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Debate Score:11
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 Security vs. Religious Freedom: Respond to the Marine handing out Christian coin (3)

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Selric(61) pic



Security vs. Religious Freedom: Respond to the Marine handing out Christian coins

Where do you draw the lines...

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1 point

Now this one's a harsh one. On the first hand, the Marine acted while in a politically and culturally sensitive area; the region where he was handing these coins out is the center of Sunni power. Thus one could argue that the move was ill-timed, insensitive and the action of a fool. If in fact his actions destabilized the region considerably, the military is likely to court-martial him and toss him out on his ear for "actions contrary to US foreign policy."

But the other side also must be considered. This Marine is an American, a Christian. The laws of America provide for the free expression of religion; the fundamental tenets of Christianity include the command from Christ "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19)." In such a view, it is obvious that the Marine was behaving in a manner consistent with both the laws of America and his own personal beliefs. That he was a Marine at the time does not enter into the equation, unless he was on duty at the time.

Having said that, I do feel that the Marine has a case in the event that he is brought before a court-martial. But I also understand the anger of the Iraqis over the proselytizing and the actions of the US Armed Forces in response to a factor that could very well destabilize a very fragile peace.

Muaguana(154) Disputed
5 points

If someone from Saudi Arabia comes to the U.S. and stones a woman to death for being raped, would we give him a free pass, since he is complying with Sharia law, the religious law of his home country? No. The same should apply to the U.S. soldier; he was in another country, he is bound by their laws, customs and traditions, not ours. It was culturally insensitive for him to make such a daring gesture, even if it was for good intentions. That kind of ignorance can lead to people getting killed, especially in very sensitive religious locales. At the least, our presence in Iraq will become even more resented, slapping our Sunni allies (who were key in reducing violence in the region) right in the face. Worst case scenario, the Shiites and Sunnis set aside their hatred for one another, unify as Muslims and start a religious conflict in the area with Christians - like we don't have enough hostility to deal with.

I think soldiers should undergo some rudimentary cultural anthropology instruction to make them aware of just how serious cultures can be in regards to their age-old customs and traditions, to learn the taboos of the areas they are stationed in so they don't [mess] everything up. They need to understand that some places do not allow the freedom of expression or beliefs that the U.S. does, and one wrong move, especially regarding religion, can cause immense problems for our continued presence there.

"That he was a Marine at the time does not enter into the equation, unless he was on duty at the time."

The article stated he distributed the coins while manning a checkpoint controlling access to the city - I doubt he was waiting there on his off time.

Not only did he disobey orders to not proselytize religion while on duty, but he added fuel to the growing fire of resentment Muslims in Iraq feel for our presence. Political motivations for fighting against us are enough; we don't need to bring religion in to make things worse.

Tamisan(890) Disputed
4 points

One does not join the US Marine Corps to proselytize to other nations. When one is a Marine, s/he is "at work" the entire time s/he is in the service. Just as one should not use office time to promote religious agendas, one should not use the time of the US government (one's service contract) to do such.

Marines are allowed and encouraged to participate in personal or group religious activities, but not to do or say anything which could improperly represent the Corps--and especially the US. By performing this type of act, he is ignoring this indirect order and misrepresenting the USA and the Marines as Christian organizations. Neither is.

Moreover, by blatantly thumbing his nose at local customs, he has sullied an already poor image of the US Marines. He might as well have performed a homosexual sex act in the street for all his actions showed good judgment, decorum, and respect.

What he does in America is one thing; what he does in a foreign country is another. I'm sure he's accustomed to driving on the right side of the road; but he'd be arrested and/or killed for doing so in Great Britain--just for example.