In The News
JUST FOR BEING CHRISTIAN
Pope Francis recently denounced the slaying by ISIS of Egyptian Copts in Libya as being “assassinated just for being Christian.” Those implicated had released a video showing the mass beheading of hostages. The video also reported that the group plans eventually to “conquer Rome.”
The Copts had previously fled Egypt because of persecution. For what reason? Essentially for being Christian, although there may have been other incentives. Given an option, some go to great lengths to down-play the religious factor.
The flight of these Coptic Christians was to no avail. They were deliberately captured, held for a period of time, and then executed. While in an especially brutal manner, so as to intimidate others. This also served as a graphic confirmation of their determination to conquer Rome, as associated with the Christian faith.
Needless to say, there is ample precedent for such vicious behavior. In this regard, Tertullian observed: “The more often we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow. The blood of Christians is seed” (Apology, Chapter L). He thus appears defiant in the face of continuing violence against those of the Christian faith.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain,” the apostle Paul concludes. “I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Phil. 1:21, 23-24). If allowed to live, he intends to serve. If faced with death, he views it triumphantly.
As we are reminded by this recent event, martyrdom did not terminate with the early church. Its frequency has actually increased, so that it is said that more Christians were executed for their faith in the last century than all the previous centuries combined. And the current century is setting a still higher incidence of martyrdom.
This appears prominently but not exclusively from those who profess a Muslim faith. For instance, oppression of Christians in North Korea is unrelenting. Whether this is in the form of religious persecution or not depends on one’s definition of religion. If associated with one’s ultimate concern, as suggested by Paul Tillich, then everyone is religious. Either by way of worshiping the true God or given to idolatry.
Thus a recent convocation of Christian leaders identified secularism as a more serious threat than its religious counterparts. This brought to mind when my wife and I engaged in two short term teaching assignments in Romania, shortly after the collapse of the Communist regime. Persons were prone to recall when oppressed for their faith. For instance, a young man told of being imprisoned for anti-social behavior, having to do with his Christian convictions. He was thus subjected to forced labor, along with criminals, until eventually released.
Now there are different degrees of tolerance among Muslims. Conversely, all seem convinced of the need to promote Sharia law as a condition for peace. This, moreover, requires submission. It remains to determine to what lengths one should go in order to assure success. So that I am appreciative of those Muslims who have the conviction and courage to speak out against incidents as cited above.
While it is suggested that the Sharia ideal may be compatible within a democratic context as a personal ethic, this obviously does not satisfy its establishment. Consequently, some will tolerate the situation, at least until such time as the former can be enforced. Or, as it was explained to me, “We negotiate out of weakness, but act out of strength.”
The video also made reference to the Crusades as if a continuing conflict. This was by way of contrast to President Obama’s allusion to them as a historical event, although in context he may have implied a continuing predilection. Now while there was much objectionable about the Crusades, it should be remembered that they were in response to Muslim aggression. The appeal of Eastern Christians incited others to join them in a desperate effort to survive.
“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own,” Jesus assured his disciples. “As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:19-20). Martyrdom can thus constitute a confirmation of pious resolve. With such in mind, we take leave of this tragic event.
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