controversy over Pope

Submitted by mr white (United States), Oct 2, 2006 at 11:38

My ancestors were Huguenots and Waldensian pacifists who fled Italy and France in the tenth century after persecution by the Inquisiton. They identified with the Hebrews in the Exodus and kept records of their members up to the present time. Hundreds were killed as over the years they fled every country in Europe, although some other groups found shelter in Geneva and Scotland. They finaly emigrated to North and Sourth America, where they helped found the country, promptly forgave Catholics and everyone else, and flourish today.

They are now growing in the East in China and elsewhere and are mainly known as house church evangelicals. They have continued to be nonpolitical and low key , met in small groups and have no leaders. so one tends to ignore this large body of Christians. Their memory has been erased from Europe long ago and so Muslims and Christians alike speak only of liturgical authoritarian faiths. Their only mention in history comes when someone recalls that they published Galileo's work or that Milton wrote a poem about them. They need to be recalled, if only to refute Islamic teachings and show that God can protect his believers.

Recently an interfaith discusion group on CSpan brought an interesting comment from the speaker from Brazil who commented that her country was welcoming these evangelicals, in contrast to Muslims who had brought violence and other Christian groups with problems, because " they dress modestly, do not drink alcohol, obey all the laws, never cause trouble, and everybody loves them." Enough said. Just wanted to remind you that these people are out there.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".