Just what every Iraqi needs....a bible

[AnnInLa]

sorry if this is a dupe....it's one of those "must-reads"

the following is from http://www.uruknet.info/?s1=1&p=11955&s2=23

May23 , 2005

"Just What Every Iraqi Needs...a Bible"

Enough is enough for the Christian community in Iraq. The head of Iraq’s largest Christian community, Patriarch Emmanuel Delly, recently scathingly attacked the evangelical Christians who have taken their crusade to Iraq since the illegal U.S. invasion of March 2003. Delly told Al-Jazeera News on May 19 that Iraq did not need Christian missionaries because its churches dated back long before Protestantism. He objected to the aspect of trying to convert Muslims and said, "You can’t even talk about that here."



According to Delly, the evangelicals attract poor youths with displays of money and then "take them out in cars to have fun. Then, they take photos and send them here, to Germany, to the United States and say ‘look how many Muslims have become Christian.’"

snip

To me, it is problematic that Christian evangelical organizations from the United States are now flooding Bibles into Iraq when, prior to March 2003, few knew the location of the country, and fewer still could point out Iraq on a map. In fact, many cheered on the March 2003 invasion. Pat Robertson was openly hostile toward Iraq. He accused the U.S. administration of being soft on Iraq. Yet, his group had thousands of Bibles to take to the country once the U.S. destroyed it. By the autumn of 2002, various U.S. groups had placed orders for thousands of Bibles, in the anticipation of an invasion. Robertson bragged about how many thousand he had on hand to use when the time came.

snip



snip....conversation with George Galloway....go read





Campus Crusade for Christ is an outfit based in Orlando, Florida. The name is fairly well-known and little-criticized because most people assume they do good work. The name of the organization sounds benign, however, its work is far from harmless. On its website, you can see dozens of pictures of Bible-thumping in Iraq. Also, there is the mandatory "Send us your money" message. Let me highlight a few statements made from its "Bibles for the Middle East" section:



* People in this part of the world are desperate for such materials. 2004 was declared the Year of the Bible throughout the Arab world and interest is high. Thousands of people are seeking to receive a copy of the Bible.
* So, with a new year before us and so many opportunities on the horizon, would you consider a gift of $50 to get 25 Bibles into the hands of people in spiritually dark countries? Whatever you could do would be a tremendous blessing during a time of great spiritual hunger.
* People in these nations are hungry for God’s Word, our staff are willing to risk their lives to deliver it.
Another section called "Iraq Schoolbags" offers the following statements:

much more at http://www.uruknet.info/?s1=1&p=11955&s2=23

[converted_democrat]

1. You can't eat a bible................

These people need food, electricity, medical aid, and clean water. Not a bible.

[htuttle]

5. It might make nice toilet paper, however

Depending on the quality of the paper, of course. If they are printed on that shiny stuff, it's not so good for anything but kindling.

Wonder how much a roll of toilet paper is worth in Iraq? Probably quite a bit. :shrug:

[Swamp Rat]

9. Big, flying cockroaches in Louisiana can eat the binding off a bible

in no time. :D

[KharmaTrain]

2. I Swore I Was On Another Planet Last Night

Scanning around, I caught up with good quality Hate Radio on a local Salem "Patriot" station. There was Michael Raygun...sucking off dad's name (even though dad didn't really like him) and going on and on with some southern-twanged lady about how "fanatic" islam is. On and on they went about how fanatical "Islamists" (WTF is an Islamist?) are using their perverted view of religion to kill people and demand their way over "the majority" of Iraqis.

I wish I could have recorded this and replace "Islamists" with "Fristians" and there's be far more truth to what these oxygen thieves have to offer.

Anytime I run into some John Wayne hero-type about this invasion, I always ask if this country were invaded if he'd lay his gun down and collaborate with an occupying army. Of couse he'll say "hell yes I would if I knew we'd be getting Democracy". I laugh, then say "what if it's Chinese brand "Democracy". Then my fun begins.

The fundie right wing continues to isolate itself from both the world and relevancy...may they continue to dig themselves back to the 17th Century. I just won't be going there with them.

[brooklynite]

3. Why should Iraq be any different?

Delly told Al-Jazeera News on May 19 that Iraq did not need Christian missionaries because its churches dated back long before Protestantism.

These are obviously "flawed" Christian Churches which don't worship in just the right way, like the Catholic Church and mainline Protestant churches here...

[Solly Mack]

4. They have bibles already...

Why do they need the KJV?

There are Christians in Iraq. The concept of Christianity is not new in Iraq. Why do ignorant Americans think otherwise?

[Windy]

6. Because the Christian community in Iraq is Catholic!

And as you know, Catholics are not Christian!
(sarcasm)

[SalmonChantedEvening]

7. They hate us for WHAT again?

It wouldn't be for using a war to spread religious dogma with the blessings of those in power, would it?

:argh:

[Vogon_Glory]

8. Imagine What Hob Would Follow If The Iraqis Were Reminded Of

Aside from my obvious skepticism as to whether these Evangelicals' Bibles are the same ones already in use in Arabic-speaking churches in the Middle East or translated versions of the KJV, I see this arrogant idiocy as giving spark to Islamic extremists' claims that this is a war of religion.

As well that most Christian Bibles DON'T include the tales of the Maccabees. Iraqi mujhadeen taking inspiration from that book would certainly be blow-back with a capital "B"!

[rodeodance]

10. missionaries will be missionaries--have for hundreds of years.

They can try--as they always have.