Plans Under Way for Christianizing the Enemy

NewHouse News Service ^ | 3/26/03 | Mark O'Keefe

[HumanaeVitae]

Christians havbe spent the last 2,000 years killing anyone who disagrees with them in the smallest matters of dogma.

Pagans have spent the last 10,000 years killing, torturing, raping and eating millions of people, and finally in the 20th Century were able to harness technology to murder hundreds of millions, billions if you count abortion.

I love it when atheists and pagans believe that their belief system is some kind of "new invention". Check out the metaphysics and ethics of Epicurus. Atheism is as old as the hills, and has a much, much bigger body count.

[Yo-Yo]

First of all, the title of this article is offensive to me. Iraq was NOT the enemy. Saddam's regime was the enemy. The people of Iraq are not and never were our enemy.

One of the most precious freedoms we have is freedom of religion. I am all for the SBC or any other Christian group going to Iraq to help with humanitarian aid and by their example to introduce a vision of Christendom that does not include "Invading Crusaders" to the people of Iraq.

Likewise, the people of Iraq should have the freedom to choose Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, or atheism.

Secular government and the freedom to choose religion is what Iraq, and the rest of the Middle East need to embrace.

[Capt. Tom]

Jesus said "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..." Matthew 28:19

Allah has a different opinion. - Tom

[Jorge]

Spreading The Word, The Truth of Jesus Christ is *never* darkness, nor wrong.

Actually in the Bible there are were places and situations under which Jesus did not bother trying to preach the Gospel, and instructed his disciples not to as well.
(example; Jesus telling his disciples to shake the dust off their sandels and NOT preach in some towns)

We can debate whether or not this is one such situation...but the Bible does not teach that preaching the Gospel is ALWAYS right or inspired regardless of the circumstances.

[Pete]

; Jesus telling his disciples to shake the dust off their sandels and NOT preach in some towns

That was in towns where the message of the Gospel was rejected by the people after it was preached, not before.

[Servant of the Nine]

I love it when atheists and pagans believe that their belief system is some kind of "new invention". Check out the metaphysics and ethics of Epicurus. Atheism is as old as the hills, and has a much, much bigger body count.

Paganism and Athiesm are completely seperate things.

Jews and Christians invented the idea of Religious wars and taught it to Islam. Pagans and what few athiests there are have killed lots of people, but Jews, Christians and Muslims have invented a new crime, religious war.

So9

[Captain Kirk]

No...and I mean No Iraqi government will ever allow freedom to evangelize Muslims for Christianity. BTW, not even Israel allows that (though most folks here don't seem to care).

[Jorge]

You are misinformed. This simply is not how missionaries do their job.

But this is the expressed intention (converting people to Christianity), and this is definitely how it will be seen...especially by the Islamic groups already hostile to the US presense.

[Guyin4Os]

I know lots of Southern Baptist missionaries. The media stereotype that they are clumsy, obtrusive and obnoxious is nowhere supported in fact. The ones I know are humble, hard working, caring, and kind. I know two SBC missionary couples who have served in islamic countries for years and are much loved by the people there. The obnoxious people are those who threaten death to any of their family that converts to Christianity.

[BunnySlippers]

Unbelievably stupid.

[GirlShortstop]

but the Bible does not teach that preaching the Gospel is ALWAYS right or inspired regardless of the circumstances.

You've made your point; I respectfully, wholeheartedly disagree.

I infer that it's been determined that The Way, The Truth, The Light shall not be revealed to the Iraqis based upon what Jesus told the apostles *after* He was turned away.
I do not view that to be the same situation in Iraq.
Which perspective, if wrong, is more damaging?
FReegards.

[GirlShortstop]

No...and I mean No Iraqi government will ever allow freedom to evangelize Muslims for Christianity.

Since the Iraqi government is GONE, to what would you be referring?

[Seti 1]

Nowhere in the Christian Bible can you find scripture stating that Christians must slaughter non-believers.

Gee, I could be wrong about this but I thought the Crusaders were Christian.

If you wish to read the opinions of modern Christians who sound like they would like nothing better than to kill Muslims just read on in FR.

What the Middle East does not need is an infusion of more religious fanatics--that's what is wrong there now.

[BibChr]

Franklin's group ought to be banned. The SBCs can go in if they refrain from making stupid public statements about "evil and wicked religion," "moon god," and "paedophile

Imagine that.

A Mormon not wanting Christians to have the opportunity to tell the truth about a false religion.

Who'd have thought it?

Dan

[Jorge]

That was in towns where the message of the Gospel was rejected by the people after it was preached, not before.

More specifically it was where they were not received and the people would not listen to them.
There are few places which are more hostile or unwelcoming to Christian evangelists than Islamic communities.

So once again.... my point is that the Bible DOES NOT teach that it is ALWAYS right to preach the Gospel, everywhere at all times.

[Incorrigible]

Gee, I could be wrong about this but I thought the Crusaders were Christian.

You need to read this:

Say good knight to Crusade clichés [Paul Mulshine]

[bereanway]

Uhhhhh, where are all those Christian and Jewish religious wars?

By definition, those who fall outside of a Judeo-Christian understanding are pagans. Certainly those killed in conflicts advanced in the name of a non Judeo-Christian ideology exponentially exceed those killed in so called Christian wars.

[Zack Nguyen]

"Evangelicals need to be sensitive to the circumstances of this country and its people," said Cizik, based in Washington, D.C. "If we are perceived as opportunists we only hurt our cause.

Give me a break. Christians need not be "sensitive" to the fact that the religion of Islam is sending untold numbers to hell. It is vital that this be done. Aside from the most important spiritual aspect, a more Christian Iraq will make for a more democratic Iraq.

[HumanaeVitae]

Paganism and Athiesm are completely seperate things.

I beg to differ. Both assume that man is the author of his own ethical code. Paganism just places a "Golden Calf" in front of man-centered ideas. It's still self-worship. Atheism is at least honest about it's inherent relativism.

[Pete]

But this is the expressed intention (converting people to Christianity), and this is definitely how it will be seen...especially by the Islamic groups already hostile to the US presense.

Actually, to be theologically accurate, the expressed intention of missionary work is serving those in need and sharing the Gospel. Sharing the Gospel is not the same as conversion. Some may think it is a fine point but in actuality, they are distinct events. Sharing the Gospel includes verbally relating that man is fallen and needs redemption before God and that such redemption has been made available by God through the Jesus Christ. This "sharing the Gospel" can be accomplished by man (and indeed God commands it of Christians). Conversion, on the other hand, can only be accomplished by God.

Therefore, to say that missionaries main intention is to convert non-Christians to Christianity is to 1) imply some kind of coersion and 2) attribute to them a task that is beyond their desire and ability. It also ignores the critical aspect of selfless service.