Mosul Christians, angry and desperate (Islamist terrorists plan to run Christians out of Iraq)

Asia News ^ | March 14, 2008

[NYer]

Mourners carry the coffin of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, during his funeral in a village outside Mosul in northern Iraq, Friday, March 14, 2008. Rahho, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen two weeks ago, just minutes after performing mass, in Mosul, a city the U.S. military considers the last urban stronghold of al-Qaida in Iraq.

An Iraqi man mourns as he carries a portrait of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho, during his funeral in a village outside Mosul in northern Iraq, on Friday, March 14, 2008. Rahho,

[rjsimmon]

Christ told us, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” Luke 22:36

[TexanToTheCore]

Iraqis don’t have a clue as to how big the Christian tourism business could be for them. Very serious dollars, but they have to stop killing Christians to take advantage of the potential revenues.

[cameraeye]

When they build a Cathedral in mecca, then the world will know that they are the rip, oops, rop!

[NYer]

Why No United States Outcry over the Kidnapping of Archbishop Rahho?

---

Funeral Mass for
Martyred Iraqi Chaldean
Archbishop, Paulos Faraj Rahho

Please spread the word and join us 5:00 PM at St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral - El Cajon, CA

 Friday: March 14 - 2008

for a funeral mass for martyred Iraqi Chaldean Archbishop

 Paulos Faraj Rahho

Mass will be presided by His Excellency Bishop Sarhad Yawsip Jammo, Bishop of the Chaldean rite for Chaldeans and Assyrians in the Western United States.

 

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[Incorrigible]

Ann Coulter was right on Sep 13, 2001.

[ArrogantBustard]

When Our Lord spoke those words, swords were the primary infantry combat weapon.

Today? Not so much ...

Skip the sword.

Buy a Kalashnikov.

[E. Cartman]

Nothing to see here. Only Muslims killing Christians. If any Christians begin killing Muslims, we’ll call you. Until then, go home.

[scory]

Our ancestors learned many centuries ago that there are three alternatives when dealing with Islam:

1. Submit

2. Flee

3. Fight

Nothing has changed.

[svcw]

#3 - kill every man, woman, child and beast.

[marshmallow]

If any of you guys are having a bad day, think for a moment what it's like to be a Christian in a country where Islamic radicals roam loose.

Your day should get better in a hurry.

[Mrs. Don-o]

In context (Luke 22), that verse has a somewhat different feel:

"He said to them, But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.

"It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfilment.

"The disciples said, See, Lord, here are two swords. That is enough, he replied."

Seriously, it doesn't look like infantry combat was what He had in mind. Twelve verses later, the action picks up:

"When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, Lord, should we strike with our swords?

"And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

"But Jesus answered, No more of this! And he touched the man's ear and healed him."

Strange Messiah, that: at two swords, he says "Enough" -- and at one stroke He says, "No more."

Simone Weil perhaps had an insight here:

"Those who take up the sword
will perish by the sword.
And those who do not take up the sword
will perish by the Cross."

Servant of God, Paulos Faraj Rahho -- pray for us.

[svcw]

There are hundreds of thousands of Christians in Iraq even the islamic fascists would have a hard time finding and destroying them.
There are hundreds of thousands of Spirit filled Bible believing Christians in Iraq who know the importance of standing firm and fighting the good fight.

[sageb1]

I noticed as I surfed the news stories yesterday that statements were pouring out of the Muslim World saying the Archbishop’s death had nothing to do with Islam. (Of course not! /s) It is just more of their propaganda campaign to insist that violence has nothing to do with Islam. (A total fallacy if you read the Qur’an).

I got sidetracked at your link by Samir’s article on Pope Benedict’s response to the 138. It was excellent.

[Bitsy]

The disciples said, See, Lord, here are two swords. That is enough, he replied.”

Seriously, it doesn't look like infantry combat was what He had in mind. Twelve verses later, the action picks up:

“When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, Lord, should we strike with our swords?

“And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
“But Jesus answered, No more of this! And he touched the man's ear and healed him.”
Strange Messiah, that: at two swords, he says “Enough” — and at one stroke He says, “No more.”

Jesus was fulfilling prophesy here. They couldn't fight in this case because he it was written that he would be arrested, tried, and crucified.

But, if, we had done nothing in WWI, WWII and now, there would not be one Christian left alive. It is written that the gospel would be preached all over the world and that everyone would have a chance to hear it. That would have not been possible, IMO, if we would not have fought for our families and our country.

[rjsimmon]

Mrs. Don-o

The context is quite clear. Believers will have to fight to defend themselves against those who would seek to kill us for our faith. Jesus did not defend himself because he was the lamb to be slain for our sin. Blameless and without spot.

We however, can (and should) carry the sword. This is not to force the gospel, but to defend it. The ratio is quite certain, 2 of the 12 were armed, with the strongest among them (at least in Peter's case) being the ones to bear arms. Jesus knew who had weapons and walked with them every day for more than 3 years.

Strange Messiah, that: at two swords, he says "Enough" -- and at one stroke He says, "No more."

Nothing strange about it. He was not to be charged with assaulting the Temple guards in any way, so as to remain blameless.

[livius]

It has always been a difficult situation. A country’s leader has the responsibility to defend his people, and the Church has always taught that there are just wars. And individuals can certainly defend themselves and others.

However, the interesting thing in the situation with Peter is that Jesus was not telling Peter that he could not defend himself with the sword, but that he should not defend Jesus with the sword. In other words, for us, the “jihad” is forbidden. The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church, and I think that is how we have to look at it.

The Christians of Iraq should not take up arms against the Muslims. However, beyond that, it’s ambiguous.

The early Church forbade Christians to seek martyrdom; they were supposed to avoid it if possible, but not to renounce Christ if martyrdom came to them. But this was also accompanied by preaching and by support from other Christians, and I think the thing that is lacking to the Christians of Iraq is (a) any serious effort outside of Iraq to convert Muslims and (b) support from Christians outside of Iraq.

[Tamar1973]

Iraqis don’t have a clue as to how big the Christian tourism business could be for them.

What to they care. The PA have already killed the "goose that laid the golden egg" so to speak in Bethlehem.

[Mrs. Don-o]

My point is this: Be careful to read Scripture in context. I remember, too, that Jesus said that each one of us was to take our cross and follow Him: so though Jesus' self-oblation as God-Man was unique, it is also our example and pattern of life.

Matthew 10:38
Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

I'm not preaching pacifism here. My 18 year old son has just signed up for the Marine Reserve,and I support him. However, as I look at Jesus I realize that there is something greater than the Marine Corps here.

[Centurion2000]

Fears are growing that the community might cease to exist. Iraqi police blame al-Qaeda for the murder. Islamist terrorists plan to run Christians out of the country.

Sounds like the Chaldeans better start packing AK's.