Taliban holds 23 SKorean Christians hostage
posted at 12:38 pm on July 24, 2007 by Bryan
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Outside the US, this story is huge. Inside the US, it’s getting very little coverage at all. In Japan, where my family is currently visiting relatives, it’s the lead story on the news every night: The Taliban in Afghanistan is holding 23 South Korean Christians hostage and has three times moved back deadlines to murder them.
It’s hard to find a more stark contrast than that between the way members of two of the world’s great religions are behaving in this ordeal. The South Koreans left their safe country and traveled to Afghanistan to work in hospitals among the country’s outcasts; the Taliban captured them at gunpoint and are threatening to behead them in order to gain concessions from the Afghan government en route to recapturing power in that country.
These Koreans are living out the Christian faith in ways most of us can’t and won’t live up to. The Talibanis are unfortunately living up to their faith in a way that’s become all too common.
Please keep the 23 hostages in your prayers.
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Why isn’t it big here?
Esthier on July 24, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Esthier on July 24, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Duh…because they are Christians…
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 12:42 PM
The coverage here has been nil. I’m beyond furious about that. We must pray for them.
PRCalDude on July 24, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Hey! Lindsey Lohan got arrested!
see-dubya on July 24, 2007 at 12:48 PM
It doesn’t fit the media’s agenda. They’re Christians being held by Islamic terrorists.
amerpundit on July 24, 2007 at 12:48 PM
PS Well said, Bryan.
see-dubya on July 24, 2007 at 12:48 PM
We will pray for them Bryan. Thanks for the post. If not for you and a very few in the media we would no nothing about it.
conservnut on July 24, 2007 at 12:49 PM
Bryan I’m surprised at you. Don’t you know that this story isn’t getting coverage because it is obviously made up? Practitioners of the Religion of Peace don’t murder people. Can they help it if they are being framed by opportunistic IEDs, airplanes, car bombs, etc. that wait to go off when one of the practitioners just happens to be near by?
srhoades on July 24, 2007 at 12:50 PM
They’re in my prayers!
Stevel on July 24, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Can’t argue with that. They’re also not illegal aliens.
Now if they were illegal alien truthers, the MSM would be all over it.
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Spot on.
AtomicAmish on July 24, 2007 at 12:54 PM
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Oh and I forgot to add it also doesn’t do anything to further their America is the source of all evil in the world agenda.
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 12:56 PM
Oh yeah, that too.
Kowboy on July 24, 2007 at 12:58 PM
I think it’s because no one has ever heard of Skoreans. Where is Skorea, anyway? Next to Safrica? Sounds made up to me.
MikeZero on July 24, 2007 at 12:58 PM
Bryan…that comparison sums it up. Yet, here in the U.S. the Christians are demonized while the extremist Muslims get sympathy and protection. More evidence of reverse evolution.
jediwebdude on July 24, 2007 at 1:01 PM
South Korea, Mike. Pretty lousy thread to start up lame jokes dude.
Bryan on July 24, 2007 at 1:02 PM
The American media wouldn’t want people to think we’re in a religious war or anything…
May God deliver those brave souls.
CP on July 24, 2007 at 1:03 PM
I will definitely pray for them.
Ryan Gandy on July 24, 2007 at 1:03 PM
I, too, am tired of the lop sided coverage by the MSM. thankyou for your prompt attention to things that need to be aired. My last issue of Time arrived today(after countless years of subscribing). I did not renew because I had begun to find it a waste of time and money and biased in more ways than I found bearable. We will pray for the South Koreans too. What, if anything, is being done on their behalf?
jeanie on July 24, 2007 at 1:10 PM
Bryan’s correct. Most of us who call ourselves Christians wouldn’t dream of doing what these young people do. My wife and I sponsor two young missionaries in Moldava who also face some troubling situations, and it’s far too easy for me to sit in my padded pew and talk about all that is wrong with the world, while these young people actually walk their talk and face death for reaching out to those in need. The outrage and condemnation of this situation should be worldwide, and especially by those “moderate” Muslims at CAIR. BTW, where are Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and all of the other civil rights activists? Who speaks for these young people? Unfortunately “doriangrey” hit the nail on the head, they are Christians and therefore, not newsworthy, nor is their plight. Therefore, it is a non-issue to the MSM.
MrFreeman07 on July 24, 2007 at 1:15 PM
I am currently living in South Korea and it is obviously the biggest news here.
Most of the news is focused on why exactly the missionaries were there in the first place. The government tries to ban missionaries to Afganistan and Iraq for obvious reasons. They did not listen. There are many countries people can go to help people and spread the word of God. Going to a war torn country that it is illegal to spread any religion but Islam isn’t the wisest of choices. This is the line of thinking for many in South Korea. Part of me agrees.
Then there are some that want to somehow blame America for this. Don’t ask me exactly how, but the left in every country wants to somehow pin everything wrong with the world on the U.S. It is no different in South Korea.
Sadly, very little attention or blame is paid to the Taliban and the murdering thugs that they are. They get a pass somehow.
uskorea on July 24, 2007 at 1:16 PM
Thanx to you Bryan, and MM, for highlighting this story. You put it so well about the contrast as Christians and Talibanis live out their faith. Pray for the South Korean Christians to be sure. Pray for the Talibanis too. They can find God’s Grace through His Son Jesus too, if they will just accept it.
Jesus is coming back and it’s going to be a very very happy day for some, and a very very sad day for others.
Ordinary1 on July 24, 2007 at 1:20 PM
Sounds like our Korean brothers and sisters have the proper eschatological perspective:
And
PRCalDude on July 24, 2007 at 1:21 PM
I was going to say ‘I question the timing’ but since we aren’t joking here I won’t.
Christians may not be at war with Islam, but Islam sure is at war with Christians. This is not going to end well. Prejudices in America are going to well up in SPITE OF the media attempts to downplay things like this. Eventually Americans with guns are going to develop prejudice BECAUSE OF incidents like this that the media refuse to cover and because the media refuse to cover it (of course they’ll cover any ‘backlash’ as major news).
There will be another civil war in America, and the media is going to be the last ones to know about it.
I read stuff on this site every day that should be major news.
We talk about human rights abuses from countries abusing women, but we really need to start harping on freedom of conscience. People need to be allowed to believe as they see fit without fear of physical retribution sanctioned by the government.
ThackerAgency on July 24, 2007 at 1:21 PM
Bryan said:
You’re right. Sometimes the comedy portion of my brain works faster than the common sense part. Apologies.
MikeZero on July 24, 2007 at 1:32 PM
South Korea can be a very impressive country at times, these young people show that very well.
If I have been informed accurately by people more in the know that me…then South Korea has another and equally brave, committed, and capable group of young people to represent them.
ROK Marines.
Montana on July 24, 2007 at 1:34 PM
Good site. Deserves study.
PRCalDude on July 24, 2007 at 1:34 PM
Two thoughts:
First – I thought I’d seen the worst of the liberal media bias. I really thought they’d never top the blackout on the Newsome/Christian torture/murder story.
But this is arguably worse. I haven’t heard a thing about it on any of the networks (all three – at this very moment – are covering the Lohan yawn-fest instead).
As specious as it was, there was at least some validity to the argument of some that suggested that the Newsome/Christian black-on-white torture chamber story wasn’t reported because it was a regional or local story. The argument is empty … but it’s at least logical.
But this? How is this not national news? Afghanistan was the base for the losers on 9/11; it was the first target in the war on terror; it is such an epicenter of terrorist activity that even liberals (pretend to) support the military action there.
What goes on in Afghanistan, at this point in our history, is of concern to every American.
And this our enemy – the Taliban itself, sponsors of 9/11 – who are taking this action against our ally – a country in which we still have troops.
Again, what possible reason could be given for not having this dominating the headlines? It is the most newsworthy event in recent memory pertaining to the greatest ideological struggle in recent human history – it directly impacts the United States.
How is it not news?
The answer has already been given:
There is no other possible explanation.
It sickens me.
*******************************************
My second thought is a better one.
I’m not much of a Christian. I can’t claim to pray much or really be very religious. I like tweaking AP’s chain on the subject mostly for kicks … and I do have some core spiritual beliefs. But most of the time I think all of the major religions are just getting in the way of my own faith, if you know what I mean.
So I say this as something of an outside observer.
It’s simply this: the conduct of these South Koreans is so fundamentally CHRISTIAN, in every best sense of the word.
While the conduct of the Taliban is so fundamentally Muslim, in the worst sense of the word, in the way in which that religion has come to be known.
From an objective, rational perspective, it’s time to come right out and ask: is what I’m seeing in these two examples, these stark differences, really something extraordinary?
Or is this just the basic difference between the two religions and two cultures? Isn’t the obvious conclusion that these Christians are simply being Christian … and these Muslims are simply being Muslims?
Emotion suggests I shouldn’t even wonder – that it makes me a bigot. Emotion makes me cringe at the thought, makes me want to insist that such Muslims are rare.
But logic suggests we’re fools not to look at these Koreans and these terrorists … and see the unmistakable differences in the character of their competing faiths. Logic tells me that far, far, far too much of the time, this conduct isn’t happening in spite of Islam – it’s happening because of Islam.
I no longer know how to reconcile logic and emotion on this. And I don’t know what to do about it if logic wins out, if Islam is simply cursed at this point.
God bless those good Christians. And their families. How could anybody take people like these, on a mission like their’s, and treat them like this?
God has no need to damn the terrorists. They’re already damned.
Professor Blather on July 24, 2007 at 1:35 PM
We seem to be heading toward a time where Christians risk being thrown in jail in this country for hate speech. Where a “religion” that says Jesus is the only way is labeled intolerant and must be silenced, ridiculed. The Spirit of anti-Christ…
However, there is good news! Jesus said that in this world you will have trouble, but to take heart, He has overcome the world! For a Christian, this world is not home, and a lifetime here is nothing compared to eternity. It’s this eternal view that sends missionaries into the worst situations to spread the Good News of Jesus! If Jesus was willing to die for us, well, God Bless these South Koreans who cared enough about others to try to keep them from the wrath that is coming.
Thanx for the link! I’m not optimistic about the future of this world, but that doesn’t mean freedom isn’t worth fighting for! Especially freedom in Christ (which has already been paid for in full!)
Ordinary1 on July 24, 2007 at 1:37 PM
Our leaders could get serious about fighting what is patently evil and anti-human.
President Bush could begin (or recommence) backing up his 2002 rhetoric with actual action.
We have the power to end such things. We just don’t yet have the will.
Professor Blather on July 24, 2007 at 1:37 PM
In American, the MSM simply cannot portray Christians as innocent victims. It’s the same reason that there’s no news when Islamists attack churches in Egypt, Gaza, or the West Bank. It was only a back page, small print story when that nun was killed last year during the Muhammad Cartoon crisis. Christians get plenty of press as would-be facists (just check the local bookstore) but when Muslim thugs take Christians hostage in the 3rd world, it’s Dog Bites Man. This is especially true when the Christians are missionaries. The secular elites don’t even like the word, much less the actual people.
With luck, we’ll get a story in the Atlantic Monthly on this is a year or two, like they did with the Christian hostages held in the Philipines. Either way, by that time thse people will be safely home in South Korea, already forgiving and praying for their captors. Or they’ll be dead and their devout relatives will have forgiven their murderers. A more stark contrast between Christianity and Islam is hard to find.
But, as Tertullian said, the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church.
Thomas the Wraith on July 24, 2007 at 1:40 PM
And what’s so deeply ironic is that the paragraph I just quoted is precisely, word-for-word what liberals claim to hold most dear. In fact, what you just said is at the very heart of what liberalism is supposed to be about.
So where are they? Why are you writing that post and not them?
Where are they?
Professor Blather on July 24, 2007 at 1:41 PM
From the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
Progressive internationalists used to believe that. I guess they’ve moved on.
see-dubya on July 24, 2007 at 1:49 PM
I definitely appreciate these sentiments. I reluctantly conclude
We must take up our cross and pray for the terrorists as well:
PRCalDude on July 24, 2007 at 1:50 PM
ThackerAgency on July 24, 2007 at 1:21 PM
Oh no, there are going to be the first to know, to mangle a quote from the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy…”They are a bunch of mindless journalists who were the first against the Wall when the Revolution came”.
doriangrey on July 24, 2007 at 1:57 PM
I’m glad to see that Christianity in South Korea is producing such incredible young people. One hope is that the Taliban will see what a disaster hurting these kids would be for their cause, whatever it may be.
Rose on July 24, 2007 at 1:59 PM
Spreading the Gospel message is a higher calling. Some missions organizations realize that there are countries in which they cannot openly share their faith, but they can still perform relief activities that exemplify the core of Christianity. I see nothing wrong with this. If anything, it is the most honorable of occupations, especially when done in a country where Jesus is not an option.
jediwebdude on July 24, 2007 at 2:01 PM
The media, government and the left may deny that this is a religious war, but this is just more proof that Islam’s history is religious war
Tim Burton on July 24, 2007 at 2:03 PM
The same thing happened when I was at college. I went to Baylor for two years, and two of our students were captured while on a mission trip to Afganistan.
My professor criticized the two girls, saying that they’d get off easy and wouldn’t be killed but that the people who converted who are not Americans would be killed because of those girls.
And this was from the professor of a supposedly Christian school.
I get the sentiment, but the whole point of Christianity is that your life here is nothing compared to your life afterwards. For that reason, missionaries are especially needed in countries where the penalty for conversion is death.
Esthier on July 24, 2007 at 2:04 PM
Esthier–
I was wondering why no one brought up the Baylor prisoners in 2001, and their near-execution.
Two of them wrote a book.
Hmmm…Vent material?
see-dubya on July 24, 2007 at 2:19 PM
I agree if you’re viewing it in earthly terms, however I disagree if you’re goal is pleasing th Father and building your treasure in Heaven for all eternity. I pray for the immediate release of these brave souls. I pray that they are a testimony and witness to those who are holding them and that God works a miracle on thier captor’s souls as well. Now, wouldn’t that be something!
Let’s pray that the time is shortened and the number He is looking for is soon fulfilled!
CliffHanger on July 24, 2007 at 2:30 PM
Don’t get me wrong, i want nothing but the safe release and return to South Korea of these poor people, but what were they thinking? Going to Afghanistan for missionary work? Afghanistan, home to some of the most backwards “people” on Earth, just looking for an excuse to cut your head off, where people are condemned to death for proselytizing and apostasy?
This is akin to the 18 year old girl that goes out alone at 4 AM to a seedy part of town to get drunk. Chances are she’s going to get into a LOT of trouble. Should the scumbags be excused because of that? Absolutely not. They should be treated as the scum that they are.
But please, use your brain will you?
madne0 on July 24, 2007 at 2:31 PM
Definately will pray for them.
A lot of us have a lot to say on this subject. I didn’t have time to read everything everyone wrote. I didn’t see anyone post what’s been going through my brain for the past 2+ years I’ve been reading about Islam. But this always brings up the same questions for me.
I have heard people talk about the need for reform in Islam; a reformation that will silence the violent radicals among them. But if it is true that the Qu’ran needs to be interpreted in context of the Hadith and Suna, is such a reformation possible given how their founder behaved and responded to various life situations?
I’m not hating on Muslims. I’m just wondering if the change I hear people are hoping for in light of the S. Koreans, Darfur, etc., it a possibility or a pipe dream? I fear it’s the latter, but I hope I’m wrong.
looking4statesmen on July 24, 2007 at 2:32 PM
That was good PB, really good.
I read somewhere that the darkness cannot stand the light.
Darkness cannot eliminate light, but light can eliminate darkness, and that is what the MSM is most worried about. Highlighting these kind of stories will cast a spotlight on their weakness.
right2bright on July 24, 2007 at 2:34 PM
Oh, and let’s not forget that the South Korean government is probably going to end up paying the Taliban for their release, “a la” the Italians, French and (i believe) the Germans in similar circumstances. So, a few more million bucks into the Taleban wallet. And believe me, they aren’t going to spent it buying iPhones.
madne0 on July 24, 2007 at 2:37 PM
Bryan, thank you 100 times over for this post. This story is a breathing example of the difference between fundamentalist Christians and fundamentalist [i]Mohamedands[/i].
I will agree with your supposition that “we have the power” so long as you’re not exclusively (or even primarily) referring to our military might.
Our greatest advantage over these cretins is the truth, beauty and strength of our ideas.
12thman on July 24, 2007 at 2:37 PM
Good comments. Frankly, I doubt this is an anti-American bias at work here. I think it’s an America-centric bias. This is not happening in America or to Americans or in a war zone that Americans have been paying attention to. The “liberal bias” accusation rings rather hollow when you see which news organizations are paying attention – e.g., NPR and the BBC – not exactly bastions of conservatism compared to, say, Fox News. An America-centric bias can be just as bad for the cause of freedom as an anti-American bias, but it’s still important to differentiate.
calbear on July 24, 2007 at 2:38 PM
Dana and Heather’s story is indeed incredible, and I hope that the current situation ends as well. Their church in Waco was praying for them around the clock, and we need to give the same support to these south koreans.
TexasDan on July 24, 2007 at 2:39 PM
I heard in church a couple of weeks ago that the S. Koreans sent missionaries all over the world this summer. One of their main targets was the United States, they felt it their duty to come and share the Gosple with us (as we did with them) because they saw us drifting. Personnally I believe we should not only pray for them we should do everything in our power to find these young people and see to it that they return home safe and the terrorists who kidnapped them get their chance to meet Allah — in hell.
srhoades on July 24, 2007 at 2:40 PM
Better yet, they’re using their hearts.
There is more to be gained in this world than simply making it safely to one’s mid -70’s. I took my family for a time to Indonesia, which is not quite Afghanistan, but brought up the same questions.
I think that reasonable people might disagree (on whether or not to go to a “dangerous” country), but I think you ought to refrain from maligning their intelligence. I had the privilege of baptising a former Muslim. There are indeed some rewards worth the risk.
TexasDan on July 24, 2007 at 2:44 PM
absolutely brain-dead comparison
12thman on July 24, 2007 at 2:50 PM
TexasDan: They’re not just risking their lives. Right now hundreds, if not thousands of soldiers are risking their lives to save them, going through dangerous operations they wouldn’t do should there be no captives on the ground.
Not to mention, like i said before, that there is a good possibility that the S. Korean government will pay off the Taleban. And that means more weapons and more bombs to kill Afghan/Pakistani civilians and NATO soldiers.
madne0 on July 24, 2007 at 2:51 PM
The liberal press knows best. They don’t want to be part of the machinery that drives us into darkness. Put yourselves in their heads. Just for a moment please.
They’ve been to college; they know lots of stuff about the world. Their job is to relate that stuff to us. But some of the things that go on in the world might drive us off in the wrong direction. We might overreact. We may begin to hate. They would not want to publish things that turn us away from the Progressive Light.
My pappy fought in WWII and told me something the other day that I haven’t been able to shake. He said that the press of the day taught him to fear and hate his enemy. According to my old man, you cannot effectively fight a war without these two emotions.
I believe the press either consciously or unconsciously downplays stories that they think will incite racist hatred. To do so may reawaken emotions that we have sort of suppressed in our society. The evolution of the species = the evolution of the human mind and politics. We will wean ourselves off hate given the chance. But to help humanity along, they report the world through their liberal lens. They have that College World View remember? Hate of another people is always bad, it’s racist. War is never good. Anyway, my dad was a hater when he had to be and now he’s a sweet old man. Still won’t buy a Japanese car though.
dingbat on July 24, 2007 at 2:51 PM
Thanks.
madne0 on July 24, 2007 at 2:52 PM
Most inappropriate analogy I’ve read in a good long time.
Congratulations…
CliffHanger on July 24, 2007 at 2:53 PM
You don’t do much charity work do you?
You don’t go to Beverly Hills to pass out blankets and sandwiches to the residents.
right2bright on July 24, 2007 at 2:54 PM
The Dems insist that we should be fighting terrorism in Afghanistan rather than Iraq. Iraq is a distraction. So why isn’t the liberal press all over this, screaming that it wouldn’t have happened but for Bush’s illegal war?
RedWinged Blackbird on July 24, 2007 at 2:59 PM
Christians such as these missionaries are not following the rules that our earthly leaders have imposed on us. The East German government was routinely paid millions in ransom, and yet they collapsed. There are things in this world far more powerful than money, and living out a life dedicated to providing others with the knowledge of our loving God is at the top of the list.
I heard about this on Sunday because I attend a Korean church, but this is the first I’ve heard of it outside that context. Unbelievable how much misunderstanding and dislike of Christianity there is in this country. I was fortunate to have been saved from my own atheism by Koreans who came to this country.
Besides praying for the missionaries, we should really be praying for those who are threatening them that their hearts would be opened so that their country is saved from Islam.
pedestrian on July 24, 2007 at 3:09 PM
Honestly, that’s an event that’s stuck out almost as much as 9-11 in my mind.
It was news all over campus just as it was any time a student was harmed. Yet in that class, my history class, the same class where I was informed a tower had fallen, the girls were insulted, as though it was selfish of them to go over there.
I was so completely disgusted.
I didn’t know about they wrote book. I might have to check it out.
Esthier on July 24, 2007 at 3:10 PM
Because that’s a 2003 talking point of liberal commentators, not a 2007 talking point of the press (liberal or otherwise). If the press were out to condemn Bush’s handling of the Taliban war, you’d hear more condemnation of the Waziristan problems. But you don’t hear that in the liberal press; rather you hear it in blogs like this one, since they’re the ones that are actually paying attention.
calbear on July 24, 2007 at 3:14 PM
Not to heap on criticism, but the part that completely went off, in my mind, was where you were talking about the girl getting drunk.
The thing is, these people knew what they were getting into. They didn’t go in naively and didn’t go in with brains clouded by alcohol.
It’s just not quite the same.
A more apt comparison would be to say that it’s the same as a person running into a burning house with a squirt gun, knowing that the firefighters will never reach this particular house.
Yeah, it’s probably not the brightest idea. The person probably won’t make much of a difference and could easily die in the process; the house will still crumble. Yet, maybe someone can be rescued. To that person, the idiot who ran into the building made a huge impact.
Esthier on July 24, 2007 at 3:19 PM
dingbat, the point is that hatred is going to bubble up IN SPITE OF the media trying to downplay events like this.
It isn’t the media’s job to make judgements on how the news they report will affect the population (I know they do it all the time, but it still doesn’t make it their job). Their job is to report the TRUTH.
The USA needs to KNOW that this stuff happens. Most people think America is arrogant because we don’t care about things that happen outside of America. This is why. It won’t sell, so they won’t report it.
The media are hoping that they will be let go, then they’ll report that the reasonable Taliban released foreign Christian spies once their demands were met. So we should negotiate with them.
If they aren’t let go, they’ll report – 23 Christian missionaries were captured and killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan. See why we should have spent more effort in Afghanistan without going into Iraq?
They will report the news – only to fit their own agenda. This stuff will incite hatred because it is dispicable and should cause ANGER. The MOTIVE of these people is ISLAM. That’s how it should be reported. These people are hostages because they aren’t muslim. If they were muslim, they wouldn’t be in trouble. That is dispicable and whether or not the media reports it, people are going to wake up eventually and it ain’t gonna be pretty.
Just because you ignore a problem doesn’t mean it isn’t a problem. Eventually it’s going to come to a head whether or not the media choose to report it. I personally have my eyes wide open.
ThackerAgency on July 24, 2007 at 3:20 PM
hmmmmm… let me see if I follow you. 1) You’re assuming that there are hundreds, if not thousands!!, of soldiers out looking for the missionaries. 2) You assume you know what the government of South Korea will do in response. And 3) somehow the missionaries and not the terrorists or the other soveriegn entities are responsible for all of this?
I guess when the Taliban storms in and kidnaps/beheads teachers for instructing girls how to read it’s all the teacher’s fault? Forget about trying to help other people in desperate need of assistance; if the Taliban says no, you just don’t go?
Have I got it right?
Maybe a more appropriate analogy would help you understand what has happened here. This story is just like if a group of drug dealers stormed into a “Betty Ford Clinic”, took the workers hostage and then threatened to behead them.
How stupid of those doctors for trying to help those seeking to break their dependancy on drugs! Everyone knows the cartel would get pissed off at that.
Thank God there are still men and women in this world willing to take risks to help those in need… even if they know the Taliban and madne0 don’t approve.
12thman on July 24, 2007 at 3:31 PM
Hopefully, we can all disengage our flame wars and coalesce around praying for these people.
PRCalDude on July 24, 2007 at 3:33 PM
That would be wise.
Esthier on July 24, 2007 at 3:42 PM
PRC, the first thing I did when I read this story was say a prayer for these brave soldiers and they will remain in my prayers and in those of my congregation.
I have no intention of participating in a “flame war”. My only purpose in the additional posts is to point out how different this is from a “girl venturing into a seedy part of town to get drunk”.
Reasonable people sometimes have unreasonable ideas. There is nothing wrong with discussing varrying points of view. But if madne0 turns out to be a troll it will be revealed soon enough and the conversation will be over.
12thman on July 24, 2007 at 3:51 PM
Understood.
PRCalDude on July 24, 2007 at 3:54 PM
I am sure Amnesty International will be right on it. Yea right!
My Prayers for them.
Irenaeus on July 24, 2007 at 4:00 PM
What world do come from?
Just kidding…you are right, but it ain’t going to happen. Journalists don’t see the truth, they want to change the direction of the world. They want their beliefs to be read and adopted, that is what they see. The truth gets in the way, their belief in the truth is what is important what they think is the truth, and they will find the stories to support it.
Christians are in the way, and these Christians are loving, giving, faithful, in other words, they don’t fit the Christian profile as being as radical as Jihadists, therefore they are not important.
right2bright on July 24, 2007 at 4:03 PM
Where is the media? Oh they don’t care.. It doesnt fit there agenda.
TheSitRep on July 24, 2007 at 4:31 PM
This IS NOT being covered by the American media – because it flies in the face of what the media want us to believe – that America is the enemy of peace, and is being attacked by Islam for its transgressions in the Middle East.
The reality? Christianity is the enemy of Islam, and is the true target of Islam. Remember the three (3), Christian, school girls who were beheaded on their way to their Christian school [in Indonesia]? They weren’t Americans. They weren’t slaughtered because they had any connections with America. They were Christians and, therefore, they were the enemy.
Why doesn’t the media in America cover this? Publicizing attacks on Christians will only get in the way of the ongoing media effort to portray America as being the deplorable target of the righteous indignation of Islam. As far as the media is concerned, America should pay for its transgressions. America must pay – that is the media message. The true target of Islam – the destruction of Christianity – is irrelevant.
OhEssYouCowboys on July 24, 2007 at 5:06 PM
Great thread Bryan.
I was completely unaware of the situation too, which is a sad commentary on both the media AND me, considering that I’m a news junkie.
Any chance Michelle can bring this up next time she hosts or guests on O’Reilly?
Prayers already said for the hostages.
LegendHasIt on July 24, 2007 at 5:20 PM
Bryan, thank you for the post, and for the coverage you give to important stories that are sure to be spiked by the MSM.
ThackerAgency, I understand and agree with your meaning/intentions in this comment. However, I caution you in the use of the word Prejudice. If you mean outrage or anger, yes. Prejudice isn’t something you develop because of a story, and surely not because of the lack of a story, so your point could be misunderstood. Christians are accused far too often of being wrongly prejudiced as it is, it wouldn’t help to mistakenly add to that. Again, however, I appreciate your point, that outrage over spiked stories may eventually demand a response.
That South Korea doesn’t allow missionaries to legally go to a certain country means nothing to me. Government cannot control religious conscience. I know quite a few missionaries who are undercover in countries that would kill them for their presence. See the Scripture passages referred to by PRCCalDude at 1:21PM
- Romans 10:14, 15
- Psalm 116:14-16
- Ephesians 6:10-20
This is Christianity in shoe leather, not the plastic-Jesus-on-the-dashboard version most would restrict us to.
Freelancer on July 24, 2007 at 5:37 PM
I find nothing wrong with hating people who want to kill me because I don’t bow down to the religion of their warrior prophet. Their leaders chose their religion, it was a defective, backward, hateful one. They desiced to follow the dogma without a shred of mercy. Their religion indoctrinates children to kill themselves in the name of their warrior prophet and his vengeful God.
They are a blight on humanity who should either reform or be wiped out.
BKennedy on July 24, 2007 at 6:26 PM
I wouldn’t go that far myself. If they could be weakened and contained to the extent that they were during the period 1800-1960 (roughly) that would be fine. There’s no need to wipe them out. A friend of mine suggested the same thing and I asked him what about the 25 million Kurds who aren’t on a jihad against the West, or non-violent Sufis or ordinary folk who have no interest in killing anyone. Sorry to be so nuanced about it (paging John Kerry) but just because we are constantly being told that it’s a tiny minority of extremists doesn’t means that instead we’re facing 1.2 billion extremists.
aengus on July 24, 2007 at 6:43 PM
We’re facing a significant minority of Koranic literalists in my opinion. Collapse their oil industry, reform immigration to all Western countries and take a robust stand against kidnapping (Entebbe should be a template not an abberation) and you’ve got a start right there. Also, try to convert Muslims to Christianity. The Muslim women who wind up in wife-beating sancturies could be given Bibles. Bush said this is an ideological war but hasn’t made any significant attempts to fight it ideologically.
aengus on July 24, 2007 at 6:47 PM
I don’t buy that for a second. Considering this civil war is somehow inevitable (according to you) could you give a more detailed explanation as to why this will occur?
aengus on July 24, 2007 at 7:07 PM
This is also the first I’ve heard of this story. The disturbing lack of reprtage should be surprising. Unfortunately it’s not. Sad but not surprising.
PowWow on July 24, 2007 at 7:19 PM
It may start out from inviting all the ‘newcomers’ to take advantage of our tax dollars with the welcome mat of the media.
I think this government AND MEDIA has an agenda that doesn’t necessarily fit AMERICAN culture. In other words, every culture is important to the media and government except AMERICAN culture.
I’m not saying this ‘civil war’ is going to start now, or in 10 years, or even 20 years. But I BET the minute that some redneck Christian in the south (Bible Belt) is woken up EVERY night by the blasting of a call to prayer due to their protection of ‘freedom of religion’, no spiked story is going to keep them from being upset. The story will definitely be the reaction from said redneck Christian at the imposition on his pursuit of happiness.
I don’t think it is a problem with the people of Islam, and I’m not advocating violence at all. I think there IS a problem with the ideology. AND I think that a major solution is the Gospel. They know ‘of’ Christ, they just don’t understand Him. They ‘love God’ and I appreciate their devotion to ‘God’, but the ideology of forcible world domination under the religious state of Islam has got to go.
ThackerAgency on July 24, 2007 at 7:28 PM
aengus, we are on the same page. I think I went over the top on a post or two. I don’t advocate violence, but I know my neighbors pretty good. AND I know most of them don’t know what’s coming with respect to Islam. They are good people, but they are going to be upset when it gets here even though they are currently blinded by media indifference and moral relativism.
ThackerAgency on July 24, 2007 at 7:32 PM
My best friend and his dad (a good man) were being harassed by a muezzin call to prayer. They went up to the man to confront him, a road up. He said it was his religious duty to sound it (despite the fact that he was the only Muslim in that area). My friend said okay, play your call to prayer and I’ll blast my Metallica CD at full volume during your prayer time. The man smiled and agreed to cut out the noise. A year later I read in the paper that man was arrested for connections to terrorism.
Fair enough. A certain amount of civil disorder is quite possible but a full-blown civil war does not seem likely in my opinion. I see the point you’re making: blowback from this war is always assumed to come from Muslims but nobody ever considers that citizens who are fed up with Muslim agression will provide some blowback of their own. Here in Ireland support for the IRA is more widespread than a lot of people want to admit. Some very good friends of mine have a weakness for the IRA even though they should know better.
aengus on July 24, 2007 at 7:53 PM
God bless our Korean brothers and sisters putting everything on the line for the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ. Live or die, they win.
I’ve been praying for them and encourage anybody reading this thread to do so as well.
Mojave Mark on July 24, 2007 at 8:04 PM
Ditto on the prayers. God help them!
inviolet on July 24, 2007 at 9:01 PM
I am not a theologan but it seems to me that in CHRISTIANITY JESUS SHED HIS BLOOD FOR THE WORLD but in ISLAM, THEY WISH TO SHED THE BLOOD OF THE WHOLE WORLD can no one see the difference.
bootheel on July 25, 2007 at 12:14 AM
A Christian will give his life to help send you to heaven.
A Muslim will give his life to help send you to hell.
Mojave Mark on July 25, 2007 at 1:49 AM
A Muslim will give his life to go to hell. Without eternal life through Jesus, a Muslim has only this life. Next stop, eternal death.
saved on July 25, 2007 at 5:58 AM
I’ve been reading Dante’s Inferno recently. Were his recounting true, all those Suicide bombers will end up as tree stumps in Malgebolge, for those who voluntarily discarded their bodies are not given them back in the second coming.
BKennedy on July 25, 2007 at 12:15 PM
You might want to give a look at this one too…
oldleprechaun on July 25, 2007 at 8:01 PM
Sorry. Just go to
persecution.com
oldleprechaun on July 25, 2007 at 8:02 PM
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