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Report: Christianity in Danger of Being ‘Wiped Out’ in the Middle East Because of ‘Islamic Oppression’

Dec. 24, 2012 7:10am Sharona Schwartz

Report Says Christianity in Danger of Being “Wiped Out” in the Middle East

Egyptian Christians at prayer rally before the constitutional referendum (AP Photo)

A new study published on the eve of the Christmas holiday provides a chilling assessment of the future prospects for a once thriving Middle East Christian community and concludes Christians are suffering more persecution around the world than any other religious group, mainly due to “Islamic oppression.”

Civitas, a conservative-leaning British research organization, on Sunday published the report titled “Christianophobia.” Civitas described some of author Rupert Shortt’s disturbing findings:

Christianity is in serious danger of being wiped out in its biblical heartlands because of Islamic oppression, according to a new report from a leading independent think-tank.

But Western politicians and media largely ignore the widespread persecution of Christians in the Middle East and the wider world because they are afraid they will be accused of racism.

They fail to appreciate that in the defence of the wider concept of human rights, religious freedom is the “canary in the mine”, according to the report.

The refusal of young Christians in the West to become “radicalised” and mount violent protests against the attacks on their faith also helps to explain the “blind spot” about “Christianophobia” in influential liberal Western circles.

The study explains that Christians are more likely to face persecution than any other faith group and that they are especially threatened in Muslim societies. Shortt explains that this oppression is only magnified by already rampant anti-Americanism and “the false belief that Christianity is a ‘Western’ creed.” This, even though the religion was born in the Middle East.

He quotes research findings which show that “between a half and two-thirds of Christians in the Middle East have left or been killed over the past century” and that the threat has only been exacerbated by the rise of militant Islam in Egypt, Iraq and Syria.

Shortt takes Western policymakers to task for not exposing the threat. He writes: “The blind spot displayed by governments and other influential players is causing them to squander a broader opportunity. Religious freedom is the canary in the mine for human rights generally.”

The study examines Christian persecution in seven countries: Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, Nigeria, Burma, China and India, citing examples such as a Salafist website ‘Guardians of the Faith’, which once wrote: “Being a Muslim girl whose role models are the wives of the Prophet, who were required to wear the hijab, is better than being a Christian girl, whose role models are whores.”

The study also describes past cases in which Christians targeted other faiths, such as in the Lebanese civil war and the Balkan crisis; however, Shortt believes Islam is particularly susceptible to violence. He writes: “There is a theory that the idea of jihad is more deeply embedded in Islam than related notions in the other world religions – and therefore that Islam is more susceptible to violent extremism – because of the martial context in which Islam took root.”

Though the mainstream media rarely report it, one glaring exception to the institutionalized persecution the study describes is Israel, where the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) on Sunday published statistics showing that Israeli Christians are both well-educated and prosperous. But even in Israel, they face intimidation from their Muslim neighbors.

Israel National News reports:

When it comes to education, Christian Arabs are among the most successful groups in Israel. In 2011, 64% of the community’s high school graduates were eligible for Bagrut matriculation certificates, generally a requirement for entry to university, while among Jews that figure was 59%, and only 48% among Muslims. The CBS statistics also showed that Christian Arabs enjoyed relatively high incomes, and were generally more prosperous than their Muslim neighbors.

But there is concern that the Christian community is shrinking – due to intimidation by their Muslim neighbors. […]

Many Christians have complained of being targeted by Muslims, whom they believe are trying to either drive them out of cities that have traditionally had large Christian populations, or to “persuade” them to convert. In 1999, for example, radical Muslims in Nazareth rioted as they attempted to wrest land from a major Christian shrine to build a mosque. Christians in Bethlehem, too, have complained of being persecuted by Muslims, and being encouraged to leave. In 1946, Bethlehem was 80 percent Christian and Nazareth 60 percent; those numbers are now 20 percent and 30 percent respectively, with the percentage of Christians in the city shrinking every year.

Pro-Palestinian activists consistently blame Israel for the shrinking Christian population in those cities, rather than Islamic extremism and a higher childbirth rate in Muslim families. This, as Palestinian officials and other Muslim organizations accuse Israel of trying to “Judaize” Jerusalem, the location of the most holy site for Jews, the Western Wall.

Jerusalem Municipality advertises free Christmas trees (Photo courtesy: IsraellyCool.com)

But the Jerusalem municipality belied that accusation when over the weekend it invited the city’s Christians to come in and collect a free Christmas tree, courtesy of the city of Jerusalem.

Israel’s Jerusalem Development Authority also announced it would help local residents and shop keepers decorate the streets with festive lights around the Old City.

(H/T: The Telegraph, IsraellyCool)

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Comments (58)

LeadNotFollow
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 9:01pm
Christians will be annihilated by the Muslims, the illuminati, and the New World Order, if we don’t take a stand for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

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- Becks_Art_Obama_In_PeePee
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 10:17pm
  “Report: Christianity in Danger of Being ‘Wiped Out’ in the Middle East Because of ‘Islamic Oppression’”
  
  Did everyone “survive” the December “end of the world” event? Well, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet:
  
  “2 Billion to Die in World War 3″
  http://www.endtime.com/blog/2-billion-to-die-in-world-war-3/
  
  ” ‘And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for TO SLAY THE THIRD PART OF MEN.’ (Revelation 9:15) … This time, there won’t be 8.2 million dead [WW1]. There won’t be 52 million dead [WW2]. This time 2 BILLION human beings will be annihilated from the face of the earth! We are talking about 40 times the fatalities of World War II!”
  
  “According to Revelation 9:14, the prophesied war will originate from the area of the Euphrates River [ALL ISLAMIC DOMINATED LANDS!]. The Euphrates River is located in Iraq, Turkey, Syria, and Iran.”
  
  “When will it happen?”
  
  “According to the biblical prophetic timeline given in scripture, four major prophetic fulfillments will occur at approximately the same time.
  * The international community’s adoption of a peace plan for the Middle East
  * The building of Israel’s temple on the Temple Mount
  * Preparations being made for the implementation of the mark of the beast
  * The Euphrates River War”
  
  Just fair warning …
  
  Report this comment
- roscoe569
  Posted on December 25, 2012 at 12:42am
  But God created all living things did He not, so why must we take a stand for Him?
  
  Report this comment
topperj
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 6:55pm
The silence from the White House is deafening. If this were a story about Muslims being decimated by Christians, Obama would be spouting off every day. But, it isn’t and he isn’t.

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TheLiberalsAreComing
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 4:37pm
Islam is a cult of liars and killers; our President is a Muslim.
God help us.

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- THERAPTURCOMES
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 6:58pm
  I do not believe it is about to be wiped out. Wherever hardship and persecution is, Christianity THRIVES. You may not see it openly but it is there and in greater numbers than most would suspect.
  
  Report this comment
nana1212
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 12:28pm
We Christians don’t have the balls to stand up to these pigs! Christianity WILL be wiped out because we are allowing this to happen! I, myself, would rather die a Christian than to follow the false religion, Islam.

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bemo234
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 10:33am
The Christians have been in a holocaust positions at the hands of islamo savages for centuries for only one reason, …We allow it!

The Christians of the world have gained wealth and technological advantages because we were able to behave as a cohesive civilized unselfish group. We were bonded by an ideology and principles of life whose empowering motivation was a love for our lord, ourselves and each other.

It’s time to stop turning the other cheek and stand up for what we believe in, we must find ways to support our fellow Christians across the world as they hold the line against these monsters that are being supported by our-trader-in-chief

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CHROME_PLATED_HEART
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 9:53am
As long as we get all mooslims the hell out of America, I don’t care where they are.

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Ron Staiger
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 9:44am
Let’s compare countries founded by Christians and Jews with those of islamic-cult foundation. If you only consider civilizations at least 2000 years old, islam wouldn’t be included so let’s start with 768 A.D. Pepin’s son, Carolus Magnus (Charlemagne), succeeds his father and is one of the most important rulers of medieval history. In time, his empire, known as the Carolingian dynasty, includes the greater section of central Europe, northern Italy and central Italy in addition to realms already conquered by Frankish rule. Charlemagne’s system of government divides the vast realm into different regions, ruled by local “counts” who are overseen by representatives of Charlemagne’s own court. In addition, to aid expansion and administration of the kingdom, Charlemagne promotes, what is called later, the “Carolingian Renaissance.” Prior to this revival of learning, practically the entire realm (with the exception of Benedictine England) is illiterate due to the decay of the Roman Empire. The director of the “renaissance” is Anglo-Saxon Benedictine Alcuin, who receives his learning from a student of Bede. Alcuin sets up schools, sees to the copying of classical Latin texts and develops a new handwriting. In the 768 A.D. Middle East the greatest accomplishment is the wooden-wheeled donkey cart. In 2012, all of Europe is civilized with draconian laws having evolved and great accomplishments for its free people. In the East, rubber-wheeled donkey carts replace the woode

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Chromo200
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 9:16am
No matter how educated a muslim gets, he still will remain an ignorant lout. Until the muslim converts from islam they will repress their women, abuse people, and remain in the dark.

I’ve said this before, never ever trust a muslim.

We Christians will suffer under the hands of these people, but in the end the Lord will protect us since good will triumph over evil at the end.

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kommish
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 9:15am
I’m confident it won’t be wiped out. Wherever Christians are persecuted, it thrives. They might have to stay underground, but they’ll be there. Christianity would never have spread out from Israel had the early Christians not been persecuted. The underground church is going strong in Korea, China and other areas where Christians are persecuted. The reason Christians are so lackadaisical in the United States is we are not suffering persecution, though the day may come.

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Looking_Up
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 9:12am
Throughout history the persecution of Christians has only led to greater moves of God. I turn to Psalm 37 when it appears that evil is winning. Here’s an excerpt (verses 12 & 13):

The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.

Pray without ceasing. Keep looking up.

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freeberty
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 9:01am
The headline could have been; “CHRISTIANITY IN DANGER OF BEING ‘WIPED OUT’ IN THE MIDDLE EAST BECAUSE CHRISTIANS DON’T HAVE ENOUGH FAITH”

Mark 16:15-16
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Know any missionaries in North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran?

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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 9:14am
  meh, i dont think that is the problem since missionaries are in lots of dangerous and hostile places.
  
  Perhaps the missionaries arent in those countries because the USA will be invading them or re-invading them in the next 10 years…..
  
  Report this comment
soybomb315_II
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:27am
After we went in and toppled Iraq in order to “bring democracy to the middle east”, the other secular dictators have fallen to the islamic fundamentalists. The result is a purge of christians….This has happened in at least Egypt, Syria, and Iraq. It will probably happen in Jordan and maybe even Turkey and Iran.

Ironic that the thing christians thought would bring freedom to the middle east was the thing that brought persecution. The unintended consequences of interventionism is why many of us think the best thing is for USA to mind our own business and orient our goals to trade and peace

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- 1776freedomofspeech
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:39am
  Please stay on topic.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 9:11am
  @1776freedomofspeech
  oh i guess christians in the middle east is not good enough for you?
  
  Perhaps i should “stay on topic” by talking about muslim illiteracy or american media like you did below. Even more ironic when you consider your own moniker
  
  Report this comment
- 1776freedomofspeech
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 10:13am
  @SOY
  
  America invades, America invades is your mantra…..
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 11:13am
  you hate history
  
  Report this comment
- From Virginia
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 12:28pm
  @Soy – You also hate history since you neglect the fact that America has freed more human beings than any country on the planet.
  
  Besides, you would have nothing good to say about America regardless of its policies. If we support some tin-dict that keeps the peace you want their people to overthrow him. Then when they descend into anarchy you blame US policy. There is no pleasing you.
  
  Report this comment
- soybomb315_II
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 7:35pm
  i am proud of the good stuff and not proud of the bad stuff. I talk about the bad things instead of pretending like they didnt happen. That is the difference between me and you
  
  Report this comment
TH30PH1LUS
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:25am
The media will roll over in bed, and snooze through this because they despise Jesus and his followers nearly as much as Muslims do. Media doesn’t care about the abuse of women and minorities as long as its at the hands of the beloved Muslim.

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Dagnabbit5
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:21am
One thing that is true is the birth rate problem. Muslims will have 4 to 5 kids with just one wife. Add multiple wives and it gets worse. Christians tend to have only 2 or 3 children and only have one wife.

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skippy6
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:18am
Have yet to see the so called moderate Muslims stand up to the extremists…Looks like Israel is the only safe place for them…

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Obamazombies
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:12am
If Obama had a religion.

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- 1776freedomofspeech
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:18am
  It would look like socialism.
  
  Report this comment
- dublinthewagons
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:43am
  He would name it after himself. Lucfer-ism
  
  Report this comment
ZAP
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:04am
They are anti-Christs.It is in their hearts to destroy God’s people.They are in opposition to love.Hate is their creed..Satan their god…

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- 1776freedomofspeech
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:19am
  Yup!
  
  Report this comment
- dublinthewagons
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:49am
  We have their twelfth iman here in America. President B. O. (Body Odor)
  
  Report this comment
- TheCalmOne
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 5:55pm
  Muslims worship the same God as you do, ignoramus.
  
  Report this comment
- IsupportisraelNGod
  Posted on December 29, 2012 at 11:43am
  @TheCalmOne don’t make me laugh.
  
  Report this comment
kickagrandma
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 7:56am
Isn’t it so cool that GOD let us live now??? We ARE HIS PRAYER WARRIORS on this earth. Like so many of us, I really need to jack up the prayers for my brothers and sisters in CHRIST JESUS all around the world.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, all you CHRIST followers.

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- 1776freedomofspeech
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:23am
  Thank you Grandma, Merry Christmas. Praise the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen!
  
  Report this comment
1776freedomofspeech
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 7:49am
Consider it gone in the middle east.

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KingCanon
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 7:49am
Sounds intimidating, however, it will never happen. This is
only the build up for the blood that must flow as high as a
horses bridle. Get with it man!
Tomorrow’s headlines are in the Bible today! Read The Book!

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What the Heck
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 7:44am
BUT, they are the tolerant, kind, loving, benevolent, compassionate, religion of Moo hamed. Something just does not add up but millions are converting out of stupidity because they do not know the BIBLE. If you don’t read and know, you will be deceived. Remember, they can lie to advance the cause. Obviously they threaten with death.

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- 1776freedomofspeech
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:18am
  The news was reported that 50% of islamics are illiterate. I know. it sounds like the inner city kids in any US urban area, but hey if MSNBC said it. It must be true.
  
  Report this comment
GuruMeditation
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 7:42am
Expect more of this globally.

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snappietx
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 7:39am
You know it hurts to read all this knowing nothing I can do but Pray and just allow myself to follow Gods will even though I see all this evil. Obama is the head of it all. I do hope people see him I know he hides well at least he thinks he hides. FAITH not FEAR will win this battle peeps! Read your bibles and pray pray pray EVERYDAY! Stay in the light to fight the perfect fight!

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starman70
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 7:35am
Islam is a false religion!!! The very requirement that anyone who is not a Moslem either convert or be killed proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that intolerance is the basic tenet of their belief system. The abysmal treatment of women as dictated by Mohammed along with the absolute rule of the Mullahs leaves little doubt of the dictatorial basis on which this is founded.

Christianity has also, in the past, been guilty of such intolerance. The Crusaders, the Spanish Conquistadors and even our demands to the Native Americans who were forced to become Christians.

Christianity is the best and most peaceful religion in the modern age. We will allow others to worship as they choose without threats of death. Christians present the Gospels of Jesus and then let the hearer decide whether to believe or not. We don’t slaughter members of other faiths just because some preacher demands it, whereas in Islam, it is the duty to kill those who are non believers. This is a sad commentary on Islam.

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- Ron Staiger
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 7:49am
  To Starman70: The ONLY fault of the Crusades was the fact that it was not successful in removing the evil scourge of islam from the Earth
  
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- Balpit
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 6:50pm
  The Inquisition was a blot on history, but I must comment on the Crusades:
  They were not an action, but a reaction. The radical Muslims had kicked out non-Muslims from the Holy Lands. The Crusaders were trying to get it back.
  
  Sadly, should middle eastern Christians fight back, the media will ignore their plight and instead report how those evil Christians are attacking those poor, innocent Muslims just because they refuse to accept Jesus.
  
  Report this comment
Ron Staiger
Posted on December 24, 2012 at 7:31am
Islam is not a religion but IS rather a cult of murder, mayhem, abuse, and pedophilia. The qur’an is an evil text written by the devil’s hand calling for the slaughter of Jews “even if they be found hiding behind a bush”. Muhammad was a murderous warlord who slaughtered his political opponents and consummated his marriage to Aisha bint Abu Bakr when she was NINE YEARS OLD. Imams and other islamic pigs like the Ayatollah Khomeni openly call for the abuse of children as young as those still being breast-fed. In his 1979 book entitled Tahrirolvasyleh he wrote, “A man can have sexual pleasure from a child as young as a baby. However, he should not penetrate vaginally, but sodomizing the child is acceptable.If a man does penetrate and damage the child then, he should be responsible for her subsistence all her life. This girl will not count as one of his four permanent wives and the man will not be eligible to marry the girl’s sister.” and “A man can have sex with animals such as sheep, cows, camels and so on. However, he should kill the animal after he has his orgasm. He should not sell the meat to the people in his own village, but selling the meat to a neighboring village is reasonable.” and “A woman who has contracted a continuing marriage does not have the right to go out of the house without her husband’s permission; she must remain at his disposal for the fulfilment of any one of his desires, and may not refuse herself to him except for a religiously valid

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- starman70
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 7:56am
  OMG!!! Unbelieveable!! How can a religious leader advocate such? This leaves me speechless!!
  
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- 1776freedomofspeech
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:30am
  Why doesn’t Maddow, Soledad Obrien, Chrissy Matthews, Scarbrough, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC report this child abuse?
  
  Because their leaders condone it.
  
  Report this comment
- SirhanSirhan
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 1:44pm
  @ RON STAIGER- ABRAHAM wedded his own sister: Genesis 12:19 Why saidst thou Abraham, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife Sarah, take her, and go thy way.
  
  Genesis 20:12 And yet indeed she is my sister…
  
  INCEST W/FATHER & DAUGHTERS: Genesis 19:33-35 And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
  
  34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
  
  35 And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
  
  INCEST BETWEEN MOTHER AND SON: Genesis 35:22 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and had sexual intercourse with his father’s wife Bilhah, and all of Israel heard of it.
  
  DAVID, A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART, KILLS A MAN FOR HIS WIFE: 2 Samuel 11:2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
  
  3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba?…
  
  Report this comment
- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 5:22pm
  The entire basis of your argument is, “but…but they did it tooOoo….!”
  
  …..LOL
  
  Report this comment
- SirhanSirhan
  Posted on December 24, 2012 at 8:14pm
  @ THE_CABRITO_GOAT- Don’t project your limited understanding on to me…the basis for my post is not that they do it too.
  
  It’s to show whatever your understanding of who Muhammad is is meaningless because those things did not stop God from accepting the men of the Bible that did the same thing.
  
  If those men are considered men of God (and they are) then Muhammad too is a man of God!
  
  Report this comment

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