Lost in the focus on the larger battle for Syria the nation-state is the fate of Syria as an historical site of religious pluralism, as the Sunni majority rebels turn not only on the Alawite dominated government, but in growing instances on all religious minorities, including Syria’s ancient Christian community.
Syria is the site of one of the world’s oldest Christian communities, a 2,0000-year-old tradition followed by an estimated 10 percent of the nation’s population. Increasingly under attack by jihadist-minded rebel factions, they may soon go the way of Iraqi Christians, who during the US occupation were chased out of the nation en masse.
Militant factions in rebel-held cities like Homs see Christian communities as easy targets for extortion, and the more Islamist blocs regularly target their churches, damaging many and destroying others.
Christians and other minorities have tried to form militias to protect their neighborhoods, but with the rebels awash in Western money and arms, they are simply out-manned and outgunned. As the fight continues to escalate, the groups are facing a tougher and tougher choice about whether to try to stay or to flee abroad.
"the rebels awash in Western money and arms"
Only in the alternate universe of antiwar.com (no doubt from Iranian and Russian TV).
Aren't the Saudis and Qataris providing them with weapons? And aren't the Turkish providing them with safe havens? Only in the alternate universe of the Syrian Observatory can we believe everything the opposition to Assad says.
Beat it troll.
It's not just "Russian" and "Iranian" tv that's reporting this, but the very American New York Times and Wall Street Journal, not to mention the UK Guardian & even the White House itself!? Jason Ditz & antiwar.com HAVE linked to many articles over the past several months from these publications with this information, so please go troll somewhere else.
First, Russian and Iranian news media are much more honest in their journalism than the west. Second, even this information has hit western media such as Fox and MSNBC so clearly the statement "the rebels awash in Western money and arms" is legitimate.
Why has the National Council of Churches been silent about this atrocity? Why have the Christian organizations in the U.S. and Europe been silent? and why did Congress and the Administration, who were informed this was starting to happen a year ago, nonetheless, still supply, arm and facilitate these invaders? Who are the real criminals?
Well, that's easy…It is not being discussed because, well, they're not like us…you know, they're different…you know, their Christianity isn't the same as good ole Southern Baptist-type Christianity. I mean, everyone has heard Obama say he's a Christian…but EVERYONE knows he's not really a Christian…because he's different.
Western Christians, in particular, have lost the real sense of what a Christian is. They've corrupted the tenets implicit in being a Christian. Just as being a Republican no longer means what being a Republican used to mean – before the takeover by the extreme far rightwing religious fanatics (you could actually talk to them) – being a Christian no longer means actually acting like one who believes and understands the teachings of The Christ. They can't look at themselves in the mirror anymore and see a real Christian. But, as with all things that get old, like the Constitution and BOR, they no longer mean what they were intended to mean.
Imagine how far of Christ these right wing nuts are that they lobby for the US to go to war and invade, plunder, destroy and murder other peoples. How (un)Christian!
It would help if you knew what you were talking about. The NCC isn't made up of "good ole Southern Baptist-type". It's membership is the "mainstream" liberal, progressive type churches.
It's always counter-productive when you start off a discussion with an insult… I never mentioned the NCC as I was talking about western Christianity, in general. But, since you bring it up, I don't remember the NCC coming out against other atrocities…such as invading a sovereign country (Iraq or Afghanistan), torture, etc, etc, etc. I never heard anything about the NCC advising their flock to vote against a candidate because the candidate advocates invading and bombing more countries where we have no business getting involved. But, as nomange points out…their silence speaks volumes…and I stand by my assessment…it's because they're "different"…
Well, that's a good point. Because there has been nary a peep. I'd imagine that if people here ever put their thinking caps on the Feds couldn't get away with the crap they're pushing on us.
The Muslim Brotherhood of Syria has long had a saying "Christians to Beirut, Alawites to the grave." Saudi/Qatari money and NATO complicity may soon make that a reality.
The key here is that the Syrian gov't is an enemy of israel and an ally of Iran. Therefor, as far as Uncle Sam is concerned, it matters nothing that Syrian Christians get it in the neck or that Syria is destroyed. Our government puts israel first, first, last and always.
Not even those WHO are supporting these barbarians are Holly, nor their war is based on holiness by the hollies any longer, from Germany, to Sweden to USA.
And still the evangelical nutters remain silent? Is it impossible for them to imagine that people who don't follow preachers dressed in unnaturally colored suits made from polyester might really be Christian?
It seems that soon the west will have the face us, the rest of the world.
LOL the religion of peace(or pieces) at it again.
Keep pissing them off and eventually, they'll show you what they made of.
That can't possibly be a bad thing. The less Christians, the better.
All the American “Good Christian Brothers” speak volumes in their SILENCE.