Myth of the Lost Ark fuels pride of a nation on brink of war (Lost Ark in Axum?)

News Telegraph, UK ^ | 12-29-05 | David Blair

[emiller]

If Indiana Jones had done his homework, he would have found the Ark of the Covenant by raiding a church in the barren mountains of northern Ethiopia.

Many Ethiopians believe that the Ark, containing the stone tablets inscribed with God's Ten Commandments, rests in the church of St Mary of Zion, at the town of Axum, and some western scholars have

[emiller]

Who knows...

[bkepley]

--The supposed presence in Axum of Christendom's holiest relic helps to explain the country's resolve.

Christendom's holiest relic?

[PeterPrinciple]

Ethiopia believes itself to be a unique nation with an ancient Christian tradition. This fervent patriotism has led Ethiopia into a perilous military confrontation with neighbouring Eritrea.

just another msn article blaming Christianity for the cause of war.........

[nmh]

I doubt it still exists ... but would welcome confirmation - one way or the other.

[mlc9852]

It exists - Judge Thomas More has it!

[ItsOurTimeNow]

"Myth of the Lost Ark"

Is the Telegraph suggesting that the Ark itself is the myth, or that fact that it's lost?

[Little Ray]

Yes, but Dr. Jones wouldn't have stolen it from people who had an acutal claim on it and we actively protecting it.

Besides Italian soldiers (who were busy conquering Ethiopia) just don't make good villains.

[nmh]

LOL!!!

[Ditter]

I would like to see the Ark, if it exists. There is a church in central France that claims to have the toe of Mary Magdalene. We saw it but could not even confirm it is a real human toe. It just is a dried up ....... something..... I was disappointed, but don't know what I expected to see.

[Antonello]

just another msn article blaming Christianity for the cause of war.........

Are you saying that if you had the Ark in your country and another country was demanding the patch of land it was in, you wouldn't consider going to war to retain it?

[Blood of Tyrants]

"The supposed presence in Axum of Christendom's holiest relic helps to explain the country's resolve."

Ummm, this would be the Jews most sacred relic. Other reports say that it is hidden in some catacombs beneath the Temple Mount.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

I don't buy it. If it's really there, then you don't hide it from view. I can't believe something exists if only one person may see it and all others are kept away by scary stories of what will happen to them.

[nmh]

I'd love to see the Ark too!

I'd pass on the toe of Mary. I have no interest in that. Plus I don't think mutilating a body is right for those reasons. I'm not Catholic but some Catholics say that she was swept up into heaven - that I don't believe either since the Bible makes no reference to her in that way.

[Dark Skies]

St Mary of Zion Church, Axum, Ethiopia...

Building where the Ark is supposedly kept...

Source

[nmh]

I'd LOVE to know if Noah's Ark really exists. That has always intrigued me.

[WIladyconservative]

Might want to have the Admin moderator change the title to "war" rather than "warn"?

[LRS]

An international boundary commission ruled three years ago that Ethiopia must relinquish to Eritrea some isolated patches of arid land. But Ethiopia spurned the verdict. If the two countries go to war, Ethiopia's national pride will be the cause.

Uh, if there is war, how about blaming it on the arrogance of that "international boundary commission"...

[Alkhin]

Ethiopia is tied to legends of Prester John

[PeterPrinciple]

I am saying the media is setting this up that Christianity and patriotism are the cause of war.

[absolootezer0]

nope. if the deacon in the article is right, they wouldn't need to go to war, the keeper could just wheel it out to the front line and anyone that came up would be zotted.