Marines pushing Jesus in Fallujah?
Jamal Naji / MCT Residents of the Iraqi city of Fallujah claim that U.S. Marines are trying to convert them to Christianity. McClatchy‘s Jamal Naji and Leila Fadel report: At the western entrance to the Iraqi city of Fallujah Tuesday, Muamar Anad handed his residence badge to the U.S. Marines guarding the city. They checked ...
Residents of the Iraqi city of Fallujah claim that U.S. Marines are trying to convert them to Christianity. McClatchy's Jamal Naji and Leila Fadel report:
At the western entrance to the Iraqi city of Fallujah Tuesday, Muamar Anad handed his residence badge to the U.S. Marines guarding the city. They checked to be sure that he was a city resident, and when they were done, Anad said, a Marine slipped a coin out of his pocket and put it in his hand.
Residents of the Iraqi city of Fallujah claim that U.S. Marines are trying to convert them to Christianity. McClatchy‘s Jamal Naji and Leila Fadel report:
At the western entrance to the Iraqi city of Fallujah Tuesday, Muamar Anad handed his residence badge to the U.S. Marines guarding the city. They checked to be sure that he was a city resident, and when they were done, Anad said, a Marine slipped a coin out of his pocket and put it in his hand.
Out of fear, he accepted it, Anad said. When he was inside the city, the college student said, he looked at one side of the coin. “Where will you spend eternity?” it asked.
He flipped it over, and on the other side it read, “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.”
Quite a few locals say they have received the coins and the U.S. military is investigating the claims. It shouldn’t even need repeating, but stories like this don’t exactly help fight the perception of many Muslims that the U.S.-led war on terror is actually a war on Islam. This literal proselytization at gunpoint is understandably humiliating for the people on the other end and, if it is going on, the Marine Corps ought to put a stop to it immediately.
Joshua Keating was an associate editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @joshuakeating
More from Foreign Policy
Lessons for the Next War
Twelve experts weigh in on how to prevent, deter, and—if necessary—fight the next conflict.
It’s High Time to Prepare for Russia’s Collapse
Not planning for the possibility of disintegration betrays a dangerous lack of imagination.
Turkey Is Sending Cold War-Era Cluster Bombs to Ukraine
The artillery-fired cluster munitions could be lethal to Russian troops—and Ukrainian civilians.
Congrats, You’re a Member of Congress. Now Listen Up.
Some brief foreign-policy advice for the newest members of the U.S. legislature.
Sign up for Morning Brief
Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter with what’s coming up around the world today. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.
