The following request appears on the Antiochian Orthodox Website concerning the conflict in Gaza. On its face, it seems balanced in that it does not take sides nor does it offer overt political bias. The only thing I would suggest is that the Diocese should have and could have made the same request to halt the terrorist missiles being launched into Israel prior to Israel having to respond militarily. It seems a little late now to suggest "the faithful" contact our Representatives to urge the US government to "exert influence". Does this not infer strongly that Israel is the one who needs to stop? Why is our Diocese always silent when the Muslim Arab Palestinian Terrorists are attacking Israel, yet it screams to high heaven when Israel responds?
"We of The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America join most of the world in decrying the loss of life and extreme human tragedy unfolding in Gaza before our eyes.
In light of this, we make an urgent appeal to all of the faithful of The Antiochian Archdiocese to immediately contact their elected representatives. Urge them to exert the considerable influence of the U.S. Government to end these hostilities and engage the various parties in a meaningful dialogue to forge a just and lasting peace. At the same time we ask you to keep all of the victims of this tragedy in your daily prayers."
I commend the IOCC charity fund also mentioned on the Antiochian Website as long as they give also to Israeli families who have been affected by terrorists missiles.
Addendum Questions:When Hamas announces publicly that it will send "suicide bombers" into Israel and will "kidnap" Israeli soldiers in retaliation for the Gaza incursion, is the fact that they will use women and children as suicide bombers to target INNOCENT civilians and will torture the soldiers, worthy of a condemnation by the Antiochian Diocese? If so where is the condemnation and when will it be issued?
Addendum Questions 2:
Is this statement true or false?:
"Islam is not the word of God," said Yousef. "If you want to be offended it's your problem. But you know something? Go study. Think for a second that I might be right. So wake up, look at your path, see where you're going. Are you really going to heaven with 72 virgins after you kill yourself and kill another 20 people?" (Mosab Hassan Yousef- Son of one of the founding members of Hamas now a Christian and living in the United States)
If the statement is true, should the Church be careful not to side with and support advocates of it?
"Islam is not the word of God," said Yousef. "If you want to be offended it's your problem. But you know something? Go study. Think for a second that I might be right. So wake up, look at your path, see where you're going. Are you really going to heaven with 72 virgins after you kill yourself and kill another 20 people?" (Mosab Hassan Yousef- Son of one of the founding members of Hamas now a Christian and living in the United States)
If the statement is true, should the Church be careful not to side with and support advocates of it?
Addendum Question 4:
How trustworthy are the statistics issued by Hamas?
"Physician at Gaza's Shifa Hospital tells Italian newspaper number of dead in Israeli offensive 'stands at no more than 500 or 600, most of them youths recruited to Hamas' ranks'. Senior Palestinian Health Ministry official denies claims, IDF estimate on 1,200 casualties in Strip remains unchanged."
Islam has been the enemy of the Holy Mother Church since that false prophet pedophile started raiding caravans and killing everyone who opposed him. Muslims make Baptists look like Unitarians in comparison to dealing with the unsaved. People had better wake up to that fact. If people still want to try to have futile "ecumenical" relations with the religion of peace, be my guest. I for one refuse to be a dhimmi. If that makes me a "bad Orthodox" I DON'T CARE!
ReplyDeleteVir, I wish you would say what you really feel. :)
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