'Not a single Christian' in birthplace of Christ

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | September 24, 2007

[Man50D]

The once vibrant Christian communities of Bethlehem and Nazareth, with roots in the "land of Jesus" going back to first century Israel, are rapidly declining in the face of a systematic campaign of persecution conducted by the same Muslim terrorists intent on driving the Jews into the sea.

Beatings, sham legal proceedings, property seizures, dismissal and replacement of elected Christian leaders, accusations of selling property to Jews and intimidation by gunmen with links to the government of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas have so reduced Christian populations in the cities of Jesus' birth and boyhood one community leader predicts all Christians will be gone within 15 years.

In "Schmoozing with Terrorists: From Hollywood to the Holy Land Jihadists Reveal their Global Plans – to a Jew!" author and WND Jerusalem bureau chief Aaron Klein chronicles his meetings and interviews with leaders of terror groups and Islamist organizations long accused of intimidation and violence against Mideast Christians.

'No more Christians in Bethlehem'

For part of one chapter, Klein travels to Bethlehem to meet with the city's Christians and with its terrorist leaders.

Bethlehem consisted of upwards of 80 percent Christians when Israel was founded in 1948, but since the Palestinian Authority took over in 1995 the Christian population has declined to about 23 percent with a large majority of Muslims. The 23 percent Christian statistic is considered generous since it includes the satellite towns of Beit Sahour and Beit Jala. Some estimates place Bethlehem's actual Christian population as low as 12 percent, with hundreds of Christians emigrating per year.

[Recon Dad]

Condi Rice in my opinion is worse than M Albright, because I expected Albright to do what she did. I expected more from her.

[Dixie Yooper]

but a place like Khartoum doesn't quite have the same symbolic value as Bethlehem, does it?

If Christians are to worship symbols and places and things with symbolic values, yes. To the Christians living in Khartoum, I'm sure they value the ground they are living on more than a place in the Holy Land. I know that I worship The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Locations in the Holy Land are not required for my worship.

[alicewonders]

The Lord is going to take care of that someday soon.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Amen!

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:21-24

[DManA]

This could be God’s hand of grace protecting his people from the time of trial that may be at hand.

[Biggirl]

To the best of my memory, this is the first time I see you posting something outside of college football/UConn football. Keep up the good work. :-)

[Biggirl]

As I have said, from a Christian song, “Soon and very soon”.

[Mom MD]

amen!
Our God is alive and dwells within us, so there is no need to hold on to rocks to remember Him

But having said that I would dearly love to go to Israel and see where He walked the earth in Human form. I am excited that I will be in Jerusalem with Him someday when He begins His reign!

[Mom MD]

It does to Christ as long as His children are there

[reagan_fanatic]

Beatings, sham legal proceedings, property seizures, dismissal and replacement of elected Christian leaders, accusations of selling property to Jews and intimidation by gunmen with links to the government of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas have so reduced Christian populations in the cities of Jesus' birth and boyhood one community leader predicts all Christians will be gone within 15 years.

And the world shrugs its collective shoulders.

[usslsm51]

Even so they will not dethrone Jesus!

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel, WOT

..................

[Gritty]

[Biggirl]

Jesus the King is coming back SOON. He will get rid of the Devil once and for all.

[Cvengr]

The question is why is there no protest of this by the US government?

I suspect the answer is similar to the reason why the US embassy is in Tel Aviv, and not in Jerusalem.

[Cvengr]

Just a larger footstool.

[Convert from ECUSA]

Ping!

[alarm rider]

Time for a new Crusade.

[Man50D]

To the best of my memory, this is the first time I see you posting something outside of college football/UConn football. Keep up the good work. :-)

It think it's more due to our paths simply not crossing. I have posted hundreds of threads. Usually they involve illegal immigration, attacks on Christianity and The Fair Tax and all are non sports related. UConn is a good diversion form the heavy stuff. It appears we are just two ships passing in the night. Thanks for the comment.