The latest brutal blow in Turkish extremists' campaign of violence against the country's tiny Christian community.
I know about this because it's been covered by German TV, interest here being doubtless intensified by the fact that one of the victims was German. There's nothing on the BBC website. Why not?
Of course this adds one more twist to the dilemma of whether Turkey should be admitted into the EU. On the one hand, slamming the door shut would give these killers exactly what they want. On the other hand, the notion that a welcoming attitude from Europe could itself create an irresistible dynamic of Westernization within Turkish society looks increasingly utopian. It's a colossal gamble, and I don't profess to be capable of estimating the odds.
One option which will appeal to some is to blame it all on the Pope. The following gives a flavour of a lengthy hatchet job by one Jane Kramer in the New Yorker:-
'Benedict’s earlier statements about Turkey being “in permanent contrast to Europe,” along with the local fury over Regensburg, had left all Christians in the East vulnerable'
One man makes a couple of statements, and suddenly security is turned into vulnerability for 'all Christians in the East' - is there no limit to the trouble that can be caused by an 80-year-old heading an army of 134 men with stripey trousers and pikes?
Earlier this year Mrs Cyrus was present at a service in London at which the leader of a Christian congregation in Istanbul was ordained as a deacon in the Church of England - very likely an unprecedented event. He, his flock and all Turkish Christians could use a prayer or two, I think.
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2 comments:
The C of E ordained a Christian Turk? When will the church stop this incessant provocation of Muslims.
With all due respect, the very existence of Christians and Jews, along with any Westernised Culture is a provocation to Q'uranic Muslims. The acts of practising our faith is a provocation of Muslims. The acts of any religion other than Islam is a provocation to Muslims.
The goal of Islam is to conquer the world for their allah. Nothing less.
The only way to prevent the provocation of Muslims is for all the world to be forcefully converted to Islam...thereby having no other reason to be provoked by different faiths...that is of course until the differing factions of Islam itself get together...then there will surely be more violence and bloodshed as we see with Palestinians and Iraqis currently.
Simple yet poignant comparison of Islam and Christianity,
Islam,
* … and fight them until there is no oppression and the religion is wholly for God…. (8:38-40)
* Fight against those among the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) who do not believe in God and the Last Day, who do not forbid what God and His messenger have forbidden, until they are subdued and pay jizyah (tax on non-Muslims) … (9:29-32)
* Cut their necks, subdue them, then be generous. Martyrs will receive paradise where there are rivers of water, milk, wine and honey plus fruits…. Sura 47:4-6,15
Christianity,
* You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved - Matthew 10:22
* Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name - Matthew 24:9
* If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you - John 15:18
* But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you - Matthew 5:44
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