Why Are Christians Slaughtered Around The World

[BUDDY]

I really want to get off this topic, but here are more rescources for you in case you are interested. Like I said, I can't find an organization that has compiled worldwide numbers and statistics, so I can only give you what I can find.

Christian persecution page

Christian Monitor: Home

Persecution of Christians and the International Day Of Prayer For The Persecuted Church

Persecution of Christians

There is also a good article on Human Rights Watch about the recent events in India, but I dont' have time to find it. If you wish, a simple search should bring it up.

 

[Don Penguinoini]

They hsould have a human rights page for hte Goan Inquisiton too, dont you think?

 

[yossarian22]

Because I think there maybe something in the approach of missionaries that can prevent it.

So it is not Christians being persecuted, but their missionaries?
Then I have little sympathy.
You choose to go there to convert them, to change their way of life, and now you are shocked and horrified at the backlash.
Here is a brilliant idea, how about you stop trying to convert them, and just help them.
Tact?
That is how we stop them. Oh, lets be nice to them as we try to change their lifestyle. That will definitely make them less angry. The fault is not that you are trying to change them, its that you are not nice to them while you change them.

We don't ask for rescources and that is not the argument. MY question is why. If we can answer that question then perhaps we can do something to prevent it.

To stop persecution requires money. You also answered the question. It turns out I forgot another cause. Persecution also happens because one group is angry as hell at another group. Now what could have royally ****** them off?...
Starts with an M

And giving up is sad. I prefer to be positive and hopeful that we can.

Who says we give up? We help those most in need. You help the guy who was shot in the head before you help the guy who stubbed his toe.

 

[BUDDY]

So it is not Christians being persecuted, but their missionaries?

Um, christian missionaries are sometimes the targets. That is just one group that is sometimes victimized.

Then I have little sympathy.

So, they had it coming, huh? How very noble of you.

You choose to go there to convert them, to change their way of life, and now you are shocked and horrified at the backlash.

Most missionaries go to help first, and convert second. The mission is the message and the message is to love, compassion and salvation. You can't get to the latter without expressing the first two. In most cases this is the case.

Here is a brilliant idea, how about you stop trying to convert them, and just help them.

I just said we do.

Tact?
That is how we stop them. Oh, lets be nice to them as we try to change their lifestyle. That will definitely make them less angry. The fault is not that you are trying to change them, its that you are not nice to them while you change them.

I don't know. That is why we normally discuss things. Perhaps. Perhaps not.

To stop persecution requires money. You also answered the question. It turns out I forgot another cause. Persecution also happens because one group is angry as hell at another group. Now what could have royally ****** them off?...
Starts with an M

Money? You honestly think that missionaries go to foreign countries to ask for money? You are totally ignorant of mission work. It doesn't require money to keep people from being ****** off at you. It requires dialogue and consensus and in many cases tact. For example, you are being a jerk, I am ****** off, the way to keep from getting me ****** off is to use a littel more tact in your argument. That's just one simple example, I am sure I could find more.

Who says we give up? We help those most in need. You help the guy who was shot in the head before you help the guy who stubbed his toe.

I don'tknow how to respond because I don't know what you are talking about. You have no idea who I help and who I dont' and based upon your posts so far, you know very little about how missionary work is performed. I can't argue with someone who knows nothing about the subject matter.

How missionary trips have you ever been on? How many missionary organizations have you ever been a part of or been involved with? My guess is zero.

 

[Hope]

It seems a simple statement I made has created quite a stir in this thread.

As I recall, I said something along the lines of "thousands of Christians are being killed and persecuted every day."

I realize now I should have worded it better, though, in my defense, I never thought people would pick it apart the way they did.

I apologize for the confusion. Are thousands being killed every day? I don't know. Are thousands being persecuted? Most assuredly, as links with ample evidence seem to have been supplied.

I don't think the intent of most of us Christians participating in this thread is to whine and complain about oh, us poor Christians, we are persecuted more than anyone else....as has been stated, persecution of any group of people, Christian or not, is loathesome, and I don't know if Christians are more persecuted than any other group. And those Christians who do complain about persecution, or act surprised about it, apparently didn't take Jesus' words seriously enough. And for the record, Christians who live in the West have no idea what real persecution is. I am incredibly thankful to live in a free country where simply worshipping God as I choose doesn't bring the penalty of death or imprisonment.

My take on the whole Christian persecution phenomenon is not why it is happening, but why so few know about it. While it's true other groups of people are being persecuted as well, at least one usually hears of such persecution via the secular media....most Christian persecution is overlooked. Which is why there are organizations such as VOM, whose very goal is to increase the awareness of such persecution so that those being persecuted can be helped. Every single persecuted group of people in the world, Christian or not, deserves to have their plight told, so that there is greater chance of assistance.

What's saddest of all is that most of Western Christianity is just as oblivious to the persecution of their brethren as the rest of the world.

 

[Hope]

So it is not Christians being persecuted, but their missionaries?
Then I have little sympathy.
You choose to go there to convert them, to change their way of life, and now you are shocked and horrified at the backlash.
Here is a brilliant idea, how about you stop trying to convert them, and just help them.
Tact?
That is how we stop them. Oh, lets be nice to them as we try to change their lifestyle. That will definitely make them less angry. The fault is not that you are trying to change them, its that you are not nice to them while you change them.

Buddy gave a great reply to your little tirade here, but I thought I'd just pitch in my two cents as well.

As he said, you are obviously speaking from ignorance and lack of firsthand experience, and because you are, I have more sympathy for you than offense at your remarks. As someone who has actually done missionary work, I can tell you that you have a very skewed view of things. I am sorry there may have been those who have given you such a skewed view.

Mission work done in the true spirit of Christ never forcefully converts anyone or forcefully changes them. Ever. Feeding the poor, caring for the orphans and widows, reaching out to the outcasts of society, helping those who can't help themselves.....this is what every good missionary does, and doing these things is never contingent upon those in need becoming Christians first. Of course, the gospel is always preached, but never, ever forced. Those who would withold kindness, compassion, and love just because someone refuses to become a Christian are the worst sort of hypocrites.

If you would actually do the research, you would see that much of the violence done against Christian missionaries is by religious zealots of other religions (such as Islam and Hinduism). And it is rarely, if ever, done in response to anything violent or wrong that the Christians have done. Usually the Christians are minding their own business when they are attacked. If you are implying that merely preaching a message of love and reaching out to people in love deserves violent retribution, then, again, my sympathies to you. No one deserves to be tortured and beaten just for carrying a Bible and talking about Jesus.

Perhaps it would be wiser to become a little more knowledgeable about the circumstances surrounding persecution to Christian missionaries before rushing to such harsh judgement.

 

[wednesday]

Mission work done in the true spirit of Christ never forcefully converts anyone or forcefully changes them. Ever. Feeding the poor, caring for the orphans and widows, reaching out to the outcasts of society, helping those who can't help themselves.....this is what every good missionary does, and doing these things is never contingent upon those in need becoming Christians first. Of course, the gospel is always preached, but never, ever forced. Those who would withold kindness, compassion, and love just because someone refuses to become a Christian are the worst sort of hypocrites.

Missionary work is eradictating cultures such as paganism in scandanavia to name just one example. Missionaries from Christianity caused a civil war in Sweden during mass conversions from traditional religions (mainly Norse Mythology), isn't God's work so beneficial to the world?

[Trying to avert civil war, the Icelandic parliament voted in Christianity, but for some years tolerated heathenry in the privacy of one's home. Sweden, on the other hand, had a series of civil wars in the 11th century, which ended with the burning of the Temple at Uppsala.] quote: Wikipedia Norse mythology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'm sure missionary work these days is much more peaceful but unfortunately the dark history of Christianity rises again.

 

[Hope]

Missionary work is eradictating cultures such as paganism in scandanavia to name just one example. Missionaries from Christianity caused a civil war in Sweden during mass conversions from traditional religions (mainly Norse Mythology), isn't God's work so beneficial to the world?

I'm curious about this bit of history. Were these mass conversions forced? Or of the people's own free will? I think that makes all the difference. People always assume mass conversions mean the same thing as forced conversions, and this is not always the case.

I'm sure missionary work these days is much more peaceful but unfortunately the dark history of Christianity rises again.

Tis a shame so many such as yourself focus entirely on the dark parts and not the good parts.

 

[BUDDY]

Missionary work is eradictating cultures such as paganism in scandanavia to name just one example. Missionaries from Christianity caused a civil war in Sweden during mass conversions from traditional religions (mainly Norse Mythology), isn't God's work so beneficial to the world?

[Trying to avert civil war, the Icelandic parliament voted in Christianity, but for some years tolerated heathenry in the privacy of one's home. Sweden, on the other hand, had a series of civil wars in the 11th century, which ended with the burning of the Temple at Uppsala.] quote: Wikipedia Norse mythology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'm sure missionary work these days is much more peaceful but unfortunately the dark history of Christianity rises again.

Sorry that you feel that way, but I highly doubt that christianity was responsible for eradicating the Swedish religious traditions. Rather, I think people with the right to choose their own path, chose different paths. I highly doubt that every single person went to christianity. You probably had some who became agnostic, atheist, etc. 100% Conversion rate is unheard of. Why blame christianity for something as basoc as free wheel.

 

[yossarian22]

Money?

Actually missionaries.
It does not matter how nice you are to them. How good you are to them. How well you treat them. I know missionaries do not force conversions on anybody (for the most part, some groups in Africa have been known to deny food).
Religion should never be part of any aid group. Ever. Religion is a great enway to raise cash, but it has absolutely no place inside a foreign aid group.
And people are wonder why these people are angry... Christianity is not at fault here, its the friggin missionaries. It does not matter what religion it is, when you go in--even with the noblest of intentions--and attempt to change their religion (why else would religion be a part of it?) people will get angry. Angry people are most often violent.
Hell, it might not even be the religion that ****** them off. It might be the culture. I have seen secular aid groups **** of natives because they tried to introduce western culture. But nobody shoots at you because you gave them food.

 

[Don Penguinoini]

I cant blame someone for killing a missionary. Its not like i want them to die, no-one deserves to be killed for anything like that, its sickening.

But a place like Goa, for instance, has lost its Indian roots. Its rampant in drinking, every corner you turn, an illegal drinks place. This would not have just happend.

This is because the roots of Indian heritage were lost. The same has happend with tobbaco.

Anyway, the fact christians are being killed is sad.

 

[BUDDY]

Actually missionaries.
It does not matter how nice you are to them. How good you are to them. How well you treat them. I know missionaries do not force conversions on anybody (for the most part, some groups in Africa have been known to deny food).
Religion should never be part of any aid group. Ever. Religion is a great enway to raise cash, but it has absolutely no place inside a foreign aid group.
And people are wonder why these people are angry... Christianity is not at fault here, its the friggin missionaries. It does not matter what religion it is, when you go in--even with the noblest of intentions--and attempt to change their religion (why else would religion be a part of it?) people will get angry. Angry people are most often violent.
Hell, it might not even be the religion that ****** them off. It might be the culture. I have seen secular aid groups **** of natives because they tried to introduce western culture. But nobody shoots at you because you gave them food.

Sorry, but I stopped caring what your opinion was on this subject the moment you portrayed yourself as an expert on the subject of christian mission work (which you obviously are not). I call BS on this tripe as well. I am done with you. Happy New Year.

 

[jonny]

It seems that there has always been alot of attack on Christians and the whole Christian theme, be it doctrine, churches, bibles, Christmas , missions work,anything associated with Christianity
When I say, "Christian" ,I don't mean the religious people throughout the years associated by mainstream denominations ,culture or tradition, I mean those who have been spiritually born again and have been tranformed by the power of the Holy Spirit

Anyone without the spirit is not his,are not christians, they are not part of God's family, that is another thread " Who Really Is A Christian"

Not only that, but the Christian cliché's used as derogatory profane innuendo'sthat people use on daily basis are a complete disrespect and disservice ,not to mention blasphemy against God but are also a subtle attck on Jesus Christ and his church[

Why is there such an attack on christians worldwide?, I just heard a report which I hear regularly of Christians being murdered and attacked, this one particular was some radical hindu mobs burning down 15 christian churches ,it seems the threat of christmas decorations have outraged these hindu people ???????


Why is true Christianity such a threat to people worldwide, even in North America and so many religions also feel threatened by Christianity.I mean it's been this way ever since Christianity's conception.
Most, if not all oversea missionary endeavor's are based from a christian biblical basis, with solid born again christians are heading up so many humanitarin work.
Teaching,building,feeding,orphanages etc.etc,how can that be so wrong to warrant violence

Some might say that what goes around, comes around.

 

[Hope]

But nobody shoots at you because you gave them food.

You'd be surprised.

 

[Don Penguinoini]

Sorry, but I stopped caring what your opinion was on this subject the moment you portrayed yourself as an expert on the subject of christian mission work (which you obviously are not). I call BS on this tripe as well. I am done with you. Happy New Year.

Thats not the way to debate, BUDDY.

 

[BUDDY]

Thats not the way to debate, BUDDY.

I know, and I am not going to debate him ont he subject any longer because he has no idea what he is talkign about when it comes to the actual duties involved in christian missionary work. I am happy to talk about the questions I have raised and that have been raised in the OP though. But I won't talk to him about how missionaries are deserving of death, and quibble about numbers. I am done with that.

 

[Don Penguinoini]

I know, and I am not going to debate him ont he subject any longer because he has no idea what he is talkign about when it comes to the actual duties involved in christian missionary work. I am happy to talk about the questions I have raised and that have been raised in the OP though. But I won't talk to him about how missionaries are deserving of death, and quibble about numbers. I am done with that.

Yoss is human, im sure he doesent actually mean that thinks that missionaries should die.

 

[wednesday]

I'm curious about this bit of history. Were these mass conversions forced? Or of the people's own free will? I think that makes all the difference. People always assume mass conversions mean the same thing as forced conversions, and this is not always the case.



Tis a shame so many such as yourself focus entirely on the dark parts and not the good parts.

I doubt a civil war would have erupted if people had a choice to become christians, i mean christianity had been practised with little knowledge or interest from the native residents. My understanding is the king (Olaf) who was baptised forced the conversion of his people by burning the pagan stronghold Uppsala and sparking a civil war. Nevertheless, christianity is still responsible for the mess that occured. However, as in the rest of Scandanavia, paganism was still practised in private.

More information: Sweden :: Christianization --  Britannica Online Encyclopedia

 

[yossarian22]

You'd be surprised.

No sane people will.
I have yet to see a single person attack the one who allows them to live, unless that person happens to be doing something else.

And to BUDDY. You caught me. I hate missionaries. Every day I sit and plot. How can I kill missionaries, because they certainly deserve it.
/sarcasm (for those who lack general cognitive functions

 

[BUDDY]

No sane people will.
I have yet to see a single person attack the one who allows them to live, unless that person happens to be doing something else.

And to BUDDY. You caught me. I hate missionaries. Every day I sit and plot. How can I kill missionaries, because they certainly deserve it.
/sarcasm (for those who lack general cognitive functions

Sometimes indifference is worse than hatred. I noted the sarcasm though.