Posted on 08/27/2006 6:41:55 AM PDT by mcg2000
GAZA (Reuters) - Two kidnapped Fox journalists appeared on a new videotape released by their captors on Sunday in the Gaza Strip, in which the reporters said they had converted to Islam, the Fox News Channel said.
Palestinian Interior Minister Saeed Seyam said efforts were under way to secure within hours the release of Fox correspondent Steve Centanni, a 60-year-old American, and New Zealand-born cameraman Olaf Wiig, 36.
Both journalists appeared to be in good health in the new video. They were seized on August 14.
They were shown separately sitting cross-legged, reading a statement which Fox said was an announcement that they had converted to Islam. At times in the video they were wearing long Muslim robes.
Wiig called on leaders of the West to stop "hiding behind the 'I don't negotiate with terrorists' myth". He then read some words in Arabic.
"The issue of the two kidnapped journalists is on the way to being resolved," Seyam told Reuters. "Efforts are under way with several parties to secure their release within the coming hours."
The previously unknown Holy Jihad Brigades claimed responsibility on Wednesday for the kidnapping and had warned the United States to free Muslim prisoners or the captives would face unspecified consequences. The deadline expired on Saturday.
The United States has said it would not make "concessions to terrorists".
A videotape released on Wednesday showed the two men, dressed in tracksuits, sitting on a blanket in front of a black background. They appeared fairly relaxed and in good health. Both said that they were fine and being treated well.
The kidnapping is the longest-lasting abduction of foreigners in the Palestinian coastal strip in more than a year.
By comparison to rational people and most other religions, yes, but it's silly to claim that there aren't degrees of fanaticism within Islam. There are those who are eager to kill anyone who isn't a muslim, no questions asked; but there are a lot more who will be willing to kill someone who has apostasized.
Oh please. What would you do to keep your head attached to your neck? So brave from behind a computer screen.
"Immoral" is a subjective judgement for me to apply to them that I won't make. But even speaking logically, teaching the Muzzies we believe in nothing and will say anything to save our own skins will be very costly in the long run. I wouldn't do it.
For those who are Christians, Y'shua made it clear what the cost of denial would be.
That's just how it is. Believe in Him and one must accept the consequences, our watered-down understanding of Christianity notwithstanding. Stephen understood that when Shaul of Tarsus conducted his execution:
Heck, I'd tell my captors I thought Hillary Clinton was hot if it meant I'd be released.
ditto that.
Best you not project your own lack of conviction.
Martyrdom sets the extreme standard for any one or more of a number of things. It could be the standard for honorable Christian principles, bravery, justice etc. In this case it would have merely “set the standard” for extreme stupidity, since the words are meaningless under obvious duress and were traded for his life.
Flank 2?
this is what happens when one will do whatever it takes to remove themselves from a hostage situation...
these men didn't "convert" to islam, they saved themselves by producing propaganda for the enemy...
until I hear otherwise, I will believe that these statements were made under duress, and were necessary for their release... IMVHO, of course
Whatever one believes in, charity and compassion should be a part if it. Two men being released from savage forces is an occasion to be glad, not one in which to act like a pompous ass. Again, until you've walked in their shoes, you don't know what you'd do.
Amen to your post....you understand.
They gave their speeches in the video with as much enthusiasm as one would have while reading a railway timetable.
It's a hostage tape,pure and simple...just as certainly as was the case in Hanoi when the POWs were posing with their middle fingers extended.
The terrorists figured out how to play the MSM and the west by kidnapping people, journalists, whatever -- keeping them a while, getting attention. Sawing heads off got 'old' fast, so that doesn't work anymore in terms of swaying opinion. Even Liberals agree that's not a positive move. No, much better to get a forced conversion on tape, played all around the world, then let them go. The west looks weak, Arabs look like winners. As long as the US allows Jihadists and Iran to control events, the MSM will bash Bush, and voters will believe that the one area where he was strong...national security...he's now weak. Does not bode well for US elections.
On the other hand, there's something to be said for living to fight another day.
If you think God would consider that “conversion” video at gunpoint as a denial, that’s you’re warped belief alone, and not anything biblically supported.
But I really think the two men weren't in danger of being killed. That's the last thing their kidnappers wanted...at least for now. They get much better press with the conversion tape and then releasing them unharmed.
There is no terrorist threat. This war is all about OIL. ;-)
I doubt there’s much if any difference between the group of Muslims who want to kill an American reporter and a group that wants to kill an American reporter who read a conversion statement at gunpoint and recounted when free, but who knows.
[This is why leaving islam is a death sentence: because so many of their conversions are "by the sword". I would like to see one muslim leader step up and do the responsible thing by saying: "We do not accept the conversion of these men, because it was under duress. If they are sincere, let them come back and do it of their own free will. Otherwise, they never came to islam."]
I don't think they will ever do it because that's how Mohammed got many of his converts!
A true Christian will reflect Christ. A true Muslim will reflect Mohammed/Allah. Mohammed was basically a terrorist, thats why devout Muslims are hard put to condemn terrorisim.
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