American Soldiers Trying to Convert Muslims to Christianity in Iraq?

It doesn't seem right for American soldiers to force a religion upon those who are still recovering from the grips of the Islamic extremist group, al-Qaida, but residents in Fallujah say the Marines are passing out coins quoting the Bible's John 3:16.

"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.", is a scripture known by many Christians across the nation as the one that saved their soul. But in a military news story out of Fallujah, this same scripture is allegedly being passed onto Iraqi citizens as their residence status is verified by United States Marines guarding the city. The Iraqi's hand over their resident badges for authentication by a Marine at the Western Entrance of the city. Once verified, some Marines are handing out coins with the question "where will you spend eternity" on one side and the John 3:16 scripture on the other. According to residents of the city, the coins are a "humiliating" attempt to convert them from their own faith over to Christianity. The Iraqi people are pleading for the Americans to stop the insulting attempts:

"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 allegations of the coins have warranted the launch of both an Iraqi and American Military investigation, although a separate news report stated that the U.S. Military did confirm that the incident occured:

"It did happen," said Mike Isho, a spokesman for Multi National Forces West. "It's one guy and we're investigating."

Not only is the practice disrespectful to the Iraqi people but it is also prohibited by the U.S. Military. They are simply looking for a little respect, not someone to come in and change their entire culture. What looks to be an attempt at trying to convert a nation may play out in a different fashion, as Muslims begin to view this as a pattern of behaviours targeted towards hurting their culture. According to one Fallujah resident who believes the coins will help make them stronger tying them in with the recent target practice on the Quran, the torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib in 2004 and the rape and murder of the 14-year-old and her family in Mahmoudiya , he says:

"Now we have this missionary way by these coins," he said. "We feel the Muslims are weak and we hope that we will reach a point when we are strong to let them know what is wrong and what is right."

As Americans helping another country, do we have the right to attempt to take away their cultural beliefs, to include religion? If our own Military prohibits such behaviour, then by what authority do these men have to offend those citizens who are already survivors of religious persecution? Iraq isn't America - Freedom has a different meaning. Related story. [UPDATE] Friday, May 30, 2008: According to a military news article, one military service member has been removed from duty for handing out the Christian coins. The individual's name and branch of service were not identified.

The U.S. promised “appropriate action” if the allegations are confirmed.

“Regulations prohibit members of the coalition force from proselytizing any religion, faith or practices,” military spokesman Army Col. Bill Buckner said, stressing the troops are trained on the guidelines before being deployed.

Col. James L. Welsh, chief of staff for American forces in western Iraq, also said the matter has their “full attention.”