U.S. Denies Letting Troops Convert Afghans

May 5, 2009

A Reuters article says that a TV network showed footage of American soldiers in Afghanistan with stacks of Bibles translated into the local language. Some are alleging that the soldiers are proselytizing while on duty, which not only goes against US military regulations, but is against the law in Afghanistan. If someone converts from Islam in Afghanistan, they can be sentenced to death. Clearly, if soldiers are attempting to spread their faith to the locals it will cause not only division but upset. If conversion is such a sensitive and important topic to the local Afghans, it will be likely to be seen as a type of religious antagonism coming from the US forces.
Although the US denies the above allegations, and even evangelical clergy are reported to be telling the soldiers they cannot proselytize while on duty, this is still an issue that will cause untold unrest if not dealt with properly. The United States wants its troops to be seen as acting on its behalf; accordingly, the US does not want its troops to be seen as making religious attacks of Afghans.