Possible Flood of Chrisitan Missionaries in Iraq

[Perknose]

The Bush administration will have a tough decision here. Allowing Christian missionaries unbridled access will be sure to rile many Muslims, both in and out of Iraq. Some missionaries will be attacked and killed, and what will/would be our response? The Republicans garner invaluable political support from social conservatives, they will be loathe to block the missionaries access, but realpolitik veterans in the administration will be also be loathe to upset the political/social/religious apple cart in Iraq. This will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Long time Texas newspaperman Willian Brann's take?

"The trouble with our Texas Baptists is that we do not hold them under water long enough."

 

[Fencer128]

Originally posted by: Perknose
The Bush administration will have a tough decision here. Allowing Christian missionaries unbridled access will be sure to rile many Muslims, both in and out of Iraq. Some missionaries will be attacked and killed, and what will/would be our response? The Republicans garner invaluable political support from social conservatives, they will be loathe to block the missionaries access, but realpolitik veterans in the administration will be also be loathe to upset the political/social/religious apple cart in Iraq. This will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Long time Texas newspaperman Willian Brann's take?

"The trouble with our Texas Baptists is that we do not hold them under water long enough."

Please lets not advocate an action (sending in many missionaries) that will IMHO do nothing other than serve to stir up a hornet's nest. Let's at least wait until an independant Iraqi government has been formed.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[Tab]

Hey, I could care less if we let them leave. If they get killed its not our problem, they know the risks.

 

[syzygy]

The Bush administration will have a tough decision here. Allowing Christian missionaries unbridled access will be sure to rile many Muslims, both in and out of Iraq. Some missionaries will be attacked and killed, and what will/would be our response? The Republicans garner invaluable political support from social conservatives, they will be loathe to block the missionaries access, but realpolitik veterans in the administration will be also be loathe to upset the political/social/religious apple cart in Iraq. This will be interesting to see how it plays out.

depending on when a provisional iraqi gov't is put in place, the issue of the missionaries will become an intenal iraqi
matter. christian missionaries have seen little success historically converting muslims. in fact, muslims tended to
convert the christian missionaries to their ways. most christian missionaries reverted to establshing hospitals, schools,
and humanitarian services when they failed in their conversion business.

even before iraqis gain full operational control over their daily affairs, the bush administration may provide only a warning
to them, but would not impose any special blockades against missionary activity. but, again, this all depends on securing
the country against the rogue elements that continue to run around, including many of 55 most wanted. this will take a
few more months.

 

[syzygy]

Please lets not advocate an action (sending in many missionaries) that will IMHO do nothing other than serve to stir up a hornet's nest. Let's at least wait until an independant Iraqi government has been formed.

the bush adminsitration has not advocated sending in missionaries. this is a purely private inititative. tame those
conspiracy demons, puuleeeeze.

 

[crisscross]

I was never into the concept of "conversion". It makes no sense to me, every religion has a fair share of positive as well as negative aspects so why do you want to tell someone to convert to a different religion? Besides does it really matter? Isn't it more important to instill morals, ethics and values.

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: Tornado54
I was never into the concept of "conversion". It makes no sense to me, every religion has a fair share of positive as well as negative aspects so why do you want to tell someone to convert to a different religion? Besides does it really matter? Isn't it more important to instill morals, ethics and values.

My God is better than your God, nananana....

They all do teach similar morals and values, as long as they are interpreted and practiced correctly then religions would be peacefull forces. Their collective historical acts of "mercy" show just how "peacefull" a force religion has been in reality.


What would you suggest Bush do? Forbid them from going? Read tomorrow's headlines all over the Arab and EU press, "Bush Denies Iraqi People Humanitarian Aid and Clamps Down On Religious Groups". Best course is to let them go, giving them full warning they were assuming all risk by themselves, we will not protect them or come to their aid should they fvck up.

I don't want to go into a rant about how prejudice is formed, I only want to point out exposure to the truth is often the way to eliminate such thinking. I am an optimist so I will look at the bright side of this. Some of the people of Iraq will get a mini lesson in comparitive religion, and get to see Christians not as infidels, but people who feel compelled by their religion to help other human beings, even Arabs. Hopefully the similarites common among all religions will help bridge the gaps of the differences in these two particular theologies.

 

[Nitemare]

Whatever happened to finding God yourself?

missionaries = suxors...keepe your religions to yourself and let others practice theirs.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Whatever happened to finding God yourself?

missionaries = suxors...keepe your religions to yourself and let others practice theirs.

Funny, but I have the opposite POV. Missionaries I know do feel bringing their view of God overseas, but I know of none who say "you're bad, and that is why you suffer" and let people starve. In many poorer countries, these missionaries do real good in the community, where the government is more interested in raiding aid funds or securing some bribe. They work hard, bringing medicines and supplies often at their own expense. People will accept or reject the religious premise, but often the greatest significant good people overseas receive is by the dedication of these individuals. When those against missionaries give up their material wealth and sacrifice their lives and the safety of their families to help, they then can cast the first stone.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Whatever happened to finding God yourself?

missionaries = suxors...keepe your religions to yourself and let others practice theirs.

Funny, but I have the opposite POV. Missionaries I know do feel bringing their view of God overseas, but I know of none who say "you're bad, and that is why you suffer" and let people starve. In many poorer countries, these missionaries do real good in the community, where the government is more interested in raiding aid funds or securing some bribe. They work hard, bringing medicines and supplies often at their own expense. People will accept or reject the religious premise, but often the greatest significant good people overseas receive is by the dedication of these individuals. When those against missionaries give up their material wealth and sacrifice their lives and the safety of their families to help, they then can cast the first stone.

sort of like the one missionary that was giving away clean water provided he could baptise you? I have no problems with missionaries that go there to help people out of the goodness of their heart, just the ones that try to convert the "heathens" and "pagans"(commonly referred to as anyone who does not practice their religion) to their way of thinking. This is not a missionary but an opportunist.

 

[Red Dawn]

Isn't there enough Religious fanatics there causing us headaches already?

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Hayabusarider

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Whatever happened to finding God yourself?

missionaries = suxors...keepe your religions to yourself and let others practice theirs.

Funny, but I have the opposite POV. Missionaries I know do feel bringing their view of God overseas, but I know of none who say "you're bad, and that is why you suffer" and let people starve. In many poorer countries, these missionaries do real good in the community, where the government is more interested in raiding aid funds or securing some bribe. They work hard, bringing medicines and supplies often at their own expense. People will accept or reject the religious premise, but often the greatest significant good people overseas receive is by the dedication of these individuals. When those against missionaries give up their material wealth and sacrifice their lives and the safety of their families to help, they then can cast the first stone.

sort of like the one missionary that was giving away clean water provided he could baptise you? I have no problems with missionaries that go there to help people out of the goodness of their heart, just the ones that try to convert the "heathens" and "pagans"(commonly referred to as anyone who does not practice their religion) to their way of thinking. This is not a missionary but an opportunist.

I don't think he was a missionary, he was an army priest to the best of my knowledge.

Any gesture of kindness they show is better than none at all, and will have a far greater effect on changing the views of the Muslims they help than anything. It is easy to hate what you do not know personally, alot harder to continue believing that when your only personal experience was one of mercy of compassion.

 

[Moonbeam]

I would say that Islam will absorb Christianity in the long run. From what little I know about it, it makes far more sense and requires less faith in the patently absurd. It's not that Christianity is hopeless, it just makes no literal sense. You have to apply sophisticated reasoning to make it comprehensible. That was too hard for me. I always smelled a rat. Too bad too. I think that had I been raised a Moslem I might still be one.

 

[przero]

I agree they should not be allowed to go in Iraq. Bringing food and medical care will only make matters worse. and if the Muslims would see a female missionary treated like a real person, that would only inflame them. Teaching children to read would only lead to more terrorism. Anything that a missionary would do to make life more bearable for the average Iraqi is only going to cause trouble. But at least we won't have to go and rescue them if they go in country. Heck they are only Christians, who cares!

 

[Red Dawn]

Well if they are allowed at least make them ride bikes like the Mormon Dork Missionaries here in the states! That way if they annoy a Muslim instead of killing them all they have to do is flatten their tires like we use to do when we were in High School!

 

[mastertech01]

There are lots of Christians already in Iraq. They already have churches and all. Remember the regime was a secular one, and thus it wasnt an all Muslim nation.

Just maybe Iraq will embarrass the whole world and turn into something we all can be envious of. All but you wankers who wouldnt or couldnt be happy with anything.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: mastertech01
There are lots of Christians already in Iraq. They already have churches and all. Remember the regime was a secular one, and thus it wasnt an all Muslim nation.

Just maybe Iraq will embarrass the whole world and turn into something we all can be envious of. All but you wankers who wouldnt or couldnt be happy with anything.

Well that doesn't include me as I was satisfied that they rolled over like sorry ass bitches when we sent in the US Military!

 

[LunarRay]

I think the Christian thing to do is take a homeless person here in the USA to breakfast and save the airfare all the way over to Iraq. If Islam is not one of God's favorites then so be it... I'd not want a wait on the tee at the heavenly Augusta. But, gee.... you can't change the heart of someone who thinks you are the devil... and we can proove it.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
I would say that Islam will absorb Christianity in the long run. From what little I know about it, it makes far more sense and requires less faith in the patently absurd. It's not that Christianity is hopeless, it just makes no literal sense. You have to apply sophisticated reasoning to make it comprehensible. That was too hard for me. I always smelled a rat. Too bad too. I think that had I been raised a Moslem I might still be one.

I agree with you :Q (looks out the window for flying pigs) on the part about Islam making more sense than Christianity. I do however, have some beefs with it. I will not knowingly follow a cleric blindly especially when they teach out of hadith's and not the Qur'an. It even says in the Qur'an that Jesus was the only man who was sinless. It furthermore dictates that Muhammed was the last and greatest prophet. How can he be the greatest when putting their lives side by side, his morals make Bill Clinton look like the Pope?

That and there is absolutely no way that I can give up Southern vinegar based pork barbecue or Shiner Bock. So until there is a new age version of Islam in which it is only the Qur'an which is taught and allows for the eating of pork as well as imbibing the occasional lager or chardonnay, call me agnostic

 

[BarneyFife]

Originally posted by: Tornado54
I was never into the concept of "conversion". It makes no sense to me, every religion has a fair share of positive as well as negative aspects so why do you want to tell someone to convert to a different religion? Besides does it really matter? Isn't it more important to instill morals, ethics and values.

Missionaries are evil. They go into poor countries and bribe people with food to convert. I hope they go and get shot up. They deserve it.

 

[ConclamoLudus]

Originally posted by: BarneyFife

Originally posted by: Tornado54
I was never into the concept of "conversion". It makes no sense to me, every religion has a fair share of positive as well as negative aspects so why do you want to tell someone to convert to a different religion? Besides does it really matter? Isn't it more important to instill morals, ethics and values.

Missionaries are evil. They go into poor countries and bribe people with food to convert. I hope they go and get shot up. They deserve it.

:Q

 

[dahunan]

I think the suicide bombers should take these fools out first.

This really stirs the emotions of Muslim vs Christian Holy Wars ala CRUSADES

If you are a true Christian you will let it be known by example, not by force feeding people!

 

[JellyBaby]

The real reason for invading Iraq might have been to ensure the Christian Broadcasting Network nets a few million more viewers! That would explain our initial reluctance to bomb Iraq TV stations!

George Bush is simply Darth Maul to Pat Robertson's Emperor!

 

[LilBlinbBlahIce]

I think the missionaries should stay out. If Christians want to help, they should allow Christian releif organizations whose only purpose is humanitarian aid and not preaching. I think this would set a more positive example than missionaries ever could and would show the Muslim world that Christianity is not out to destroy their faith. Furthermore, I think Muslim countries should really pick up the slack and increase humanitarian aid to their fellow brothers. The Sauds can easily donate a few hundred mil if they wanted to.

 

[mastertech01]

Yes some fully support Iranian Clerics to come over and preach hate against the Evil USA, but heaven forbid some fanatical Christians preaching brotherly love and peace! Be carefull you might choke on your own vomit!