By Hind Aboud Kabawat, Special to CNN
Editor’s note: Hind Aboud Kabawat is a Syrian attorney. She is also a conflict resolution specialist and senior research analyst at the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution, which is based at George Mason University in Virginia. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Hind Aboud Kabawat.
One of the most perplexing aspects of the Syrian revolution is the deep ambivalence felt by so many of the country’s Christians when faced with the prospect of freedom after four decades of authoritarian dictatorship. Some Christians have enthusiastically embraced the prospect of democratic change and a more open civil society, but many have not.
As a Christian, this provokes a great deal of sadness in me and others who are committed to transforming Syria into an open, democratic, inclusive, secular and religiously tolerant society. But the problem is that many, if not most, Christians in Syria do not believe that this will be the outcome of changing the regime.
On the contrary, they believe the present regime — corrupt and repressive as it has been — is the only true guarantor of secularism in Syria and, with it, the acceptance of the Christians as equals to their Muslim neighbors. Further, many Christians firmly believe that what will replace the regime is a fundamentalist Muslim theocracy that will strip Christians and other minorities of their political and civil rights, including their right to practice their religion in peace.
I sincerely believe they are misguided in this belief, and one of the principal tasks of the Syrian revolution going forward is to convince the Christian community to forsake such fears in favor of building a new Syria, democratic and secular, with their Shia, Sunni, Alawite, Druze and Kurd brothers and sisters.
Of course, when Christians do “rebel,” the regime responds with particular outrage and violence: “How dare you Christians criticize us when we have protected you all these years?”
Take, for instance, the case of a young Damascene woman named Caroline, who said she was arrested earlier this year and imprisoned for 25 days in a two-square meter cell. Her crime? Giving children Easter eggs wrapped in paper containing verses from both the Koran and the Bible.
For this simple act of kindness and tolerance, Caroline was interrogated for hours by the secret police, she said. Why, they asked, did she include a verse from the Koran on an Easter egg? Why is she involved in this kind of work? Why is a Christian showing support for the Syrian revolution? Although they did not say it in so many words, their main message was: Don’t you know what would happen to Christian communities when you “lose” the protection of this present regime?
Christians do know what could happen. In the wake of Saddam Hussein’s downfall, the Christian community in Iraq has more or less been decimated; those who haven’t fled the country are confronted with systematic repression. After the civil war in Lebanon, which Christians are generally perceived to have lost, the Christian community remains on the defensive and is shrinking. And in post-Mubarak Egypt, the Coptic Christians – 10% of the population - remain vigilant about their rights and their security.
None of these events has been lost on the Christian community in Syria, which is why many of them have not enthusiastically embraced the revolution.
Many of those who are predisposed to support the revolution do not because of the weakness and division within the Syrian opposition. For a Christian community that is inherently skittish about confronting established political authority, a weak opposition movement does little to allay their fears about challenging an entrenched 40-year-old regime that has shown time and time again its willingness to use brutal violence to silence its critics.
More from GPS: The great Syria divide
There are, however, many Christian Syrians who are, in fact, playing a pivotal role in opposition to the regime. Some, like George Sabra and Michel Kilo, are politically out front and vocal. Others, including many women, prefer to work behind the scenes doing humanitarian work inside Syria’s besieged towns and cities.
Among the Christians performing this vital humanitarian work is Yara Chammas, a 21-year-old woman who is the daughter of a well-known human rights lawyer, Michel Chammas. When unrest erupted in Baba Amr, Yara organized the distribution of medicine, food, blankets and baby milk. Her courageous display of Christian compassion resulted in her being jailed for 60 days over the Easter holidays. Yet not one leader in the Christian community came to her aid. Why? Because many of them vilified her as a “traitor” to their community for deigning to help the “enemy,” i.e., the children of Baba Amr. So much for their sense of compassion and caring.
Despite such hardships, the political engagement of Christians like Chammas hark back to a period in Syrian history when the Christian community was critically important to the political life of the country. Indeed, Christians founded both the Baath Party and the Syrian National Party. One of Syria’s greatest political leaders, Prime Minister Fares Khoury, was a Christian.
But since the advent of the Baath regime, Christians have played a much less visible role in the country’s politics. Minister is the highest position ever held by a Christian since the 1960s, and no Christian has ever held a serious leadership position. Even under the present proposed constitution, no Christian can be elected president.
Given their relative lack of status, why do Christian Syrians remain so loyal to this regime? It likely revolves around their fear of Islamic fundamentalism and their belief that the so-called secular state will be replaced by an Iran-style theocracy. There is also a fear that what will ensue from the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s repressive police state will be Iraq-style chaos and sectarian civil war.
How can such fears be addressed and allayed? It is time for all Syrians, no matter what their faith, to begin thinking like citizens of a common state rather than just members of a sectarian religious community. Our focus should be on the rule of law, an independent judiciary, a free press, free markets, democratic elections and an accountable government. Those will be the bulwarks of a free, independent, secular and inclusive Syria.
I am a devout Christian, proud and respectful of the church’s teachings. But in the political realm, I am first and foremost a citizen, a citizen of the new free Syria. I believe that my fellow Christians will come to feel the same way. I also believe the same should be true for our Sunni, Alawite, Druze and Kurdish sisters and brothers.
Recently, a rather extraordinary scene unfolded at the funeral for young Bassel Chehadeh, the young Christian filmmaker gunned down by the regime in Homs.
As thousands from all religious faiths gathered at a church in the Christian Kassaa district of Damascus, security forces bolted the church doors shut and began beating and terrorizing the mourners. The parishioners responded by reciting Christian and Muslim prayers and chanting “Syrians are one people.” It was a beautiful sight.
We are one people, and citizens of one state. Not a Christian Syria or a Sunni Syria or an Alawite Syria. Just Syria, the homeland of all of us.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of Hind Aboud Kabawat.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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And I believe you are mistaken. If the "rebels" win, the country changes into a non-tolerant society and you and anyone like you will be forced to run for your lives.
Exactly. Why would Syria be any different?
Let Syria be a Russian protectorate, under the condition that Assad goes. The Syrians start from there once the situation calms down.
Very insightful peace by Ms Kabawat. Im an American of Lebanese and Syrian descent. My family is Sunni.The only part I disagree with her on is where she stated "The Christians of Lebanon lost the civil war". My cousin- in -law served in the Lebanese Armed Forces for 10 years and said he never had a single Muslim superior or general as the Lebanese Military is in firm hands of the Christians allied with Hezbollah. Never the less, it is well known that the Alawite controlled Syrian government plays into the fears of the Syrian Christians. Syria has a VERY LARGE SECULAR SUNNI middle class that is more likely to prefer a secular-democratic government over the failed "Iranian model"; and thats a fact!
the irony here, is that both the Christian and Muslim religions, consider the Old Testament, as the word of God.
Moses, Abraham, Jesus, are highly regarded by the Muslims, as major prophets.
the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish religions have a lot in common.
And are all based on the same Old Testament.
The Muslims especially revere Abraham, as a major prophet from God/Allah.
Receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour, repent of your sin and He will change your life into something awesome with a benefit package that's out of this world.
Have you ever been to Syria to see such think?. Christians has been here in Syria for centuries the no one witness some thing like you said. If so bring your evidents.
Sorry, ran out of evidents.
Will chocolates do ?
It will be good
. My English writing is not very good so sorry for the mistakes but I hope you got my point.
J.T. – I'm sure you know that Lebanon and Iraq are right next door to Syria and Egypt is fairly close as well. Given that the writer admits that bad things happened to Christians in those countries, why would Syria be different? The culture of those countries can't be very different given their close proximity.
Christian/Muslim unity against Assad is temporary. The "enemy of my enemy is my friend spirit" will be gone once the common enemy is gone.
Mark- Thank you for reply but I'm sure that is not the case I'm from Damascus and I'm Muslim I have many Christian friends so my does my father. Also if you read Syrian history Fares Alkweri(Christian) was political ally with Islamic brotherhood party- He was prime minister of Syria-. Also now michel kilo said on Alarabiya tv about month ago he believe Islamic brotherhood promises and I also believe Islamic brotherhood,michel kilo,goerg sabra want best for Syrian before any thing else and they want ever do to each other what Alassad Regime does.
The Christian position in Syria is more or less influenced by the presence of one of the oldest Patriarchates: Antioch, which was moved to Damascus centuries ago, and located on the street called "Straight" where St. Paul was given his sight. There is no older Christian community on earth. Churches and monasteries from very early centuries are still active there. There are many American Christians of Syrian descent as well, and they usually say very little about the Middle East to keep the church out of trouble, but they do participate in charity. This article assumes that most people know about the antiquity of Christianity in Syria; a couple of lines should have been added so that people would know.
I have evidence, lots of it:
How about the genocide against Syrian, Armenian and Greek Christians perpetrated by Ottoman forces (Turkish, Kurdish and Syrian Arab) that killed millions of Christians in 1915? Go to Dayr Azzour and discover the very first gas chambers in history, caves in which Christians were thrown and fires were lit to suffocate them. Or the mass graves where you can scratch the earth and find human bones. Islamic treatment of Christians in Syria is the prototype of the holocaust and Hitler's inspiration, who admired Islamic supremacy and fanatical, murderous soldiers.
How about 1860 in Damascus when 10,000 Christians, completely unarmed and defenseless were murdered by Syrian Arabs and Kurds while Ottomans watched. 60,000 lived in caves as Moslems went on a killing rampage because of events that happened in Mount Lebanon that Christians in Damascus had nothing to do with. Christians were nearly exterminated completely in Damascus.
The entire history of Islam in Syria is one of slaughter, persecution, forced conversions, oppression, slavery and subjugation of Christians. Learn your history and stop believing the lies of Islam and Arabism that pretend Islam is the divine word of God and that it is a peaceful religion. Its entire history is murder against non-muslims in Syria and elsewhere. The entire middle east and north africa had a christian majority when islam arrived, don't deliberately blind yourself to history to believe the lie that islam behaved just as any imperialist and coloniaslist ideology or that it won't continue to behave the same until all non-muslims submit, pay jiziyeh or are killed.
To Simon, if the Muslims were slaughtering Christians all of these years in the rate that you described then by now and after 1400 years of Muslim conquest we should have no Christian population in the Middle East. The truth of the matter is there are thousands of churches throughout the Muslim and Arab worlds today and new ones get built weekly if not daily. In fact according to Wikipedia percentage of Christians in the holy land for example in 1922 was 9.5% and now after sixty years of the Jewish state they are less than 4%. Till this day and for almost one thousand years the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the old city gets open by a Muslim. Christians in Iraq were down almost 50% since Uncle Sam started fu$#ing with Iraq in the last 30 years or so. I am not denying that there are extremists but these are repulsive to all people there and there is a big question mark on who really stands behind them. The 1860 thing you talked about happened between the rich Druze landlords and the Christian peasants mainly from Lebanon, both are minorities and killing was both ways, have nothing to do with over all Muslim population oppressing the Christian minority. The ottoman ruled the Middle East for 400 or 500 years including the holy land and only when they became secular in the last years that minorities started to suffer under their rule especially during World War I where they expanded beyond their means and started unnecessary wars. Don’t forget that the Greeks also slaughtered Turkish civilians in the 1919-1922 war. Please don’t have selective memories; The French, British, and the Italians slaughtered millions during colonization and Libyans and Algerians are just examples. If you want to put people on trial trust me; Muslims will be the last to put on the stand.
..."he believe Islamic brotherhood promises and I also believe Islamic brotherhood...."
Oh, how naive!
Right on. Given the fate of Christians once the Islamists showed up in force in Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt and Libya, what possible evidence does the author have for thinking that won't happen in Syria? No, it's not the same country – but Islam is the common thread in all of them.
there is no christian population in libya .......if muslims really had it out for christians they wouldve wiped them off the map (especially in the heartlands) centuries ago....90% of the people commenting on this board have never been to a muslim country, talked to a muslim about his/her beliefs or even read the quran's commentaries and islamic jurisprudence.....y don't you people stop commenting and try reading a book from a legitimate source.
Christians, atheists, ect... will be eradicated down to nothing as we have seen so many times over the past 30 years.
Muslim fundamentalists used young people in Eqypt to drive out Mubarak. Eqyptian military is next, then the young people themselves, who are helping Muslim Brotherhood to take p[ower. They will do the same in Syria. Christians do not have good optins. It's either the dictator or the muslim fundamentalists.
Very insightful peace by Ms Kabawat. Im an American of 1/2 Lebanese 1/2 Syrian descent. My family is Sunni.The only part I disagree with her on is where she stated "The Christians of Lebanon lost the civil war". My cousin- in -law served in the Lebanese Armed Forces for 10 years and said he never had a single Muslim superior or general as the Lebanese Military is in firm hands of the Christians allied with Hezbollah. Never the less, it is well known that the Alawite controlled Syrian government plays into the fears of the Syrian Christians. Syria has a VERY LARGE SECULAR SUNNI middle class that is more likely to prefer a secular-democratic government over the failed "Iranian model"; and thats a fact!
Your cousin is simply a liar, bipolar or fanatic Sunni (wahabist). In the Lebanese army you have a council where ALL sects are represented by the highest rank including Sunni. Sunni commanders are pretty much the same number as the Shiite as the Christians. thought I clarify this although the article is not about this subject.
as the article says, this what the Government tried and succeeded in making you believe that they are the only choice but you have to remember that for hundreds and thousands of years christian lived in this land and there was no Assad to protect them. the longer you think and act in this way your hypothesis will become a reality as the oppositions whom are filled with anger will see you as enemy backing the Assad
Christians better be smart about this or they will end up like all the Christians throughout the muslim world, decimated, dimmi-fied, and castrated. Once the brotherhood takes over, it is all over for their civil liberties. Is this woman this niave? She believes it won't happen in Syria? Does she wants to stack her whole peers on that assumption? What if she is wrong? This is a high stakes game where the loser actually loses their lives and livelihood. Muslim and Secular govts are a joke. It is either a strong Dictator or a mullah. There are just made too retarded by that book written from an account of a guy who believes somebody speaks to him. We put these people in the mental asylum these days. But we have a billion plus people blindly following this. It is the joke of the century.
I assure you that the writer of this article is extremely shallow in her assessment of the Syrian demographic and religious realities. I am a Syrian Christian from Homs province. In the recent past there has been a disturbing phenomenon of an increasingly active religious activism that many fundamentalists groups have espoused across the city. They generally hate the secular and what they perceive as"hedonistic and non pious" behaviors of Christians and Alwaites and other liberated Sunni muslims. Many local stories that have been corroborated tell of their zealous desire to conquer those perceived enemies of god and Islam and deprive them of their life style. some stories even tell of their plans to divide the women and real estate bounties they acquire after their revolution succeeds and they establish their rule. I wish the Syrian people will think of their Syrian citizenship as the supreme marker that define them, but,alas, there are dark forces, many of which are supported and encouraged by surrounding monarchies such as Saudi Arabia and Quatar that want to turn Syria into another theocratic dictatorship that will force minorities to either convert and assimilate or be cleansed and driven out of the country!
Sadly, I agree with you. I can't believe the niavity of this woman. She is going to stake the future of the whole Christian community on an assumption and a sincere belief?? Look at the evidence all around you in the present and in history. It is really not that difficult. The Alwaties will also fight to the death because they are the minorities too and probably end up getting massacred. Democracy got gets one shot in muslim countries and then they abandon it right afterwards.
Syria is currently a secular republic, however if the Saudi Wahabis take over, you will have Taliban style of government killing Shias, Sunnis, Sufis, Christians, Jews, etc. all day long. The Free Syrian Army = Wahabi Terrorists
Just look at what has been happening in Egypt or Libya. Fundamentalists are winning and Christians are losing any little freedom they had for practicing their religion.
I really don't see much difference. They are barely tolerated now. Most non Muslims, in Muslim countries are on the run for their lives. Islamic countries do not tolerate any other religion. Of course they want everyone else to tolerate them though. Churches are burned, Christians killed on a regular basis.
You all need to look up and research dhimmitude. The practice whereby non Muslims are 'allowed' to live in certain areas, but are subject to many restrictions, must pay a tax just for being non Muslim and are not treated equally at all. Do the research folks. It's been going on for centuries.
Yes, and dhimmitude is practiced in the United States in Islamic lands in Michigan, Minnesota, where ever Muslims take over.
I agree with President Obama to stay out of Syria. So far every president, Carter who caused the ousting of Shah in Iran, Clinton by helping the Muslim in Serbia, Bush by helping the Shiet in Iraq have caused much damages to the Christian communities. America is not sophisticated enough to see the blow-back in any of these situations.
How is the proposed Syria, exactly, more free? Who wins? Will any laws still hold, which ones (specifically)? Thank you!
I agree with Phred. Western countries whose leaders support the Sunni opposition to Assad, have pretty much repeatedly described the overthrow of Assad as ushering in a Saudi-style state in Syria. Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia is even more repressive than Syria. Given that choice, Assad is the lesser of the 2 evils.
you're very mistaken sir,
we christians of syria are more frightened by the cruelty of the regime who has killed or captured many christians,..
beside the rebels are not only Islamic.... there are many of other religions as well
And this is exactly the policy of United States: bring radical islamists to power in the Middle East despite all the concerns to asserts it's global domination by chaos.
The United States has created monsters such as Sadaam, supported them, done business with them, and determines their life cycles.
Iran is a blessing for the US military industrial cabal because it gives them a bogeyman to ramp up military spending over.
Want proof? Where are the WMDs? Why have Christians been persecuted more since the US went into Iraq then before? Why are the Taliban coming back in Afghanistan?
Mission not accomplished, but deceitful conspiracies were.
Live your lies, but know that your government is not your friend.
Both sides of the Cold War backed and armed dictators across the globe from Latin America to South East Asian and the Middle East. America tended to back secular dictators because they tended to be non-Communist. Sometimes that backfired when they got a little 'too big for their britches' as it were. The Soviet side doesn't exactly have a sterling record either (Pol Pot, Fidel, Kim Il Sung) The only difference is that the Soviet Union isn't still around to catch that bit of Karma in the face.
Rubbish, the Soviet Union supplied Saddam with over 80% of his weapons, with France & the UK a close 2nd & 3rd place..... the US trailing in forth place only during Iran/Iraq war.
I tend to agree with you (even though not liking your screen name). US 'faux-pas' go back to Lenin when the US financed him thinking he would be good to keep Russia busy with a civil war and in the process starting the dreaded communist enemy, which followed them even to this day and created others like Cuba. Closing your eyes to history is denying the truth.
We have seen over and over that all the countries in the Far East are not choosing democracy, but an Islamic theocracy. After all that money NATO & the US spent to 'free' Libya, now it chose Sharia law. Why should the any US or European person have someone they know die for those countries? Or have more tax money wasted?
if this is true, which I don't think it is the case, then the US learned nothing from IRAN in the 80's. Fanatism creates chaos but when this chaos is re-organized, it's target will be the developed world including Israel. so far no moves are good for the US or Israel int eh Middle east even the fall of the Assad regime!!!!!
what has already happened in iraq to their christians and what is happening to egypts christians. or what direction the other african countries are going since the arab spring. then there is history. does anyone know what happened to the christians of southern lebanon? how about the christians of jesus birthplace in bethlehem.
well, what fred phred said.
This guy is living in a dream world if he believes that if the current regime falls that the christians will not be persecuted and harassed for their beliefs. A fundamentalist government will take over and "democracy" will only come about within the narrow confines that the theocracy will allow. I.E. the "majority" rules with an iron fist and it is either our way or the highway.
I think you are deluding yourself. Despite acknowledging the realities in other countries you'd rather believe the never ending lies of muslims. Once in power you will no longer be friends and the imams will order muslims to be muslims which is to say intolerant of all other religions. If you are not in the majority, better have a gun.
This is an absolute lie. Before this regime Fares alkhori (Christians) was prime minister and was an ally for Islamic brotherhood party. Also Michel Kilo (Christians) said on Alarabyia TV he believes slamic brotherhood party promisis
All this is religious enmity and bigotry. People are being massacred by the thousands, and you are worrying about practicing religion in peace? Last time I checked the Crusades are done and over with in the history books. Most rational people know that all of this is fear mongering by non other than the common bigots out there. Islam strictly allows people of all faiths to practice their religion or live without persecution or injustice from others. If one or a few petty criminals violate this provision, then certainly they are non-religious and have no sense of accountability.
You really need a reality check.
What a religion says, and what the believers in a religion do, are often two completely different things, as many athiests are quick to point out about Christians in America. The fact remains that while the Koran forbids Muslims killing other Muslims, all a group (for example Sunnis) has to do is say that another Islamic sect (such as Shiittes) aren't true Muslims and therefore the tenant doesn't apply. That's how Al Qida justifies their violence against other Islamic groups
More than 1 million Assyrian Christians have been forced to leave their ancient homeland in Iraq since the 2003 US invasion. I think they have to fear more than "one or a few petty criminals". Most went to Syria – probably the last refuge in the world for them.
i got news for you. religion is a human condition. people will always be religious. if they dont pray to a deity they will pray to a man or an idol.. its been that way since dawn of mankind. people who think the problem is "god" do not understand the differences between being religious and having faith in god. and EVEN if religion would somehow magically disappear from the face of the earth, man would still kill millions of other men, it too is in our nature. and wed kill for no reason other than to kill.. its what we do.. this is why we need god, not religion.
hey! You stole my name!
What world are you living in? Non Muslims are not free to practice their religion in ANY Muslim country. Do you not read the articles about churches being burned, and non Muslims being killed?This is happening all the time! My god you're naive. Muslims do not tolerate any other religion. The Koran says to kill all infidels. And they do. And they will keep doing it. You are incredibly delusional. I simply cannot believe you are saying this and actually believe it.
While I admire your political position and conviction, the fact remains that even if the Christian community were to follow your lead there would be no guarantee of oppression following the overthrow of Assad. Just because you extend your hand in good faith and friendship, it is naive to trust the other parties won't take your hand then lop it off. I'm not advocating xenophobia or paranoia, just be wary. Diplomacy without an army behind you is a fools errand. Perhaps years working in Law Enforcement have twisted my world view as I don't readily trust people, but that doesn't make it any less valid in my opinion.
Christians are equal to their Muslim neighbors and have all rights and this only happened during President Hafez Alassad and the great president Bashar Alassad. The defense minister in Syria is Christian and many more holding important positions in the government. I am Christian from Syria and I live in the USA. I love President Bashar Assad and Syrian Army and pray God to bless them and help them in their war against the Islamic terrorists and who ever support them. Yes terrorists who killed lots of innocent people and cut their bodies to pieces including lots of Christians’ young men, women and children. My uncles and cousins were kicked out of their homes by those Islamic terrorists (just because they are Christians) who also break into our church with all kinds of weapons and took the priest hostage and they were going to explode our historical church and some of them had Al-Qaida flags on their heads and some of them were not Syrians. My family is waiting for the great Syrian army to enter the town and clean it from those germs (the terrorists). This is pigs’ revolution and has nothing to do with Democracy and freedom but killing and apply Islamic rules and who ever support those pigs is criminal like them and partner in their crimes against the innocents.
God bless Syria, Bashar, and great Syrian Army.
Assad brainwashed you for real, open your eyes and see who is killing who. if you are a man and believe assad sharmoot sorry bashar is protecting you go to syria and open your smart mouth and say a word against the regime and see and feel what the sunni feel. ( most likely you will be dead and the make it looks like suicide). My advise to the christian stay on the side and don't support anyone but democratic syria and don't create hate from the poor peasants.
I think you didn' t read what i wrote about "My uncles and cousins were kicked out of their homes by those Islamic terrorists (just because they are Christians) who also break into our church with all kinds of weapons and took the priest hostage and they were going to explode our historical church and some of them had Al-Qaida flags on their heads and some of them were not Syrians". So who is better? and you are the blind and need to open your brain and learn how to talk about your president and I believe that your 7amad and S3ood and kardawee and 3ar3oor are evils and going hell wa boa's almaseer.
Ziad you said in your comment down (if you stand for the right cause, you will be safe otherwise don't blame fanatics if they turns the gun against you just blame yourself)!!!!. so you admit that your terrorists are using guns to kill who don't agree with them and that is what i m talking about. what happened to the democracy and accepting the others opinions?
you showed how lairs you are. And just to let you know that your terrorists don't scare me ok kid.
george,
You say "Christians are equal to their Muslim neighbors and have all rights and this only happened during President Hafez Alassad and the great president Bashar Alassad."
Yes, Christians and Muslims (including, Assyrians, Sunnies, Shiaa, Alawites, Druze, Kurds, ..etc) are equal in being equally oppressed under this sectarian gang of Al Asad family who concentrated the political, financial and military power of the country in their hands and in the hands of some Alawite relatives, friends, loyalist associates. They hijacked the Baath party, the army, the economy, the natural resources and wealth and all aspects of life in Syria and used them to their own advantage.
In reality under this sectarian regime, a low-ranking military or intelligence services officer from a fringe loyalist group within the Alawite minority may have more influence and power than the Christian Minister of Defnce and the Sunni Prime Minister.
So why should any person or minority fear the "majority rule" under a true democracy, based on mere speculations of the of what may go wrong in the future, when – in reality now – the majority of Syrians from all walks of life, religions and ethnicities are being oppressed, exploited and held hostages by this small family gang who happens to be a part, but not a true representative, of the Syrian Alawite minority?
Michelle
I respectfully disagree, Michelle. I presume when you make mention of the "hijacking of finances," you're referencing the Assad and Maklouf family. The Maklouf family, who by-the-way, is of the Sunni religious sect. For years, Mustapha Tlas (Sunni) was in power as vice president for years. I think you're referencing Hafez al-Assad's coup de etat of Salah Jadid in the 1970's. Both men were Alawites. But if you really want to delve deeper into the history of the Ba'ath Party, then you must make reference to the founders: Michel Aflaq (Christian), and Salah al-Din al-Bitar (Sunni). There was an internal struggle for power throughout the 1960's for power. What is funny is the mention of sectarianism. This is NOT a sectarian regime. It is a leader from a minority religious denomination that is in power. If you want to make any mention of sectarianism, then point your finger at Lebanon. I am sure one of the thousands of political factions can give you their political rhetoric, and why they're the true representation of the country. The name is Michelle, so I presume you're Christian, and possibly Lebanese or Syrian (I am only assuming because of the French name). I mean no disrespect, but I do not believe what you posted was accurate. If you really wanted to attack the regime, then you must point out Syria's terrible health care system; failed social welfare programs; and failed nationalization of Turkish Dams. Syria has refused for years to utilize dams for electrical power from the Euphrates.
Sorry for the difficult read in the beginning. I probably should have gone over it. lol
The problem is not who is ruling the problem which you don’t understand or you might understand but because of your believe you are closing your eyes that this pigs revolution will bring the fundamentals and extremists to power just like Tunisia, Egypt and Libya who doesn’t believe in democracy and don’t accept the others. The good thing that this is not gonna happen in Syria because Dr. Bashar will win this war with the majority and minority support because he is very popular whether you like it or not and the great Syrian army with him and God be with him and the army to clean the country of the germs (The Islamic terrorists).
Syria will always be tolerant regardless who rules. Just for your information. Syrians open their doors to Armenians in the 1900s, to Palestinians throughout the past 80 years, to Christian Assyrians from Iraq in 2004, and to shiites from Lebanon in 2006. And No it is not the Syrian government who did that. The Syrian government could not take care of its own citizens even before the crisis, to be able to take care of refugees from other places. From the above, the majority in Syria always accomodated the minorities. This is consistently shown, and this what will come out the current, great, genuine Syrian revolution. Peace on all the souls of the Syrian martyrs, christians and muslims alike.
What comes of this stupid pigs’ revolution is death and destruction. I never heard about revolution consist of terrorists don’t know what is democracy and don’t believe in it. I never heard about revolution kills policemen and military personnel and attack all kinds of government agencies and who ever works for the government. Are those terrorists trying to build the country and open the country or destroy it and take the country 1000 years back. Open your eyes and stop lying to yourself and to the people. God bless Syria Alassad.
From dictionary.com:
Revolution
1. an overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed.
2. a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure, especially one made suddenly and often accompanied by violence.
While there have been revolutions that have been occurred peacefully, the historical track record is that of violence and death. Seeing as how the police and military of a government are physical representations and manifestations of the government's power and authority it is natural that a rebelling groups anger, frustration, and violence be directed at them. Yes, it can be as simple as an editorial in a newspaper or news site airing grievances against them, but sometimes frustrations run over and violence occurs, sometimes leading to deaths. Violence against a government and its representatives in the community does not negate the legitimacy of the grievances of the protestors or rebels. Violence in response, however, generally serves to reinforce those grievances.
you are blinded george not to see the face of Hitler, Saddam, Stalin and many other dicators in Assad's face. they all think the same and kill any one in their paths who dare to stand againgst them. if you stand for the right cause, you will be safe otherwise don't blame fanatics if they turns the gun against you just blame yourself
THis is a flat out lie....every Sunni President came to power prior to assad killed minorities...Why the druze killed the Shishakly ?...because he bomped tthe hell out of the Druze and the Alawee and the christians...he killed thousands just because they are not sunni... and that was the main reason incouraged the mintoriy in syrian to take over the control of the Government because they are sick of been killed for no reason .. and that's why the christian and the Druse and the Kurds and ...every minority in syria support the Alawee...Because to them it is live under the alawee control or die under the Shariaa law
I think you are greatly mistaken. CNN is greatly mistaken on what is happening in Syria. You aren't there, so how can you report reliably on what is happening? Where are all the news articles about opposition terrorists killing Christians and making them flee? An Orthodox Priest was shot down by armed terrorists in Jan while he tended to the wounds of a dying man in a street. In Homs, you only hear about government oppression. But what about armed gangs of the opposition forcing Christians to flee from that city or be killed, and some of them were killed:
http://theorthodoxchurch.info/blog/news/2012/04/islamists-force-50000-christians-to-flee-from-syrian-city-of-homs/
Where are those headlines? Here is a headline for you: Armed "Freedom" Fighters force Christians to flee and kill those who don't in Syria. Freedom fighters? No. All they want is to take control. Where are those stories? Where is the non-biasness of CNN? Why aren't both sides of the story told? Why is it one sided? If Assad falls and if the Christian community in Syria is decimated, the blood of the Christian Martyrs will partially be on those in the media who helped perpetuate intervention by American/European powers. Let us remember that it was the violence of protesters who killed police offers that prompted Assad to deploy the military in the first place.
Here is an American delegation of Christians who was actually allowed into Syria, although it was several months ago before the current bloodshed/massacres:
http://www.antiochian.org/reardon-syria-delegation-2011
Well said and so true. So much for unbiased reporting. America, wake up...please people.
Oh, don't you know? The bias at CNN has polarized the US, put Israel in greater danger, and all but disavowed reporting on faith issues..all to re-elect a man who claims this is not a Christian nation anymore. According to CNN, who cares?
I agree 100% I visisted Syria and I saw with my own eyes...you are 100% right
"transforming Syria into an open, democratic, inclusive, secular and religiously tolerant society." when pigs fly!
I certainly hope he's right, but so far, Christians are 0 for three. Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt all had significant Christian minorities but today, they are repressed, harrassed, and discriminated against in all three. When these populist revolutions occur, they seem to always default to radical Islam. I don't understand how people who have been so repressed and longing for freedom immediately want to repress someone else when they come to power??!!
Religion is bad for you. WHy don't you understand that it only exists to fund a priest class, which in turn is used to keep the poor from rebelling against the rich?
Renounce religion, embrace human rights, and live free.
Religion exists to answer the fundamental questions of existence. While science has made strides in determining the origin of lightning, earthquakes, and other natural phenomena, it has yet to answer the "why are we here" question that people yearn for an answer to. Some people refuse to accept the clinical and cold "it was an accident and there is no reason" answer supplied by atheism. Religion can easily, and has been, abused and used to control populations throughout time and across the globe. That doesn't mean religion is inherently evil. It just means that predators recognize and prey on an exploitable population.
The communists free no one. Communism is what you are preaching straight from Karl Marx.
this is a very naive post.. you dont understand the human mechanism or what religion is
Without God, from whence come human rights?
derp from common morals that develop and evolve with the western society?
lies lies lies, war war war, is all i hear. It will be much harder to force Americans to fight the bankers wars from now on, Zakaria
Just wait until the towel heads take over. The Christians all be killed. Such a peaceful religion.
Just to clearly show the "tolerance" of Bashar Assad and his thugs, please read the following and watch the youtube vid.:
http://all4syria.info/web/Archive/44470
Bob if you are really Dr. Bob you would easily know that This video is a big lie by the terrorists who kill and video tape their crimes and wear army uniform to make stupid people think that the army is killing their own citizens and by knives (Funny). Did anyone hear about army kill their own people and by knives but al-Qaida fighters who usually kill people using knives to cut the innocents bodies to pieces to fed up their bloody desires. If your blind open your eyes but if you are not then this can mean a lot and the question is why you are making the terrorists look like angels. Those terrorists who are killing the innocents in Syria are same terrorists who killed the innocents in the USA sep/ 11.
I think it is naive to believe that pro-government forces are incapable of attrocities. They may have acted without the willful consent of the regime, and I think it is highly unlikely that Assad himself ordered the killings, they are still responsible for the conduct of their military and police forces, just as the United States is responsible for the conduct of the American soldier that killed all of those Afghan civilians in the night. Your description of the killers as 'terrorists' however is accurate. Its a matter of determining what side the terrorists fight for, is the problem.
The UN accused alssasd regime for the massacre in Homs and alassad force were the one who prevented UN observers from go to qpeear where the other massacre happened.
One of the oldest tricks on Earth.
http://www.Hear-The-Truth.com
"Inclusive and tolerant"? Ya, there's a lot of that going on in Egypt and Libya and there's sure to be even more once the MB takes over.
This SYRIAN NARRATIVE IS A FRAUD
SUPPOSEDLY GOV. ARMY COMES IN, KILLS EVERYONE, TIES VICTIMS HANDS AND LEGS..... AND THEN LEAVES THE VILLAGE ?
AND ALLOWS "REBELS" IN TO MAKE VIDEOS ABOUT IT ...
THAT THEY SEND TO CNN – MOST TRUSTED NAME IN NEWS? ...
HUH? THEY TAKE US FOR GULLIBLE MORONS?
They sell people tap water in bottles and give it a French sounding name. They air shows like Jersey Shore and Whale Wars and call it reality. They listen to spotlight hungry sensationalists like Donald Trump and Al Gore. I'm going to say the burden of proof is on the people to prove that they aren't in fact gullible morons.
"Christians do know what could happen. In the wake of Saddam Hussein’s downfall, the Christian community in Iraq has more or less been decimated; those who haven’t fled the country are confronted with systematic repression. After the civil war in Lebanon, which Christians are generally perceived to have lost, the Christian community remains on the defensive and is shrinking. And in post-Mubarak Egypt, the Coptic Christians – 10% of the population – remain vigilant about their rights and their security."
Those are your own words from historical precedent. But like the wife who endures abuse, you actually believe this time will be different. Now. Click your heals together three times and say quietly, ...
The revolutions, U.S. invasions, and "Arab Spring" in that part of the precominately – Muslim world have actually meant "Arab Winter" for a large percentage of the area's Christians.
"In the wake of Saddam Hussein’s downfall, the Christian community in Iraq has more or less been decimated; those who haven’t fled the country are confronted with systematic repression"
Where are the muslum protests over this?
Your are hundred percent correct. But that doesn't mean you should stand by Saddam either.
Gerald did not say anything about standing by Sadam. Your comments is confusing.
This is the most ridiculous afticle ever written. Of course, Chistians will be finished, and all Christianity that was there since Christ will be wiped out. Hillary and her cabal hate Christians. They are the obstacle to creating a simple, religion based dictatoship modelled on Saudi Arabia and Gulf states.
As for now, I would like to address the writer of this article, who seems determined to be regime soothsayer. First,all the murders are being committed by the very people you are putting your faith into. You know it, and deliberately are not telling the truth. Most of the world knows it, Who has paid the trip of these Sunni fanatics to Kosovo, to confab with former terrorists, Kosovo Liberation Army on the methods of slaughtering their own population in order to frighten them, blame the government, and scream for foreign intervention. I know it , you know it, and the birds in trees know it. We know these masked thugs - heartily suppored by you - have been for months slaughtering civilians, kidnapping, extorting money. They killed postmen, policemen, school principals, teachers, social workers. Now, they are emulating famous Rachak incident, coreographed by KLA in Kosovo, that was the justification for NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. And made sure that their own population has nobody to turn to - nobody to complain. This is what you are doing sir. You are silencing the people of villages and towns where the murders occured, by protecting the murderers. And, sir, you know that the famous Annan plan DEMANDED that army withdraws, and militants move in. Now, we are all accomplices to the killing of poor, innocent people, children and babies.
Can you comprehend what you are advocating? If you choose to be blind, fine - many of us are going to get informed - in spite of you. Do you know who was one victim in Houla? He was Sunni candidate for the upcoming elections (which we laugh at, of course). When your trusted protegees demanded that he withdraw his candidacy, he and his entire family were killed. Do you really think that truth will remain hidden, as it was once in Rachak. Trying to replicate Kosovo will not work.
Russia's Partriarch Kiril II has warned international community of the calamity that will befall Christians of Syria. But it will also be calamity for Allawite community, another religious minority. And I will add, sir, it wil be a disaster for majority Sunni community that DOES NOT SUPPORT the thugs. No businessmen has supported them, other then those that have been kidnapped for ransom. No University supports them. No students support them. And Sunni women that today are educated, many of them holding professional careers, and free to live as they wish - would be the first targets of the thugs. So, besides yourself, and our narcissoid politicians - who is supporting them. Do not believe me, ask Ron Paul - who has access to information and wrote about it in an article.
When will the deception end? Cui bono?
You have said so correctly. The so called freedom fighters are nothing else but the future torturers of all non-confirming groups, like Alawites, Christians, Kurds and Sunnis who would be against their theocracy.
The western plot is to bring chaos to the whole middle east and who cares who will pay the price in this process. The elites care less about the human costs of their policies. Example is Iraq.
You're funny Bianca with your apocalyptic vision of the world, Christian survived the Othman and late Abaseen era in Middle east, which were very dark times considering freedom of religion, and they are still there.. prosperous and happy.
There's no antidote for radical Islam, but a free civil societies in the middle east.. and the early take off in Tunisia and Egypt, are much much more promising of what was expected.. and I can tell you Syria will even have a bigger step...
Please stop saying "everybody knows" 137 countries in the UN, condemned Assaad, while 17 country "your everybody" had different opinion about the most recorded minute by minute, and published incident by incident probably in history...
Revolutionists are not thugs... not in there mass... the syrian regime is a dictatorship-Mafia from upside down....
What conundrum????? Kick out Asaad's evil secular regime and replace it with a regime that will have significantly more antipathy to Christians than the current regime??? When Assad leaves, killing Christians will follow as sure as night follows day. This isn't surmising or prophecy it's just plain fact. As evil as it is, this is one of those cases where the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. (at least for Christians) As an aside what does this say about Islamic culture today?
Please Brian,
this is disgraceful, Syrian might well be the one step toward an "enlightenment in the Islamic world"... don't advocate while not knowing the texture of the ME, and the Islamic countries..
As for christians, we are fine, we have many many clues, that the mass of the most bravest syrians.. are looking for a civil society... please check statistically figures about the activists...
I think most people on this post have it right. Assad may be a tyrant, but the bloodshed will be much worse if he is gone.
People used to be safe in Syria if they just stayed out of Assad's way but in Assad's aftermath they will not be safe if they are religious minorities. This is why I vehemently oppose US intervention in Syria; we would create a civil war just like in Iraq after Hussein was deposed.
So KLs you suggest keep the tryant for ever? 30 yrs not enough? for better or worse things have to change, us who are between should at least stay on the side for now, not fair to support the dictator and lets hope for the best. Syria has good sunni peoply and we don't want to stand against them and created hate from them to us.
The sentiment expressed in this article is one of hope and wonderful in its prospects. Our society and others should do all that is possible to realise it. Unfortunately, most of the views expressed here don't support this hope. I can only think that it is because they are as intolerant, biased and theocratic as the Islamic groups they fear. I also believe that the religious here secretly wish for a totalitarian state where their specific views dominate and all are forced into their straight jacket.
The sentiment expressed in this article is one of naivety and is delusional in its prospects. Our society and others do all that is possible to support it. Surprisingly, most of the views expressed here don't support this delusion. I can only thing that it is because they are not liberal, too realistic or theocratic as the Islamic groups they look upon. I also believe that the religious here secretly whish for a peaceful state where liberal views would not dominate and their own believes are not forced into straight jacket.
I would more than happy to welcome a free and democratic Syria where religious tolerance is enshrined in the deepest foundations of the government in society, and I would jump at the chance to help something like that come into existance. In fact, I'd love to see that kind of society here in America too (but we all know bigotry and racism [running in both directions] is the norm). I do not, however have any faith that the person standing next to me on the street feels the same way that I do. Call it intolerance, bias, or theocratic politics if you want, but what it boils down to is that I, through years of observation and experience, have no trust for another human being regardless of color, creed, or faith. I've seen the darkness that lives within the human soul and have come to believe that it is a cornerstone of the human condition. I have met very very few people that have souls as pure as the mask they wear. Putting on your blinders or wishing it away does not solve the problem. It only makes you an accomplice to the evil you turn away from.
I think Syrians eventually appreciate the help they got from the western democratic world..
However I have an advice, if you really care about the future of the nations whithin the Islamic world... at least stop nurturing Saudi arabia, and keeping it immune from the critisism it deserves as the "most" dangerous terrorist radical factory...
helping the good ones, while nurturing the source of the most radical ideologist mid-ages ones is not an efficient plan.
There's nothing at all in recent middle eastern history to suggest that a "democratic" revolution will be a positive for Syrian Christians. Maybe it's not worth supporting an evil dictator just to maintain the status quo, but the Christians better get their immigration paperwork in order just the same.
The majority of Christians have fled democratic Iraq. The majority of Christians have left democratic Lebanon. Coptic Christians have faced constant attacks and atrocities in newly democratic Egypt. Now the author wants Syrian Christians to believe good things are on the horizon for them? Please. Leave the delusional hope and change nonsense to the Obama administration. IMO, the Assad regime is done for, but there's nothing good for Syrian Christians to look forward to.
The author is writing about what he wants Syria to become, as opposed to what it will likely become when Assad is finished. The author's hopes are misguided. The article is heartfelt, but silly. When Assad goes, as brutal as Assad is, the Christians will be much worse off. Common sense augurs that outcome. With the exception of Turkey and a few Gulf states, Muslims simply lack the ability to live in a free democratic society with others. They are not tolerant and respective of others rights.
Paul unfortunately you are right but that doesn't mean you should support wrong. Assad's time is up and too late to fix that. He didn't have the gut to do changes because he is surrounded by punch of crimanals. christian should stay aside or support the right cause which is unfortunately the sunni
Romney knows how to create jobs! (for foreigners)
U.S media is controlled by we all know who. Here's more proof, just for today. Not one word in the mainstream media that 34 of our brave men were killed in a deliberate attack on Jun 8, 1967 by ( I won't mention, cause it'll get censored ), on the USS Liberty. Listen to the survivors on alternate media on the internet.
It is pretty easy to see why they would be reluctant. Of course they want a free and open society ideally. But from a practical standpoint, they see what is happening in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. There is a real danger of Islamists taking over if Assad is forced out and then it will be open season on Christians.
Just because your news anchor told you that doesnt mean thats true
Since I cannot afford to nor have the time to fly to Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Syria, yes I will have to listen to the multiple media outlets that are available and have people on the ground doing interviews.
Remove the Islam (IE: Muslims) from syria = PROBLEM SOLVED!
Your name says it all!
Impossible
Typical ignorant response.
How about getting the Religion out of the world?! That's the damn problem. Not one specific religion either, ALL OF THEM!
Christians in the U.S hate Iran who supports Syria but the Christians dont want Assad out therefore supporting Iran because they are afraid of Sunni muslims who get support from the U.S sometimes(only if your Saudi). While the regime is killing Sunnies because they are standing up for democracy while the christians in Syria are afraid of The Sunnies who are standing up for all. Jordan is not ran by a shiite government and Christians are fine. I would rather fight for right than hide to live a little bit longer. Ignorance is when you have knowledge and dont do anything about it!
If you think that Syria will magically, instantly become like Jordan (also not a democracy) when the government is removed, you are delusional. Looking at the other nations who are currently trying to rebuild their governments will give you a much more likely picture of what will occur. It will be difficult and it will be bloody. So you can understand their reluctance. It doesn't mean they don't want it. Since you know what is best, why don't you fly to Damascus and pick up a weapon?
Im just saying that Syria isnt like Iraq, Tunis or Egypt. If you were getting attacked you too would want to be helped. Christians in Syria are Syrians, muslims in Syria are also Syrians. They protest isnt a religious one, its for change. The people dont want suppression anymore. Who does? A regime killing children isnt worth standing behind no matter what the results are
Using history as a guide and what is happening in Egypt and the rest of the countries who have gone through the Arab Spring transformation the lot of even the small Christian minorities have gone from bad to worse.
The odds are very good that a Sunni theocracy will take over from Assad. Just check the supporters of the uprising, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey where there are practically no Christian minorities left and if there are any cannot practice it.
Even the Kurdish minority does not want to support this uprising which is supported by questionable sources.
New, More Dangerous Hindu Extremist Groups Emerge in India
Christians concerned as rightwing factions splinter to form militant outfits.
PUNE, India, October 29 (CDN) — After more than a decade of severe persecution, India’s Christian minority is growing increasingly concerned over the mushrooming of newer and deadlier Hindu extremist groups.
Gone are the days when Christians had to watch out only for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) and its youth wing, Bajrang Dal, which are closely linked with the most influential Hindu extremist umbrella organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). With voter support faltering for the RSS’s political wing, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), moderate and extremist sections within the Hindu nationalist movement are blaming each other, and militant splinter groups have emerged.
Claiming to be breakaway factions of the RSS, new groups with even more extreme ideology are surfacing. The Abhinav Bharat (Pride of India), the Rashtriya Jagran Manch (National Revival Forum), the Sri Ram Sene (Army of god Rama), the Hindu Dharam Sena (Army for Hindu Religion) and the Sanatan Sanstha (Eternal Organization) have launched numerous violent attacks on Christian and Muslim minorities.
Everyone is so quick to blame Christians for anything and everything which itself is a derivative of Islamic teachings that vilify Christians. I think the misguided Christian is the author herself who likes to speculate and perhaps should accept the speculation that she has internalized anti-Christian bigotry that is part and parcel of every muslim majority society without realizing it. You cannot be a devout Christian and involve yourselves in power struggles or violence, this is another invention of the author who wants to resolve impossible contradictions by stating that together without accepting that they invalidate each other.
Let's look at the most moderate and educated example of Arab countries, Tunisia, in its post revolution, let's look at Egypt, Libya, Iraq, and what dismiss what happened? So she can dream all she wants about the ideal society inclusive of Christians that will never emerge from Islamic societies, while the realists who she criticizes for wanting to survive are the ones who will pay the price. How about this video of a Tunisian Christian being beheaded by his fellow muslim in a free Tunisia?
http://www.aina.org/news/20120606104355.htm
What advice do you have for Christians now? Why do Christians have to choose between the two choices and not a third rooted in their religion? Because Christians can never wield power in Islamic societies, period. Hind, you are dangerous for the wrong reasons. Stop bashing Christians for trying to survive between two enemies.
So minority Christians in Syria want a secular government, and many of the majority Christians in the U.S. want a less secular government.
Christians living in peace under Islamic rule is inconceivable. Dimmi dimmi.
So is this author living in Syria or are they living abroad listening to the mainstream media garbage news and forming thier opinion? With my husbands Christian family all living in Damascus we fear not of the government but of the opposition. No way will Christians be safe if Al-assad falls – Syria is no different than Iraq, Libya or Egypt. What a damn mess, but what else is new?!?!?!
The heart of the matter is that Islam must go. It cannot tolerate or be tolerated. It is the scourge and evil that is driving all this madness. Islam must be defeated then we can figure out the rest.
The Houla massacre in Syria, committed by Assad as stated by the UN team. Please check the video!
It says "many Christians firmly believe that what will replace the regime is a fundamentalist Muslim theocracy that will strip Christians and other minorities of their political and civil rights," ,,, They have a good reason to fear this will be the outcome. Look at other places, such as Iraq and Egypt, where just this outcome became real and the Christians suffered because of it. The Muslim majority will decimate their neighboring Christians.
Nope, Iraq's Christians were displaced before any meaningful Iraqi autonomy by local, neighborhood strongmen, not an Islamic regime. It happened just before the surge and our troops sat by idle while 7% of Iraq's population became refugees over a 5 month period. The United States military then made agreements with those strongmen, violence against US troops decreased and they credited the surge. Look up ethnic cleansing in Iraq if you do not believe me.
Egypt's Christians are doing well. There have been a few incidents of anti-Christian vandalism and violence, but not many.
As an Orthodox Christian, I've been perplexed as to why there have been no noticeable comments from the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch during these months of murder and bloodshed.
Back in December he said foreigners were instigating the uprising.
I doubt you are a true Orthodox Christian except in name, if that. If you are an Orthodox Christian, then please revert to scripture and I mean the eternal gospel of Jesus himself who said that "heaven and earth shall pass, but my words shall never pass." Christianity is against any form of sin, that includes violence, and its singuler mission is to unite us in prayer and teaching to preserve and spread our faith that involves first and foremost absolute non-violence, not even in self-defense. The church has no authority to speak on behalf of anyone else because each has his own relationship with God and cross to bear and Christians are not a tribe or nation with a government. So, your expectation that the church speaks is not a christian expectation but a secular demand.The church is not an authority to judge or convict people of sin or to concern itself with "the kings of the earth" as Christ taught. "We are not of this earth." STOP THINKING LIKE A MOSLEM WHO BELIEVES HE HAS THE POWER TO JUDGE AND EXECUTE YOU BASED UPON HIS RELIGION. IT IS ISLAM THAT IS A POLITICAL SYSTEM GUISED AS A RELIGION. So, if you are truly an Orthodox Christian, you have equal voice as anyone in the church to speak for yourself without speaking for others but if you represent yourself as a Christian then speak as a Christian would speak and invoke the Gospel of Christ and not your own human desires or choice to sin. If you follow that, you will be preaching Christianity, oh, but wait, if you preach that is prostelyzing, which is against the law in every muslim country. So, do not ask the church not to be Christian, and do not ask the Church to violate the law of the land and jeopardize Christians, and do not elect the Church the representative of Christians because they are not, that is the again the Islamic and Ottoman millet concept. So, instead please support and plead with the church to remain vigilant in its Christianity and not stray from the teachings of Christ.
The trouble with democracy in countries dominated by Islam is that Islam itself is an evil murderous belief system. If majority rules, and majority believes in this hateful way of life, then Christians and everyone else who doesn't "submit" better be real scared.
i might listen to these religious sucidicial morons when they build a cathoilc church in down town mecca...yeah that will happen..... i feel so sorry for the middle east...what a waste....
You are just small ignorant liberal: you know nothing about the world outside and can not think for yourself so are easily manipulated. Nobody cares what you thing and what you feel: we all can read any of it on this site!
The Syrians are not mistaken or deluded. They are intelligent and, unlike so many Americans, are not turning a blind eye to the lessons of Iraq. I have read other, better reporting. The Christians and Shi'a are say that any regime arising out of violence will be lead by its worst, most violent elements. I read about a march in a town in uprising where the marchers shouted death to the Shi'a and exile the Christians. These elements will attack the Christian, Kurdish and Shi'a minorities. Most Syrians want a peaceful transition and rule of law, not the rule of the gun. That is a reason to oppose the rebellion.
They know the West will not protect them, for they would not when they had a major military presence in Iraq and watch as 7% of Iraq's population became refugees over a 5 month period and the US made allies with the perpetrators of this great crime against humanity. The Syrians now host many of those refugees. They see reality and know war is no proper way to change a government.
Wishful thinking from the author. While I admire such romantic sentiment, I should admit she sounded as if she has not been in Syria for many many years. Unfortunately, Syrian reality is exactly what the author is trying to deny, or ignore, or perhaps she is just unaware of it altogether.
When there are no more Bees around, one can be certain that there is something wrong with the environment. Likewise, when original, natural inhabitants of a particular area are driven out of their motherlands, something terrible will happen to them. First the Jews, now Christians are forced to abandon their countries, Iraq, Saudi Arabia,Algeria,Libya,Tunisia, soon Syria, Lebanon and Egypt, Christians will either be exterminated, or driven out, of course, the US, Europe and the UN will remain silent, they all will let the genocide go on, but there is another invisible force that takes the responsibility to avenge the injustice. Ladies and Gentlemen, there is a very clear sign out there that shows us that the Middle East is going to be destroyed by some force soon.
Neither Muslims nor Christians are the only religions left in this world, but they sure act that way. Why should any person sacrifice their live for another's religion? I would immediately take up arms if my country would be invaded or threatened. But to go to another part of the country and lay down my life for this? We no longer live in the age of the crusades. And before you sent me hate remarks – there is plenty of historic evidence of both massacres and wars committed by both Christians and Muslims – in the past and present! And evidence of oppression of other faiths by both!
I am tired of either to expect governments to kill for them or pass laws to suppress others.
"23. In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. 24. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. 25 The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance. ” Isaiah 19.
I pray and urge all Christians in Syria to seek first the kingdom of heaven for "our citizenship is in heaven." Phil 3:20. Take heart and persevere for your Christian brothers and sisters everywhere are praying for you to shine the light of Christ amidst the darkness and for God to pour out his Spirit in Syria for the Muslims to receive the gospel of Christ and be saved.
what's this guy smoking? The Islamists will take over Syria if Assad falls like that have in every other country that has over thrown their governments in the region. Once that happens, then the Christians will become targets like they have in Egypt. Look at what happened to Christians in Iraq after Saddam. The Syrian Christians know what will happen if the Islamists take over. It is an indication of the corruption of the Islamist ideology that they feel so threatened by a small minority of Christians that they actively promote violence and discrimination against them.
Yes Christians are treated equally, if you mean equally opressed.
It is interesting to read anti-Islam comments. Obviously, those who make these comments have not studied Islam. Islam respects the God-given right of every individual to believe or not to believe in God or believe in any way he wants. Those who call themselves Muslims and deny anyone freedom of religion do not understand Islam either. There is serious need for education on both sides of the isle. May God guide us to the right path. Amen.
mahmoud, stop generalizing, for the sake of your religion, stop acting like a marketing agent.
islam with some of its shapes now, is backward and agressive.
if you cant think of this critically, you will fail islam yourself.
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See for yourself, here is the future of Christians in the Middle East and around the world at the hands of Islam
Muslims Slaughter Convert to Christianity in Tunisia
Great .. some guys can put hoods on, sharpen up a knife and cut some other guy's head off. Brilliant. And we HAD to see that. Knives, it turns out, are primitive weapons. And the blood of the saints is seed.
Just do not buy this crap!!!! If rebels win, they will finish off all minorities. Period!!!!!
the main signs that syria story will be different is not only the relatively large secular sunni population, but also their strong critisism to wahabi culture, and radical islam.
in addition to islamic peaceful sofist tradition, and sheiks that promotes it. like jawdat saeed and mouaz el khatib. (which btw are nightmares to any dictatorship),
one correction also. christian fear saudi-style future and not iranian-style. it is time for western thinkers to start pointing their justified islamo-phobia toward the oil-political ally. The mid ages monarchy called saudi arabia.
that is what scares syrian christians.
the west politics is too pragmatic to be able to practice what it preaches.
I would agree with the "many" Christians who do not think a governing change would accomplish much. So-called secular and religious tolerant governing lasts only for a while, not for ever, such as is in our country.
If Al-Assaad regime stop shooting live ammo at people, in one day he will fall, because of millions that will go out to the streets.. and that's exactly why he's not doing that..
and millions of syrian can't be wrong, and one dictatorship regime is right...
Interesting...I always laugh when reading comments like these. You're missing a critical point to your argument. Assad's "thugs" are made up of every religious denomination in Syria. They're 200,000+ strong. Do basic mathematics: 200,000 of 20,000,000? That is one percent of the population, but what about their families? What about other supporters? At best, you have a civil war. This slaughter is becoming too much to handle. I am disgusted when I see all these poor children perishing, and for what? So one dictatorship can be replaced by another? Give me a break.
Lee,
I am really sorry I can't promise you what will happen if Assad fall, I am really sorry that they never built a time machine for the "known evil is better than unknown good" followers... so you have to either read signals on the ground... in statistical way to see how much better the future will be... look at the slogans (in statistics) look at the continuous demonstrations even though the militant battle is going on...
Since the beginning the signs clearly goes to the direction of civil society..
The usual argument bu syrian regime supporters that logic things a bit, that this is not a "clean" revolution, they are hallucinating that in Syria there must a Ghandi or Assaad... no one else can take us to a better place... well.. we will see..
I am a Christian Orthodox, and we in addition to liberal Muslims, and all other minorities form a big part of the revolutionist... sorry we are busy to market ourself... if you want a proof, look at the records of the detained young people in Damascus and Aleppo... see the percentage of young girls, minorities, and liberals or even communists. in addition to secular religious Sunnis..
I am sorry that you don't see us, and I am sorry that you want to apply all lessons of intellectual superiority of any one comparing Syrians...
However is afraid of more radical islam in the ME, should ask himself does he know the most backword islamic barbaric regime yet to exist on a country international accepted scale? (hint: "OIL")
What about rethinking the love relations with Saudi? If you care really about a better future to the whole ME.
The author should ask how many churches have been destroyed or closed and how many Christians have been killed since the Arab Spring came to Tunisia, LIbya, and Egypt. The author seems to have her head firmly planted in her backside if she thinks a post-Assad regime would be democratic and protect minority rights.
The discussion about whether or not we should support the Syrian rebels misses a key point. It is generally presented as a "damned if we do, damned if we don't" choice between supporting a SECULAR dictator (Assad) or supporting a RELIGIOUS dictator (the Islamists whom we presume will take power if Assad is brought down). I suggest that we stop focussing on this false choice. Instead, we should focus on supporting the Syrian people to CHOOSE their own government free from coercion. It should NOT matter to us (yet) what kind of government they choose. If they choose a Jeffersonian Democracy with respect for individual rights, fantastic. And if they choose a brutal secular strongman or an Islamist theocracy, so be it. Our cultural values are based on the principle "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". Or in this context "I may not agree with what the government you choose, but I will defend to the death your right to choose it".
HOW we choose to support this choice for the Syian people is a debatable point that I don't have room to discuss.
Of course, once the Syrians make their choice we will have to deal with them in whatever way is appropriate. IF they choose a government friendly to us, fantastic. If they choose to be our enemies, so be it. But at least we will know that the government truly represents the views of the Syrian people, and we will not have to choose sides in an internal conflict. We've never been real successful at that.
Sid
i want to know how many qurans are being desroyed and no muslim is saying a thing...watch the tape from simon ...thats islam the religion of peace..hah !
Thanks to George W Bush along with Tony Blair, Christians in Iraq have been decimated. They were much better off under their old regime. Something to think about before the US decides it wants to impose "democracy" on another country.
Wrong and biased report, you are full of fake reports. But I am not surprised that CNN is posting your toilette paper. When will CNN have the courage to post the truth on Syria? I dare you!
Christians in Syria are supporting Assad's massacres just as Jews are, meaning after rebels kill assad they should kill every christian and jew and demolish and burn every satangogue and church before proceeding with utter slaughter and annihilation of israel. there should be a nuclear world war 3 if necessary to kill and butcher every jew and anyone who thinks jew pest will avail them. all muslims must rise up from now on and turn the world upside down for every jew and christian parasite from now on. let the last annihilations begin, unti lend of the world.
You have quite the imagination.
Syrian Christians will wish they never existed for helping and abetting Assad. That's a promise. You will pay in blood and horror for everything.
To the desert rat
Your words are returned to you, believe me, we and the whole world know how you should be dealt with you and alike,
Your caves regardless how many there are of, will be all destroyed, God willing
So here is a PARTIAL SOLUTION to the Syrian problem: Find a way to get all the Christians to leave. Prophylactic political asylum?
The western world including usa and uk have no clue whats happening, and to be honest with you they really do not care, all they care about is their interests oil money business...., whether they divide to conquer, and i would say the majority of people in the western world have false media to serve their interests and probably many of them are not chrisitans.
Christians were in the middle east long time ago , but it started from the british when they stopped peter the great again for their selfish interests, then fighting the soviets by creating fundementalists in that region with their devilish plans lead by brezenski and people like him , with the intelligence, not caring what is coming next or how will they control what they created!!!!, and now by interfering with countries starting from iraq where christians are abused and deported or killed then palestein , lebanon egypt and soon syria...
And everyone knows that the west specially uk and usa with the gulf oil countries are supporting those strict religious fundemetalists and probably supported by them to hurt and distroy syria , just because of their selfish interests.
Sometimes war is good business for the west , more comapnies , more jobs, better economy , pays some expenses, sucking resources....
By the way what the west is doing and did , will harm them too, because i do not think anyone will want to visit any of those countries that used to be loaded with toursits cheap tourisim , from tunisia to egypt to ......, it is not safe , many fundementalis , rising of islamists that ban and destroy freedoms even spirits, no openes anymore... and the next target for them might be closing themselves from the west and i mean new rules business rules , because after they are done from all this, whats next, it is applying their strict close principles in a civilized world, which means taking that region backwards with them 100 years behind. But hey maybe this is also what the west wants as politics to play the game, support this side once then support the other side then..... After all fundementalists were created by the wetsern intelligence and revived by them with the help of the gulf.
The west should look at countries like Saudi arabia were woman are still banned to drive or strict countries but again oil money , US debt and treasury bill....
There is little to no oil in Syria. Syria is important to the West because of its support of the Iranian regime, and Hezbollah. Their is no economic gain to Syria. The only country to make money off of Syria is Turkey; they have over twenty dams on the Euphrates. Even then, they're not really making money directly off of Syria.
Only moslems accuse Christians as a group because this is the tribal mentality of Islam that treats people as groups and that vilifies Christianity. Hind Kawabat's Christian heart is bleeding for the moslems who want her dead.
Here are examples of Christians who are against the regime who were killed, tortured or put themselves in jeopardy:
http://www.mecn.org/2012/06/syrian-christian-film-student-bassel-shehadeh-killed-in-violence/
http://www.mecn.org/2012/05/syrian-christian-activist-hadeel-kouky-opposes-syrian-regime/
http://syrian-christian.org/
This Western journalist says that he was deliberately set up by the Syrian rebels to be killed in Syria:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/jun/08/alex-thompson-syrian-rebels
Let's stop pretending there are two sides, one just and the other unjust. There are two sides, both evil, with innocent Syrians of all backgrounds, Sunni, Shia, Alawi, Druze, and Christian, secular or religious, all in harms way because both sides believe they can defeat the other militarily. The author should not single out Christians when far more muslims support the regime than there are even christians in syria.
If for one day people forget about their Gods including those who worship money and power and think of other people as human being and treat them the way they want to be treated themselves... Peace will spread in the world
Religions were found to lead people to humanity but unfortunately we forgot
about the lesson an started fighting about the teacher
Perfectly conceived, hard to achieve, but worth striving for: An independent, democratic and secular Syria to embrace all its individuals and groupings.
The Christians in Syria have valid concerns. The Muslim Brotherhood is now in power in Egypt and Libya.
Matt,
Good point! However, they're not in power in Libya as of yet. Libya is more of a tribal than religious war. I think what deters a lot of Christians in the Levant is the financial support from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Both countries are Wa'ahabi regimes, who support staunch, conservative Islam. Another major supporter of the SNC is Turkey. I think there are quite a few reasons for hesitancy. Lebanon, a once Maronite dominated state (okay, maybe in the 1930's), is now a minority sect in Lebanon. Lebanon has not had a census since the 1930's, and this is presumed to be because of the influx of Shi'ite immigrants. Food-for-thought.
Shiite -immigrants in Lebanon?! The Shiites of Lebanon are Lebanese by ethnicity as much as the Maronite or Sunni Lebanese. Where people sometimes get their so-called facts from baffles me
A man told his grandson: "A terrible fight is going on inside me - a fight between two wolves. One is evil, and represents hate, anger, arrogance, intolerance, and superiority . The other is good, and represents joy, peace, love, tolerance, understanding, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, and compassion. This same fight is going on inside you, inside every other person too."
The grandson then asked: "Which wolf will win?" The old man replied simply: "The one you feed." – Anon.
good one!
This is an article about religion. Where are all of CNNs atheist trolls?
god=pretend
The article didn't mention Jews. There were Jews in Syria – once. It would seem, from this article, that there are none there now. Certainly none that can be counted.
Btw, yes, there are still Jews in Syria and they live freely (like the Christians) and can practice their religion and they are very successful business men and women. Syria is a secular state that guarantees rights of all, unlike the gulf states who do not tolerate non Muslim minorities or women.
Hating Jews is rooted in the Koran and part of Islam from the very start: http://bit.ly/bcy7m8
Muhammad massacred many.
Christians are not regarded much better. Hardly a "religion of peace".
god=pretend, religion=delusion, myth, ancient folklore
CNN LOVES THESE ARTICLES BECAUSE THEY WANT EVERY SYRIAN TO JOIN THEIR WAR AGAINST INDEPENDENT WESTERN-FREE SYRIA. SINCE THE REGIME IS SUPPORTED BY MANY SYRIANS, THEIR MASTERS CAN'T BRING IT DOWN AND REPLACE IT WITH A WESTERN PUPPET. IF ASSAD IS REPLACE, WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT IT IS NOT A US OR WESTERN PUPPET, THE TYPE THAT CNN AND THEIR MASTERS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE.
Mr. Zakaria is a Muslim provocateur, never trust the guy.
The will of Christian or moderate Muslims will be lost among the "jihad" brought in by outside sources. Iran will not allow a pro-west/democratic government to take hold in Syria. They will agitate/ship in weapons/ and kill whomever they need to too prevent this from happening.
NATO should invade Syria and drive out all the Sunnis and Shias into Iraq and turn the country over to the Druze, Kurds, and Christians...everything would be fine then...
The "rebels" are the same ones who go by the name of Al Qaeda and chop off peoples heads; who go by the name of AQAP & use women from mental facilities to do their suicide bombings; who go by the name of govt of Saudi Arabia and ruthlessly beat immigrant workers in their country and kill anyone protesting their regime. The Christians of Syria are damn right in not siding with the rebels.
This article is a waste of a time. As a Christian syrian American, I have absolutely no faith in the so called rebels. These people are terrorists with fundamentalist Islamic beliefs ( like the Saudis) and like the al Qaeda terrorist. They do not represent us Christians in any way. That is why the Christians in the country are against what these terrorists are doing. What is happening in Syria is terrorists being supported by the west and gulf states to topple the regime and weaken the country, and that is another reason Christians and any true Syrian regardless of religion does not support this so called uprising. The coverage of western media and Arab media has been absolute propaganda and completely biased. These media outlets including CNN ought to be ashamed of themselves.
Allah is the Greatest!
Praise and glory be to You, O Allah.
Blessed be Your Name, exalted be Your Majesty and Glory.
There is no god but You.
I seek Allah's shelter from Satan, the condemned.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Universe,
the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful!
Master of the Day for Judgment!
You alone do we worship and You alone do we call on for help.
Guide us along the Straight Path,
The path of those whom You have favored,
Not the path of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray. Amen.
(Recitation of an additional Chapter of the Holy Qur'an)
Glorified is my Lord, the Great.
Allah listens to those who praise Him.
Our Lord, praise be for You only.
Glorified is my Lord, the Exalted.
O my Lord, forgive me and have Mercy on me.
How similar to Christian and Jewish prayers and still the hate goes on.
On September 25, 2002, a group of armed Muslims in Karachi, Pakistan entered the office of a Christian charity, tied seven workers to chairs and then brutally murdered them. According to Muslim witnesses, the Islamists "showed no haste. They took a good 15 minutes in segregating the Christians and making sure that each one of their targets received the most horrific death."
The killing of non-Muslim humanitarian workers by devout followers of Islam occurs quite often. The executions are not usually celebrated by Muslims, but there is rarely if any outrage expressed over slaughter in the name of Islam by a community renowned for its peevishness.
Islam is a horrible, hate filled intolerant religion. I have yet to see ANY evidence that shows them being peace loving! Just look when the mohammed cartoon came out! Normal peace loving muslims shouting anti Israeli and US chants, even though we had nothing to do with the cartoon, and burning down buildings! Over a fricken CARTOON no less!
I don't hate Muslims. I dislike the members of their religion that are using it as an excuse to engage in terrorism. I don't understand why those who don't support the terrorism, don't stand up against it. FEAR? I can't believe that almost all of the others are that scared of the crazies. I think that the lack of a loud, and VERY public stand against the violence is the reason for the hatred of Muslims that you seem to be experiencing.
Why is Islam the most hated religion in the world?
They teach hate. They teach death. They teach kill. They teach slavery...They teach death to America/Americans.
I have a hard time being sympathetic. Muslims have not attempted to separate themselves from Islamic radicals. American Muslims have done nothing but make more demands for special treatment and claim they are peaceful people.
Read a few books about what is taught in Islamic countries and among Muslims in the US. It is far from peaceful.
islam is a curse on this world....they only know how to start fights(n lose them)..islam is a voilent n non sense religion from the CORE. how many hindu or christian terrorists have u heard of? there r a few in every religion, bound to be...but islam produces terrorists! they have voilence even in their food...barbaric bloody religion. islam is a barbaric religion, no doubt. muslims always try to prove something by attacking people n buildings....the only thing they have proved till now is that they r worthless n not needed in this world
It is not Islam which is hated but the people who are is interpreting the teachings of Islam are hated.They think that the ruthless way to dominate this world their elders used long time ago can be successful again.
The Koran is a book of hate. Islam is an ideology of hate. There are thousands of verses and sayings urging Muslims to kill the infidels and take control of the Infidel lands. They are in every chapter of the Qur'an, not isolated to one section. In fact, those few verses that are promoted by Taqiyyamaster (Muslim elitists, often Middle East Studies professors and Muslim imams or mullahs, who lie and deceive the Infidel regarding Islam and its true meaning) as 'tolerant' are abrograted (made invalid and no longer true to Muslims) by later verses. It is easy to deceive the Infidels since so few bother to research Islam or read the Qur'an, the Hadiths, or the history of jihad.
CAIR, and many other Islamic organizations recently backed a fatwa against terror. They say that Islam condemns violence against innocent lives and civilians. But that’s not true at all. Infidels are never innocent in war, and we are at war.
“Islam isn’t in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Qur’an should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on earth”
–Omar Ahmed, Chairman of the Board of CAIR (Council of American Islamic Relations), San Ramon Valley Herald, July 1998
Here is just a sample of Mohammad’s revelations:
Everything Those Infidels Have Everywhere In the World Already Belongs to the Muslims, Take It
Qur’an 33.27 And He made you heirs to their land and their dwellings and their property, and (to) a land which you have not yet trodden, and Allah has power over all things.
Qur’an 21:44 Do they see Us advancing, gradually reducing the land (in their control), curtailing its borders on all sides? It is they who will be overcome. NOTE: Political Correctness and Multiculturalism has proven to be the most powerful weapon for the advancement of Dar al-Islam since 1945.
About Those Annoying Non-Believers (Infidels, Pagans, Jews, Christians, etc.)
Qur’an 9:123 “murder them and treat them harshly”
Qur’an 3.28 Let not the believers take the unbelievers for friends rather than believers; and whoever does this, he shall have nothing of (the guardianship of) Allah, but you should guard yourselves against them, guarding carefully; and Allah makes you cautious of (retribution from) Himself; and to Allah is the eventual coming.
NOTE: By ‘guarding carefully’, a Muslim should deceive the infidel. Acting as a friend is fine as long as it is to benefit the Muslim and protect Islam.
Qur’an 3:56 “As for those disbelieving infidels, I will punish them with a terrible agony in this world and the next. They have no one to help or save them.”
Qur’an 4.89 They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah’s way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper.
Zbigniew Brzezinski is one of the few American geopolitical thinkers to provide a wise, sober, and honest assessment of the conflict in Syria and the hidden forces at work behind the scenes. On MSNBC’s Morning Joe program on May 30, 2012, Brzezinski cautioned that America should not react with emotion to what is going on in Syria. He said that there is no sign of a widespread national uprising against the Syrian government, and that isolating Russia because of its stance on the Syrian crisis is impossible.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a press conference in Moscow on Saturday, June 9, that Russia will not support a military intervention in Syria. The delusional and dishonest Western media will spin his remarks as a blanket endorsement of the Assad government.
INFOWARS - because even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while
When a single Muslim-controlled Middle East/ African country actually has a democracy which practices religious tolerance, then I will support the idea of a new Syrian regime. Until then, I know that Christians are better off under the control of an Alawite dictator than a Sunni or Shia dictator. The British tried to get the Egyptians to have elections in the 1920s. Why is Egypt not a democracy? Because Egyptians don't want democracy. Why should the West take on the political responsibility of yet another problematic Muslim country? When they themselves want a fair and free government, they can get one all by themselves. They have plenty of examples to follow.
The Christians of Syria know their Muslims there and they are right that an Islamic government will be very intolerant :
"Announcement from minarets in Syrian city: "Christians must leave Qusayr within six days" -http://bit.ly/Le6THu
The only "conundrum" is which western country will take the only remaining Syrian/marionite Christians left from when the Muslims conquered the region (yes, these people were Christian before the Muslim conquest and are not from the Crusade as the Arabs lie) after the Islamists take power and start murdering them.
After Egypt broke with Russia in the early 80s and Iraq was broken from Russia in the last decade plus, Syria is Russia's only remaining client state (Bathists are essentially based on Stalinists). Russia will hold on here like grim death.
I do not know why the christians are worried. Christian communities have been peacefully lived in Saudi Arabia and much of the middle east by converting to Islam. Christians can hold on to majority of their beliefs after converting to Islam. There is enough commonality between the religions that it should be easy for christians to convert and secure equlity
Saudi converts to Christianity face the death penalty if discovered; executions are definitely known to occur. In August 2008, a young Saudi woman in Buraydah was killed by her brother, a Muslim cleric and religious police member of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, after she proclaimed her Christian faith to her family. Saudi authorities arrested a 28-year-old Christian man in January 2009 for describing his conversion from Islam and criticizing the kingdom’s judiciary on his blog. On January 1, 2011, new regulations went into effect, requiring all Saudi news blogs and electronic news sites to be strictly licensed, to “include the call to the religion of Islam” and to strictly abide by Islamic Shariah law. The requirements are being coupled with strict restrictions on what topics Saudi bloggers can write on—a development which will essentially give Saudi authorities the right to shut down blogs at their discretion
Muslim social network users are calling for the arrest and even for the death of a Saudi Arabian Christian convert they say has insulted the Muslim prophet Muhammad via Twitter.
Hamoud Bin Saleh, who has been imprisoned three times in eight years, was first arrested for "attacks against Islam" in 2004 and spent nine months in jail after blogging about his conversion from Islam to Christianity. In 2008, he was again arrested after writing about religious matters and his conversion. He was detained for a month and during that time he was tortured with sleep deprivation, solitary confinement and physical and psychological abuse. His most recent arrest was in 2009. He was released on the condition that he not travel outside the country or appear in the media
Two Indian Christians - Vasantha Sekhar Vara, 28, and Nese Yohan, 31 - have been released from prison in Saudi Arabia. They were arrested and charged with proselytizing in January 2011 after officials raided their house church of mainly Indian expat workers.Vara was pressured to convert to Islam in prison, but he refused. The men were deported to India on July 24, 2011.
Saudi Arabia is officially 100 percent Muslim as per the Mutawa. However, as in other Arabic countries, there have been reports of a growing interest in Christianity and many foreigners in the country are Christian.
If the Muslims were slaughtering Christians all of these years in the rate that some are advocating then by now and after 1400 years of Muslim conquest we should have no Christian population in the Middle East. The truth of the matter is there are thousands of churches throughout the Muslim and Arab worlds today and new ones get built weekly if not daily. In fact according to Wikipedia percentage of Christians in the holy land for example in 1922 was 9.5% and now after sixty years of the Jewish state and the British colonization they are less than 4%. Till this day and for almost one thousand years the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the old city gets open by a Muslim. Christians in Iraq were down almost 50% since Uncle Sam started fu$#ing with Iraq in the last 30 years or so. I am not denying that there are extremists and someone can post a a repulsive clip like Simon below to advance their cause but these people are rejected by large and there is a big question mark on who really stands behind them. Please don’t have selective memories; The French, British, and the Italians slaughtered millions during colonization and Libyans and Algerians are just examples. If you want to put people on trial trust me; Muslims will be the last to put on the stand.
The Osmanli or Ottoman Turks emerged as a force in the 14th century, replacing the previous Seljuk Turkish Emirate of Konya. They were '...fanatical Moslems... Their clan leaders called themselves Ghazis, warriors for the faith of Islam. Conquest of the infidel was for them a religious duty. Hence, jihad by the Ottomans was as much offensive in character as defensive, and their belief was that non-Muslims should be subjugated by the sword. In 1354 they occupied Gallipoli, and then spread across the Balkans, defeating the Serbs at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, and completing the conquest of Bulgaria and Thessaly by 1393. This meant that the capital of the Byzantine Empire (or what little was left of it), Constantinople, was now isolated. 'Close the gates of the city' said the Sultan to Byzantine Emperor Manuel II (1391-1425), 'for I own everything outside.
By then it was only a matter of time before Constantinople was attacked, and under the energetic and ruthless Sultan Mehmet II, the Ottomans began the siege of the Byzantine capital in April 1453 – this despite the fact that at his accession to the Sultanate in 1451, he had sworn on the Qur'an to the Byzantine embassy that he would respect the latter's territorial integrity. Obviously, an oath to an infidel meant nothing. There is no way that the siege of Constantinople could be classified as 'defensive' jihad: rather, it was an unprovoked act of aggression. Hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned, the city fell on Monday 28 May 1453. It should be noted that on 6 April Mehmet II had sent Emperor Constantine XI a message, the terms of which the latter declined, 'declaring that, as Islamic law prescribed, every citizen would be spared if the city would surrender without resistance. The implication was clear: if the city resisted, the lives of its residents would be forfeit.
Isn't it funny how many of the Christian groups in our country are trying their hardest to make our own society LESS inclusive, secular, and tolerant?
Why doesn't anyone get it? "Democracy" in the Middle East will mean a fundamentalist massacre of all opposing sects, simply because the majority of the population are followers of Sunnist political Islam. "Democracy" is not the name of a good gentlemanly football team. Democracy is rule by the brainwashed ignorant majority who will do everything they can to destroy every other religious grouping, whether Christian, Druze, or Alawite. A careful formula in Lebanon of power division , and the establishment of the 10% Alawite minority in Syria as a balance between much stronger religious groups has prevented a bloodbath...so far. Muslims of this stamp do not seek compromise, are not tolerant, but militantly intent on extending the "peace of Islam" by force on the entire world. They have no respect whatsoever for other religions. Doesn't anyone realise that there isn't even one single appearance of the word "Love" in the whole Qur'an?
NEW, MORE DANGEROUS HINDU EXTREMIST GROUPS EMERGE IN INDIA WHO ARE ANTI_ CHRISTIAN.
Christians concerned as rightwing factions splinter to form militant outfits.
PUNE, India, October 29 (CDN) — After more than a decade of severe persecution, India’s Christian minority is growing increasingly concerned over the mushrooming of newer and deadlier Hindu extremist groups.
Gone are the days when Christians had to watch out only for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) and its youth wing, Bajrang Dal, which are closely linked with the most influential Hindu extremist umbrella organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). With voter support faltering for the RSS’s political wing, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), moderate and extremist sections within the Hindu nationalist movement are blaming each other, and militant splinter groups have emerged.
Claiming to be breakaway factions of the RSS, new groups with even more extreme ideology are surfacing. The Abhinav Bharat (Pride of India), the Rashtriya Jagran Manch (National Revival Forum), the Sri Ram Sene (Army of god Rama), the Hindu Dharam Sena (Army for Hindu Religion) and the Sanatan Sanstha (Eternal Organization) have launched numerous violent attacks on Christian and Muslim minorities.
The Sri Ram Sene was one of the most active groups that launched a series of attacks on Christians and their property in and around Mangalore city in the southern state of Karnataka in August-September 2008, according to a report, “The Ugly Face of Sangh Parivar,” published by the People’s Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL), in March 2009. In Jabalpur city in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, suspected extremists from the Abhinav Bharat attacked the Rhema Gospel Church on Sept. 28, according to the Global Council of Indian Christians. They had earlier attacked Pastor Sam Oommen and his family in the same city on Aug. 3.
The Hindu Dharam Sena has become especially terrifying for Christians in Jabalpur. Between 2006 and 2008, Jabalpur was plagued by at least three anti-Christian attacks every month, according to The Caravan magazine. In the western state of Gujarat and other parts of the country, the Rashtriya Jagran Manch has also violently attacked Christians, according to news website Counter Currents.
Boko Haram militants have attacked two churches during today’s Sunday services, triggering deadly reprisal attacks.
In the central city of Jos, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a church, wounding at least 50 people.
In a separate attack, gunmen opened fire during a service in Biu in northeastern Borno state, leaving at least one person dead.
Six people were then killed in Jos in reprisals when angry demonstrators took to the streets in protest.
Radical Islamist sect Boko Haram said it carried out the attacks. The group has carried out a number of attacks on churches in recent years, killing hundreds of people.
One witness at the church in Biu, Hamidu Wakawa, said that "gunmen came to the premises of the church and started firing at people outside the church before going into the main building to carry on their killings", Reuters reported.
Officials said one woman had been killed and at least three wounded.
In a country already divided along religious lines these attacks have the potential to trigger further clashes between Muslims and Christians.
The Islamist militant group Boko Haram has admitted carrying out past attacks on churches. They said these were in revenge for killings of Muslims in central Nigeria during previous bouts of violence.
Boko Haram says it wants to impose Sharia law across Nigeria. A recent statement from the group rejected the idea of peace talks with the government and vowed to increase the attacks.
In Jos, police said the attacker had driven as close to the church as he could before detonating himself.
"The suicide bomber did not drive into the church before the explosion. He was in front of it," police spokesman Abuh Emmanuel told Reuters.
"The church building collapsed entirely due to the intensity of the bombing."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18386156
Read the rest of the story.
Just by writing this article, you are dividing Syria by religion – this has never been so in Syria. Do not attack the Christian population of the country because they support their president. Instead, see them as Syrians who understand that the West – Israel included mainly, and the pro-western regimes of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and others, have set their plan in motion to attempt to destablized the only Arab country whose citizens regardless of their religion or denomination are considered CITIZENS of their country. Your comments reverberate the pre-WWI antics of Britain and France before dividing Greater Syria into the countries we know today. Unfortunately for you, the Christians in Syria know they are Arabs/Syrians first and that their longevity since the birth of Christianity has survived there in that nation. Shame on you for attempting to divide people by their religion. That is the plan of western powers and their dupes – why was this article not written about S.A.? Perhaps, support of the President is because the syrians see his attempts at reforms, etc that his nation needs – and that he does not bend to the hegomony of Israel and western nations. Maybe these Syrians support their nation's integrity, maybe these Syrians are Arabs first and know the history of their region.
Complete nonsense, thats all that can be said about this report, u can even sense how the reporter was stuttering cuz of lack of base for his argument.... Syria is, was and always will be mad out of Christians, Muslims and even Jews, we are all Syrians and brothers, there is not that extremism u find in other countries with a Muslim majority in Syria....
No civil war will happen, the gov wants that so it can look like a hero or the good guy.
Christians and Muslims in Syria live together peacefully, anyone who says otherwise is severely misinformed.
Plus the revolt has no Religious base, its purely political
It appears to me that Muslims are the fastest growing segment of world society today. As others are withering away the Muslims seem to be rising again with their contributions as was the case historically when they ruled India and Europe and left behind a legacy of science, art, architecture, culinary et al. One only needs to go to Spain and India to witness this. As immigrants, it is a good thing to be aware of your glorious heritage and be connected with it. The Italian immigrants do it as do the Germans, Polish, Jewish, Hispanic and many other cultures. What really pleasantly surprised me was what I witnessed in the Middle East. A tolerant society that has come so far in a few years. Most importantly providing job and economic opportunities to all, Hindus/Indians, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Europeans, Americans, Africans, South Americans, Chinese, and Russians etc. Never have I witnessed such openness and equal opportunities unless you go back to the times of Muslim rule in India and Spain. My conclusion is that the Muslims get it. They are striving to once again take their leadership role in the world order and take this civilization to its next level of excellence. The climb to success and progress is not a linear curve but a stochastic one. Let us join in wishing our Muslim brethren well and much success in their endeavors. If we can't help them let's not pull the rug from under them.
My parents escaped from Iran at the time of the Islamic revolution. They were unprepared and left behind most of their money and important heirlooms. Many of the arguments advance by Ms. Babawat were supported by the minorities in Iran at the time.
But the unthinkable happened - the primary focus of the Islamic Revolution became revenge and settling scores. The same path is unfolding in Egypt..
In their heart, most Iranian minorities long for the days of the Shah - despite his serious shortcomings, corruption, and the limitation on personal freedom. Jews in Iran are now Zionists. Israel and the US are enemies. Women are second class citizens. The standard of living has been reduced to abject poverty for many. I see the same thing happening in Egypt.
Perhaps it would be better if the US, Europe, and the Middle East considered providing safe passage and resettlement for those opposed to the Syrian regime. For that matter, they can begin by helping resettle the Christians in Egypt.
Ms. Hind Aboud Kabawat is mistaken. When the chips are down and your life is at stake, freedom and corruption are a small price to pay.
All religions must fail for the betterment of humanity. Until that happens, people will always be at war with each other.
Thank goodness this is just an opinion article! This lady is dreaming...
Syria is headed to total destruction, brought about by the CIA and America's need to continue their war of Imperialism.
The whole Middle East is going to be a Shi t hol e of Muslim extremists and that is part of the plan.
Majority Sunni Muslims, Christians and other minorities in Syria support Assad. Syrian People know the massacre at Houla was committed by US backed terrorists. FACT The woman who wrote this article is clueless to say the least.
FYI.... you will not see negative coverage of the rebels in the US media. President Obama has declared it to be a matter of "national security". Therefore, no negative coverage of the rebels is allowed on US media. That is a FACT.
The US has sided with the Islamist Saudis. They have the oil we need, they want Assad gone. Obama has made a deal with the devil/Saudi king. Christians can't worship openly in Saudi Arabia. Women can't drive in Saudi Arabia. Woman can't show their faces in Saudi Arabia. The US and Saudi king are allies. Not the Saudi People, the Saudi king. He rules with an iron fist. If he gets control of Syria, say goodbye to Christians.
Handing out Easter eggs to Muslim children is not a "simple act of kindness and tolerance," but rather a calculated act of prosletyzation. A "simple act of kindness and tolerance" would be showing support for someone else's right to their own beliefs, not using candy to try to convert someone else's children to your own religion.
You think it is a wonderful when muslims feed their children candy when Jews are killed.
Dear Syrian Christian Friends and all Christians in the troubled Middle East–
The Bible does not prophesy good things for Syria in the end times. Did you know that?
1) Damascus will be wiped out by a nuclear detonation: Isa. 17:1 ; 17:14
2) One of the antichrists or perhaps even the Antichrist will be a Syrian and will invade Israel: Micah 5:5b – 6
3) More destruction of Syrian and Russia too in the end time judgements: Zephaniah 2:13
4) Judgement on Syria and Egypt: Zechariah 10:11
5) God calls on Christians to come out from among them and be separate: Rev. 18:4
So this is to recommend that you leave Syria in order to avoid these judgements. The word of the Lord can't be broken. These judgements can't be turned. You can get yourself and your families out of the way before this happens. So beware and take appropriate action.
Knock Knock – reality calling, are you there?
Hello? Anyone there?
I guess not.
Message from the minarets: 'Christians must leave Quasir' ... very tolerant indeed. The facts are what they are.
http://69.194.201.181/reports/CustomerSheet.aspx?user=198&pkey=91011&cbAddress=0&cbDescript=0&cbPrice=0
Back, at the old time of democracy in Syria, the Islamist include Muslim Brotherhood never get more than 10% of any democratic election, we should get red of dictatorship regime and give chance for real democracy. If somebody after that want to cheat on us and get us back to dictatorship era, we should resume our revelation. (Doubt should not overcome facts). The fact is that we have corrupted dictator regime in Syria. The doubt is that we will have another version of dictator after the revelation. again doubt should not stop us from completing our revolution, but it will be a smart idea to be alert.
I am mohamad zohair khatib, Syrian Muslim brotherhood member, I would like to thank the writer Hind Kabawat for the nice article. I would like to assure that the Syria revolution will practice a real democracy and justice, no fear any more for Syrian people after the close victory. We all, Christian, Muslims, Aalawis and Drooz... all one hand for Syrian bright future.
and to be somewhat believable, you should have mentioned Jews.
You would have been one guy to rise about all the poop Islam puts out.
Oh Well!
Well, someone should investigate and report exactly who is arming and supplying the rebels. I have read that it is the US, acting thru the Saudis and others, who are doing this to dislodge the Assad regime. Yet, Hillary Clinton has the nerve to accuse Russia of helping Assad? This is largely a proxy war being fought between the US, Israel and Russia, over who will control Syria. None of them really care about the Syrian people, no matter what religious affiliation they might have. When the elephants fight, we know the grass always gets trampled. Such is the case in Syria today. Very sad, very sad indeed.
Are Christians in Syria wise to support any leader who remains in support of them?
Just ask the Syrian Jews.
Wait.
There are no more Syrian Jews in Syria.
They all were killed or kicked out.
Methinks the author would have a different viewpoint if she was actually still living in Syria. Truth is, religious minorities are persecuted in ANY religious regime in present times.
Just take a look at the Christians in Iraq... the author's viewpoint is baffling.
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Europe should not let any arabs to come what ever they are christians muslims , this arabs are worse then a pest.
They are all liers cheaders and only taking advantege. Stop this people from coming and dont be stupid they will ruin our countries. The arab by nature is rebelion and do not respect any laws . It is very stupid to let them in and Sweden, Germany , France and Belgien will pay very high price for the stupidity of their politians.
Dead people dont care about respect.
They are dead.