Since the 9-11 terrorist attacks, there have been only a few incidents of animosity directed toward Muslims in our country. Christians, as well as all U.S. citizens, have been urged to be tolerant and to respect the Islamic religion. Only a relatively small number of unpleasant encounters have been documented. A vast majority of the American people have not blamed the entire religion for the actions of a radical few.
However, it is a fact that in some Islamic nations, a similar tolerance is not present. In fact, there are places where Christians are prime targets for violence. From places like Indonesia, Sudan, Saudi-Arabia, Nigeria, and Pakistan, accounts of rage directed at Christians have been seeping out. Often these events escape the notice of Americans because of a sometimes-puzzling practice of reporting them in tiny stories hidden on one of the back pages.
Here are four examples of this anti-Christian activism:
(1) In Indonesia, several thousand Christians were killed, thousands forcibly converted, and hundreds of their churches destroyed.
(2) In the Sudan, during a 17-year civil war, two million people, mostly African Christians, were killed. The government conducted bombing raids against them. Christian boys were kidnapped and forced to convert back to Islam. Sometimes entire villages are eliminated or the people relocated into "peace villages" (more like concentration camps). They even stopped international food aid from reaching any Christian villages.
(3) In Saudi-Arabia any foreigners practicing Christianity are automatically deported. Native Christians are beheaded!
(4) In Nigeria 6,000 people were killed (both Christians and Muslims) by pro-Osama forces. Many were hacked apart with knives or swords. Whole neighborhoods were destroyed.
(5) In Pakistan a series of attacks against Christians culminated on September 25 when the Institute for Peace and Justice, a Christian charity in Karachi, was invaded by armed gunmen. They tied up seven workers (all unarmed Christians) and murdered them execution style.
Since the Pakistani president decided to join the war on terrorism in Afghanistan, 36 Pakistan Christians have died with many injured. Two of these violent confrontations occurred at a Presbyterian church-hospital in Taxila and a Protestant church in Islamabad.
Knowing that this is happening should not cause us to increase anti-Islam conduct here. The Golden Rule says: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." That certainly applies in this instance.
Sources: "Cincinnati Enquirer," Sept. 25, 2002 (Peter Bronson)
"National Review"
Freedom House (human rights organization)
Center for Religious Freedom