Posted on 11/06/2010 5:38:04 PM PDT by 1curiousmind
I hesitate to write this because I don't want to come off as paranoid. But I figured its worth it to share info just in case there really is something in the planning stages.
Especially after the church masacre last week in Baghdad, I believe that it is highly possible that a similar attack could take place in the US.
Tonight 4 middle-eastern men were seen down our childrens' wing at our church. They were walking briskly and talking in Arabic.
A woman spotted them at the other end of the hall. She tried to catch up to them but they exited into the lobby and by the time she got to it they had disappeared. A few people looked but no one saw them leave the building.
There was no reason for anyone to be down that hallway. There were no children's programs going. It's possible that they could have taken a wrong turn. But it just doesn't feel right.
This is the 3rd incident since last March involving young middle-eastern men. The first one involved them asking odd questions about the size of our services, questions about the children's area, even requesting a layout of the building.
The FBI has been alerted and its been discovered that at least one other church in the area has had a similar incident take place.
I'm writing this here because I think there are alot of FReepers who attend church. I would ask you to inquire whether anything unusual has happened in recent months in your church. Especially if you are a large church. And especially if you are located in the Detroit area.
We must be willing to think about these things (not obsess over them) but reasonably consider the possibility. Thank you.
I AGREE.
HOWEVER, I THINK THAT CHURCH THREATS DESERVE THEIR OWN ONGOING THREAD.
Certainly wisdom and discernment and some caution are in order.
Stupidity, naivete and passive submission are not.
Dear friend .. Michigan is a magnet for refugees from the Middle East. Not surprisingly, many of them are christians whose native tongue is Arabic
Christians from the Middle East want to ensure their children are educated in the christian faith. I serve as Director for Religious Education at just such a church. Our parish is a Maronite Catholic Church. Our liturgy is, for the most part, in English but the readings from scripture are in both English and Arabic. The majority of our families are refugees from Lebanon where the official language is Arabic. In fact, many of our parishioners have relatives residing in Michigan. They are very devout and faith filled christians. I wish more Catholics possessed their zeal.
Maybe you missed this...he wasn’t a “terrorist” in the Islamic sense of the word, but a “terrorist” nonetheless.
If that woman had not been armed, many would have died. The guy had enough ammo to kill dozens. From the article:
“The killer showed up with 2 handguns, a rifle and 1,000 rounds of ammunition. He killed two teenaged girls (16 and 18) in the parking lot and then entered the church where he began shooting. The potential for disaster was incredible”
Any church (large church especially where no one knows those that are normally there, versus those who aren’t, is sticking their head in the sand if they don’t have security. Are you implying that church wasn’t “fighting like a man” (on their knees)... and that resulted in the death of those two teenagers?
http://www.qando.net/details.aspx?entry=7412
I do know that Michigan law prohibits carrying in a church, even if you have a permit. However, I'm told that if you have the permission of the pastor, it's OK. I haven't attempted to verify that by looking up the law. I suggest anyone living in Michigan check the law.
In Ohio, the law prohibits carry in church, unless you have the permission of the pastor. Unfortunately, the bishop of the Cincinnati diocese has forbidden all pastors to give that permission. So in the Cincinnati diocese, carry in church is illegal. I know people who carry anyway, but strictly speaking, they're in violation of the law.
I’m in agreement.
For once I can whole heartedly with a hint of reservation agree with you.
Praise be the Lord.
Please read my enter post...I never said that having security was a bad idea...in fact I made these statements...”It sounds like you have done the wise thing of contacting the FBI and having an informed security team” and “I would continue with the security measures but then go on the offensive...” I was not implying anything...I was trying to state that security measures are a defensive posture. You have security to stop somebody from taking an action against you...you go on the offensive when you are taking an action against somebody else...so go on the offensive and pray for those that might be planning something...
Luke 6:27-28 “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
That is the instructions given by Jesus on how to treat our enemies...maybe if we prayed for our enemies more they would by converted...only God knows for sure.
This does not mean that evil things won't happen if we pray...we do still live in a sin cursed world...hence the need for security.
There is a place for both offense and defense within the church...but the Church does better when it is on the offensive Spiritually.
God bless
Not real sure on how to take this statement...but...
God bless
Tell your hunters in the congregation to bring in their GAME CAMERAS to set up before services.
Tell your hunters in the congregation to bring in their GAME CAMERAS to set up before services.
You can then see what they've TOUCHED and get prints.
There ya go!
But there IS that pesky little thing of following the laws of the land.
I question whose side the Feds are on.......
I agree with your take on this as well; BUT; the way THESE ‘incidences’ occured leaves a fishy smell.
Seriously, even if you just have a couple of trained, and armed, undercover guards, it could be very much worth it.
The Church in Denver Colorado that was shot up a few years ago by a crazy man, was only saved by a small female guard with a gun. See the story here, how her quick action saved many lives.
As the saying goes, "better tried by 12 than carried by 6."
Besides this, if self defense is a God-given, natural right, than a Christian is not obligated to obey a law that contradicts God's higher law.
I hate to burst your bubble but a simple search of google shows that there are many court cases that prove that The police are not legally obligated to protect individuals.
Thanks for the ping. This is very disturbing that we all need to an eye out nowadays.
Tonight 4 middle-eastern men were seen down our childrens' wing at our church. They were walking briskly and talking in Arabic.I'm sure it's nothing...
UPDATE:
I’ve been informed that an appropriate thread for
posting any terror risk, suspicions .. is
TERRORISM and COUNTERTERRORISM: News, INFORMATION & Analysis #2
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2490938/posts?page=1754
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