Marine's handout of Bible verse coin riles Iraqis

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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/ ... ops30.html

So what's your take on this?

I think they absolutely did the right thing in removing the guy. Why's that? Its the nature of the war and of the situation. Iraq is a Muslim country, secular albeit to an extent but Muslim nonetheless. The whole idea, if we are to be able to keep the peace it means keeping our allies in that country of the understanding that we absolutely aren't there to convert. I understand the guy did it in good intent but it was a really poor judgment call. I think most Christians understand why as well, someone salvation (via whatever religion that may be) is something between them and God. In that sense, particularly when it takes a lot of restraint on their part to even have us there as non-muslims, we need to be sure we're getting the message across that our being there is our taking responsibility for the fact that yes - we toppled a dictator, yes, they have thousands of foreigners from other countries rolling in and killing other muslims; in that sense we're training their police force to deal with that, training their intelligence to handle it, and training their military. Iraq of course is the cradle of civilization, the place where Mesopotamia once stood, and they have a lot of national identity worth celebrating; we don't at all want to send the wrong idea on that and endanger the bigger picture over compulsions.

Its a small story, one that's gotten a lot of press but fortunately was a slight enough incident to serve as a wake up call and reminder to our ground forces not to be evangelists.

I recall hearing some voices from the Christian right who would have approved of this man, and supported the war as a means to spread the Gospel.




To add: Yes, I agree on his removal.

Ragtime for one.

Don't these people realise that when they are drafted or volunteer to go into a war situation they have to be mindful of a country's culture, religion etc? That was just blatant stupidity on his part, well intentioned or not. And for anyone back in the US to say he did the right thing shows how brain-dead they are on the idea of diplomacy. ffs, it doesn't take much common sense to realise that in a situation like that you keep your ideas and beliefs to yourself. And they talk about fostering peace and goodwill there......