Marine removed for alleged Christian proselytizing in Iraq
Pastor Dale Morgan
Marine removed for alleged Christian proselytizing in Iraq*
* Story Highlights
* Iraqis say Marine passed out coins featuring Bible verses written
in Arabic
* One coin reportedly asks, "Where will you spend eternity?"
* Military spokesman condemns act, promises that appropriate action
will be taken
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A U.S. Marine in Iraq has been removed from duty
amid complaints that he was handing out coins with Bible verses at an
American checkpoint, the military said Thursday.
A military spokesman said Iraqis in Falluja complained that the Marine
was giving the coins, which were printed in Arabic, to people at an
entry control point in Falluja.
U.S. military regulations prohibit religious proselytizing.
"This has our full attention," said Col. James L. Welsh, chief of staff
of Multi-National Force, West. "We deeply value our relationship with
the local citizens and share their concerns over this serious incident."
At least one of the coins is stamped with the words "Where will you
spend eternity?" according to a report published Thursday by McClatchy
Newspapers.
The other side of the coin reportedly contains a verse from John 3:16
that reads, "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."
Several Falluja residents said they were given the coins over a two-day
period and complained that U.S. troops, whom they consider foreign
occupiers, were acting as Christian missionaries.
"Regulations prohibit members of the coalition force from proselytizing
any religion, faith or practices," said Col. Bill Buckner, a coalition
spokesman. "Our troops are trained on those guidelines before they deploy."
A military statement said "appropriate action" will be taken if the
reports are substantiated.
The reports stoked religious concerns in Iraq just weeks after Iraqi
police discovered that a U.S. soldier had used the Quran, Islam's holy
book, for target practice.
The U.S. commander in Baghdad took the unusual step of holding a public
ceremony and reading a letter of apology from the soldier, a sniper
section leader, to local Iraqi leaders.
Many in attendance were members and leaders of Sunni militias that the
U.S. military has courted to help fight al Qaeda in Iraq and other
insurgents. Sunnis often face criticism from other Iraqis for
cooperating with American troops.
Falluja, also a mostly Sunni city, was the scene of bitter and bloody
fighting early in the Iraq war between U.S. troops, al Qaeda in Iraq and
Sunni insurgents loyal to Saddam Hussein.