Saturday, December 23, 2006
It's all our fault.
In a predictable "mea culpea" in The Times, the Archbishop of Canterbury blames our government and America for: "...endangering the lives and futures of many thousands of Christians in the Middle East..." My regular readers (both of them) will know that I'm no ardent supporter of the government and I have a healthy dislike of Blair and his administration; however we must be fair even to Blair, and ask ourselves: "Where is this danger coming from?"
” In some Middle Eastern countries where Muslim-Christian relations have always been good, he [Dr Rowan Williams] says that extremist attacks on Christians are becoming “notably more frequent.” The extremists aren't named, but from the tenor of the article it's clear they mean Muslim extremists.
There follows plenty of hand wringing and calls on the government and of course calls to that effective international body the UN to do "something". One point I would agree with is that no account seems to have been taken of the Christian population in the Middle East; however at the end of the day, those perpetrating these attacks are Muslims, not Isrealis, not Tony Blair, not the Americans. The responsibility for the attacks lies with those people committing the violent actions.
What might we expect from the "men of the cloth"? Well it's obvious isn't it, they're always telling us of the importance of good relations with Muslims clerics and the community, let them exert their influence; let's see some Muslim leaders and clerics condemn these attacks on Christians. Even if the moderate Muslims in Britain adopted this stance it would be a step in the right direction. There's a fat chance of this, the so called moderate Muslims in Britain will keep quiet, and we certainly won't hear any condemnation of these attacks from the practitioners of the "religion of peace" in the Middle East; no matter how many apologies and acts of dhimmitude we undertake.
It's time Christian leaders woke up to reality, yes being nice to people being tolerant, engaging in debate, it's all very well and good, but it isn't a one way street. If (and this applies to all) the tolerance and respect isn't reciprocated then other measures are clearly needed. It's no good quoting the Bible and saying turn the other cheek, for that can only apply to the person who's subject to the violence. If a Christian leader sees or is aware of such violence yes they can go and put themselves between the victim and assailant and refuse to return any violence, but they cannot say "I'm safe in England, you don't fight back". These Christian leaders aren't even prepared to go as far as saying to other religious leaders "look this is all wrong, you need to speak out and comdemn it, otherwise you can't expect any support from us over anything"; and why not? I think they fear having a few extremists demonstrating outside a church.
Well is this the example of Christ?
Did Christ back down?
What of Saint Peter, on fleeing Rome for his life, was he not told to turn back, and face his fate, and did he not obey?
"11 Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: 12 Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you. 13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. 16 So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
These so called leaders have lost their savour.
” In some Middle Eastern countries where Muslim-Christian relations have always been good, he [Dr Rowan Williams] says that extremist attacks on Christians are becoming “notably more frequent.” The extremists aren't named, but from the tenor of the article it's clear they mean Muslim extremists.
There follows plenty of hand wringing and calls on the government and of course calls to that effective international body the UN to do "something". One point I would agree with is that no account seems to have been taken of the Christian population in the Middle East; however at the end of the day, those perpetrating these attacks are Muslims, not Isrealis, not Tony Blair, not the Americans. The responsibility for the attacks lies with those people committing the violent actions.
What might we expect from the "men of the cloth"? Well it's obvious isn't it, they're always telling us of the importance of good relations with Muslims clerics and the community, let them exert their influence; let's see some Muslim leaders and clerics condemn these attacks on Christians. Even if the moderate Muslims in Britain adopted this stance it would be a step in the right direction. There's a fat chance of this, the so called moderate Muslims in Britain will keep quiet, and we certainly won't hear any condemnation of these attacks from the practitioners of the "religion of peace" in the Middle East; no matter how many apologies and acts of dhimmitude we undertake.
It's time Christian leaders woke up to reality, yes being nice to people being tolerant, engaging in debate, it's all very well and good, but it isn't a one way street. If (and this applies to all) the tolerance and respect isn't reciprocated then other measures are clearly needed. It's no good quoting the Bible and saying turn the other cheek, for that can only apply to the person who's subject to the violence. If a Christian leader sees or is aware of such violence yes they can go and put themselves between the victim and assailant and refuse to return any violence, but they cannot say "I'm safe in England, you don't fight back". These Christian leaders aren't even prepared to go as far as saying to other religious leaders "look this is all wrong, you need to speak out and comdemn it, otherwise you can't expect any support from us over anything"; and why not? I think they fear having a few extremists demonstrating outside a church.
Well is this the example of Christ?
Did Christ back down?
What of Saint Peter, on fleeing Rome for his life, was he not told to turn back, and face his fate, and did he not obey?
"11 Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: 12 Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you. 13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. 16 So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
These so called leaders have lost their savour.
Labels: Church
