More Atrocities in Syria...

Targeting the most vulnerable.

Syria: Christian Girl Falls Victim to Horrendous Crimes Rape and atrocities on a young Christian in Qusair ICC/Persecution.org ICC Note: Troubling news continues to pour out of Syria as the war-torn country becomes a hotbed for religious extremism. Witnesses report civilians suffer immensely at the hands of rebel-imposed Shari’ah law.  One, a young Christian girl from rebel-controlled Qusair, was systematically married, raped and divorced 15 times, over the course of 15 consecutive days, by zealous rebel fighters.  Their actions a violent and detestable response to remarks made in April by a radical Sunni Cleric, the girl’s attackers exemplify many of the impressionable rebel fights who have taken to perpetrating a campaign of gross human rights violations against Christians and other religious minorities throughout Syria. Regrettably, signs of destabilization have sprouted across the Middle East as sectarian violence in Syria continues to exacerbate an already deteriorating human rights situation.  07/02/2013 Syria (Fides) — Mariam was a 15-year-old Christian from Qusair, a city of the governorate in Homs, 35 km south of the capital. The city, which had become a stronghold of the Syrian rebels, was reconquered by the troops of the regular army at the beginning of June. Mariam’s story—sent to Fides thanks to the report of two Catholic priests—is a sign of the brutality of the conflict and the extreme vulnerability of religious minorities. Mariam's family was in town when militants linked to the jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra conquered and occupied it. While her family was able to escape, Mariam was taken and forced into an Islamic marriage. Fides sources point out that, through social networks, the fatwa was widespread in Syria produced by Yasir al-Ajlawni—A Salafi sheikh of Jordanian origin, resident in Damascus—who declared lawful, for opponents of the regime of Bashar al-Assad, rape committed against "any non-Sunni Syrian woman." According to the fatwa, to capture and rape Alawi or Christian women is not contrary to the precepts of Islam. The commander of the battalion Jabhat al-Nusra in Qusair took Mariam, married and raped her. Then he repudiated her. The next day the young woman was forced to marry another Islamic militant. He also raped her and then repudiated her. The same trend was repeated for 15 days, and Mariam was raped by 15 different men. This psychologically destabilized her and made her insane. Mariam, became mentally unstable and was eventually killed. "These atrocities are not told by any International Commission" say to Fides two Greek-Catholic priests, Fr. Issam and Fr. Elias who have just returned to town. The two are collecting the cry's and complaints of many families. "Who will do something to protect civilians, the most vulnerable?" they ask. As reported to Fides, the two have just celebrated a Mass to consecrate again the Catholic church of St. Elias in Qusair. The church was ransacked and desecrated by the guerrillas, and had become a logistic and residential base for rebel groups.

Independence Day and Freedom

Freedom is much more than individual rights, liberty and the pursuit of one's desires...

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

July 4, 2013

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we commemorate Independence Day and its significance for this nation, for our American heritage, and for the quality of our lives, we must also affirm and share the truth our Orthodox faith offers concerning freedom.  In our contemporary world, many people understand freedom in a very individualistic way.   For example, some emphasize freedom as an individual right in terms of speech, movement, belief, or behavior.  Others speak of freedom from the arbitrary use of the power of government.  Many affirm the liberty to have or to pursue a wide range of economic and social opportunities.

Certainly, these are aspects of the classical understanding of liberty in a free society in which government is of and for the people and their freedom is protected through various limitations on political authority.  However, as Orthodox Christians, we understand that freedom is much more than this.  We know that the blessing of a free society is that we are free to live and experience freedom in the fullest possible way.  This is freedom that is not limited to our individual rights and opportunities, but freedom to move beyond ourselves to what we can do for and offer to others.

Yes, we are free to say, do, move, and believe; but in the context of our faith and our communion with God, we are free to share a Gospel of love and hope.  We are free to give and serve so that others might find healing and peace.  We are free to respond to the needs of those around us.  We are free to act on our beliefs and offer a witness of the power and grace of God.

On this Independence Day, may we join with our fellow citizens of the United States of America in a celebration of our freedom.  May we continue to be champions of freedom for all people throughout the world.  May we also offer a witness of how true and enduring freedom is much more than the rights, equality and opportunities that we have individually.  Let us show that the experience of freedom is much greater when we use it as an opportunity to bring life and hope to others and honor and glory to God.

With paternal love in Him,

†DEMETRIOS

Archbishop of America

GOARCH

Is Erdogan Next?

Significant analysis from Joe Parkinson at the Wall Street Journal:

Turkey’s Leadership Watches Uneasily as Egypt’s Brotherhood Stumbles

As Egypt’s Islamist government totters amid mounting pressure from opposition protesters and the military, its allies in Ankara are watching with growing unease.

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who weathered a month of nationwide protests against his own government in June, has invested heavily to forge a strong alliance with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, born from shared strategic interests and shared roots in political Islam. The collapse of the Islamist government in Cairo would mark the removal a key ally for Ankara and could further undermine Turkey’s bid to become a regional model for emerging Arab democracies.

On Wednesday, as the clock ticked on a military-imposed deadline for President Morsi to restore order, Turkish officials lined up to offer support to the embattled leader. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Ankara would stand by the Egyptian government and called on all parties to respect the law and the constitution. Europe Minister Egemen Bagis said that he hoped “no undesirable developments would take place,” in a thinly veiled reference to a military coup.

Analysts said that the prospect of the fall of Egypt’s democratically-elected Islamist government, could represent a serious blow to Turkey’s aspirations of regional leadership.

“The developments in Egypt are unfortunate, but along with the situation in Syria, it appears to mark the end of whatever dreams the Turkish government previously had of playing a leading role to a series of friendly Islamist governments in the region,” said Soli Ozel, professor of International Relations at Istanbul’s Kadir Hass University.

Turkey’s unease at the prospect of the collapse of the Egyptian government stems from practical investment as well as ideological kinship.

Read the full article here...

Revenge: Coptic Church Set Aflame for Morsi

by Raymond Ibrahim

True to their vows, pro-Morsi Muslims are attacking Egypt’s Christians for participating in the anti-Morsi protests.  The St. George Coptic Christian Church in a village in al-Minya, Egypt, has just been set on fire by “pro-Morsi” forces.  Copts are reported to be in a state of “fear and panic.”

Days earlier, a letter was circulated in al-Minya, which has a very large Coptic population, calling on Copts not to join the protests, otherwise their “businesses, cars, homes, schools, and churches” might “catch fire.”

Thus this church attack is part of the price Egypt’s Christians had to pay to protest Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood.  Time will only tell what other attacks Egypt’s harried Copts will pay down the line for participating in the ousting of an Islamist president.

Anti-Obama Photos from Egypt Protests (Unseen in MSM)

From The Blaze:

15 ANTI-OBAMA PHOTOS FROM TAHRIR SQUARE PROTESTS THAT YOU PROBABLY HAVEN’T SEEN

Jul. 3, 2013 4:33pm

Claiming that the mainstream media has completely ignored the swelling anti-Obama sentiment within the unrest in Egypt, blogger Doug Ross has compiled 15 photos that show protesters strongly condemning President Barack Obama and his administration.

“Consider the dichotomy: Obama 2011: "Mubarak Must Go."  Obama Today: 'It’s not our job to choose who Egypt’s leaders are',” he writes.

Watching Egypt... closely.

A military helicopter files over the presidential palace as opponents

of Egypt’s Islamist President Mohammed Morsi celebrate.

Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, July 3, 2013. (AP)

I've been reluctant to post on the protests in Egypt, partly because the situation is so much in flux that it isn't realistic to try to keep up with it, and partly because I am certain that my readers are the sort of folks who will be going beyond the mainstream media anyway.

Just a few of the questions which come to mind as we continue to watch events in Egypt:

- Will Morsi's ouster mean the end of Islamist influence in Egypt? And related, will the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist groups be outlawed by the military as they were under Mubarak?

- Will this mean an easing of persecution of the Copts, or will they be attacked in revenge for Morsi's ouster?

- This is an epic failure of Obama's foreign policy, as he strongly supported the Muslim Brotherhood right from his first months in office. The anti-Morsi protesters linked Obama to the Muslim Brotherhood and terrorism, and one might see Obama implicated in the statement issued by the Egyptian military:

The post on the official Facebook page of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), headed by armed forces chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, said: "We swear to God that we will sacrifice even our blood for Egypt and its people, to defend them against any terrorist, radical or fool."

As the following linked articles indicate, the situation is very volatile, as Hamas had begun to step in to defend the MB and Morsi, killing Egyptian protesters from the MB headquarters, and Christians were openly threatened to not join in the protests, and could be targeted by MB/Morsi supporters in scapegoat retribution attacks with his forced ouster by the military:

The Religious Equivalency Fallacy, Pt. I: On Zeal and Struggle

(Via RaymondIbrahim.com.)

Or: Why there are no ‘Podvig’ terror attacks.

by Ralph Sidway

On the Islam and Christianity blog, the author, Abu Daoud (a Christian evangelist living in the Middle East), offers critical remarks regarding an interview given by an Orthodox Christian priest/professor/author, who was presenting guidance for Christians in their interactions with Muslims. Some of it was useful, some of it was familiar, but the standout moment concerned this priest’s assertion that:

“Muslim fundamentalists and Christian fundamentalists defile their religion in the same way.” 

To which Abu Daoud replies:

“OK, here's a load of crap... They certainly both defile their religion, but one group becomes intolerant and arrogant, the other intolerant and violent.”

At first glance, this seems an adequate refutation of the “religious equivalency” fallacy, and we could stop right there. But since the tendency to see all religions as essentially equivalent is so prevalent, I think it will be very helpful to unpack this comparison a bit, and “drill down” into some component issues.

The Gospel According to Bono...

If we apply Bono's analysis about Jesus — "Either He was who He said He was or a complete and utter nut case" — to Muhammad, and compare Islam to Christianity, then it's clear Muhammad was "a complete and utter nut case" (or demon possessed/oppressed, as I discuss in my book).

Anyway, this article is a great read, especially for someone who was an early follower of U2, and is familiar with the story of their early days, when Bono, the Edge and Larry Mullen were rather more overt in their Christian practice. They belonged to an apparently vibrant group of believers, and had to make a difficult choice to pursue their music career "outside the fold" of that fellowship.

Thus it is very significant to see Bono make an unequivocal confession of faith at the peak of his worldly success. As you'll see, he doesn't mince words, and has a hard-hitting, no-nonsense view of the Gospel, which in its own way is very 'orthodox'.

U2'S BONO: YES, JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD

'Either He was who He said He was or a complete and utter nut case'

by Joe Kovacs - WND

Bono, the lead singer of the Irish rock band U2, is declaring that Jesus Christ of Nazareth is indeed the Son of God.

In a brand-new interview with Focus on the Family set to air Tuesday, the rock star and activist sounded like “Mere Christianity” author C.S. Lewis who contended Jesus was a lunatic, liar or Lord, and concluding the obvious choice was Lord.

“When people say ‘Good teacher,’ ‘Prophet,’ ‘Really nice guy,’ … this is not how Jesus thought of himself,” Bono said. “So, you’re left with a challenge in that, which is either Jesus was who He said He was or a complete and utter nut case.”

“And I believe that Jesus was, you know, the Son of God,” Bono said, according to a transcript provided to Religion News Service. “I understand that for some people and we need to … if I could be so bold, need to be really, really respectful to people who find that ridiculous.”

Bono, whose real name is Paul Hewson, also discussed one of the most famous biblical characters, King David, who authored many of the Bible’s psalms, which are actually songs in the original Hebrew.

“First of all, David’s a musician so I’m gonna like him,” Bono said.

Albanian extremists attack children’s buses in Kosovo

The Albanian "extremists" in this story are almost certainly Muslims, and very likely consider this attack a legitimate act of jihad according to the Koran and teachings of Islam.

Albanian extremists’ attack on children’s’ buses in Kosovo

Pravmir

Statement of the Communication Service of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations.

According to PTC news agency, on June 28, 2013, a group of Albanian extremists committed an organized attack on a column of school buses taking Serbian children home from the celebrations on the occasion of the national holiday ‘Vidovdan’, the Day of the Kosovo Battle against the Ottoman Empire.

 The helpless children were hit by a flow of stones. Three young pilgrims were seriously injured. The Kosovo police failed to apprehend the attackers.

We regret to state that similar incidents happen in Kosovo and Metohija almost annually. Thus, in 2012, over 50 young people, who came from Serbia for Vidovdan, were injured during an attack in which petrol bombs were used and some of them were hospitalized with gunshot wounds.

The extremists seek to mark Vidovdan with violence against Orthodox Serbs to intimidate and make them reject their own history linked with the Kosovo region. The attack against Serbian schoolchildren should be resolutely condemned by the international community.

This incident is evidence raising again the doubt that the Kosovo authorities are capable of overcoming ethnic tension and give real guarantees of safety to the Orthodox Serbian population of the region.

Paul, the Christian Equivalent to Muhammad

This is a very insightful article, covering theological, historical and ecclesiological ground. The perspective on Paul as the Christian equivalent to Muhammad is compelling and a useful pedagogical tool. I argue in my book, Facing Islam, What the Ancient Church has to say about the Religion of Muhammad, that the Koran is analogous to Christ (the Koran is supposedly the literal "words" of God in book form, whereas Christ is the Word of God incarnate), and that Muhammad is analogous to the Virgin Mary (Muhammad supposedly brings the words of God to the world, the Virgin gives birth to the pre-eternal Word of God bringing Him into the world). Here, the author is discussing the question of prophethood.

Be sure also to read the Notes towards the end, in which the author discusses the position of Byzantium and the Orthodox Church towards warfare.

Paul, the Christian Equivalent to Muhammad

By Theodore Riginiotis, Orthodox theologian.

MYSTAGOGY - June 29, 2013

In the history of religions, Christ is not the Christian counterpart of Muhammad; He is the Christian counterpart of Allah. According to Islam, Allah “sends his apostle” Muhammad to the people, while Christ sends His own Apostles to the nations. Christ gives commandments; He teaches the people and is their God and Savior.

Where Christ differs from the Muslims’ Allah is that Christ is the Only-begotten Son of God: He is God, Who exists within a loving Trinity of Godhood – something entirely impossible and unacceptable for Muslims to embrace – and He is also the God who condescended to become an incarnate, weak human, by temporarily “vacating” Himself of His divine vastness and omnipotence in order to save mankind, who would become united to Him - and through Him, to God the Father – thus making mankind “communicants of divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). Unlike Christ, the Muslim God never leaves heaven, never “vacates” himself nor sacrifices himself for the sake of mankind, never allows himself to be defeated (an inconceivable idea for Islam, which is a religion with a belligerent mentality) and never becomes united with mankind.

These are the reasons why it is inappropriate to compare Muhammad to Christ. The former is the “apostle and prophet of God/Allah”, whereas the latter is God Himself, Who sent forth His apostles and prophets into the world (as clearly stated by Christ Himself, in Matthew 23:34 – “Behold, I will send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city.”)