Posts Tagged ‘ church ’

How can we remain silent while Christians are being persecuted?

December 24, 2011
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Fraser Nelson, Daily Telegraph, Dec.23, www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/8973118/How-can-we-remain-silent-while-Christians-are-being-persecuted.html

Father Immanuel Dabaghian, one of Baghdad’s last surviving priests, is expecting a quiet Christmas. To join him in the Church of the Virgin Mary means two hours of security checks and a body search at the door, and even then there’s no guarantee of survival. Islamist gunmen massacred 58 people in a nearby church last year, and fresh graffiti warns remaining worshippers that they could be next.

The Americans have gone now, and Iraq’s Christian communities – some of the world’s oldest – are undergoing an exodus on a biblical scale. Of the country’s 1.4 million Christians, about two thirds have now fled.

The idea of Christianity as a kind of contagion that is foreign to the Arab world is bizarre: it is, of course, a Middle Eastern religion successfully exported to the pagan West. Those feet, in ancient times, came nowhere near England’s mountains green. The Nativity is a Middle Eastern story about a child born to a Jewish mother, whose first visitors were three wise Iranians and who was then swept off to Egypt to escape Roman persecution.

Read the complete article here.

Egypt’s Christians wary of too much foreign support

December 24, 2011
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Tom Heneghan, Reuters, Dec.21, af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL6E7NK3KL20111221?sp=true

The Arab Spring has increased pressure on Egypt’s Coptic Christians, with attacks on churches and bloody clashes with Muslims and the military. Many foreign Christians feel driven to help.

Pope Benedict, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams and other church leaders have spoken out in defence of the Copts, indigenous Christians who make up 10 percent of Egypt’s mostly Muslim population of 80 million.

In Europe and North America, governments have denounced the violence and called on Egypt’s armed forces to guarantee equal rights for all citizens, especially religious minorities. Church groups have collected funds to send to Egyptian parishes.

Worried Christians in Egypt say attacks on them have multiplied in recent years, starting even before former President Hosni Mubarak – seen as a defender of their rights – was swept from power in February by the Tahrir Square protests.

But they are wary about getting too much support from abroad, fearing a backlash from Muslims who could resent special attention to a minority at a time when all Egyptians are suffering economic hardship and political uncertainty.

“We’re not afraid of anybody. We don’t want help from anyone,” Rev. Antonius Michael declared as he handed out blessed bread after Mass in a Coptic Orthodox church in Old Cairo.

“It’s not to our benefit to have loud voices overseas talking about Christians,” said Ramez Atallah, general secretary of the Bible Society of Egypt.  “It’s a great benefit to us to have loud voices abroad talking about a more universal bill of rights for all Egyptians.”

Read the complete article here.

Interreligious University

November 20, 2011
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Tim Dalrymple, World Magazine, Nov.19, www.worldmag.com/articles/18836

The liberalization of American seminaries is an old story. The inauguration of “the world’s first interreligious university” is not.

The Claremont School of Theology is collaborating with the Academy for Jewish Religion in California and the Islamic Center of Southern California to produce Claremont Lincoln University, an ambitious endeavor to train religious leaders for a multi-religious world. The member institutions of the consortium will still ordain the pastors, priests, rabbis, and imams, but the university will offer a concentration on interreligious studies as well as master’s and doctoral degrees.

As Philip Clayton, provost of the new university, explained in a symposium on the future of seminaries, “We are in the midst of the biggest change in American religiosity since the founding of this country.” Interreligious tensions are many and strong. So we can remain “ensconced” in the old forms of academia and ecclesia, or we can become “change agents” to “educate the next-generation leaders for an emerging church.”

Read the complete article here.

Interfaith group seeks help from banks in housing crisis

November 1, 2011
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Jeremy Borden, Washington Post, Oct.31, www.washingtonpost.com/local/interfaith-group-seeks-help-from-banks-in-housing-crisis/2011/10/30/gIQAhPAzZM_story.html

Members from more than 40 religious institutions across Northern Virginia are asking some of the country’s largest banks to commit to helping rebuild neighborhoods that have been devastated by housing foreclosures.

Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE) drew a crowd of about 900 congregants, political leaders and representatives of two major financial institutions — Bank of America and J.P. Morgan Chase — to Freedom High School in Woodbridge on Sunday to discuss the issue.

Leaders of the two-year-old interfaith group — representing every major religion — say they hope that pressure on banks from area congregations helps struggling homeowners and assists in rebuilding neighborhoods.

Venus Miller, a VOICE leader who attends Mount Olive Baptist Church in Woodbridge, said she hopes the banks agree to help because it is the right thing to do. “But wouldn’t that be great to put the fear of God in them?”

Read the complete article here.

‘Muslim’ Nations and The Problem of Christian Persecution

October 23, 2011
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Qasim Rashid, Huffington Post, Oct.19, www.huffingtonpost.com/qasim-rashid/the-problem-of-christian-persecution_b_1012010.html

Some so-called “Muslim” nations have a problem.

It is not America, Europe, and no, it is certainly not Israel.

The problem is persecution, and in this case, of Christians. Some fourteen centuries after Prophet Muhammad wrote, “Christians are my citizens, and by God, I hold out against anything that displeases them,” Christian persecution has become a norm in these Muslim majority nations. While persecution in even one nation is too much, the problem is far beyond just one nation.

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, a Christian father of two sits on death row, inhumanely incarcerated in Iran for his “crime” of converting to Christianity from Islam. Yes, the Qur’an forbids punishment for apostasy, but tell that to the Iranian government. And though Islam does not sanction the mixing of mosque and state, be careful about saying that out loud — you may be charged with apostasy.

And the problem persists. Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five sits on death row in a putrid Pakistani prison — literally tortured — for her alleged blasphemy of Prophet Muhammad. Yes, the Qur’an forbids punishment for blasphemy, but tell that to the Muslim clergy. And though Islam does not sanction any sort of priesthood, be careful about saying that out loud — you may be charged with blasphemy.

And the problem still persists. A human rights watch reports that a 12-year-old Christian girl in Pakistan was kidnapped, raped, forcibly converted to “Islam” and forcibly married to a Muslim before she finally escaped. When her parents went to the police, they were advised to “return the girl to her rightful husband,” ignoring the kidnapping, rape, forced conversion and forced marriage. Yes, the Qur’an protects the rights of women and children, condemns rape, forbids inheriting women (let alone children) against their will and forbids compulsion in religion. But, tell that to a people who worship the almighty dollar instead of the Almighty Deity. And though Islam demands absolute justice in all affairs, be careful about saying that out loud — if you cannot be bribed in Pakistan, you might find yourself buried six feet under.

And yet, the problem still persists. In Indonesia, over 50 Christian churches have been forcibly — and illegally — closed under extremist pressure. Contrast this with Prophet Muhammad’s Charter that states, “No one is to destroy a house of [the Christian] religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims houses.” Prophet Muhammad also foretold Islam’s spread to Egypt and reminded Muslims that their spiritual grandmother — Hagar, wife of Abraham — was Egyptian. As such, Muslims were specifically admonished to respect and honor Egyptian Christians. Quite obviously, Egyptian Coptic Christian persecution stands in stark contrast to Prophet Muhammad’s guidance.

Read the complete article here.

A Catholic approach to Israel and Palestine?

September 26, 2011
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Anthony Steves-Arroyo, Washington Post, Sep.21, www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/catholic-america/post/a-catholic-approach-to-israel-and-palestine/2011/09/21/gIQAy4GmlK_blog.html

As the leaders of the Palestinian people prepare to petition for recognition as a nation-state at the United Nations, Catholic America can find its way though a confusing political history by following the church’s lead. As in many complicated issues, Catholic teaching is expressed in broad generalities with clear moral implications. More heat than light will likely be generated about Palestinian statehood as a political football, so here are a few yard markers to keep opinion within the boundary lines of facts.

Vatican policy is to treat both Israelis and Palestinians as equals. After terrorists raided the Israeli city of Netanya in July 2005, Benedict XVI incurred criticism from Ariel Sharon for not immediately condemning the action. But the Vatican explained: “… Attacks against Israel were sometimes followed by immediate Israeli reactions not always compatible with the norms of international law. It would, consequently, have been impossible to condemn the former and remain silent on the latter.” In May 2009, Benedict XVI visited Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and stated in Bethlehem: “The Holy See supports the right of your people to a sovereign Palestinian homeland in the land of your forefathers, secure and at peace with its neighbors, within internationally recognized borders.” So for those faithful to the Magisterium, a two state solution is essential for peace.

Most Catholics, I think, want to have their cake and to eat it, too. That is, we want peace between the Jews and Arabs but we don’t want to be forced into taking sides in a contentious issue. So also for the Vatican,which has taken no stance on the UN vote while still holding forth for the ultimate settlement in favor two states. On this issue, look to the church for moral principles rather than for instructions on how nations should vote.

Read the complete article here.

Jesus would support Palestinian statehood bid

September 26, 2011
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Carl Mederaris, CNN, Sep.21, religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/21/my-take-jesus-would-support-palestinian-statehood-bid/

This week at the United Nations, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has promised to ask for recognition of a Palestinian state. If he does, the United States will veto. Why?

Largely because of something we’ll call Christian Zionism, an American theological movement that preaches a Christian obligation to help Jews reclaim the biblical Promised Land.

I travel constantly, speaking about the Middle East to evangelical Christians across America and Europe. I lived in Lebanon for 12 years and churches invite me to talk about how to love their Muslim neighbors.

Often before I get invited to speak at churches and Christian conferences, I go through an awkward period of questioning, an interview that feels more like an interrogation.

Pastors and conference leaders want to size me up to make sure I’m “safe” for Christian audiences. The interrogation usually goes something like this:

“Carl, we love your books and your message. You have a lot of insight on how Christians can be more Jesus-like to our Middle Eastern neighbors. We hope you’ll talk a lot about that!”

Translation: Please, for the love of God, don’t say anything controversial about Israel or the Palestinians.

Though they are too polite to ask, what those pastors and conference leaders want to know is what is my position on Israel. For them, the modern Jewish state is a direct fulfillment of Bible prophecy, the catalyst for a series of events that will culminate in the return of Jesus.

As the Palestinians press ahead in their bid for statehood, prepare to hear from this crowd. These Christians number in the tens of millions and they go into a state of frenzy every time a politician so much as winks at the idea of Israel giving up a few settlements or withdrawing to pre-1967 borders.

People ask me all the time what I think about Israel and end-times theology, and how the Palestinians factor into that.
Here’s my answer: If your end-times theology trumps the clear commands in Scripture to love neighbors and enemies, then its time to rethink your theology.

Read the complete article here.

Muslims helping to rebuild Christian school in Kashmir

September 23, 2011
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Anto Akkara, ENInews, Sep.20, www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=5155

Muslims in Kashmir, in the northwest of the Indian subcontinent, are supporting the re-building of a Christian school that was destroyed by fire during anti-Christian violence one year ago.

“What happened here is certainly wrong and it should not have happened. I can assure you that our people will not allow it to happen again,” Munshi Mukhtar Ahmed, a Muslim teacher in a government school in the town of Tangmarg.

On 13 September, 2010, the Tyndale Biscoe School was the target of Muslims protesting a reported desecration of the Quran in the U.S. that marked the ninth anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terror attacks. The school is in the town of Phulwama and is run by the Church of North India (CNI), the dominant Protestant denomination in North India.

Two dozen Muslim protesters were killed by security forces and over 100 injured. There are about four million Muslims in Kashmir and 5,000 Christians.

“The burning of the school was a big loss for the local (Muslim) community and they are still feeling the pinch of it,” said Ahmed. The church-run school has about 450 students, almost all of them Muslims.

Read the complete article here.

Religious Leaders in Dachau Join in Opposing War

September 19, 2011
By

Chiara Santomiero, Zenit, Sep.15, www.zenit.org/article-33448?l=english

From Romania, Poland, Hungary and Ukraine, from Italy and Russia, religious leaders convoked by the Catholic lay Community of Sant’Egidio arrived together to Bunker 28 in Dachau.

The group was part of the interreligious meeting held last Sunday through Tuesday in Munich, with the theme: “Bound to Live Together. Religions and Cultures in Dialogue.”

Catholic priests and Protestant pastors were held at Dachau, men who expressed in their churches opposition to the Nazi regime or helped to hide Jews and other persecuted people. From 1933 to 1945, some 3,000 priests were kept there, from 134 dioceses and 24 countries.

Very many died. “Dachau was not an extermination camp; its objective was ‘re-education’ through forced labor; however, as regards the 42,000 deaths among the 200,000 inmates during 12 years, there certainly can be no talk of natural deaths,” explained the guide.

The religious leaders from all over the world — Christians, Muslims, Jews and representatives of the religions of Asia — met Tuesday in Dachau for a commemorative ceremony, which highlighted, once again, the desire of religions for peace and reconciliation.

Read the complete article here.

France bans street prayers

September 19, 2011
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Nicholas Vinocur, Reuters, Sep.19, www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/19/uk-france-muslims-idUSLNE78I01020110919

A French ban on praying in the street came into force on Friday, driving thousands of Muslim worshippers in northern Paris into a makeshift prayer site in a disused fire brigade barracks, angering a small but vocal minority.

The street-prayer ban has highlighted France’s problems assimilating its 5-million-strong Muslim community, which lacks prayer space, and follows a long-running controversy, fanned by far-right leader Marine Le Pen, over Muslims forced to lay their prayer mats on the streets in big cities.

In France, where a strict separation of church and state has been in force for a century, public displays of religious activity are frowned upon.  Yet efforts by Sarkozy’s conservative government to restrict religious displays, such as a ban on full-face veils, have drawn criticism as empty measures that unfairly single out Muslims.

France counts the largest Muslim minority of any European country. But only a portion — about 10 percent, or the same proportion as among Catholics — are practising, according to Muslim associations.

As a rule, radical Muslim voices in France are rare, but Friday’s prayers in northern Paris drew a small but angry protest from a radical minority more often seen in online posts. An hour before the first prayer young men with beards, green headbands and banners gathered on rue Myrha to discourage worshippers from moving to the new site.

“No system in the universe can control us aside from Allah,” shouted one young man. “There is more dignity in praying in the grass than in their false mosque,” said another.

Read the complete article here.