Posted on 03/23/2006 6:33:31 AM PST by SittinYonder
Statement By Christian Peacemaker Teams
Our hearts are filled with joy today as we heard that Harmeet Singh Sooden, Jim Loney and Norman Kember have been safely released in Baghdad. Christian Peacemaker Teams rejoices with their families and friends at the expectation of their return to their loved ones and community.
"Together we have endured uncertainty, hope, fear, grief and now joy during the four months since they were abducted in Baghdad.
We rejoice in the return of Harmeet Sooden. He has been willing to put his life on the line to promote justice in Iraq and Palestine as a young man newly committed to active peacemaking.
We rejoice in the return of Jim Loney. He has cared for the marginalized and oppressed since childhood, and his gentle, passionate spirit has been an inspiration to people near and far.
We rejoice in the return of Norman Kember. He is a faithful man, an elder and mentor to many in his 50 years of peacemaking, a man prepared to pay the cost.
We remember with tears Tom Fox, whose body was found in Baghdad on March 9, 2006, after three months of captivity with his fellow peacemakers. We had longed for the day when all four men would be released together.
"Our gladness today is made bittersweet by the fact that Tom is not alive to join in the celebration. However, we are confident that his spirit is very much present in each reunion.
Harmeet, Jim and Norman and Tom were in Iraq to learn of the struggles facing the people in that country. They went, motivated by a passion for justice and peace to live out a nonviolent alternative in a nation wracked by armed conflict.
"They knew that their only protection was in the power of the love of God and of their Iraqi and international co-workers.
"We believe that the illegal occupation of Iraq by Multinational Forces is the root cause of the insecurity which led to this kidnapping and so much pain and suffering in Iraq. The occupation must end.
Today, in the face of this joyful news, our faith compels us to love our enemies even when they have committed acts which caused great hardship to our friends and sorrow to their families.
"In the spirit of the prophetic nonviolence that motivated Jim, Norman, Harmeet and Tom to go to Iraq, we refuse to yield to a spirit of vengeance.
We give thanks for the compassionate God who granted our friends courage and who sustained their spirits over the past months.
"We pray for strength and courage for ourselves so that, together, we can continue the nonviolent struggle for justice and peace.
Throughout these difficult months, we have been heartened by messages of concern for our four colleagues from all over the world. We have been especially moved by the gracious outpouring of support from Muslim brothers and sisters in the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
"That support continues to come to us day after day.
We pray that Christians throughout the world will, in the same spirit, call for justice and for respect for the human rights of the thousands of Iraqis who are being detained illegally by the U.S. and British forces occupying Iraq.
During these past months, we have tasted of the pain that has been the daily bread of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. Why have our loved ones been taken? Where are they being held? Under what conditions? How are they? Will they be released? When?
With Toms death, we felt the grief of losing a beloved friend. Today, we rejoice in the release of our friends Harmeet, Jim and Norman. We continue to pray for a swift and joyful homecoming for the many Iraqis and internationals who long to be reunited with their families.
"We renew our commitment to work for an end to the war and the occupation of Iraq as a way to continue the witness of Tom Fox. We trust in Gods compassionate love to show us the way.
Living through the many emotions of this day, we remain committed to the words of Jim Loney, who wrote:
"With Gods abiding kindness, we will love even our enemies. With the love of Christ, we will resist all evil. With Gods unending faithfulness, we will work to build the beloved community."
March 23, 2006
""I tell you most solemnly, whoever keeps my word will never see death."
(Jn.8:51). ""You must not love this passing world or anything that is in the world. The love of the Father cannot be in any man who loves the world...because the world, with all it craves for, is coming to an end..." (1 Jn.2:15-17).
""After I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me..." (Jn.14:3).
Since he really dislikes us then let's just take him back to the place where we got him from, tie him up and leave a note on him stating,"sorry, we got the wrong guy".
I read the article on Drudge this morning and sent CPT the following email letter:
Dear Sirs:
As a follower of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it is with great sorrow that I must write to you and briefly express my anger with your groups conduct in Iraq. I live near Fort Drum, NY and quite a few of my brothers and sisters from our Nazarene Church are currently serving in Iraq. These are wonderful caring men and women who are on a mission to free the oppressed and press back what I consider as being the scourge of humanity. You people have not thanked the men and women who risked their lives to save your members. I think that is outrageous! Yes, you got in the way alright. One of your members was shot in the head and dumped in the street. He got off easy compared to those who had their throats cut and heads lopped off. How about the thousands of Iraqis that were brutally tortured and killed by Sadams regime. I would much rather take the chance of being humiliated in a US run prison by a few renegade soldiers, then fall into the hands of the old regime or the new terrorist Islamofascists. How many of the Iraqi men who are incarcerated do you think are completely innocent? How many do you think were taking pot shots at civilians and soldiers or planting explosive devices? Now on the other hand, what about all the civilians who have been captured and killed by the terrorists? What were they doing? Were they trying to help the terrorists and undermine our militarys efforts like your cadre?
.and what is the thanks they get from these followers of Satan?...they get taken hostage and often brutally killed.
Are you people so clueless and spiritually unaware of who we are really fighting? Or are you still naively thinking Islam is the religion of peace. I suggest you acquaint yourselves with the Satanic verses, aka the Koran. An easy resource on line is www.prophetofdoom.net. A little homework would be a very good thing if your members are going to walk into Satans stronghold and forget who your friends are. A little study of the true history of the Crusades would be in order as well. Yes there were a few renegade knights who did some bad things, but most were righteous men who gave their lives and fortune to beat back Satans hordes who were gobbling up countries at an alarming rate and forcing people to renounce Christ on the threat of death. Thank the Lord that there were those who were willing to fight, or we would all be forced to kneel on our prayer rugs and worship the Prince of Darkness.
Sincerely,
Stuart
If that's how you want to say it, ok then!
LOL! Its better than me saying what is really on my mind out loud.
Our forces could have been used for better things and people. Wasted time, wasted effort.
Great letter. Too bad it will fall on deaf ears.
Christians are ready to give up their lives to help others, even if those receiving their help spit in their faces. Followers of Satan sow hatred and violence. It's pretty easy here to see who are the Christians, and who are the Satanists.
This is about money (So, what else is new..) The folks running this con game owe their livelihoods to donations and useful idiots from the left wing christian groups in the antiwar movement. Of course they could not admit that the evil Satan (US Military) saved their people.
Bingo ... So I guess, as a capitalist, I should be glad they spoke from greed rather than from truth?
Yep. Now they can be stood against a wall before a firing squad -- and be executed as the traitors they obviously are...
I like that.
Either you didn't read, or you didn't understand my post. These peace activists are not that at all. They are terror activists encouraging thugs to kill Americans and Iraqis. They're doing the devils work. The Christian peace activists are serving in the US army. Onward Christian Soldier!
And yes, I know it's hard for some to believe, but other people CAN be glad in their own beliefs that aren't yours. ;) Have a good day.
Celebrate the peacemakers release
in Chicago Thursday March 23rd at 6:00pm at Independence Park (corner of Hamlin and Irvingpark Road). For more information contact CPT Chicago office, 773-277-0253
in Toronto Thursday March 23rd at 5:30pm ET at the Peace Garden in Nathan Phillips Square (Toronto city hall). For more information contact CPT Toronto office, 416-423-5525
Ingrates and morons.
"Ingrates."
They also lack any integrity whatsoever. They should have refused to be rescued by the occupiers.
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