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Mark I. Pinsky, Orlando Sentinel
http://www.orlandosentinel.com

Ever since the Crusades, the cross has accompanied the sword in spreading 
Christianity.

Is this history about to repeat itself in the wake of the U.S. invasion of 
Iraq?

Despite President Bush's assurances that this is not a war against Islam, 
the GOP's evangelical Christian allies are lobbying and mobilizing to 
follow coalition military forces with a second wave, this one composed of 
missionary relief workers.

But such a move is provoking resentment and resistance among both 
Christians and Muslims.

Much of the recent controversy has centered on Franklin Graham, the son of 
Billy Graham and his designated successor. The younger Graham, who has 
referred to Islam as an "evil and wicked religion," announced that his own 
organization, Samaritan's Purse, is "poised and ready" to enter Iraq with 
relief supplies.

Graham's efforts have provoked opposition, even within the Pentagon.

A group of Muslim employees in the Defense Department wrote a letter 
objecting to Graham's invitation to conduct Good Friday services at the 
Pentagon today, citing his remarks about Islam. Despite the protest, White 
House and Pentagon officials said Graham's appearance would take place as 
scheduled.

Besides Graham, other high-profile Christian leaders have had harsh things 
to say about Islam and Prophet Muhammad since 9-11. These include Jerry 
Falwell, Pat Robertson and Jerry Vines, past president of the Southern 
Baptist Convention, which has also launched a major relief effort for Iraq.

President Bush has called modern Islam a peaceful religion, which appears 
to put him in conflict with these conservative Christian leaders, many of 
whom are his political supporters.

"From their theological point of view, Islam cannot be a good and peaceful 
religion," says Kimball, an ordained Baptist minister. "There is this 
fundamental clash. So it's important that the U.S. does everything possible 
to put substance behind the president's words."

Ibrahim Hooper, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, opposes 
groups such as Graham's going into Iraq. The criteria for working there 
should be that groups "not exploit the vulnerabilities of the population in 
order to proselytize," Hooper said in an interview.

Hooper thinks the U.S. government should ensure that any group allowed into 
Iraq "go there solely motivated to provide humanitarian relief, and not use 
humanitarian relief as a cover for missionary activity."