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Time magazine targets Christian missionaries
WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Wednesday, April 23, 2003

Posted on 04/23/2003 12:36:18 AM PDT by JohnHuang2

Time magazine is working on a major cover piece to tell a story many evangelical missionaries don't want told – of their covert efforts to preach the gospel to the Muslim world.

The mission groups say the primary reason for keeping their work low key is to avoid the risk of imprisonment, torture or death for Christian workers in the Middle East, according to a report by World magazine.

Nevertheless, Time editors have sent a four-page e-mail to their reporters worldwide explaining their wishes: "We are planning a major piece on the flood of Christian missionaries, most of them evangelical, to Muslim countries. We will touch on all kinds of missionary work ... but we will eventually narrow our focus to a more radical crew of proselytizers: those who proclaim the Gospel of Christ, even if that means risking deportation, imprisonment or death."

The memo notes that "at least four missionaries have been killed in the last two years in Lebanon, Yemen and the Philippines."

The Time editors want to zero in on a tactic this "new breed" of missionary employs to avoid detection by authorities, called "tentmaking" or "tunneling."

"Essentially, this means doing some kind of other work as a cover or pretext, when [the] real goal is preaching," the editors said.

Among the questions they want asked is: "How exactly do they get away with preaching in such a hostile climate? (We are fascinated by this secret-agent aspect and would like to hear about it in great detail.)"

World commented, however, "it is precisely this level of detail – what the Pentagon calls 'operational security' – that most Christian leaders don't want publicly discussed."

Mission groups have warned staff not to talk to reporters, World said. Heather Mercer, a Christian aid worker imprisoned by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001, and Gary Witherall, a missionary in Lebanon whose wife Bonnie was killed last year by Islamic militants, have refused to talk.

Jim Kelly, Time's managing editor, told World he is "sensitive to the consequences that any story has" and his magazine is "a responsible publication that weighs carefully anything that goes into the pages of the magazine."

Evangelical mission efforts to Muslims recently have drawn attention as groups prepare to assist Iraqis in the aftermath of the war. U.S. Muslim activists have reacted in particular to post-war plans by Franklin Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham.

The primary objective of Graham's Samaritan's Purse organization will be to assist Iraqi refugee and others who are sick, displaced and hungry, he said. But while "we can't just out and preach," he added in an interview with Beliefnet.com, "I believe as we work, God will always give us opportunities to tell others about his Son. … We are there to reach out to love them and to save them, and as a Christian, I do this in the name of Jesus Christ."

Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, warned that evangelical groups use humanitarian concerns as a cover for their true motive – to convert Muslims to Christianity.

"They go after them when they're most vulnerable and hope they can get them to leave their faith," he told Beliefnet. "It's a very despicable practice."

Last week, more controversy swirled around Graham – who has called Islam a "very evil and wicked religion" – when he preached at a Good Friday service at the Pentagon.


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cair; evangelism; greatcommission; killed; lebanon; missionaries; philippines; yemen
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Wednesday, April 23, 2003

Quote of the Day by aristeides

1 posted on 04/23/2003 12:36:19 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
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To: JohnHuang2
In Time magazines eyes, I guess receiving eternal life through Jesus Christ, is worse than remaining a zombie to a cult religion, that offers nothing but slavery and oppression to its followers.
2 posted on 04/23/2003 12:46:11 AM PDT by Russell Scott (When you ignore God's instruction, you end up in the Devil's destruction.)
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To: Russell Scott
The mission groups say the primary reason for keeping their work low key is to avoid the risk of imprisonment, torture or death for Christian workers in the Middle East, according to a report by World magazine.

What the Christian workers need to do is join CNN, then they would be protected from imprisonment and torture, because CNN and Time wouldn't write about this any more.

3 posted on 04/23/2003 2:01:02 AM PDT by SubMareener
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To: Russell Scott
The mission groups say the primary reason for keeping their work low key is to avoid the risk of imprisonment, torture or death for Christian workers in the Middle East, according to a report by World magazine.

What the Christian workers need to do is join CNN, then they would be protected from imprisonment and torture, because CNN and Time wouldn't write about this any more.

4 posted on 04/23/2003 2:02:04 AM PDT by SubMareener
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To: JohnHuang2
All gets back to what do they have to fear by allowing missionaries into their countries. Their religion should be able to stand against any falsehood. They do not allow it because Islam cannot stand the test of truth.
5 posted on 04/23/2003 2:57:58 AM PDT by KeyWest
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To: JohnHuang2
The people of the West and the rest of the non-Islamic world seem to consider it perfectly reasonable that proselytizing, apostacy, and even teaching non-Islamic religions in Muslim theocracies is punishable by imprisonment, torture, and death. They seem to hold such barbaric practices in awe or respect, even reverence, certainly giving deference to their "customs".

Such barbaric practices have long been outlawed in the enlightened West.

Why do Westerners respect such practices in Islamic theocracies but not in other countries?

Why the double standard?

6 posted on 04/23/2003 3:13:16 AM PDT by Savage Beast (Peace is the prerogative of the powerful--not the weak.)
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To: JohnHuang2
The memo notes that "at least four missionaries have been killed in the last two years in Lebanon, Yemen and the Philippines."

The plain meaning of this sentence means that a minimum of four missionaries have been killed in each of the last two years in each of three countries, Lebanon, Yemen, and the Philippines. That would meant that there are a minimum of 24 dead missionaries. TIME writes like this all the time, and then falls back on the notion that they obviously don't mean that. They are not being deceptive, they just have sloppy grammar. As if that is a defense for a journalist.

Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, warned that evangelical groups use humanitarian concerns as a cover for their true motive – to convert Muslims to Christianity.

How does Mr. Ibrahim Hooper feel about conversion of Christians to Islam? Does the Council on American-Islamic Relation support this activity? Do they promote the building of Mosques and the spreading of the word of Islam in the US?

7 posted on 04/23/2003 3:27:46 AM PDT by gridlock (On to Damascus!)
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To: JohnHuang2
Time memo: We will touch on all kinds of missionary work ... but we will eventually narrow our focus to a more radical crew of proselytizers: those who proclaim the Gospel of Christ, even if that means risking deportation, imprisonment or death."

So Time is willing to add a great burden on the shoulders of these Christian missionaries, NOT "proselytizers." [their word choice is devilish] This is a very sad story and if successful, would leave Time culpable for any loss of life.

Then World magazine could do a story, an expose, on how recklessly Time has behaved and how responsible they are for hatred they've encouraged. Time is now seeking to hinder the work of these humble, daring Christian missionaries and very likely endanger their lives.

Our prayers go with these dedicated Christians. May God protect them! Thank God for people who willingly sacrifice their safety for the sake of our Lord.

8 posted on 04/23/2003 3:37:22 AM PDT by ThirstyMan
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To: gridlock
How does Mr. Ibrahim Hooper feel about conversion of Christians to Islam?

Better yet, how does he feel about Islam's conversion of muslims to terrorists? I'd rather see Time do an article about what goes on in the mosques built in the US by Arab money and run by Islamic extremists.

It may be time for me to cancel Time. I'm getting pretty frustrated with both Time and Newsweek and the anti-war anti-bush slant.

9 posted on 04/23/2003 4:36:52 AM PDT by hotpotato
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To: JohnHuang2
"They go after them when they're most vulnerable and hope they can get them to leave their faith," he told Beliefnet. "It's a very despicable practice."

How can they possibly do such dastardly things? Can you imagine! They give them food, clothing, medicine, and assistance and, if asked, will talk about their faith in Jesus. How underhanded can you get?

It's much more sinister than the islamic conversion methods used centuries ago when these nations were christian and were "converted" to islam. That method is still used as an islamic conversion technique: convert or die.

10 posted on 04/23/2003 5:02:38 AM PDT by RockBassCreek
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To: JohnHuang2
imprisonment, torture or death for Christian workers ..

Precisely what Lefties and Time mag want to happen. I truly believe their hatred runs that deeply.

11 posted on 04/23/2003 5:07:05 AM PDT by Skooz (Tagline removed by moderator)
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To: Russell Scott
a zombie to a cult religion.....

Pot, Kettle,black....

12 posted on 04/23/2003 5:08:25 AM PDT by bert (Don't Panic !)
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To: Skooz
Henry Luce, son of a missionary to China and founder of the Time-Life empire must be spinning in his grave.
13 posted on 04/23/2003 5:32:48 AM PDT by gaspar
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To: JohnHuang2
"We should invade their countries, kill their leaders, and convert them to Christianity." -- Ann Coulter, Sept 12, 2001.

Step One: complete.
Step Two: well under way.
Step Three: in progress. Go, guys, go!

What do the Muslims fear so about Chrstianity? That it doesn't spread by force or fear? That it doesn't engender a paramilitary movement that kills the innocent in huge numbers? That it sets a bad example for Muslims, who want to be left alone to execute adulterers and homosexuals, oppress their wives and children, and massacre or enslave the occasional Israeli or Sudanese Christian?

Must be the third.

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit The Palace Of Reason:
http://palaceofreason.com

14 posted on 04/23/2003 6:37:51 AM PDT by fporretto (Curmudgeon Emeritus, Palace of Reason)
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To: Savage Beast
"Why do Westerners respect such practices in Islamic theocracies...?"

Racism, frankly. It's racist to expect less of some people merely because of their origins.

Of course, the new racists(same as the old racists), justify their demeaning view by engaging in frenzies of breastbeating and flesh-gnawing self-hatred.

They may only be smarmy liberals, but each one comes with a cartload of hypocrisy and a box of flexible principles, for cleaning up their own messes.

;^)
15 posted on 04/23/2003 6:42:05 AM PDT by headsonpikes
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To: fporretto
Bravo! Superb post.
16 posted on 04/23/2003 6:46:07 AM PDT by Skooz (Tagline removed by moderator)
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To: KeyWest
All gets back to what do they have to fear by allowing missionaries into their countries. Their religion should be able to stand against any falsehood. They do not allow it because Islam cannot stand the test of truth.

How right you are! Islam is an extraordinarily brittle religion. It demands absolute control over the thoughts and actions of its people, and punishes apostasy with death.

17 posted on 04/23/2003 7:10:49 AM PDT by yankeedame ("Born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad.")
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To: Savage Beast
Why do Westerners respect such practices in Islamic theocracies but not in other countries?

Why the double standard?

========================

The same reason the actions - of lack thereof - of "minorities" in this country are tolerated and/or explained away.

18 posted on 04/23/2003 7:13:11 AM PDT by yankeedame ("Born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad.")
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To: JohnHuang2
TIME would better serve it's readers (if there are still any left) by exposing the murderous intolerance and ubiquitous persecutions by Islam. Instead, TIME chooses to sniffily condemn the magnaninous efforts of Christian groups quietly spreading the Gospel through good works in backward places where Islam enslaves and brutalizes it's own people.

The obvious problem Islam has with the Gospel is they see it as an extreme threat to their brain-washed and ignorant adherents. Why? Because when these poor wretches hear the truth, some respond and leave the chains of Islam! Can't have that in a totally closed and micromanaged society, can we?

This is a spiritual and human rights abuse story at it's worst! Islam calculates it is preferable to slay and persecute missionaries and converts rather than allow them any access to Muslims. Not only that, but they hypocritically insist on an unfettered religious tolerance for Islam in countries where Islam is not the major religion but brutally prohibit it in countries where it is. That's 7th century thinking at it's worst!

It's also the same tactic the defunct, athiestic Soviet Union unsuccessfully used. The USSR went into the historical ash heap in less than a century - although they also took millions of suffering, persecuted victims down with them.

Islam has been successfully hard at work at the same ghastly task for fourteen centuries. Unlike the Soviet Union, their appalling, bloody head-count cannot even be estimated!

And they are still hard at work doing it!

Now, that's the real story for TIME, if they are interested in a genuine story and not a PC puff-piece!

19 posted on 04/23/2003 7:24:28 AM PDT by Gritty
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To: JohnHuang2
And Democrats are demonizing Christians with their attack on Santorum.

20 posted on 04/23/2003 7:37:19 AM PDT by mabelkitty
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