Posted on 04/21/2013 6:31:18 AM PDT by marshmallow
The Western media is using an centuries-old playbook in its treatment of Iraqi, Syrian and Egyptian Christians.
In 2010 an al-Qaeda front group attacked one of Baghdad's main cathedrals during Sunday mass. More than 50 people were slaughtered. The militants had a clear and simple explanation for this atrocity: "All Christian centres, organisations and institutions, leaders and followers, are legitimate targets for the muhajideen wherever they can reach them. We will open upon them the doors of destruction and rivers of blood."
In this environment, it’s no wonder that Christianity is dying in the land of its birth.
What’s more puzzling is why the Western world couldn’t care less. As recently as a century ago Christians made up 20 percent of the population of the Middle East, with thriving communities in what is now Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, and Egypt. Today thanks to persecution and instability, that estimate has fallen to less than 5 percent. But instead of alarm bells- or even a flicker of interest -- this calamitous decline has been greeted with yawns by the Western media.
The United States, where 76 percent of the population still describes itself as nominally Christian, has been surprisingly indifferent. Absent from most news stories of the revolution in Egypt for example, was the plight of the Coptic Orthodox Church- one of the oldest Christian communities in the world- which has increasingly become a casualty of the Arab Spring. More than 100,000 have been forced to emigrate since the fall of Mubarak, with no signs of slowing down. But this neglect isn’t limited to Egypt or places beyond the reach of a Western military. The position of Iraqi Christians- whose presence dates back to the time of the Apostles- has been if anything, worse than the Copts. Two thirds of them have fled........
(Excerpt) Read more at mercatornet.com ...
Christians are too busy building bowling alleys and fitness centers in their “church plants” to entertain members than to worry about the generational extinction of Christianity in the land of its origin.
“What is now...”Palestine”...
Ahem...There is a reason for western indifference to The persecution of Mid-East Christians right in front of us.
This article bemoans the horrors of Islam and its INTOLERANCE to others (Christians and Jews), yet continues in the Muslim Lie that the Land of Israel is called “Palestine”. They are playing by the Muslim Rule Book, being “Politically Correct”, and denying Israel’s right to exist, all in that little slip of a word.
That being said, The plight of the Egyptian and Middle East Christians is HORRIFIC, and is INDEED being ignored.
The American (and European) Left (including the current POTUS) would be FINE with the complete extermination of Christian populations in the Mideast — and elsewhere. In fact, it is their preferred outcome.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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“nominally Christian” is the key. Lukewarm and ready for spewing. God raised up the people of Babylon in the past to execute His judgment against the nation of Israel when they were not forgiven for practicing child sacrifice and doing all the other things He hates. What makes us think it will not happen here? Why are we so surprised at what the administration is doing? We have already been invaded. It is just simmering.
Calm down. ‘Palestine’ was first used by the ancient Greek Herodotus in the 5th century BC. It has been a recognized term for the geographical area for 2500 years. Its use does need not imply anything concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (note: even the Israelis call them Palestinians)
I know that.
But ignoring the fact that Israel exists, and calling the entire area “Palestine” is very common in the Arab world, and also the UN. Maps and textbooks are issued showing the whole area as “Palestine”, and when they do that, it becomes a Political, rather than geographical statement.
Officially, Israelis call them “Arabs”, and the area is “Judea and Samaria”.
That being said, let’s not quibble about it, and instead DO something about our Christian Brethren in those places, even if it means just PRAYING for them, and making their situation KNOWN.
Some of the Christian Communities in the Middle East date back to the Apostles.
That’s among Christians. Leftists are just PO’d that the Muslims beat them to it.
Excellent article. Thank you for sharing.
Most folks, unless they are plugged into Voice of the Martyrs, have NO idea.
Very sad - and look what is happening in Syria.
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