The Arabic "nun" - supporting our Christian brothers and sisters

[~Anastasia~]

From Christian Today:

'N', or ن in Arabic, is the symbol used by the Islamic State (IS or ISIS) to identify who is a Nazarene - a Christian. It has been drawn on doorways and in front of houses in captured Iraqi cities, allowing militants to quickly assert where the loyalties of the inhabitants lie.

Last week, members of the extremist Sunni Muslim faction drove Christians out of the historic city of Mosul, where members of the faith have lived for the past 2,000 years. They were told to either flee the city, convert to Islam, or pay a tax for the right to be a Christian. Those who refused now risk death "by the sword".

What do you think of this? Have you changed your signature, avatar, or social media personal avatar, etc.?

Why or why not?

I'm curious about trends and the reason(s) for them ...

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

It's about time that Christians are becoming united and showing support for the rest of the persecuted body. It's too late for those in the town that began this but it's widespread and needs recognition that symbolizes prayer and support from those who are there to help. We're biblically called to be one body standing as one soul striving.

 

[graceandpeace]

My social media bears a graphic & I've been making posts about it...but other self-identifying Christians I am connected to have been frighteningly silent. Months back though, after the whole Duck Dynasty incident, I was subjected to tirades, graphics, petitions...

Apparently, defending a reality tv star who made a homophobic comment is more worthy of a platform than the forced elimination of Christians from their homes with threat of impossible taxation or death.

American Christianity FAIL

 

[Nik0s]

You see, the Catholic and Orthodox Christians in the Middle East aren't Protestant so it doesn't matter.

 

[Sean611]

My social media bears a graphic & I've been making posts about it...but other self-identifying Christians I am connected to have been frighteningly silent. Months back though, after the whole Duck Dynasty incident, I was subjected to tirades, graphics, petitions...

Apparently, defending a reality tv star who made a homophobic comment is more worthy of a platform than the forced elimination of Christians from their homes with threat of impossible taxation or death.

American Christianity FAIL

It's incredible and sad isn't it? I read a book a few years ago about how most American Christians didn't want to be bothered with the persecution of Christians at the hands of the Russian Communists (and their satellite states). In fact, some of those who survived and came to America were treated as if they were liars and made the persecutions up!

 

[Sean611]

You see, the Catholic and Orthodox Christians in the Middle East aren't Protestant so it doesn't matter.

It is happening to Anglicans too. St. George's is the only Anglican Church in Iraq and it has been bombed 5 times in 3 years:

Bloodbath in Iraq | The Living Church

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

You see, the Catholic and Orthodox Christians in the Middle East aren't Protestant so it doesn't matter.

While it may be true that most of the population of christians under attack are Catholic I'm sure that makes no difference to those attacking ... christian is christian to them. However I think it should be pointed out that it's more than just Islamic extremists at the root of the problem as this link to catholic news suggests

What's Really Behind the Persecution of Christians in the Middle East? / OrthoChristian.Com

 

[Nik0s]

While it may be true that most of the population of christians under attack are Catholic I'm sure that makes no difference to those attacking ... christian is christian to them. However I think it should be pointed out that it's more than just Islamic extremists at the root of the problem as this link to catholic news suggests

What's Really Behind the Persecution of Christians in the Middle East? / OrthoChristian.Com

No, but it makes a difference to people here in the USA that they're not Protestant (and not White for that matter). The Duck Dynasty thing proves it.

 

[~Anastasia~]

While it may be true that most of the population of christians under attack are Catholic I'm sure that makes no difference to those attacking ... christian is christian to them. However I think it should be pointed out that it's more than just Islamic extremists at the root of the problem as this link to catholic news suggests

What's Really Behind the Persecution of Christians in the Middle East? / OrthoChristian.Com

Apparently this post was written in February? So before all of the current situation began, but it does provide some backdrop for understanding what was going on before. It makes me even more sad for them.

I think - this is a very complex situation, and I don't have sufficient understanding of all the factors to really evaluate it.

Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Islam, Christians ... and not only that, but other things that have gone on not directly tied in, but which complicate the Christian landscape.

All I really know is that I opened my Facebook last week to a picture, and wondered why one man was kneeling on another man's back. I could only see part of it. I clicked on it to enlarge it, and was horrified.

The man was on the other man's back in the process of sawing through his neck with a large knife. He was probably still alive and bleeding from the wound. Another man lay on the ground next to him, his severed head on his back.

Sorry to be so graphic, but it made an impression on me. So I started reading to try to find out what was going on.

I'm sick.

And yes, I changed my avatar on FB, and on here. I'm not sure what else to do, except to pray. I have had a great surge in FB friend requests, all with "nun" symbols for their avatar - all friends of friends (and I set up a new FB for "church stuff" so these are all Christians).

I'm still trying to process all of this, and wondering if there is more than we can / should do than to pray (though prayers can certain avail much).

Thanks all for your comments and insights.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Originally Posted by Nik0s

You see, the Catholic and Orthodox Christians in the Middle East aren't Protestant so it doesn't matter.
​

There are no Protestant Christian churches in the Middle East?



.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

....after the whole Duck Dynasty incident,....

... The Duck Dynasty thing proves it.

I’m reminded of something Bill Maher said during the height of the Paula Deen controversy: “Do we always have to make people go away?” I think the question applies in this situation too.

 

[graceandpeace]

It's incredible and sad isn't it? I read a book a few years ago about how most American Christians didn't want to be bothered with the persecution of Christians at the hands of the Russian Communists (and their satellite states). In fact, some of those who survived and came to America were treated as if they were liars and made the persecutions up!

Yes, very sad.

There is too much focus on all the wrong things, both by individuals & whole churches. The expected bad fruit has disgusted many, & yet some wonder why this generation is dropping out of the Church at a high rate?

God help us...

 

[Tangible]

what duck dynasty thing?

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Apparently this post was written in February? So before all of the current situation began, but it does provide some backdrop for understanding what was going on before. It makes me even more sad for them.

I think it does give a backdrop for those in Israel. In Iran and other mideast areas probably not as much. But I found the article interesting as to the christian comments to look closer so as not to use their suffering to propagate more hatred.

I think - this is a very complex situation, and I don't have sufficient understanding of all the factors to really evaluate it.

Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Islam, Christians ... and not only that, but other things that have gone on not directly tied in, but which complicate the Christian landscape.

All I really know is that I opened my Facebook last week to a picture, and wondered why one man was kneeling on another man's back. I could only see part of it. I clicked on it to enlarge it, and was horrified.

The man was on the other man's back in the process of sawing through his neck with a large knife. He was probably still alive and bleeding from the wound. Another man lay on the ground next to him, his severed head on his back.

Sorry to be so graphic, but it made an impression on me. So I started reading to try to find out what was going on.

I'm sick.

And yes, I changed my avatar on FB, and on here. I'm not sure what else to do, except to pray. I have had a great surge in FB friend requests, all with "nun" symbols for their avatar - all friends of friends (and I set up a new FB for "church stuff" so these are all Christians).

I'm still trying to process all of this, and wondering if there is more than we can / should do than to pray (though prayers can certain avail much).

Thanks all for your comments and insights.

I don't like watching those things either. I remember during the Vietnam war the first time they showed a person being actually killed on TV and the shock wave it created. Last week I watched a pedestrian trying to get home to his family shot down in front of them. It's way out of hand.
Praying for peace in Jerusalem means peace in the heavenly Jerusalem as much as the physical Jerusalem. The heavenly Jerusalem is our (the Christians) mother, Grace. That's where prayer focuses for me because God, no matter what, is still in control, and prophesy is still being carried out.

 

[graceandpeace]

what duck dynasty thing?

Months ago, Phil Robertson implied in an interview that homosexuality would "morph out" into inappropriate behavior with animals & people being promiscuous (& paraphrased the Bible in the process). The response of American Christians was fast & swift, leaving no stone unturned with outcries of persecution...

 

[NannaNae]

lord bless them that love you !

 

[GratiaCorpusChristi]

There are no Protestant Christian churches in the Middle East?



.

There are some, but they are almost non-existent in Syria and Iraq. Mostly the Christians there are either Syriac Oriental Orthodox or Syriac Catholic. There are also a few Antiochene Orthodox.

 

[Targaryen]

When real persecution attack Christ's body, the majority of the Body is silent.

When a goof ball, reality TV star makes a bigoted comment, the Christian world ends.

I'm right there with you Grace.....i'm just a sickened and saddened...but equally amazed

 

[NannaNae]

There are some, but they are almost non-existent in Syria and Iraq. Mostly the Christians there are either Syriac Oriental Orthodox or Syriac Catholic. There are also a few Antiochene Orthodox.

if they are willing to stand up to Isis , pay or die.. I suspect they are real enough for him!

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

For those interesting, I started a thread on this event in Iraq:

http://www.christianforums.com/t7835322/
Islamic State Warns Christians: Convert, Pay Tax, Leave Or Die

Christians in Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq, were sent a message by the Islamic State (IS): convert to Islam, pay the jizya or leave. It appears that many are taking the new self-proclaimed Caliphate seriously.

IS, formerly ISIS, is not formally recognized as a state and is considered a rebel group. It is composed of Sunni insurgent groups and was thought to have significant ties to Al-Qaeda (although Al-Qaeda formally dissociated itself from IS in February).

Known for violence against the Shia and Christians, Secretary of State John Kerry has described IS as “more extreme even than al Qaeda.”

Despite the fact that many of us are hearing about jizya for the first time, the concept has been around for some time. It’s even found in the Qur’an – you can see the mention at 9:29:

Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture – [fight] until they give the Jizyah willingly while they are humbled.
​

The imposition of jizya was generally abolished during the reforms of the Ottoman Empire Empire. However, it appears to be making a comeback though some dispute whether the current jizya is in keeping with tradition.
Notably, prior to the edict out of Mosul, a jizya order was issued in IS controlled areas in Syria last February. In that instance, IS called for Christians in the city of Raqqa to pay half an ounce of pure gold (approx. $750 as of Feb 2013) as the jizya.



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