Ever since God told President Bush to invade Iraq, Christians in Iraq have been under pressure. Now it seems they are contemplating their own extension.
"Do Christians have a Future in Iraq?" Over 100 Iraqi Christian leaders convened yesterday in Baghdad to address the possible extinction of their ancient community at Iraq's 1st Christian Leadership Conference on Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Since the downfall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, nearly half of Iraq's one million Christians have fled for refuge abroad, while many of the remnants live as destitute IDPs. 518 Christians have been killed as a result of politically-inspired violence during the past six years, while 48 churches have been destroyed, according to a report submitted by the Hammurabi Human Rights Organization (HHRO) - a co-sponsor of the Conference.
I wonder if Bush considered the impact on the faithful when he decided to send us to war? Somehow I doubt it.
I find it odd that the Christians think that without them, Iraq will cease to exist.
William Warda, President of the HHRO, stressed that Iraq's ancient Christian community, together with the indigenous Yezidi and Mandean minorities, constitute the deepest roots of the Iraqi nation. If Iraq's Christian roots are severed, he continued, the Iraqi nation and state will shrivel and die.
The loss of a minority will cause the whole nation to die? The loss of a minority would be a tragedy, but somehow I doubt it will bring about the end of Iraq. The problem is real though, what does one do when their country becomes an intolerant religious nightmare? It’s a little like being an Atheist in America, but without all the suicide bombs.
