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Marine pulled from duty over Bible coins

cnn.com — 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.

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Deist4Life 130 days ago

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Deist4Life, on 05/30/2008, -2/+8When I was in the military, we were always taught to act like ambassadors of the U.S. They did the right thing by relieving this marine of his duties. He had no right to act like a Christian missionary on behalf of the American people.

And we wonder why the age old feud between Muslims and Christians has continues for centuries!
rocr69, on 05/30/2008, -1/+6The problem with morons like this marine is that they where their stupidity like a badge of honor—ie they were "martyred."
GoatRoper, on 05/30/2008, -1/+4Between shooting up Qurans and handing out "bible coins" we should about have all those hearts and minds wrapped up now.
Genthree, on 05/30/2008, -0/+3I respect the commander for understanding that it's important that the locals know that the US does not approve of this and has taken appropriate action. It's nice to know that there's someone who is willing to actually TALK to the Iraqis rather than just come across as a cold, militaristic, occupying force.
Christianptriot, on 05/30/2008, -5/+2I'm shooting for a personal best in negative Diggs with this comment, but I feel it is accurate:

Apparently everyone thinks it is OK for muslims to come to America, FORCE their customs and religion on our school systems and curriculum and society, build huge mosques in neighborhoods and blare their loudspeakers 5 times a day - bring sharia law with them and try to force US courts to accept it (the way Britain and EU courts are doing), BUT no
American should EVER tell someone else in the world about Jesus Christ?

What are liberals and muslims so afraid of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?! Truth really scares the daylights out of you folks, doesn't it?
- allowners, on 05/30/2008, -1/+4Not scared at all to say: Please keep your myths and fantasies to yourself.
  - Christianptriot, on 05/30/2008, -2/+2Despite your disbelief, God still believes that you exist because He created you.
    - Ramble, on 05/30/2008, -1/+3Can you support your claim with evidence?
    - Christianptriot, on 06/01/2008, -1/+1Those who are insecure demand proof...what are you afraid of, folks? Are you afraid taht if you believe that God really exists that you can't continue in your own self-indulgent lifestyles?
- TheGroje, on 05/30/2008, -0/+6"BUT no American should EVER tell someone else in the world about Jesus Christ?"
  
  Is that what the article says? Because I didn't interpret it that way. No... The article I read didn't say that missionaries should not be allowed to be missionaries. Or that civilians should not be permitted to tell someone else in the world about any old damn thing they want. What the article says is that it's a violation of military regulations for a serviceman to religiously proselytize. And considering what a touchy subject religion is, there are some damn good reasons why you might not want your military occupation to be confused with a holy crusade.
  
  He's a marine. Marines have rules to follow. When those are broken, there are consequences, and it's a distinct possibility that those consequences have aboslutely nothing to do with some imaginary effort to "oppress teh krisschuns."
- Deist4Life, on 05/30/2008, -0/+6I have absolutely no problem with you going to Iraq to spread your superstitions and dogmas. I do disagree with our military personal performing these actions. They are a direct representation of the American people, and in case you did not realize this...not all Americans are Christians.
  
  Military personal do not enjoy the same privileges and rights as the American public. A fact I lived with for 10 years.
  - Christianptriot, on 05/31/2008, -3/+1My 12-plus years int he military and my MANY trips to foreign countries and combat-type zones tells me that. But scripture also says that you do NOT leave your Christianity and beliefs at home when you go.
    - Deist4Life, on 05/31/2008, -0/+3Then you should not have been the military in the first place. Being proud of your religion is one thing, forcing your religious views on others while in uniform is wrong...and if you are realize this distinction then my words are lost on you...peace out!
    - Christianptriot, on 06/01/2008, -1/+1I don't have a 'religion' - religions are man made attempts to try to reach up to God...Christ is God's way of reaching down to us. Show me in the Bible where it says you have to be part of a 'religion' for anything...
- Hillsfar, on 05/31/2008, -0/+4I don't think you quite get it. You're setting up a "straw man" so you can win the logic attack, by saying this is a problem about Americans not being allowed in general to be missionaries or to proselytize.
  
  This Marine who handed out coins was armed and in uniform, acting as a representative of the U.S. military and the U.S. government - which invaded and occupied their country. Put yourself in their shoes. They are war-torn, they are occupied by armed forces, they hear rumours about prisoners being taken away and tortured and killed by Americans or by the Iraqi government that is backed by the U.S. military. Statistically, just every one has had a family member die because of the Iraq War.
  
  Now imagine that you as an Iraqi civilian must pass U.S. military checkpoints in order to continue on your way and go about your business. To have an armed soldier passing out these coins proselytizing religion isn't just against orders, it's stupid. It gives the impression that the United States government has not only invaded their country and killed their people, but seeks to convert these people to another religion - people who have proven time and time again that they are willing to DIE for THEIR religion.
  
  It also plainly negatively affects the military's mission in Iraq. We all know they are sensitive people about their religion and even the smallest things can set them off. If we want to win their hearts and minds and if we want to reduce our own casualties, wouldn't it make sense to be a bit smarter about how we act and expect our soldiers to follow orders that make sense? It makes the Sunni Arabs - who have only recently started joining a fragile alliance with the U.S. to fight Al Qaeda - wonder what the ***** they're doing with their hearts and minds. They're already putting their lives on the line for us. Several of our allied Sunni sheiks have been gunned down by Al Qaeda.
  
  So many fundamentalist Christians here in the U.S. seem to think it's not a big deal. Really? How many Christians do you think would be happy about a police officer giving them coins with Quranic verses on their commute, before they are allowed to go on our way? Now imagine if our nation was invaded by an occupying force, and we hear that in their media back home their religious leaders are all telling them that this war is about their Islam versus our Christianity (which is basically what our American religious leaders say about them) and we Americans had to go through checkpoints manned by armed soldiers who passed out coins with Quranic verses. Wouldn't you be feeling pissed off?
  
  It's just a matter of applying the golden rule. Unfortunately some are too stupid and too ARROGANT to think things and consequences through. They think it's "not a big deal" or they make it out to be something about freedom of religion when it's not! Digg me down for telling the truth if you must - but do it knowing you are a hypocrite..
  - Christianptriot, on 06/01/2008, -3/+1Without Christians in our military the services would denigrate from lack of morality. We are called to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ...can't have one without the other.
    - Hillsfar, on 06/01/2008, -0/+1I'm fine with Christians in our military. When did I say I was against having Christians in our military? Are you trying to set up a "straw man" argument again, this time by accusing me of saying or implying something I never said or implied?
      
      Also, while you're called to spread the Gospel, does it include spreading it to those who don't want to hear it and can get aggravated and mad when they are approached? Again, see my reasons above. It's a matter of winning the hearts and minds of people in a country we have invaded and occupied.
      
      From your words, it doesn't seem like you've EVER taken a logic class. I took my logic class from a professor who was also a pastor and a president of a Christian college. He taught me well.
    - Christianptriot, on 06/02/2008, -1/+1You seem to have a thing for straw people. I am jot setting up anything to try to win an argument. I am not arguing with anyone, rather simply stating that when people of other religions come to our country - military or not, armed or not - they are free to talk about their religions to anyone.
      
      I doubt seriously the young Marine held people at gunpoint and made them take a coin, so the fact that he carried a firearm is immaterial. I'm sure he did not pressure anyone into taking a coin - Jesus did not pressure anyone into following hi, and true disciples of Christ should not use pressure tactics either.
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Marine pulled from duty over Bible coins

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