Christian zealots destroy ancient Arctic petroglyphs [s/b Inuit zealots]

CanWest News Service ^ | Saturday, August 26, 2006 | Randy Boswell

[SunkenCiv]

For years, heritage advocates have sought special protection for the ancient etchings at Qajartalik Island, located about one hour by boat from the 500-resident village of Kangiqsujuaq. Experts believe they were created by the extinct Dorset culture, an artistically advanced civilization that occupied much of the eastern Arctic before they were killed or driven away by the Thule ancestors of modern Inuit... [T]he site has been dubbed "the Island of the Stone Devils" because some of the faces -- possibly depicting a Dorset shaman in religious costume -- appear to be adorned with horns. In the past, crosses have been scratched on the "pagan" petroglyphs and some area residents have told researchers they believe the site is infested with evil spirits.

[SunkenCiv]

The headline for this story is so egregious -- do they publish stories in Canada with headlines like, "Moslem fanatics mass murder 1000s in New York"? What a POS. Sounds like the Inuit are just finishing a job their ancestors started -- kinda like when skinheads desecrate Jewish cemeteries in Europe, or Islamofascists destroy the tomb of Joseph, or continue wrecking the Temple Mount.

[SunkenCiv]

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. Thanks.

Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on or off the
"Gods, Graves, Glyphs" PING list or GGG weekly digest
-- Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)

[Bigh4u2]

"Daniel Gendron, chief archeologist with the Inukjuak-based Avataq Cultural Institute, the key promoter of indigenous history and identity in Nunavik, said the latest vandalism at Qajartalik follows the pattern of previous attacks by members of what he called "a very strong movement" of conservative Christians in Kangiqsujuaq and several other Inuit communities in northern Quebec."

So there's actually no 'proof' that it was Christians. It is just a 'feeling'.

How 'progressive' of him.

[SunkenCiv]

And tolerant.

And pro-diversity.

And inclusive.

I hope he enjoys living under Shariah.

[xarmydog]

I think the destruction of the Buddhas by the taliban was a sad day for the world.I hope these incidents are of the same nature.

[eleni121]

Blatantly hostile to Christians the archaeologist jumps to conclusions as well.

Just more of the mishmash of post modern thought processes.

[Continental Soldier]

Religous zealots of any stripe are so frightened of living and dying that they make my skin crawl.

[Wormwood]

Religous zealots of any stripe are so frightened of living and dying that they make my skin crawl.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[SunkenCiv]

Religious zealots carved the petroglyphs in the first place.

[orionblamblam]

> So there's actually no 'proof' that it was Christians. It is just a 'feeling'.


Errrrmmmm... "the latest vandalism at Qajartalik follows the pattern of previous attacks."

Not "just a feeling." Instead, it's more like jumping to the conclusion that a hijacked airliner smashing into another building just might have a Muslims near the cockpit.

[orionblamblam]

> Religious zealots carved the petroglyphs in the first place.

Who's more the zealot? The guy who carves, say, a cross onto a bare rock... or the guy who comes along, gets PO'ed, and obliterates that first carving?

The second guy is clearly a zealot. The first guy... maybe, maybe not.

[Wormwood]

Religious zealots carved the petroglyphs in the first place.

There's a difference between celebrating your own faith and assaulting the faith of others. Between worship and destruction.

[SunkenCiv]

Keep that in mind.

[Continental Soldier]

So what? What is your point?