End of a Christian Presence in Iraq?

Attacks on Christians in Iraq have been occuring heavily since late October, and many Christians are beginning to pack up their cars with their belongings and flee due to the violence. Many are going to Northern Iraq (where it's a little less hostile) or abroad.

This fleeing is similar to the Jewish exit in Iraq in 1948.

Not safe for Chrsitians to worship aloud in Iraq.

More attacks on Christians in Afghanistan

Gayle Williams worked with the poor and disabled in Afghanistan for the past 3 years, spreading the Christian word.

She was killed by a gunman in Kabul on Saturday, December 11th because of her religion.

"We killed her because she was working for an organization which was preaching Christianity in Afghanistan," a spokesman for the insurgent group, Zabihullah Mujahid said.

(News Blaze)

Westboro Church Update

SUPER ironic. So here's the short story broken down.

Just a refresher...Westboro Church is the church who crashes soldiers funerals and hoots and hollers with signs saying, "Thank God for Dead Soldiers," "God hates America," etc. etc.

So here's the scene:

Ryan Newell is a retired Sgt. War Veteran who served in Afghanistan.

Ryan Newell apparently started following some Westboro Church members after they held a protest at a local high school.

Ryan Newell gets arrested for stalking.

Ryan Newell was in jail on $500,000 bond.

Ryan Newell spent a WEEK in jail.

Westboro Church members go along with their daily, hate-spreading messages.

?

Read the full story here.

Touching on an age-old issue...

Muslim Orphans in America?

Not so much. Check out this full article explaining the complicated system still in place for Muslim orphans to be adopted in the U.S. Although many Americans want to adopt from Iraq and other Islamic countries, the process is at a standstill. There are laws in place that complicate the transfer of orphans from the Middle East to the Western world.

From what I understand, the reason for this lack of cooperation stems back to a time in history involving slaves.

Just a short excerpt:

"Ingrid Mattson, a professor of Islamic studies at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, said adoption in that period had more in common with slavery. Men would take in boys, then erase any tie between the child and his biological family. The goal was to gather as many fighters as possible as protection for the tribe. Orphans' property was often stolen in the process."

Interesting that these laws are still in place...but for what?

Retaliation to alleged attempted terrorist attack?

19 year old Mohamed Osman Mohamud, the alleged Somali-American terrorist, has been indicted for a car bombing in Oregon. On the edge of my seat, I waited for the next shoe to fall...and it has.

There was a break-in at the Islamic Center, (Salman Al-Farisi Islamic Center in Corvallis, Oregon) where Mohamud worships. Soon after, a fire was started early Sunday morning, destroying a computer, a chair and a copy of the Koran. (blogs.ajc.com)

Check the full story here.


Stereotyping and generalizing against religious groups isn't justice.

Government not surprised by Annual Report findings

On Egypt:

"The status of respect for religious freedom by the government remained poor, unchanged from the previous year. Members of non-Muslim religious minorities officially recognized by the government generally worship without harassment; however, Christians and members of the Baha'i Faith, which the government does not recognize, face personal and collective discrimination, especially in government employment and their ability to build, renovate, and repair places of worship.... Government authorities often refused to provide converts with new identity documents indicating their chosen faith. The government failed to prosecute perpetrators of violence against Coptic Christians in a number of cases.... [and] continued to contribute to a climate of impunity."

Taken from the US State Department's Annual International Religious Freedom Report. You can find the whole report here.

Like the girls said earlier in the blog, this came as a shock to me. How accurate do we think this is? Do you believe what it's telling us?

France Reacts to Christian Attacks in Iraq

Here's a quick video from a French correspondent. It was posted six days ago by France 24, a French News Station.

Christians continue to be attacked in Iraq

Iraqi Christians have been the targets of attacks for the past two weeks. I blogged last week about the massive attack on the Catholic church, but now terrorists are also targeting houses and cars owned by Christians. Some people are being "warned" before attacks, but others are being caught completely off guard. The New York Times has frequently been blogging about the attacks. Check this blog out.

Religious freedom? Isn't free.

US Making Strides?

It's hard to put yourself in someone else's shoes when you really don't have any clue how to relate to them.

This article highlights a new policy made by the United States two weeks ago, which will require the frisking of people with turbans as a security policy. The U.S. decided not to make the removal of turbans mandatory, but still reserves the right to "pat down" the turban to feel for anything suspicious. In my eyes, this seems like a good compromise, but many people are still offended by the decision.

Is the U.S. doing enough with this decision? Are they taking steps in the right direction?

The article at a glance:

"The turban — along with a comb, a sword, a specific undergarment and a metallic wrist bangle — are part of the required dress for Sikh men, according to the religion, which is a mix of Hindu and Islam founded in the 15th Century in Punjab. Sikh women are forbidden to cut their hair.

Men have long accepted they cannot carry a sword aboard planes, Badal said, and so have modified the religious requirement by carrying pendants or blades embedded in their comb 'as a symbolic symbol.' But this can mean they do not clear a metal detector, which prompts a second security screening."

Take a look. Did the U.S. make a fair decision?

Attack of Iraqi Christians

This massive, brutal, and pre-meditated attack is a prime example of the danger of being a different religion (in this instance, Christian) and practicing it within a hostile environment. Here's an article from The New York Times that touches on its effect and the aftermath.

Religious freedom is something we have, but it's not always free. So unfortunate.

Terrorists Target France and Burqa Ban

Here is a link to an interesting article and video. Anything that has bin Laden targeting anything is something that I would read. This article explains how, apparently, bin Laden reached out to France last Wednesday, threatening and justifying an attack on the country because of the burqa ban it implemented. The audio, which was verified as bin Laden speaking, is the first of its kind to target France individually.

This is just one example of how the burqa ban decision has impacted people all over the world. If bin Laden is listening, there has to be a lot more people with negative opinions on this matter as well.

Church and State Collide in French Schools

I stumbled upon this article on nytimes.com and was surprised by what I read. As we've been learning, France has controversial and strict rules against Islamic headscarves and veils. The country has been ridiculed by many people for its strict religious laws. Yet, in this article, we see a diverse French school-- full of Muslims, Catholics and other religions-- joined and worshipping together in a new, state-appointed school. It's an interesting mix of church and state, which in France, let alone in any country anymore, surprised me. The fact that they have a new, state-funded Catholic school with state appointed teachers isn't something we see often. Just sayin'.

Westboro Baptist Church

Warning: this is a loaded post. I'll start with the Westboro Baptist Church. I'm not usually one to harp on my religious views. I don't mind talking about it, and I certainly don't mind justifying my views, but there is a time and place for these discussions. I do come from a Christian family--my dad's a minister at our local Presbyterian church. I've learned to accept different backgrounds and viewpoints as a Christian, but this is something I just can't seem to justify or accept.

The Westboro Baptist Church is an extremist church founded by Fred Phelps, who shows up and protests at soldiers' funerals with posters clad with sayings like "Thank God for Dead Soliders," and "Burn in Hell," and "God Hates Fags." So basically, while a family is praying at the gravesite and putting their son, daughter, sister, brother, father, or mother's casket into the ground, this church will attend and completely disrespect the family with protests in hope of "spreading God's message." Oh, and for the record, they believe that gays are responsible for all of the bad in the world.

Confused?

In a world of free speech and freedom of religion, it's a challenge to justify the hate this group projects upon the world with their "religion." Although the right of free speech is warranted, it's a struggle to watch these families literally go through Hell-- not only by the news of their loved one's death, but by not being able to appropriately grieve as each family should be entitled to do. It's an example how religion can be completely misconstrued and warped if given the opportunity.

Check out this video. It features 2 members of the Westboro Baptist Church after they got out of a court case dealing with a lawsuit from a soldier's family. For the record, their website is godhatesfags.com.

Brings up the question: does the right of freedom of speech justify the acts of this hate group?