BAGHDAD , Iraq ( CNN ) -- A U.S. Marine in Iraq has been removed from duty amid complaints that he was handing out coins with Bible verses at an American checkpoint , the military said Thursday . A military spokesman said Iraqis in Falluja complained that the Marine was giving the coins , which were printed in Arabic , to people at an entry control point in Falluja . U.S. military regulations prohibit religious proselytizing . `` This has our full attention , '' said Col. James L. Welsh , chief of staff of Multi-National Force , West . `` We deeply value our relationship with the local citizens and share their concerns over this serious incident . '' At least one of the coins is stamped with the words `` Where will you spend eternity ? '' according to a report published Thursday by McClatchy Newspapers . The other side of the coin reportedly contains a verse from John 3:16 that reads , `` For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son , that whoever believes in him shall not perish , but have eternal life . '' Several Falluja residents said they were given the coins over a two-day period and complained that U.S. troops , whom they consider foreign occupiers , were acting as Christian missionaries . `` Regulations prohibit members of the coalition force from proselytizing any religion , faith or practices , '' said Col. Bill Buckner , a coalition spokesman . `` Our troops are trained on those guidelines before they deploy . '' A military statement said `` appropriate action '' will be taken if the reports are substantiated . The reports stoked religious concerns in Iraq just weeks after Iraqi police discovered that a U.S. soldier had used the Quran , Islam 's holy book , for target practice . The U.S. commander in Baghdad took the unusual step of holding a public ceremony and reading a letter of apology from the soldier , a sniper section leader , to local Iraqi leaders . Many in attendance were members and leaders of Sunni militias that the U.S. military has courted to help fight al Qaeda in Iraq and other insurgents . Sunnis often face criticism from other Iraqis for cooperating with American troops . Falluja , also a mostly Sunni city , was the scene of bitter and bloody fighting early in the Iraq war between U.S. troops , al Qaeda in Iraq and Sunni insurgents loyal to Saddam Hussein .
Iraqis say Marine passed out coins featuring Bible verses written in Arabic . Score: 6 Military spokesman condemns act , promises that appropriate action will be taken .