Iraq Christian leader denounces latest attacks

[Joanne98]

Source: AP

KIRKUK, Iraq — The body of a Christian health worker turned up in a field two days after he was kidnapped — prompting several more Christian families to pack up and leave their ancient homeland in northern Iraq.

At least 10 Christian families have left Kirkuk in recent weeks, fearing kidnap-for-ransom gangs that have turned their sights on Christians in one of Iraq's most ethnically diverse cities.

The recent violence and abductions has prompted Kirkuk's archbishop to demand government protection against what he has called religious-driven "terrorism."

Attacks are not new against Iraq's small but historically significant Christian community, whose roots stretch back to the early centuries of the faith and include areas mentioned in the Bible.

The departures are just the latest in an ongoing exodus of Christians in Iraq, who have been targets of sectarian violence since the U.S.-led 2003 invasion.


Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g2ZsyLvAw-bRp4Zq-f99Y8YeFg4gD9B52S5G3

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If the Republicans hadn't tried to turn the military into a Christian prayer breakfast this probably wouldn't be happening. Maybe the Iraqi Christians should get a lawyer and SUE the GOP for ruining their lives!

[foxfeet]

1. I'm waiting for the Religious Right to equate this very real persecution

with the limits placed on Christian hegemony in the U.S.

[Crowman1979]

2. Unfortunately, fundies in this country think Iraqi christians are not real christians.

Everyone knows you have to have a greedy, morbidly-obese con-man with a TV show in order to be a legitimate religion. :sarcasm:

[harmonicon]

3. you forgot the most important one:

to be a "christian" in the US, you have to be white.

[Psephos]

7. cracker mentality in a progressive wrapper n/t

[Joanne98]

4. Ah! Sounds like you're a John Hagee fan.

:pals:

[eissa]

5. I wish these articles would stop referring to us

as "Iraqi Christians" and just say Assyrian. I got very irked when described by our religious affiliation rather than our ethnic heritage.

The irony of the bush presidency -- one built upon the foundation of fundie, right-wing "christianity" -- is that his war helped empty Iraq of most of its indigenous christian population.

[No Elephants]

6. The lies on this thread stink..