primitives discuss Christianity under attack

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022637203

Oh my.

riderinthestorm (12,745 posts)    Mon Apr 8, 2013, 05:08 PM

Coptic Christians under siege as mob attacks Cairo cathedral

Hundreds of Christians were under siege inside Cairo’s Coptic cathedral last night as security forces and local residents, some armed with handguns, launched a prolonged and unprecedented attack on the seat of Egypt’s ancient Church.
 
At least one person was killed and at least 84 injured as Christians inside the walled St Mark’s cathedral compound came under a frenzied assault from their assailants in the main road outside.
 
The fighting erupted after a mass funeral for five Copts who were killed during violent clashes in a north Egyptian town on Saturday. A Muslim man also died in the clashes, which happened after an Islamic institute was daubed with offensive graffiti.
 
Following yesterday’s service thousands of Christians poured out on to the street and began chanting slogans against Mohamed Morsi, the Egyptian President and long-time member of the Muslim Brotherhood.
 
Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/coptic-christians-under-siege-as-mob-attacks-cairo-cathedral-8563600.html
 
After the brouhaha over Amina's (successful imho) protest over the deteriorating conditions for women in Tunisia post-Arab Spring, I'm wondering how many in GD will pay attention to this equally important news about the deteriorating conditions in Egypt for minorities. Don't forget that it was Aliaa Elmahdy who also had her own version of Amina's protest against Egypt's increasing Islamist shit (Elmahdy who DUers applauded at the time).
 
Since the thread scolding "us" for NOT "knowing" about Tunisia, the conditions there, or whose protesting, went DU viral, I'm hopeful that those who were suddenly all worked up slamming FEMEN because of their unorthodox methods of bringing attention to some of the world's injustices will NOW suddenly jump all over these other newsworthy threads.
 
Because as you righteously and indignantly posted - FEMEN's techniques don't "work". They don't "say anything" or get the "message across". Yet more of you now know about the plight of women post-Tunisia than ever before.
 
Will this thread, getting the message out about the very real, very dangerous growing Islamist oppression against Egypt's Coptic Christian community garner even a tenth of the interest as the FEMEN threads?
 
Because you know, you are ALL about the message right? And this is an important one.
 
I'm not doing it naked though, or topless. I'm simply a DU poster but on a site with more than a fair few regulars. But you all have assured me you ARE paying attention to critical injustices and would pay even MORE attention to the message when it comes via "traditional" delivery methods.
 
Oh, and by the way - after 15 hours up in LBN, this exact same topic had 8 replies.
 
8.

hrmjustin (7,140 posts)    Mon Apr 8, 2013, 05:10 PM

1. I am so sorry to hear about this!

I have no faith whatsoever in the government protecting them and their rights.

The Straight Story (40,860 posts)    Mon Apr 8, 2013, 05:57 PM

2. Like this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022528655

Christians told, ‘protest again and you will die!’

HUNDREDS of Pakistani Christians became homeless in Badami Bagh, Lahore, on Saturday, March 9 after an attack by a mob of 3000 fanatics. Two hundred homes in the Joseph Colony were turned to ashes and poor Christians of the neighbourhood are now living in the streets, desperate for food and other needs. Their children cannot attend school or college due to the destruction and fear. Many residents have expressed great dismay and sorrow, and depression is seeping through the entire community.
 
One Sajid Masih said, “I feel helpless and unable to do anything for myself and my family”, as he broke into tears. Christians around the country are incensed by the recurring theme of blasphemy allegation followed by attacks and burning down of their vulnerable communities. They have held protests across the country in a concerted effort to vent their disgust at the recent incident and to show solidarity with the victims.
 
In Youhanabad and Kot Lakhpat, Lahore police used the opportunity to beat the innocent Christian protesters. They shot tear gas shells at them and beat them with sticks. Yet when the Muslim attack took place they stood back and watched till the town had been razed to the ground. There were protests in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Jhelum and Sahiwal, to name but a few.
 
Jhelum controversy: Muslims of Jhelum city have threatened to burn Christians home in response to the protests. Now the community is living in fear of reprisals for their simple act of condemning violence and the blasphemy laws of Pakistan. According to sources, on March 12, 2013, when Christians of Jhelum city went to protest against the violence in Joseph Colony, chanting slogans “Repeal Blasphemy Law” and “Blasphemy law is Black Law”, local imams called on Muslims from the mosque loudspeakers to gather and punish those Christians who were decrying the blasphemy law. Local radicals have pressured the area police station to lodge a First Investigation Report – FIR under 295-C PPC against Christians who chanted slogans against the blasphemy laws.

kiva (2,698 posts)    Mon Apr 8, 2013, 06:01 PM

4. I wish the Coptic Christians well, but have no belief in the desire or ability of the Egyptian government to protect them. As for attention, probably not...they will be killed quietly.

geek tragedy (23,985 posts)    Mon Apr 8, 2013, 06:07 PM

5. Did anyone actually think that the FEMEN stuff was genuine concern for oppression of women here? that's funny but sad.
 
Also, this is Christians being victimized, which means unfortunately that there will be a reduced amount of sympathy here. Had a mob in Paris started shooting at Muslims, you can bet there would have been more coverage.
 
Part of it is that people don't want to admit that the Arab Spring has already turned out to be a colossal failure.

SoCalDem (99,289 posts)    Mon Apr 8, 2013, 06:09 PM

6. So much for the "Arab Spring"

Anyone who thought things would settle into a bucolic wonderland of peaceful coexistence, have been shown month after month that this can never be

Minds have been hopelessly narrowed for thousands of years, and grudges are held forever in that part of the world.
 
There are only two things that "settle down" places like that..

1..pervasive prosperity (unlikely to happen anytime soon)
2..strong, brutal dictators who hold the violence to a simmer and who can sometimes unite disparate factions against the brutal leader

snagglepuss (8,726 posts)    Mon Apr 8, 2013, 07:28 PM

8. What's happening is disgusting but stories like this end up collecting posts about how horrible all religions are as opposed to dealing with whatever case is at hand. In this situation the majority are not protecting minority who are Christians and the Islamist leaders do dick all.

[Carl]

SoCalDem (99,289 posts)    Mon Apr 8, 2013, 06:09 PM

6. So much for the "Arab Spring"

Anyone who thought things would settle into a bucolic wonderland of peaceful coexistence, have been shown month after month that this can never be

Minds have been hopelessly narrowed for thousands of years, and grudges are held forever in that part of the world.
 
There are only two things that "settle down" places like that..

1..pervasive prosperity (unlikely to happen anytime soon)
2..strong, brutal dictators who hold the violence to a simmer and who can sometimes unite disparate factions against the brutal leader

Yes because the Bible calls for a holy war against all who do not believe and instructs Christians to kill all infidels.
Oh wait...

[98ZJUSMC]

There are only two things that "settle down" places like that..

1..pervasive prosperity (unlikely to happen anytime soon)

Unsustainable welfare!
EBT Cards for Camel Piss!!
MOAR Hef CaRe!!!!1111eLeVeNtY!!!!111

Tell me (D)Ullard, if the government there cannot provide the aforementioned "pervasive prosperity", who does?  Private Sector  A..

2..strong, brutal dictators Hey, don't stop at one.  Give them three or four! who hold the violence to a simmer and who can sometimes unite disparate factions against the brutal leader

Reeeeelly?  So, let's recap.  A strong and brutal dictator is needed - after they just got rid of one - to unite the various factions against the strong and brutal dictator who....

will provide...... pervasive.......prosperity?

Do you idiots ever read what you type?  Tighten your chin strap, helmet boy.

[Celtic Rose]

Christians are brutally oppressed in many parts of the Middle East. 

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

Christians are brutally oppressed in many parts of the Middle East. 

The sand rats oppress each other just as bad.

One day the world will weary of Islam.