Christians in Arab Countries?

Submitted by Ron Henderson (Canada), Jul 11, 2006 at 22:01

It is not entirely true that Christians live well in Arabic countries! I must agree in some Arabic countries Christians live well. But in others Christians are vilified, killed, and tormented. Furthermore, the governments of these Islamic countries are usually pro Islamic and the Christians are on the receiving end rather than be treated as an equals.

Here are a few examples. In Indonesia where there is a good Christian element there are continual killings, rapes, beheadings and massacres of Christians. Remember Ambon and the other Islands. In Saudia Christians cannot evangelize nor build a church. Saudi is probably the worst abuser of religious rights. In Pakistan where there are several Christians, there have been many killings of Christians there; in the Russian Islamic republics Christians are not treated well; in Muslim Israel the Christians (among the Arabs) are not treated well; their houses are constantly occupied to be used as sources for shooting at the Jews. The Christian population there has drastically declined; and the Muslim governments do very little to address the situation.

In many Muslim countries one cannot leave Islam to become a Christian; this brings the death penalty. Yet in our Christian countries we allow these people to build Mosques and worship freely. This should stop until Muslims learn western tolerance and kindness to other religions and to converts. So, yes, while in many Arabic countries Christians live okay, that is only as long as they do not evangelize; as long as there are no happenings abroad like the innocuous Danish (the Danish ones, not the implanted Imam ones) cartoons to stir the ants' next. They sting indiscimminately without the fear of God or man. They seem to worship a god that lives among swords and not love.

But in the west everyone has the freedom to worship and convert to which ever religion one wishes. Muslims must allow this in their countries or they are in breach of human rights and dignity. As one of my professors once said, freedom of religion in Arabic countries is only freedom to be a Muslim. The world needs to stand together against gestures like Mumbai and the beheadings we are witnessing from Islam; failure to do this will only prolong suffering and pain in humanity.

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