Posted on 08/01/2007 2:10:05 AM PDT by Clive
What are Christian Korean women doing in Afghanistan anyway?
Haven't there been enough horrendous incidents involving missionaries, Christian activists, peace-at-any-price zealots in both Afghanistan and Iraq to dissuade others from plunging into the morass, ostensibly to do the Lord's work?
In too many cases, it's fallen to NATO or other soldiers, who risk their lives to rescue such people from their reckless courage, and refusal to recognize the dangers of their humanitarian selfishness. Especially women, foreign or not, who are Taliban targets.
Presuming most are still alive, the Korean Christians held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan pose a huge dilemma for the Korean government, the struggling Afghan government of Hamid Karzai, the NATO troops trying to secure peace and reconstruction in that country.
The only ones in the catbird seat are the Taliban of Mullah Mohammed Omar (how come he's still surviving?) and the al-Qaida of Osama bin Laden.
A series of deadlines have passed in the Korean hostage case, with the Taliban demanding captured prisoners be released before they'll free the hostages. Meanwhile, they, the Taliban, are killing the male Koreans one at a time to encourage Kabul's capitulation.
No word at this writing whether the 18 Korean women are still alive.
Of all governments involved, none know better than the South Koreans the folly of cooperating with, or succumbing to, terrorist demands. Since 1953, South Korea has survived, lived and thrived under perpetual threat from North Korea, the world's most merciless and perverted regime.
The Taliban also have German hostages, whom they seem to be killing one by one.
While one has sympathy for anyone in Taliban (or al-Qaida) hands, one also cannot escape the conclusion that it is largely the fault of captives that they are in such a precarious and frightening situation.
In 2005, Canadian James Loney and four members of the Christian Peacemakers Team (CPT) in Iraq were kidnapped and held as hostages by something calling itself the Swords Of Righteousness Brigade. Before being rescued by British SAS troops and Canadian JTF2 specialists, an American member of the CPT, Tom Fox, was murdered.
The gratitude of those rescued manifested itself in Loney refusing to wear a poppy on Remembrance Day, and refusing to testify against his suspect captors later held by the Americans. A similar response came from Norman Kember, a British CPT member who was rescued.
Prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, peace-types made a big hullabaloo about chaining themselves to supposed targets in Baghdad to deter air strikes -- but they cut-and-ran as soon as their demands were ignored and bombs fell.
The martyr complex exists among Christians as well as Muslim suicide bombers. Doubtless the Korean Christians exude sincerity, courage and probably forgiveness. But that's not the point. They shouldn't be there.
The Taliban are not Iroquois whom French Jesuits once felt faith-bound to rescue from paganism -- and suffered torture and death as a consequence. Those were different times, and one would think we, or the church, would have learned a lesson.
Apparently not. Christian groups should be discouraged from dabbling in regions where their religious faith is not appreciated, and where others are required to risk their lives to save them when inevitably they are kidnapped, to be used as political bargaining chips.
On the other hand, the fact that peaceful, decent people like the Korean Christians are captured and killed by such as the Taliban, is more evidence why Canadian and NATO troops are needed in that country -- not for the sake of hostages, but to help bring peace, security and a modicum of freedom to the Afghan people.
Are you insinuating that I spread the Gospel by saying “Convert or I’ll cut your head off?” Are you thinking that I feel women should wear burkas or be whipped? Have I given the impression that thieves should have their right hands cut off?
MAY IT NEVER BE!
I will tell others about the love of God. I will explain how to become a Christian in as much of a winsome way as I can. Whether you accept what I’m saying is up to the Holy Spirit. I will not kill a person if they don’t become a Christian.
No....i will be clearer so you don’t have to guess...i think anyone going over to Afghanistan for the sole purpose of spreading their religion is asking for a big heap of trouble...and in my opinion is a damn fool...just wanted to clear it up....and also i hope not one coalition troop has to waste more than two seconds in their busy day at trying to save these or any other people that get their asses in a crack....much less the government of Afghanistan...they have enough problems.
You don't know what you speak about. This person you are assailing has committed much of her life, and faith, to many around her.
If you are a man you should apologize.
You don’t know what you speak about.
That’s why i asked the question....
On this point, you and I are in agreement. I would express in just slightly different language.
If you re-read your original post, maybe you can understand why one could come to such a conclusion. I believe one’s religion is a private matter and I would never intervene in another’s belief. Jihadists believe in spreading their beliefs worldwide just as you condoned for Christians. Your goals are identical although your means are different.
Just wanted to let you know that Jemian is well thought of for her work, faith, and devotion.
Then yes, I do want everyone to become Christian. One of my mottoes is "Until All Have Heard." I believe that the only way to God is through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Apart from Him, all is illusion and vanity and death.
Believing that, it is logical that I invite others to become Christians, too.
“Apparently not. Christian groups should be discouraged from dabbling in regions where their religious faith is not appreciated, and where others are required to risk their lives to save them when inevitably they are kidnapped, to be used as political bargaining chips.”
In other words, we should keep our mouths shut and stay locked in our churches.
I admire the courage of these folks spreading God’s word to a very dangerous place.
“If you re-read your original post, maybe you can understand why one could come to such a conclusion. I believe one’s religion is a private matter and I would never intervene in another’s belief. Jihadists believe in spreading their beliefs worldwide just as you condoned for Christians. Your goals are identical although your means are different.”
I love it when people compare Christians to murderers. I can just feel the love and acceptance.
Jihadists are not spreading their beliefs. They are forcing others to comply or die. There is a big difference and your lumping Christians into the same mold is extremely offensive and hateful. The Christian bible has many many references to love.
I believe the Quran has only one. The Quran does provide instructions for bestiality, child marriage, and the killing of those who refuse to convert. If you can’t see the difference then I would question your thinking ability.
It is possible that when the “chatter” starts on these dirt bag’s (Taliban) communication channels about where they are holding these hostages that it will lead our troops right to the enemies den?
In this case this “nonsense” will increase the security of our troops by killing more indecent Talibanis.
The answer to that question is obvious. The question is, why are the rest of us not there?
In 2005, Canadian James Loney and four members of the Christian Peacemakers Team (CPT) in Iraq were kidnapped and held as hostages by something calling itself the Swords Of Righteousness Brigade. Before being rescued by British SAS troops and Canadian JTF2 specialists, an American member of the CPT, Tom Fox, was murdered.
This CPT case should not be compared to the Koreans currently held by the Taliban. The CPTs were willing stooges, who allowed themselves to be held in order to bring political pressure on the US and UK to end the war.
The martyr complex exists among Christians as well as Muslim suicide bombers. Doubtless the Korean Christians exude sincerity, courage and probably forgiveness. But that's not the point. They shouldn't be there.
The mistake is that anybody is bargaining for their release. It may be harsh, but being captured and martyred is part of the program, here.
The Taliban are not Iroquois whom French Jesuits once felt faith-bound to rescue from paganism -- and suffered torture and death as a consequence. Those were different times, and one would think we, or the church, would have learned a lesson.
The Taliban need conversion even more urgently than the Iroquois. They are being led down a path to their own destruction and the destruction of the World. The end of this struggle will not come when the Muslims are defeated militarily, but rather when their perverted religion is defeated spiritually. That is their weak point, and they are very keen on protecting it by killing anybody who attacks it.
Apparently not. Christian groups should be discouraged from dabbling in regions where their religious faith is not appreciated, and where others are required to risk their lives to save them when inevitably they are kidnapped, to be used as political bargaining chips.
If Christians are not to "dabble" in the business of converting the Muslims then we should just shutter the churches, declare Western civilization dead, hoist the Green Banner and get it over with. The fact that governments are making it their business to rescue kidnapped missionaries is the problem. It makes kidnapping missionaries a very profitable business, for one thing. Government should just butt out. Many will be martyred, but that is the way these things go.
Non believers constantly remind us of that fact, yet one day every knee will bend and every head will bow.
When did Christianity become a private matter?
As another member of the Class of ‘98 I have to say, it’s so sad to me that you face such hostility and mockery FROM FREEPERS for what you’re saying on this thread.
Once again, non-Christians don’t ask much of us. Just that we not practice our faith. That’s all.
But they don’t want to impose their views on anyone.
I think these points bear repeating:
The mistake is that anybody is bargaining for their release. It may be harsh, but being captured and martyred is part of the program, here. [I'll insert here that I would like to avoid being honored in this way. Just my personal preference and it doesn't change my actions.]...
The fact that governments are making it their business to rescue kidnapped missionaries is the problem. It makes kidnapping missionaries a very profitable business, for one thing. Government should just butt out. Many will be martyred, but that is the way these things go.
So logic is based on one’s religious beliefs?
You’re confusing ends and means.
Not every Christian is called for missionary work in the field. Some of us have to work at home. To use a Biblical analogue, we are the ones holding up Moses’ hands so he can do the work.
The Body of Christ is made of all sorts of people, all of which have different talents, but all of whom are moved by the Holy Spirit to do the work of the Father in the name of the Son.
The Korean church is a very strong and very active church, with an advantage of the Asians not possessing the stigma of being colonial oppressors. I was not surprised to see Koreans in the field, any more than I am to see Africans and evangelical Latin Americans in the field.
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