tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20271097.post2281160938265074885..comments2023-05-11T05:33:36.857-04:00Comments on Persecuted Church Weblog: USCIRF calls for cancellation of meeting with AhmadinejadGreg Musselmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15224965213121759243noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20271097.post-54304356990992057292008-09-24T14:27:00.000-04:002008-09-24T14:27:00.000-04:00It's probably not necessary to point this out on a...It's probably not necessary to point this out on a blog like this, but maybe if the Church as a whole had closer ties with the persecuted Church then they'd understand those who are doing the persecution much better and be able to respond to the persecutors in a more effective way.<BR/><BR/>Herod Antipas - Ahmadinejad<BR/>I think that hits the nail on the head. Jesus was a carpenter too...Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17648966821591788693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20271097.post-58748452264571890852008-09-24T12:54:00.000-04:002008-09-24T12:54:00.000-04:00The point of the USCIRF is, I believe, well stated...The point of the USCIRF is, I believe, well stated and surprisingly blunt in its honesty. I see this as simply a warning to some rather naive people. Europe "dialogued" with Hitler (someone Ahmadinejad seems to respect); Look at the results. Does MCC and company really want to be a part of that? <BR/><BR/>Jesus ate with those society rejected. In tying that together with this dialogue, supporters are basically saying "Poor, misunderstood and abused Ahmadinejad." Let me guess ... they will also argue that all the bad things supposedly said by Ahmadinejad are fabrications by the great enemy of the world, Satan himself, George W. Bush. <BR/><BR/>Thankfully, most of the world can see through this mad man. Unfortunately the agenda of the WCC, MCC, etc. has blinded them so much they can't. We can only hope this doesn't encourage this lunatic too much.<BR/><BR/>JSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20271097.post-69757283665096170162008-09-23T16:27:00.000-04:002008-09-23T16:27:00.000-04:00But did Jesus eat with Herod Antipas? I think tha...But did Jesus eat with Herod Antipas? I think that this might be a more appropriate comparison with Ahmadinejad.Glenn Pennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13775729921874246091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20271097.post-56356975691863199372008-09-23T16:06:00.000-04:002008-09-23T16:06:00.000-04:00Here's a good article on this important meeting on...Here's a good article on this important meeting online (website removed by moderator as per this website's comment policy)<BR/><BR/>I especially admire these quotes:<BR/><BR/>"Jesus ate with lepers and with tax collectors, and in the United States right now, Iran would be in that category," says Arli Klassen, executive director of the Mennonite Central Committee, an outreach arm for Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in the United States and Canada.<BR/><BR/>"The criticisms levied at Jesus were that he ate with ... people of ill repute, and we're getting similar criticisms."<BR/><BR/>and<BR/><BR/>"You can't just engage with people with whom you agree on all issues," Graham says. "That leads to a very myopic view of the world. And you miss a lot of opportunities with that approach."<BR/><BR/>Thank you MCC for having the courage to work at peacemaking even when it's not popular!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20271097.post-33223544925603766842008-09-22T23:57:00.000-04:002008-09-22T23:57:00.000-04:00I know this is probably a harsh comment to make, b...I know this is probably a harsh comment to make, but this event reminds me of Balaam being rebuked by the donkey. In this case the donkey being USCIRF, who can see clearly who Ahmadinejad is while Balaam seems to be completely blind to it.<BR/><BR/>The Church ought to be smarter and better informed than government offices like this one are because we're one of the few genuinely international networks of people. But instead it's the other way around. Our ignorance of people like the president of Iran and the issues surrounding him I think are symptoms of how detached and introverted the North American church has become to the point of being almost dangerous to those who are actually working for religious freedom and justice in the world.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17648966821591788693noreply@blogger.com