Extremists, Fundamentalists Dispute Christian Relief Efforts (Tsunami)

[CornField]

http://www.christianpost.com/article/missions/1364/section/extremists.fundamentalists.dispute.christian.relief.efforts/1.htm

...
According to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, an international, interfaith, public interest law firm, the current "debate" in Sri Lanka, for example, is whether such assistance by Christian missionary groups and the like is a crime carrying a five to seven year sentence.

Currently two anti-conversion laws are under review by Sri Lanka's Parliament may prohibit Christian organizations dedicated to providing assistance to those in need from participating in the relief effort, the Becket Fund said Saturday.
...

According to AsiaNews, Islamic militants have said that they would tolerate US presence “so long as it is justified by humanitarian reasons,” however if “there are any secret agents among them, Allah will destroy the U.S.”.

And similar to their southern neighbors in Sri Lanka, Hindus in India have begun to tout their very own anti-conversion law that threatens the ongoing aid efforts by Christian religious and humanitarian groups.
...

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In a way, I can understand while the laws were placed on the books: for some of the same reasons I've opposed the Faith-Based Initiative. Many "Christian" groups have a very difficult time offering a hand up without tossing in a sermon or two.

[Maat]

1. Interesting post!

I monitor the rightwing websites, because I'm involved in a local church-state group, as well as being a member of AU<.org>. If you read the articles of, say, the Southern Baptist Convention (www.bpnews.net), I believe, you get the idea of what they really want to do when they 'help' abroad.

I can see why, in the midst of a disaster, you would just want help, not sermonizing from foreigners. On the other hand, I don't appreciate official religions or inhibition of religious choice/freedom of expression. But, it is THEIR culture(s). Respect that, U.S. Orgs! End of discussion.

[joefree1]

2. India

While working in India I saw a lot of Indian press about the American missionaries over there. More then a few were sent packing when they were caught without a "Missionary Visa."

While I'm a big supporter of free speech I also have a hard time with letting these professional mind controlers spread their dogma. I heard Russia also has laws against these Borg-agains.


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PaganWarrior/

[Maat]

5. You put it well. I agree.

"Borg-agains" is so perfect! And I'll tell you why. My hubby is a big sci-fi fan. Just as we were becoming more progressive, and joining a progressive faith, my in-laws moved back to the Mid-West, and became FUNDIES. My husband turned to me and said, "They have been absorbed by the Borg."

[Pallas180]

3. It's about time. Finally the third world is getting smart. Outlaw the

bastids from proselityzing and attempting to convert everything in their path.

Do you know that during the election campaign, when I was stationed outside the polling place, the goppers not only tried to turn me from democrat but a honcho came out, and quietly started to proselityze --with his evangelism.

Finally. The world is onto them and their religious wars. If they can't convince you to adopt their beliefs, they make war on you.

America, by the way is having a religious war made on it.

Bring back the lions.

[aikido15]

7. Where are those lions?

Hope they are good and hungry!

[ebayfool]

4. Don't have a link, but heard something @ some of the religious ...

groups (don't have specifics on which) doing relief work in the tsunami region tying receiving aid w/accepting conversion to their faith, or some such. If that's the case, then I'd say they have the right idea keeping an eye on these groups. Not right to hold conversion over these people's heads in order to get desperately needed help. I'll look for links.

[aikido15]

6. Maybe US can learn from them...

...and get these freaks out of our government. I have long believed that organized religion causes more harm than good!