Iraqi Christians

[Jesuslove]

Did anyone watch 60 Minutes last night? They did a story on the plight of Iraqi Christians, and how they are being murdered, kidnapped, etc. Many have left Iraq and gone to Syria. For years under Saddam's rule, Christians and Muslims lived peacefully side by side in Iraq. Now the remaining Christians have to meet undercover at undisclosed locations. It doesn't make sense to a lot of people who feel betrayed by both the current government and the Americans who destabilized the region. The Anglican priest who remains in Baghdad explains to the flock that historically Christians have been at ruthless as the Muslims are being now. It was one of the saddest stories I've ever seen on 60 Minutes.

[Pixie Wildflower]

Yes, I saw that. Really sad. The priest is so brave. He is battling MS in addition to being in constant danger, but as long as he has a flock, he's not going anywhere.

There are still parts of the world where people die for their faith. We should be grateful if we are not in that sitation and always remember those persecuted in prayer.

[Jesuslove]

Yes, I saw that. Really sad. The priest is so brave. He is battling MS in addition to being in constant danger, but as long as he has a flock, he's not going anywhere.

There are still parts of the world where people die for their faith. We should be grateful if we are not in that sitation and always remember those persecuted in prayer.

Amen! I agree. I really admired the priest as well. He stood in the face of danger. And he stayed behind in Baghdad for those who couldn't leave. He's heroic.

[Pixie Wildflower]

Yes indeed and I hope many people saw this piece and will remember him and the flock in prayer.

[Sam!]

Sure, let's blame everybody but the Iraqi Muslims who are carrying out the violence and acting out in their hatred for Christans, and the devil behind it all.

[VerbumReale]

Sure, let's blame everybody but the Iraqi Muslims who are carrying out the violence and acting out in their hatred for Christans, and the devil behind it all.

Not to mention I find it very hard to believe that there was perfect harmony between Christians and Muslims during Saddam's rule.

[WeaselInYerFoot]

Not to mention I find it very hard to believe that there was perfect harmony between Christians and Muslims during Saddam's rule.

There was. But only because Saddam used force to make them stop. Similar to how he managed to make all three major groups to live with each other in the same country.

[VerbumReale]

There was. But only because Saddam used force to make them stop. Similar to how he managed to make all three major groups to live with each other in the same country.

So they were united in their fear. I would hardly call that living peacefully.

[Jesuslove]

Not to mention I find it very hard to believe that there was perfect harmony between Christians and Muslims during Saddam's rule.

The minister said things were much more peaceful during Saddam's rule. He said that Cristians in Iraq are now persecuted and now feel as if they have to flee their homeland.

[WeaselInYerFoot]

So they were united in their fear. I would hardly call that living peacefully.

To live peacefully would be impossible. Even with a democracy set in place as this administration intends to do. None of these two are innocent in this respect because they have both been pretty rough for hundreds of years. In that region, force is the only thing that can stop these group from attacking eachother (other than a dramatic spiritual and educational change, that's not brought by invading a country).

[Sam!]

The way I understood Fr. White's interview was that there were certain areas of Baghdad where Christians and Muslims lived peacefully together. It's not those same Muslims who are suddenly attacking Christians, but rather unchecked Islamic militants have come into these neighborhoods and killed hundreds of Christians. The bloodshed has mostly abated, but only because most Christians have fled the country. The churches are empty and the congregations are forced to meet in secret. White was adamant that the churches and the Christians in them were better off under Saddam's rule. It is very difficult to accept.

[Pixie Wildflower]

Well, he said that things are at their worst in history for the Christians of Iraq. With 2000 years of history in that region, their numbers have really dwindled due to the violence. They managed to survive all this time in a predominately Muslin region, but things have escalated now to where their survival as a group is in question. At the services, you see mostly women and children, the males have been killed off. Many have fled and will continue to flee. It's true that the militants are doing the killing, not your average guy next door so to speak. But it's the worse it's ever been, that was his point.