by Stu Bykofsky, Philadelphia Daily News
A RELIGIOUS minority is being persecuted, driven from their homes, robbed, raped, murdered.
From all the faux Islamophobia hysteria, you’d think it was Muslims.
It’s Christians, under a death sentence in parts of the Muslim world. Not in every Muslim country, but in too many.
The world remains remarkably, willfully blind and mute as the faithful of the world’s largest religion are blown apart by followers of the world’s second-largest religion.
Precise Christian persecution “figures are hard to come by,” says Kiri Kankhwende, spokesman for Christian Solidarity Worldwide, in the United Kingdom. Precise or not, things have rarely been worse. And who cares?
I am not a Christian, but I belong to a minority with a long history of persecution. The electrifying experience of the Holocaust, when the world stood mute, shapes my belief that it should happen “never again” to anyone. When the world is silent, slaughter follows.
A headline in Monday’s Daily News was unusual only in its candor: “Dozens dead in Pakistan; Christians targeted.”
It was a murderous attack on a church in which more than 70 died, the deadliest-ever attack against Pakistani Christians. At the same time, Islamic jihadists were rolling hand grenades into a Kenyan shopping mall and mowing down civilians – allowing only Muslims to safely exit.
Across the globe, Muslims are too often in the thick of the hate, pillage, rape and murder. There is no escaping the transparent fact jihadists use their religion as a rallying cry to kill Christians (and others).
Surely the United Nations is on top of this, right?
No. The U.N. avoids the Christian “problem” like leprosy.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issues an annual report with three tiers from bad to worst.
Tier 1, diplomatically defined as “countries of particular concern,” is the worst. Making the (bad) grade in 2013 were (alphabetically) Burma, China, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam. Ten of the 15 are Muslim.
Currently in the gunsights are Coptic Christians, about 9 percent of Egypt’s 85 million population. They were openly persecuted when the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Morsi was elected president, then attacked more viciously when he was deposed. About 100,000 have fled the country in the last two years, according to Steven Emerson, who heads the Investigative Project on Terrorism.
Amazingly, Jesus’ birthplace of Bethlehem is almost free of Christians. They are down to 10 percent of the population from 90 percent a century ago. Christians soon will be gone from Bethlehem. The only country in the Mideast with a growing Christian population is Israel.
None of this should come as news.
As far back as 2001, the Middle East Forum’s Daniel Pipes was reporting, “Christians are fleeing from all over the Middle East.” Not just leaving, but “fleeing.”
The most curious thing to me is the silence of major media, which largely ignores one of the great stories of our generation, and Christian churches. They turn a cheek to persecution while turning a blind eye to their brothers and sisters being massacred, tortured and driven off their land.
I don’t understand it and I can’t join it.
“In the end,” the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
This friend is silent no more. Christians, how can you be?
Email: stubyko@phillynews.com
dweller Said:
That cause you run in ever tightning circles.
dweller Said to Yamit:
Hmm??? Has dweller stooped to plagiarism, it has a familiar ring, sounding a bit like:
bernard ross Said:
Is this a case of imitation being the sincerest form of flattery or are you bankrupt in the imagination department?
Bernard Ross Said:
ttwice within a couple of days on 2 forums. Even once is too much for someone who exhibits dishonest behavior.
Yamit Said to Dweller:
it was a rehetorical question; no one is actually interested in the life and times of your burned out laptop from a few years ago. but since you broguht up your burned out laptop from years back: how does that explain today? Are you saying you have a laptop but it has been burned out for years?
bernard ross Said:
did i throw you enough crumbs this time?
@ yamit82:
And what would that make you — Nurse Ratshit?
@ yamit82:
It is state funded. But it keeps much shorter hours on the weekend.
— That’s the length & the breadth of it.
I have a laptop, but a few yrs ago (before I knew anything about computers), I left it plugged into the same wall socket that I used when I vacuumed my living room carpet. (Big mistake. . . .)
Nice try, Yamit, but I’ve never BEEN ‘cornered.’
The only thing that has EVER set me on the run on any blogsite has been the CLOCK, and that’s the truth.
But keep up the attempts; hope springs eternal, and all that.
Besides, you KNOW how I love to watch you twist yourself into a pretzel as you try to find a foothold into my castle.
@ bernard ross:
Actually, Bernard, collusion and conspiracy presume a minimal degree of intelligent, rational planning — and I’d never accuse you of that level of capability (irrespective of the malevolence of your motives).
What I have noted in the past, and continue to observe to this day, however, is that Yamit has managed to parlay his often prodigious collection of data into some perverse species of “gatekeeper” role for himself on this site — and that, accordingly, insecure individuals such as yourself (among others) feel strongly bound to pay homage to that role by “liking” his likes, “disliking” his dislikes, and otherwise establishing their bona fides with him.
So, you see, it’s all about mutual support; no need for conspiracies for what you’re about.
Rather, you’re like a couple of drunks holding each other up as they stagger home after closing time.
@ bernard ross:
“Often”? — hardly.
Actually (since such things are apparently significant to the likes of you), I’m quite sure the Front Page search engine will confirm that I’ve made the assertion of honesty on no more than a few occasions in all the years I’ve posted on this board.
— And the most recent was strictly in reply to your sneering, jeering taunt that, in defending Curio, I was playing “knight in shining armor.”
In any case, I’ve not told any lies on this site since I first posted here. Nor have I ever said anything here that I did not, in fact, believe. If that doesn’t constitute honesty in your estimation, then ask me if I give a rusty screw about what you do or don’t think.
The difference between CA and you is that while he is mistaken about some things that he hasn’t yet thought thru, he does have one very significant thing going for him that you don’t.
— He isn’t a malicious a—hole.
And just as I ‘predict,’ YOU will be back to get in the last word. (You always do.)
And what ELSE is new around these parts?
@ yamit82:
I shall listen later, the game is on and the noise is ear-spliting. Brocos are eating the Cowboy’s jerky!!!!!!!!!yamit82 Said:
Let me know when you want a taste. Sugar Pie But then, I aways hate to see a grown man cry.
@ CuriousAmerican:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=2qFYmsuC01c
honeybee Said:
Note the dialogue at the 5 min point in this clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua0TT87KNwo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6vVsstmTfc
@ yamit82:
Once I fry a chicken for a man he is mine forever!!!!!!!!
yamit82 Said:
hilarious!. he is the black knight
yamit82 Said:
this one was blocked
at first I thought your Jesus clips on the other forum were going to turn to monty python endings
@ honeybee:
Sounds like a freaky cookbook.
How did it work out for you?
yamit82 Said:
Last time when he was exposing his hatred of women to HB he escaped due to the 10 day expiration.
bernard ross Said:
Remind you of anyone?
The knights who say Ni!!
@ yamit82:
When I was a girl,I would eat spinach so I could be strong and fight the bullies. It only strenthed my jaw muscles. My favorite book was “Muscles and Brains” by Sid Hoff.
@ bernard ross:
If the University is fed funded maybe the place is closed??
Maybe we should take up a collection so he can buy a computer or maybe someone can donate an old desk top for his benefit?
Maybe he uses the story of library as an excuse to quit when he has been cornered?
@ yamit82: I wonder if the library is closed? 😛
dweller Said:
Dem’s fighten woids.
Who Does He think he is?
@ bernard ross:
dweller Said:
Mr. Wonderful Not Mr. Clean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkemyL0jLAg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbOzfXAJm4I
honeybee Said:
More like Jack Nicholson in”One flew Over the Cuckoo Nest” Cuckoo Cuckoo
bernard ross Said:
Vanity Vanity All is Vanity!!!!!!!!!!
honeybee Said:
That’s true but I think his mirror says it’s him.
bernard ross Said:
That’s easy ,its me!!!!!!!!! Honey Cakes
honeybee Said:
Hush!!! Mr. predictable will accuse us of collusion(“tag team mates”) because we both appear to recognize, at the same time, the odor of the heaping mess of BS which he keeps shoveling and tripping over. Now, if yamit shows up we will be accused of a grand conspiracy while having to endure the endless litany of “mirror, mirror, on the wall who’s the fairest one of all”. 😛
bernard ross Said:
I love it when you talk tough!!!!!!!Yankele Boy
honeybee Said:
Oops, do I hear the crashing sound of metal hitting the ground? 😛
Bernard Ross Said:
this is disproved by your disingenuous attempts to rationalize and cover up CA’s behavior. Your story about checking the time was hilarious and indicative of your usual painstaking squirming to maintain your ludicrous narratives even after they are exposed as lies. Squirm as you may CA’s behavior in a debate with you on the now exppirecd Oslo page proved my point. CA spent a lot of time, research and linking debating and defending pal legitimacy and identity and ended with his usual mantra of the “jews should pay” While engaged with you he was completely ignoring the dedicated forum regarding “the persecution of Christians is being ignored”, save for one feeble innocuous comment. CA has proven that when given a choice he gravitates to defend the predominantly muslim pals inconveniences, legitimacy, suffering and identity rather than to dedicate time and energy to helping his christian brothers escape the global slaughters of the muslims. All of your ludicrous rationalizations cannot change the obvious facts of his behavior. Your gymnastics resemble a monkey on a monkey bar. The difference is that even CA can sees the shame of his behavior by avoiding discussion of the obvious. However, your dishonesty and your monumental ego is without limit as you continue these feeble denials of the obvious while at the same time declaring your “honesty”. You have often declared that you are an honest man but I believe that this is either a legend within your own mind, a delusion, or it is just another expression of your dishonesty. Your repeated declarations of your honesty remind me of those who precede their statements with “Frankly,….”, or “To be completely honest with you, ……” .
Furthermore, just as I predicted, you have returned to feed on the crumbs I throw you:
bernard ross Said:
bernard ross Said:
and I repeat as before:
bernard ross Said:
over to you Mr. Predictable, I know your massive ego can’t resist, the rest of your narrative is just “window dressing”. 😛
dweller Said:
Your more like Jack Nickelson in “The Shinning”!!!!!!!!! Darlin
@ bernard ross:
Yes, absolutely. The proof is in the many posts of yours that I ignore altogether.
The archives clearly — and amply — tell the story.
ROFLMAO. Tireless I may be, but you do nothing for my ‘ego,’ Bernard.
— I told you before: My exchanges with you are strictly a chore.
“Proof?” — all that my OR your posts prove, Bernard, is your fundamental dishonesty, typified above by what amounts to a lame attempt at covering yourself while you try to slip in the last word. (Do you really think every reader is so stupid as to not see that?)
I doubt you find my “coming back” funny. . . .
It’s your OWN ego you feed with these “crumbs,” and you know it. (Be sure & wash them down with water; you seem to be choking on them.)
Nope, didn’t need to; I knew it right away — as soon as I saw your slimy, overblown claims — that it was your CLAIMS that were disproportionate, not CA’s time spent here. I suggested a glance at the posting record for anybody — including PresentCompany — who NEEDED proof.
Nope, just an honest man.
I’ve had occasion to defend YOU too, when you were apparently otherwise disposed.
— Didn’t view myself as ‘knight in shining armor’ then either.
You can trust me to take you apart in print, Brnard, any time I catch you you taking a cheap shots at ANYBODY who isn’t around to call you on it him/herself.
Ted, I emailed you my reply to Dweller which disappeared in spam. Please post
Ted, reply 3 to dweller disappeared in the spam filter
dweller Said:
Would you have? I think not, your tireless narcissistic ego does not allow you to stop. The proof is in this post of yours and the next one you will make.
I “ve already told you but you seem to have learning difficulties:
Bernard Ross Said:
and as I predicted you are back, adding nothing, but in a need to win
dweller Said:
Not for your amusement but for mine and the rest of the posters. It’s funny to watch you keep coming back for each time I throw a crumb to your ego. clever you, all wrapped up in chains.
dweller Said:
Really, you went and researched the times in order to make a pathetic and feeble attempt to retrieve your ludicrous narrative, like you are still doing here? You really are painting a ridiculous picture of yourself.
dweller Said:
really, so you see yourself now as the “knight in shining armor”? I do not think CA was helped with the ridiculous argument you postulated, especially after he was caught debating with you over numerous posts, supplying links and research, all in aid of pal, identity, pal legitimacy, pal suffering and unsurprisingly concluding that the “jews should pay”. Perhaps he realized what you could not. I think your feeble narratives are in dire need of crutches.
dweller Said:
I trust you to keep returning as long as I keep throwing crumbs to your monumental ego.
@ bernard ross:
Actually I wrote very little in that post (#35). Mostly I blockquoted your more profoundly witless & mean-spirited remarks, with my own brief commentary (in which I wrote considerably less than I quoted).
In any case, if you really believed I added “nothing,” then you should’ve ignored me.
— I surely would have, in your shoes.
“Quest for wins”? — don’t need wins, and don’t seek them. You must have confused me with somebody else on this site. (Did he put in an appearance when you shaved this morning?)
“Amusement”? — Bernard, the exchanges with you are never amusing. Mostly they are tiresome — I relate to them strictly as a DUTY, a chore:
— hardly an ‘amusement.’
A brief perusal of the posting record in this thread will quickly show that I initially replied to your cheap, snide attack on Curio at a moment when he was away from the thread (and apparently not spending much of that great proportion of his time here that you kept harping on), and when he was thus perhaps not aware of the mud you were slinging his way.
My inclination is usually to let people defend themselves when they’re available to do so. When they’re not, I consider the time & the terrain, and whether anybody else is making that person’s defense — then make a decision about whether to enter the fray myself. It’s just that simple.
Had you not stooped to that low level of assault in the first place, I would have been MORE than content to leave you quite alone to stew in your own stale juices; trust me on that.
@ bernard ross:
With mashed or fried potatos???????