FIRST it was the Koran shoot-up. Now, just over a week later, the US military in Iraq are writhing with embarrassment over the idiotic behaviour of a proselytising Christian marine who handed out novelty coins quoting the Gospel in Arabic to Sunni Muslims.
The incident has enraged Iraqis who view it as the latest example of Americans dissing Islam.
According to Worldwide Religious News, the marine, stationed in the western city of Fallujah, this week handed out silver-coloured coins that said in Arabic:
Where will you spend eternity? (John 3:36).
The other side 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).
Said Mike Isho, a US military spokesman in Anbar province, which includes Fallujah:
We are sorry for this behavior. This incident doesn’t represent the morals of the Marines.
Predictably, Muslim leaders went ballistic and were quick to call for the “severest punishment” of the delusional loon.
Mohammed Amin Abdel-Hadi, the head of the Sunni Endowment in Fallujah, an institution responsible for overseeing the sect’s mosques, said the coins were part of a pattern of insensitivity toward Muslims, and he referred to the incident in which a US sniper in Baghdad used a Koran as a shooting target.
Huffed Hadi:
We demand the Americans leave us alone and stop creating religious controversies. First, they shot the Koran, and now they come to proselytise inside Fallujah.
The marine has been removed from duty pending an investigation.
Mohammed Jassim al-Dulaimi, 43, said a Marine forced one of the coins into his hand this week as he passed through a checkpoint at the western entrance to Fallujah. He said he was shocked when he read it.
The claims that the occupation is a Crusader War make sense now.
Dr Muhsin al-Jumaili, a professor of law and religious studies in Fallujah, said the act was especially provocative in Fallujah – which is known for its large number of mosques.
As Muslims, we cannot accept this. The Americans should concentrate on maintaining security and not doing missionary work.
Said Col Bill Buckner, a US military spokesman in Baghdad:
Regulations prohibit members of the coalition force from proselytising any religion, faith or practices. Our troops are trained on those guidelines before they deploy.
Hmmm. Not trained well enough, it would seem.
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The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
May 31st, 2008 at 2:23 am
I’ve blogged a number of times about the overwhelming evangelism and religious bullying in the US military. The evangelism efforts spill over attempts to convert Muslims, as can be seen with this episode. It’s a pervasive problem and it shows no sign of ending soon. Yet another thing we can thank the GWB administration for.
May 31st, 2008 at 9:03 am
‘Onward, Christian soldiers
Screwing up the world
Handing out the gospels
Before grenades are hurled:
Preaching at the heathen
Or shooting him dead;
Either works for Jee-ee-ee-sus
Or so my pastor said.’
Adding ‘Yee-hah’ is optional.
May 31st, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Priceless, Valdemar - and oh so true!
May 31st, 2008 at 9:53 pm
This deluded Marine is the product of a military that has been found to persecute the unbelievers in its ranks, so what else is to be expected?
Valdemar, great stuff!