Posted on 02/13/2007 12:00:51 PM PST by Alex Murphy
Evangelical Christians are increasingly attacked by “traditional Catholics” in a southern Mexican state, according to a persecution watchdog group.
In the indigenous region of Chiapas state, traditional Catholics – a blend of Catholicism and native religious practices – are more frequently being accused of various acts of religious intolerance against protestants, such as “threats, intimidation, and robbery or expulsion from their communities, or death,” reported Alfonso Farrera, director of the National Bar of Christian Lawyers, to Compass Direct News.
In total, the bar says it has records of 200 cases of unresolved religious intolerance against evangelical Christians in Chiapas state, while incidents of persecution are “accelerating daily in the indigenous regions.”
Many of the conflicts arise from community leaders demanding evangelicals pay quotas for Catholic festivals, according to Compass. Some Evangelicals have said that though they are willing to cooperate in community projects, they refuse to fund religious festivals involving drunkenness and immoral behavior.
Common complaints by Evangelicals include local leaders cutting off the water supply or being denied benefits from government programs because of their faith.
Evangelical families are also often threatened with expulsion from their properties because they do not share in the faith and lifestyle of the town.
The Roman Catholic bishop of San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Felipe Arizmendi, has denied ties with the “traditional Catholics.”
Arizmendi declared that the “so-called traditional Catholics, who do not depend on our diocese, do not take into account the Bible nor the laws of this country, but are governed by their own agreements and traditions,” according to Mexico City’s La Jornada newspaper on Feb. 8.
Protestant Christians in other states besides Chiapas have also reported persecution by indigenous groups and by traditional Catholics. Christians living in indigenous regions in the central state of Hidalgo are among those who have reported harassment because of their faith.
According to the World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission, persecution of protestant Christian is likely the result of Mexico’s association of Protestantism religion with America. Traditional Mexicans view Protestant Christianity as a threat to their culture, tradition, and Catholic faith, especially given the number of Mexicans in recent decades that have changed to evangelical Christianity after reading the Bible.
Mexico is composed of 89 percent Roman Catholic and only six percent Protestant.
Did you read post 8?
I am sure Salvation will return and clarify his/her remarks. So please stop painting us all with such a huge brush.
Quite frankly you are the first RC I have seen make such a stand.
Kudos
I will be happy to change my statement to The vast majority...
Campion made such a stand, in a more subtle fashion. I think that perhaps Salvation got carried away. Emotions tend to run very high on this board at times, and we're all guilty of hitting POST prior to a quick reflection.
But it's always turn it back on the Proddies, isn't it.
Not to worry, BBF. Catholicism is an ethnic birthright religion (thus "Mexico belongs to us") and keeps going through sexual reproduction. They not only don't proselytize, the don't understand why Protestants do it.
Note again that the historical status of Catholicism as a minority in a majority Protestant country confers on it the same liberal double standard possessed by more liberal minorities.
Since I didn't say that at all, I cannot defend any such position.
Well, this is actually a fun thread.... and I can say that, when we all gather to try and get at the truth of the things that REALLY matter, I feel a love and camaraderie with you guys....... as much as a hopelessly lost protestant CAN at least
;)
You forgot "satanic" See click here
"So a catholic majority is entitled to persecute a protestant, or any other, minority?"
I am surprised that you are sounding so much like a liberal who is mad that the majority is picking on them. Please do you stick up with every minority in America?????
Your quote:
"Mexico is a Catholic country.
That explains the corruption throughout the country."
My quote:
You are disgusting saying that statement!!!! We are a heck of a lot better than any other religion in the World!!!!! Catholics have always ruled and most are just jealous!!!
LOL!!! Now, which way is it to the men's room???
Really. And here I was thinking that was a medieval concept...not to mention a medieval peculiarity.
Finally, tell that to Nebuchadnezzar.
On 18th October 1997, eleven Presbyterian families from the village of Ejido Saltillo, municipality of Las Margaritas, were threatened with expulsion by the caciques from the same village. The families were warned that they would be stripped of all their possessions and thrown out of their homes. Their crime was membership of the Presbyterian Church. Subsequently on 28th October, the caciques summoned the fathers of these families to the Catholic church and told them that in light of the fact that the community of Saltillo is predominantly Catholic, they would have to make a decision: renounce the gospel or sign a document stating that they would "voluntarily" leave their community and belongings. Whilst the families refused to sign the documents, they did leave the village in fear of violent reprisals by caciques.
The Inquistion has never ended, just moved around a little.
And look at the results. Italy is controlled by mobsters. The northeastern states in the US are controlled by Catholic liberals bent on destroying America. And Mexico is as corrupt as can be imagined. Yup, y'all rule, and it shows.
It beats the Evangelicals who profess that homosexuality is bad and then find out that they are gay and ruin the election. Yes that is just great.
Pride goeth before a fall. Catholics love their separated brothers and sisters, and should always try to remain charitable. While the concept of corruption = Catholicism is certainly both untrue and unfair, there's no need to compare those of us concerned about this to liberals who are upset.
These "Trad Catholics" are NOT real Catholics.
Do you really want to go there?
If you do I can easily say something like:
Evangelical pastors guilty of homosexuality are removed from the pulpit.
Homosexual pedophile RC Priests get a new venue.
The priests did not cause an election result. So yes we can go there. I am not afraid. If you would read the Bible it does say that the Catholic Religion is the one true religion. Can't dispute that sorry...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.