Update on Militant Military Christians

First we had a soldier using a copy of the Koran for target practice. No biggie, except he was doing it in a Muslim country and Muslims get kinda touchy about their holy book. And if you're going to operate from the principle of "Do unto others...." you'd probably find another book to shoot at, even if you weren't in a Muslim country. Most Christians and Jews, I would think, would probably find a Muslim shooting up a Bible a bit irritating.

Now we've got the case of a U.S. Marine passing out coins in Fallujah with the intent of trying to convert Muslims in that city to Christianity. On one side the coins was written the question, "Where will you spend eternity?" and the on the other side was written the words found in John 3:16, about believing in Jesus so you won't perish.

Neither of these incidents should be particularly surprising in light of the fact that fundamentalist Christianity has such a strong foothold in the U.S. Armed Forces. Fundamentalist preachers in this country are shipping Bibles by the tons to our military men and women in the Middle East; there are more Bible studies and prayer groups in the Pentagon than generals, if that's possible; in some units it appears that confessing Jesus is more important than military discipline; and high-ranking officers talk about how God is the most important priority in their lives, trumping flag and family.

Colonel Bill Buckner, a military spokesman, noted that religious proselytizing is prohibited by "regulations." The trouble is that for many folks, introducing "pagans" to Jesus is more important than mere "regulations," or even the Constitution. At least that's what some of the more militant military Christian poohbahs say.

So, it isn't surprising that a lowly grunt decides to take a few potshots at a copy of the Koran, or that a U.S. Marine figures he'd better try to save some souls in the midst of saving Iraq for the oil companies.