I was really distressed to read the story in today's Guardian of the massacre of Christians in Baghdad. Until recently Christians in Iraq had been protected by the state.
Sadly this is remeniscant of the story I mentioned in a book review of a massacre of Jews in Baghdad during the second world war.
I don't think we appreciate in the UK the tremendous pressure that both Christians and Jews have faced in the Middle East over the last century. For much of the last milleninia communities of Christians and Jews flourished in most major Arab cities.
During the 20th century many Jews had to flee their homes as some sections of Islam felt their continued presence was unwelcome. Few Jewish communities in the Middle East now survive except those in Israel. A large proportion of Israel's population is made up of Jews who were forced to leave their homes in fear of their lives.
In recent years there have been signs that Christians are now facing the same problem. This is a comparitively new development and one that we must raise in prayer. It is often one that is avoided by those who believe the issues in the Middle East are simply one of European migration.
These anti Christian and anti Jewish pogroms are not typical of Islam, but they are effective.
I just happen to note that the professional Methodist bloggers haven't mentioned Sunday's massacre.
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Actually, they are typical of Islam, but no-one has the courage to say so. 'First the Saturday people, then the Sunday people.'
First God broke His Word to the Jews; then He broke His Word to the Christians. Any price on His breaking His Word - such as it is in the Qu'ran - to the Muslims?
It's called Supercessionism or Replacement Theology.
Hi David,
I missed this in the Guardian but read about it on the Institute for Middle East Democracy website (http://www.instmed.org).
I'm pleased that you blogged about it too and are raising awareness about the plight of Christians in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East within your community. It's horrific and my heart goes out to those affected and who have lost loved ones.
I feel like there's very little I can do other than offer my thoughts and prayers, but if you know of any charitable organisations that are helping the bereaved please let me know.
Thank you.
Matt Pryor
Who are these "professional bloggers"?
I actually think it might be a good idea to for the Methodist Church to fund professional bloggers but I believe that at the moment there aren't any.
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