What Good is the " War on Terror", if those who are fighting terror, are themselves creating it ???
No Room for One MILLION Christians in New Iraqi Constitution ??
LESS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR IRAQI CHRISTIANS THAN UNDER SADDAM HUSSEIN?
IRAQ: THE PERSECUTION OF MANDAEANS
Friday, March 5, 2004
Proposed Interim Constitution Lacks Protection for Non-Muslim Minorities
By Wolfgang Polzer
Special to ASSIST News Service
BAGHDAD, IRAQ (ANS) -- Christians in Iraq are
worried that they may enjoy less religious freedom in future than under Saddam
Hussein. They are concerned that the proposed interim constitution does not give
sufficient protection for individual religious expression and does not allow a
change of religion.
The signing of the interim constitution was first delayed for three days of
mourning following the anti-Shi’a bombings of March 2 claiming 271 deaths. On
March 5, the signing was postponed indefinitely after last-minute objections by
five Shi’ite leaders.
Christians and human rights organizations are concerned about the role of Islam
in the so-called Transitional Administrative Law. It will remain in force at
least until 2005 and probably serve as a model for the future constitution.
US chief administrator Paul Bremer had hinted that he would not accept any
attempt to establish an Islamic Republic. Muslim representatives wanted Islam to
be the sole source of law. That was replaced by a more moderate phrase making
Islam “a” source of law. This means that while not every aspect of the rule
of law is determined by Islam, no law may go against the tenets of Islam.
The one million Christians in Iraq are also concerned that the draught makes no
mention of their rights, although it does take into consideration the Kurdish
and Shi’ite minorities. The mainly Eastern Catholic and Orthodox but also
evangelical Christians are worried that their freedom of religious expression
may be more reduced than under Saddam Hussein. His was a brutal dictatorship to
be sure, but it was a secular regime without preference for Islam.
If the draught interim constitution is adopted there will be no protection for
an individual who wants to change his or her religion. Missionary activities –
generally recognized to be part of human rights – will be completely outlawed
except for Islam.
It must also be noted that Christians have been targeted
specifically by terrorists recently. So far mainly unveiled women and
alcohol vendors had to suffer from violence by militant Muslims, but more
recently there have been attacks specifically aimed at pastors, churches and
Christian aid agencies.
Wolfgang Polzer (53), is senior news editor of the Evangelical News Agency idea, Wetzlar (Germany), which he joined in 1981.
IRAQ: THE PERSECUTION OF MANDAEANS
IRAQ's Growing Government-Hostility to Christianity
THERE IS NOT ONE CHRISTIAN NATION ON EARTH WHERE MUSLIMS ARE PERSECUTED.
Yet in most nations where the majority of the population are Muslims, there is systematic government persecution of Christians.
"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."
--Article 18 of the Universal
Declaration of
Human
Rights--
Christian Conversions - According to the Bible - Can NEVER be forced.
Any Conversion to Christianity which would be "Forced" would NOT be recognized by God. It is in
His True and KIND nature, that those who come to Him and choose to believe in Him, must come to Him OF
THEIR OWN FREE WILL.
Don't Let anyone tell you that Christians support Forced Conversions.
That is False. True Christianity is NEVER forced.
Core Universal Rights
The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one's belief or religion
The right to join together and express one's belief