U.S. Evangelicals’ Charity in Iraq

Re “Bundling of Aid, Christianity Stirs Concerns,” April 9: I am outraged that Christian missionary groups are unabashedly making plans to be in Iraq as soon as possible with their well-conceived proselytizing plans. As if America’s standing and credibility in the Muslim/Arab world wasn’t bad enough before breaching Iraq’s borders, Christian missionary groups with no sensitivity are salivating at the border to convert as many Muslims as possible.

In describing their plans in Iraq, one evangelical group’s spokesman states that it’s not a matter of choice: “It’s a commandment.” White House spokesman Ari Fleischer makes it clear that Bush and his neoconservative clique are giving tacit approval to the plans of these groups. With euphoria over the ousting of Saddam Hussein and the coming U.N. debate over postwar Iraq foremost in people’s minds, the intentions of these evangelicals will go largely unnoticed -- except in the Muslim world. And Americans will still be scratching their heads wondering why we are so loathed in the Arab world.

Jim Nathan

Buena Park

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Both Christian and Muslim faiths are missionary. It is not just evangelical Christians who work to spread the “truth” of their faith. Our concept of religious freedom includes this opportunity. Religious freedom in Muslim countries means that you can hold on to the faith you already have, but don’t dare try to share it. It is our free-enterprise approach to religion that has made it the vital force it is.

Is it better to use oil money to build mosques throughout the world or to give humanitarian aid in the name of one’s faith? I can think of no better competition between faiths than to see who can excel in humanitarian aid in the name of their religion. Since one of the five pillars of Islam is charity, let them secure the faith of their people by overmatching anything done in the name of other religions.

Ken Savage

Palm Desert

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Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan calls Judaism a “gutter religion” and is universally condemned for the remark. Evangelical Christian leader Franklin Graham calls Islam an “evil and wicked religion” and is rewarded with a green light to send his missionaries into Iraq to coerce Christian conversion with aid. Ah, U.S. hypocrisy at its finest.

Ilona Bee

Marina del Rey