Are American military personnel misusing their presence in Iraq to proselytize on behalf of Christianity? That’s the troubling accusation reported today by McClatchy Newspapers.
According to reporters Jamal Naji and Leila Fadel, residents of the Iraqi city of Fallujah say Marines are distributing coins that urge conversion to Christianity.
On one side, the coin asks, “Where will you spend eternity?” On the other side, it says, “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.”
The overwhelmingly Islamic population is predictably outraged. According to McClatchy, a Sunni religious leader in Fallujah is demanding that the Marines discontinue the practice.
“We say to the occupiers to stop this,” said Sheikh Mohammed Amin Abdel Hadi. “This can cause strife between the Iraqis and especially between Muslim and Christians . … Please stop these things and leave our homes because we are Muslims and we live in our homes in peace with other religions.”
The newspaper chain says American military leaders are looking into the allegations.
“Multi-National Force-Iraq is investigating a report that U.S. military personnel in Fallujah handed out material that is religious and evangelical in nature,” Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll said. “Local commanders are investigating since the military prohibits proselytizing any religion, faith or practices.”
Military officials should move quickly. The War in Iraq has been a disaster on many levels. If it comes to be seen as a resumption of the Christian Crusades, things can only get worse.
In 1797, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the Treaty with Tripoli. One of its provisions stated, “As the government of the United States of America is not founded in any sense on the Christian religion – as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims] – and as the said states have never entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.”
We’ve come a long way since then. We can no longer say we’ve never entered into a war with a Muslim nation. But the principle of American governmental neutrality toward religion remains as important today as ever. Government agents have no right to misuse their official authority to push religion. Our military leaders must act swiftly to ensure that all service personnel respect their constitutional role.
By Joseph L. Conn
© 1947 - 2008