman. The marine has been accused of distributing the coins to Iraqis as they passed through a checkpoint in Falluja, US officials said. "Where will you spend eternity?" was written on one side of the coins, according to a report from McClatchy News Service.
On the other was a Bible verse written in Arabic referring to Jesus: "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."
If true, the marine would have violated US military rules that prohibit the promotion of any religion, faith or practice. "This has our full attention," Colonel James Welsh, the US commander in western Iraq, said. "We deeply value our relationship with the local citizens and share their concerns over this serious incident."
Source
He has now been transferred.
9 comments:
I agree - the US military should not be promoting any religion while on duty. The people are forced to go through a checkpoint. It should be for security, not "spreading the word". Unless the US is seen as neutral, it can only make things worse.
It is interesting though that if I tried to punish an employee that worked for me who did something similar I would probably be sued for religious descrimination and stifling his free speach. I realize the armed forces have some more stringent restrictions but do not think it is right that I have to live under a different set of rules than they do.
In the marine's case, he should know better. He is in IRAQ because of his military service, and he must follow all US Military Regulations both on and off the clock for the duration of his deployment. This is not a "Free Speech" issue, as those in the armed forces already have a variety of restrictions that they fully understand.
In the "workplace" example, if you have a well defined policy prohibiting religious activities during hours of employment (that is, you don't allow your employees to proselytize while at work), you would NOT face any court actions.
You would only face court action if you allowed one group to carry on their religious activities, but not another, and you were a substantially secular organization or taxpayer funded in some way.
The bible (even the new testament, which the gospel of John is a part of) isn't unique to Christianity.
It's a Holy Book for Muslims as well, so showing them that Christians and Muslims share part of their faiths should be considered a good thing as it should bring the two sides together...
This situation only shows how far we are off mission in that shithole. As a former Marine who saw combat in Vietnam, I was always trained to kill them not convert them.
We are doing it all wrong.
kill the enemy, befriend the civilian so he doesn't become an enemy.
If spreading the Word helps to do that, I'm all for it. But in a Muslim country it's not advisable to be openly Christian (and neither is it advisable in the US, UK, and France these days).
Gotta give the dude credit.
It sounds like a better and less painful way of getting your ass out of a combat zone than shooting your big toe off!
nuke em all
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