Marine investigated for handing out Gospel coin

An investigation has been launched into the tradition within the U.S. military of handing out or exchanging coins, often minted with a unit's emblem or insignia of a senior commander, because one of the coins has been found to have a Christian message on it, according to reports.

"They have initiated an investigation into that, and there is some evidence of an individual that was doing that," Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman, told the Herald-Sun in Australia.

Officials said an unidentified Marine stationed in the Fallujah, Iraq, region has been accused of distributing coins with a Christian message in Arabic to Iraqis as they pass through a checkpoint.

"This has our full attention," Col. James Welch, the U.S. commander in western Iraq, told the newspaper. "We deeply value our relationship with the local citizens and share their concerns over this serious incident."

(Story continues below)

Military rules prohibit the promotion of any religion, faith or practice.

According to a report from McClatchy News, one side of the coin asks: "Where will you spend eternity," and the other side has: "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 U.S. has troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and often has been accused by Islamic groups of seeking to convert Muslims, but the Bush administration has rejected such charges. President Bush even has apologized and promised to prosecute a soldier accused of using the Quran for target practice.

The McClatchy report quoted "Anad," who told of being handed the coin as he entered Fallujah earlier this week.

"They are trying to convert us to Christianity," Anad, a Sunni Muslim, said.

Sheik Mohammed Amin Abdel Hadi, who heads the group overseeing Sunni places of worship, demanded the Marines stop.

"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," he told McClatchy.

"The occupier is repeatedly trespassing on God and his religion," Omar Delli, 23, told McClatchy. "Now the occupier is planting seeds of strife between the Muslims and Christians. We demand the government in Fallujah have a new demonstration to let the occupier know that these things are humiliating Islam and the Quran."

The investigation comes on the heels of WND reports that military officials are making secret plans to tear down Christian symbols at a chapel built for service members in Iraq.

Crosses at Peacekeeper's Chapel scheduled for removal.

The report said several high-ranking officers have met behind closed doors to discuss plans for the crosses at the chapel. They have decided to remove, and perhaps destroy, the Christian symbols located outside Peacekeeper's Chapel in the name of free exercise of religion.

Lt. Col. William Jenkins, 35th Infantry Division's Kosovo Force 9 command chaplain, told WND, "The removal of the crosses … is bringing the chapel into line with long-standing regulations and policies that apply to every U.S. Army chapel around the world and that are supported by all faith groups in the U.S. Army."

WND also reported recently that military officials were being asked about a decision to "suppress" a chaplain's Baptist services for soldiers at Forward Operating Base Loyalty in Iraq because his commander apparently disagreed with his theology, telling him at one point "being 'born again' has no place in the military."

 

---

Related special offers:

"The Story of In God We Trust"

Judge Roy Moore's "So Help Me God"

CRIMINALIZING CHRISTIANITY: How America's founding religion is becoming illegal

"Christianity and the American Commonwealth "

 

---

Previous stories:

Secret plans under way to tear down Christian symbols

Military honchos 'suppress' chaplain's Baptist services

Court challenged to allow Christians right to pray, too

Chaplain who prayed 'in Jesus' name' to fight

Navy chaplain being booted from service

Civil rights issue delays chaplain's dismissal

Navy dismisses chaplain who prayed 'in Jesus' name'

Navy setting up 'civic religion,' lawsuit charges

Court-martialed chaplain declares victory

Prayer in Jesus' name results in $3,000 fine

Chaplain who prayed 'in Jesus' name' convicted

Navy chaplain pleads not guilty in prayer case

Chaplain opposes bill aimed at protecting prayer

Court hearing held for praying chaplain

Chaplain faces punishment for gospel message

Christian chaplain to be court-martialed?

Air Force still no-Jesus zone?

Pastors sue Navy for discrimination

Navy surrenders: Chaplain eating

Navy rebuts fasting chaplain's claims

Chaplain 'starves himself' over Navy no-Jesus zone

Clergy to protest at White House

Effort afoot to protect military prayers

New Air Force rules: No religion

Air Force cracks down on Christian 'coercion'

Wiccans meet on Air Force base

Muslim chaplain probe demanded