Christianity turns the other cheek-Where is the outrage when a church is desecrated?

For several weeks now, the European political class has worked itself into a lather about the spectre of anti-Muslim persecution, fanned by the anti-immigration policies of the recently trounced Jean-Marie Le Pen in France and the recently assassinated Pim Fortuyn of the Netherlands. All this while armed terrorists were occupying Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.

And so continues the surreal post-Sept. 11 world, in which anti-Islamic rhetoric brings forth an overwhelming political response, while outraged reaction to the violation of Christian faith, represented by the occupation of the Church of the Nativity, is almost completely absent.

It needs to be said. The occupation of the Church of the Nativity by armed Palestinian terrorists was a gravely anti-Christian act. Much has been made of how the basilica was filthy but not seriously damaged. To speak only of what happens to a church physically is to miss the point. One of Christianity's holiest shrines was profaned by armed terrorists. It is blasphemy to use the house of God as a military refuge. For more than a month, the faithful were denied access to the basilica to pray while the gunmen used its status as a house of prayer as a tactical advantage.

That the key men inside were not refugees but terrorists was confirmed by the reluctance of any country to grant them exile. Italy grudgingly agreed to take one or two, but reports in the Italian press yesterday indicate they will be kept confined, perhaps on an island somewhere. Too dangerous for the Italian mainland, apparently, but Europeans appeared to be fine with the fact such men would have the run of the Church of the Nativity.

Of course, all the usual caveats apply. Islam is not to be equated with violence. "Palestinian" and "terrorist" are not synonyms. Israel is not without sins.

And yes, the Israeli army did lay siege to the Church of the Nativity. But the "occupation-siege," as the Vatican always referred to it, was first an occupation. The Israelis did not lay siege before the gunmen stormed in, and they left when the gunmen were escorted out. No occupation, no siege. It should be noted that in the early days of the "occupation-siege" Israeli President Moshe Katsav promised Pope John Paul II that Israel would not attack the church, a promise that was kept. Bethlehem is a Palestinian town, but to date there has been no statement from the Palestinian authorities condemning the use of the church as an armed refuge.

Christian pusillanimity reached absurd lows last Saturday night when Italian mayors, gathered in Rome, took to the Colosseum to sing John Lennon's Imagine. Italy, which is very proud of itself for being selected as the likely site of the next international peace conference on the Middle East, wanted to show its commitment to peace. The Christian martyrs of the Colosseum would have wept to see it.

The enemies of Christianity are justified in their laughter. The birthplace of Jesus Christ is overrun by terrorists, and in response, dozens of at least nominally Catholic politicians sing pop music's most nihilistic anthem --imagine there's no Heaven ... no countries ... no religion. Imagine no Christian resistance. It isn't hard to do.

The Vatican itself was better, though its diplomats hedged their words, as one would do when your friars and nuns are in possible mortal danger from armed terrorists. The word of men who do not respect sacred places counts for little when it comes to the safety of the consecrated persons who administer them.

Yesterday, Pope John Paul said that he felt "great relief that the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem has been returned to God and to the faithful." The implication was clear: the occupation had taken the basilica away from those to whom it belongs -- God and those who would pray to Him there. The Pope sent a special envoy to celebrate Mass at the shrine, which was officially described as an act of "thanksgiving, atonement and reconciliation." The key word there is "atonement" -- an acknowledgment that grave sins against the holiness of the basilica were committed and that God's forgiveness needs to be asked.

The enormity of what happened needs to be underscored. Speaking of the "long and anguished history of the Church" in the Holy Land, the Franciscan priest responsible for the shrines, Father Giovanni Battistelli, called the "occupation-siege of the Shrine of the Nativity a chapter utterly without precedent." Never before in the centuries of wars and sackings that have drenched the Holy Land in blood has the basilica of the Nativity been occupied. And for good reason -- potential occupiers knew that a ferocious response would certainly have followed. Today, the only penalty seems to be having to listen to John Lennon's puerile philosophy set to music.

The Church of the Nativity was desecrated. The Christian response was a disgrace.

Raymond J. de Souza is Rome correspondent for the National Catholic Register. He is to be ordained a Catholic priest in July.

It has all been secularized in a sense...

In short, the Church has become "of the world", and is no longer "of the Word". Sadly, this condition is endemic thoughout the organized Curch as a whole, and not just the Catholics...

the infowarrior

AWW!! ----C'Mon!!!

When a Dog wishes to declare "Ownership" of a place, (S)He PISSES on it!!

"The Human Animal" is NOT SO FAR REMOVED from this Practise!!

ANYONE who thinks that the Nature & Extent of the Desecration of the Church of the Nativity by Human Waste was "Incidental" needs a Remedial Lesson in Primate Politics!!

The "Mess" in the Church of the Nativity was DELIBERATE!! The HUMAN FILTH was a Religious/Political Statement by the "Islamic Faithful" in the Church.

There is NO OTHER PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION for their lack of respect for the Holy Shrine!

DO YOU IMAGINE that the "occupants" of the "Church of the Nativity" would have left the "Dome of the Rock" in such a state??

THINK!!!--if you are able!

Doc

There is reasonable doubt that the Church of the Nativity is not the actual birthplace of Christ. We know He was born in Bethlehem, but not the exact place. I do not accept the Greek Orthodox tradition.

Besides, the death, burial and resurrection of Christ is far more significant than His birth and birthplace.

Yes, the church has historical significance and what the Arabs did was vile and wrong.

Here is a significant passage in John 6:

JOH 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

This passage indicates that coming to Jesus is eating the bread of life, and believing in Jesus is drinking.

I will say that the "breaking of bread" (a biblical phrase, along with "the Lord's table", in contrast to extra biblical phrases and doctrines such as "Eucharist" or "communion") is an extremely important aspect of our fellowship with one another:

ACT 2:42 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Yes, they attempted to desecrate the church, but they didn't succeed. They occupied it, they left their filth there to show their disrespect, but it was cleaned and washed and returned to God. Their hearts, however, can only be cleaned and washed by God. It is THEY who must face God with an explaination of why they blasphemed. Even by their own religion, they blasphemed since Mohammad called Christ holy and a prophet.

OUR faith can not be destroyed by the filth these people spread, OUR church can not be desecrated by these pathetic creatures. They are to be pitied for they will face God with unclean hearts.

First, places are not sacred to Christianity

I would disagree with you on this point. Christian religion highly values some of these places where Jesus lived.

Biblical teaching, on the other hand, says nothing about holding these places sacred. I think there are a lot of people who strongly adhere to Christian religion, but do not understand what the Bible teaches or they do not care about what the Bible teaches. Instead they prefer their religion.

2. Christ specificaly said that he came to bring us a sword against those aiming at invading the jurisdictions of those who worshiped him.
and indeed, desecrating his place of worship means we must use his sword that he sent:
[33] But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
[34] Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

First, let me say that I support a strong, biblical view of self defense and believe the 2nd Amendment is a wise application of our God given right to defend ourselves and defend our families and our communities.

Second, I think your points are making very poor use of the context of what Jesus was teaching in Matthew 10 when he states that he did not come to bring peace, but a sword. There are many, many other passages you can use to make your point, but you have taken this passage out of context.

Pardon my Lack of Sublety; you are NOT addressing my observation; "Apples & Oranges!!"

The "Muslim's" are PISSING UPON WHAT THEY BELIEVE TO BE THE BIRTHPLACE OF JESUS CHRIST!!!!!

"Historical 'Niceties' Notwithstanding, the "Palestinian Vermin" who "Occupied" the Church of the Nativity made a "Mammalian Statement of Contempt" in that Holy Place which ANY MAMMAL would understand!!

They "PISSED ON" Christianity!!

EVEN CHRIST "Put a Limit on 'Turning the Other Cheek!!'"

The "Muslims" are STILL unaware of the Sleeping Giant they are harrassing!

SO BE IT!

Doc

The Hagia Sophia wasn't merely desecrated, it was converted to a Mosque.

The Hagia Sophia is the most incredible man made structure I have ever visited. A tour of all the mosques in Istanbul demonstrates that the best of the Muslim/Turkish architecture could not duplicate this magnificent structure.

There are many, many other passages you can use to make your point, but you have taken this passage out of context.

Well, fill me in. As far as I know the context was instructing the disciples on their jobs and on what to expect. In addition there is the specific work of healing mentioned, which is hardly a peaceful job, but one of casting out demons and repelling bad people.

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