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Religious Leaders Fast in Protest of Iraq War
Christian (itching ear scratching) Post (online) ^ | 10/08/07 | Jennifer Riley

Posted on 10/09/2007 3:11:06 PM PDT by Terriergal

Religious Leaders Fast in Protest of Iraq War

A number of religious leaders are participating in an interfaith fast Monday to call for the end of the Iraq war.

Mon, Oct. 08, 2007 Posted: 13:28:58 PM EST


WASHINGTON – A number of religious leaders are participating in an interfaith fast Monday to call for the end of the Iraq war.

From dawn until dusk, leaders and adherents of Christianity, Judaism and Islam across the country will join in the anti-war fasting, which takes place as Muslims celebrate the “Night of Power” – the holiest night in Ramadan.

“When you are fasting for Ramadan, you are enhancing your sense of compassion,” explained Dr. Sayeed Syeed from the Islamic Society of North America during a press conference last month ahead of the fasting.

The leaders hope the spiritual fasting will lead to social transformation such as the withdrawal of troops, according to the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC), which has coordinated the event. NCC has opposed the Iraq war since the beginning of the U.S.-led offensive four years ago.

“May our prayer and fasting bring us to live our responsibility for the precarious world which we have shaped,” urged Sister Marge Clark, a member of Pax Christi USA, during the news conference last month.


Not all religious leaders, however, support the anti-war fasting event.

A conservative Washington-based group criticized the event for not proposing a withdrawal plan and for misusing the Christian practice of fasting.

“Left-wing Mainline and Protestants are joining Muslims in a political fast aimed at getting the United States to ‘end the war’ in Iraq, an objective that no U.S. action could quickly accomplish,” criticized Mark Tooley, a director at the Institute on Religion and Democracy, in a statement.

“Organizers cite the biblical prophet Isaiah as a model for fasting, but Isaiah called upon the people of Israel to fast as an appeal to God’s mercy, not to make a political statement,” said he added. “This protest fast is not about spiritual transformation but about exploiting an ancient religious practice for a political purpose.”

Furthermore, many Christian leaders have voiced support for the Iraq war despite increasing disapproval of U.S. involvement from American citizens.

“I agree we need to remove Saddam Hussein from power. I think the war was right … I’m delighted he (U.S. commander in Iraq General David Petraeus) is there and he is doing an incredible job,” said the Rev. Canon Andrew White to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom in July. White is the vicar of the 1,300-membered St. George’s Anglican Church in Baghdad

Religious leaders in the Washington area taking part in Monday’s fasting will break from the fast together at dusk at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Virginia.

Other Christians, meanwhile, have been encouraged to use the Islamic holy month of Ramadan as a time to pray for Muslims so that God would draw them to Him.

Jennifer Riley
Christian Post Reporter


TOPICS: Current Events; Ecumenism; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: iraqwar; liberationtheology; ncc; religiousleft; socialgospel; socialjustice; virginia
Anyone for steak and potatoes?


1 posted on 10/09/2007 3:11:09 PM PDT by Terriergal
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“When you are fasting for Ramadan, you are enhancing your sense of compassion,”

Don't they only fast during the day and pretty much pig out at night?

2 posted on 10/09/2007 3:12:15 PM PDT by Terriergal ("I am ashamed that women are so simple To offer war where they should kneel for peace," Shakespeare)
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To: Terriergal

Hmm can we keep the war going long enough until the all starve?


3 posted on 10/09/2007 3:12:41 PM PDT by MNJohnnie (http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/ vrs the "Worse than Watergate Congress")
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To: MNJohnnie

Boy you think like me... I hope so!!


4 posted on 10/09/2007 3:13:40 PM PDT by Terriergal ("I am ashamed that women are so simple To offer war where they should kneel for peace," Shakespeare)
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To: Terriergal

“From dawn until dusk, leaders and adherents of Christianity, Judaism and Islam across the country will join in the anti-war fasting, which takes place as Muslims celebrate the “Night of Power” – the holiest night in Ramadan.”

One night? That’s theatre.


5 posted on 10/09/2007 3:16:24 PM PDT by OpusatFR
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To: Terriergal

I’m sorry not eating from AM to PM is NOT a fast.


6 posted on 10/09/2007 3:19:10 PM PDT by svcw (There is no plan B.)
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To: Terriergal

Absolutely.


7 posted on 10/09/2007 3:40:41 PM PDT by TASMANIANRED (TAZ:Untamed, Unpredictable, Uninhibited.)
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To: OpusatFR

I didn’t realize I have been fasting for my entire life!


8 posted on 10/09/2007 4:07:59 PM PDT by GOPPachyderm
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To: Terriergal

Mat 6:17-18 “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.


9 posted on 10/09/2007 4:12:29 PM PDT by HarleyD
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To: Terriergal
OK, OK - seriously

isn’t to be against the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, to be against peace in a part of the world that has never known peace??

If our Christmas cry of “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” means anything, then what the US is doing is a good and worthy endeavor, is it not?

The peacemakers of this world are not in Congress or in the pulpits, or on the streets with their anti-war signs. No, the peacemakers are wearing uniforms - they are the U.S. military.

I submit those religious leaders are, in fact, working against peace.

10 posted on 10/09/2007 5:05:59 PM PDT by elpadre
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To: Terriergal

As Michael Savage said about those Islamic radicals who threatened a fast unless they had their way a few weeks ago, let them fast ‘till death and that will solve several problems.


11 posted on 10/09/2007 5:24:59 PM PDT by Manfred the Wonder Dawg (Test ALL things, hold to that which is True.)
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To: MNJohnnie

LOL! Love your post!


12 posted on 10/09/2007 5:26:22 PM PDT by ladyinred
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To: Terriergal

So they’re fasting for Ramadan?

Can you say “Dhimmi”?

Pass the pork roast, por favor.


13 posted on 10/09/2007 6:08:46 PM PDT by Lee N. Field ("Dispensationalism -- threat or menace?")
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