Easter Marked By Prayers, Marred By Blood

As Christians Celebrate Holy Day Around The World, Soldiers Come Under Fire In Baghdad

(CBS/AP)  Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Easter Sunday Mass in rain-drenched St. Peter's Square and rejoiced over conversions to Christianity, a day after he baptized a prominent Muslim commentator.

A white canopy on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica protected the 80-year-old pontiff from the chilly rain, while thousands of pilgrims, tourists and Romans huddled under a sea of colored umbrellas in the square.

The crowd was expected to grow before the noon Urbi et Orbi (Latin for "to the city and to the world") address, which has previously been an occasion for pontiffs to speak about the globe's conflicts and other problems.

Just before the late morning Mass began, a thunderclap competed with a chorus of "Alleluia," and the already gray sky grew darker.

A rainstorm forced the pope to skip walking in the Way of the Cross Good Friday procession at the Colosseum.

Christians on Easter celebrate their belief in the resurrection of Jesus two days after he was crucified.

Benedict told the faithful in the square that the resurrection "broke the chains of death" and that thanks to the apostles' preaching, "thousands and thousands of persons converted to Christianity."

"And this is a miracle which renews itself even today," the pope said at the start of the Easter Day Mass.

In a late-night Easter vigil service Saturday, Benedict baptized seven adults, including Magdi Allam (left), a journalist who has received death threats for his denunciations of Islamic fanaticism.

Allam, 55, is deputy editor of Corriere della Sera newspaper and writes often on Muslim and Arab affairs. He was born a Muslim in Egypt, but was educated by Catholics and says he has never been a practicing Muslim.

Saying he was writing as a "private citizen," Allam said in a letter published Sunday in Corriere that he was now taking on a middle name, "Cristiano," (Christian in Italian). "From now on, I will call myself Magdi Cristiano Allam," he wrote, expressing gratitude to Benedict.

The day of his baptism was "the most beautiful day of my life," Allam wrote.

"The miracle of the resurrection of Christ reverberated in my soul, freeing it from the shadows of a preaching where hate and intolerance toward he who is different, toward he who is condemned as an 'enemy,' prevailed over love and respect for your neighbor."

Allam's criticism of Palestinian suicide bombings prompted the Italian government to provide him with a sizable security detail in 2003, after Hamas singled him out for death, Allam told the Il Giornale newspaper in a December interview.

The pope himself has come under verbal attack from Islamic militants.

Osama bin Laden, in a new audio message posted last week, accused Benedict of playing a role in what he called a "new Crusade" against Islam. The Vatican has described the accusation as baseless.

Security during papal public appearances was stepped up in 2001 after the Sept. 11 attacks, and there has been no noticeable increase in protective measures since the new message surfaced.


Christians Gather In Jerusalem To Mark Easter Sunday

Pilgrims thronged Christian holy sites in Jerusalem on Sunday, braving a heightened security alert to celebrate Easter in the city where they believe Jesus was resurrected on this day two millennia ago.

In the walled Old City, hundreds of believers escaped the stifling temperatures of an unseasonable heat wave and filled the cool, dark rooms of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally the site where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. The odor of incense wafted from the church doors into the courtyard outside.

Ahead of the weekend, security forces deployed thousands of officers nationwide to secure events connected with Easter and the Jewish festival of Purim. The alert was also high because of Israeli concerns about a possible revenge attack for the assassination of a Hezbollah commander last month in Syria.

Israel denied involvement, but Hezbollah has blamed the Jewish state and threatened to avenge his death with an attack on Israeli targets.

On March 6, a Palestinian gunman killed eight young students at a Jerusalem rabbinical seminary, the first major attack in the city in four years.

Jeri Minasy, 59, a retired flight attendant from Newnan, Georgia, said the recent violence couldn't deter her from spending Easter in Jerusalem. She called the experience "special, mystic and spiritual."

But she wondered what Jesus would think about the bloodshed. "I think he would be appalled that people can't get along. He would be crying," Minasy said.

[hypnotoad72]

Well, we''re all supposed to get alone. A shame some prefer to be bullies, picking up weapons and shooting people trying to help.

Or so-called peace groups who use violence and destruction while saying they want peace (ELF, KKK, New Black Panthers, et al).

I understand - and agree - why Saddam was removed. The ensuing chaos was inevitable. Maybe the three factions of Iraqi need to put their squabbles aside and help rebuild instead of killing anyone and anything.

[hypnotoad72]

Drat. "along". Not "alone". Sorry about the typo. :(

[skyk-2009]

I understand - and agree - why Saddam was removed. The ensuing chaos was inevitable. Maybe the three factions of Iraqi need to put their squabbles aside and help rebuild instead of killing anyone and anything.




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Posted by hypnotoad72 at 07:53 AM : Mar 23, 2008
+ report abuse

My friend YOU need to go back and pull up the tape of the disgusting LOW LIFE that a few still call a President. LISTEN to him telling the American People and their Representatives WHY he had to send their Children to die. LIES will never lead to any good no matter how hard you try. Just a fact of life.

[fibonacci_]

Yea, Saddam was actually removed because we thought he had WMD - and he really didnt, just like he said. That was the why. It was a mistake, now we have to do our best to make the best out of it.

[Markus]

Skyk wrote:

"My friend YOU need to go back and pull up the tape of the disgusting LOW LIFE that a few still call a President. LISTEN to him telling the American People and their Representatives WHY he had to send their Children to die. LIES will never lead to any good no matter how hard you try. Just a fact of life."

Right on the money,Skyk.Well said.

[grumpas]

I understand - and agree - why Saddam was removed.

hypnotoad72

Any moron with any knowledge of the area and it''s politics knew this would be the end result...chaos! It always is when you have two factions within a religion so opposed to the other having any power. But, I realize that weasel you call President didn''t know much about any of it or he would have left Saddam alone. Whether you chickenhawks want to believe it or not. That''s the only way Iraq will ever be a whole nation again. If they get someone else like Saddam who will rule with an iron fist! Who will create a state of terror and keep these militia in line! So what have you morons solved????? Literally nothing! But, to get a bunch of people killed for your sadistic pleasure.

[baghdadshere]

Yea, Saddam was actually removed because we thought he had WMD - and he really didnt, just like he said. That was the why. It was a mistake, now we have to do our best to make the best out of it.

Posted by fibonacci_ at 08:36 AM : Mar 23, 2008

Yeah. Today Iraqis are celebrating easter. Its a good beginning.

[demslie]

Yes, I can see by the posts here that IRAN, Al Qaeda and Democrats have the same exact hate for America, our Military and Christianity that the Genocidal terrorists do. Oh yes, I''m going to vote for Democrats.

[fibonacci_]

Oh here comes the classic "We love America more than you" - what a bunch of low IQ morons you Republicans are.

[demslie]

Did any Democrat notice that the Passport investigation that was supposed to take the spot-light off the Racism of Obama has completely disappeared? Not one report here at CBS (Communist Broadcast System) or any other Terrorst supporting media like the NYT, ABC or Anderson Cooper (Keeping them Dis-Honest). SEN Henry Waxman(d) demanded to know the names of the contract companies that the "spys" worked for but, slipped back under the slimmy snake rock that the Trail Lawyers Assoiciation Democrat Basstarrads came from as soon as it was discovered that the "spys" work for a company owned by an administrator of the Obama campaign. Where is all the Democrat investigating reporters now? "The American People Want to know the Truth", as the lying cheating Democrats are always saying.

[fibonacci_]

Jingoist. "GOOO USA!! YEAAAAA!! KILL EVERYONE ELSE!! GO USA!!" That is how you come across.

[iceman_1960]

George W. Bush more unpopular than Jeremiah Wright.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

59% of Americans disapprove of George W. Bush.

58% of Americans disapprove of Pastor Jeremiah Wright.

-------------

Sources:

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/political_updates/president_bush_job_approval


http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/obama_speech_grades_51_good_or_excellent_26_fair_21_poor

[prinzowhales]

Here is an article regarding the plight of Christians in Iraq who are blamed for the genocidal assault on Iraq by the pseudo-Christian Zionazi American Regime.

http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=8267

Just as the Zionazis conducted false flag attacks against Jewish targets in Iraq to encourage the immigration of ''inferior'' Sephardic Jews to Israel to perform stoop labour for the Ashkenazis, the Regime seems to be intent upon using the same strategy on Christians in Iraq so as to draw a clearer demarcation to illustrate the "Clash of Civilizations" that the Regime and its accolytes and academics are trying to peddle.

Israel recently tried to bribe Iran''s Jews...offering them money to come to Israel...The Zionazi Sarkozy is trying to do the same thing with Iraqi Christians.

[prinzowhales]

The recent moving of the long dead Osama''s lips by the US intelligence cut out, SITE, is part and parcel of the ploy. SITE''s Osama bin Dead puppet was made to accuse the Pope and the West of conducting a religious war against Islam and threatening action. This juvenile psy-ops stunt is designed to unite the West in support of the American led war for resources which Ziggy Brzezinski, Obama''s chief handler, hopes will eventually lead to the gates of Moscow.

[providence_-2009]

Posted by BaghdadsHere at 10:12 AM : Mar 23, 2008

2000 years ago Jesus paid my sin debt once and for all. It was Gods justice poured out on sin at the cross. The cross is the finished work of Jesus! All I have to do is claim it by calling on Jesus to save me. Now I have eternal life! This is what Easter is all about for Christians. Its allowing us to share Gods Justice, His Wisdom, His Love and His Power to save you and keep you! You can come to know him. Its that simple once you realize that all your sin debt was paid in full at the cross!

[fibonacci_]

Wow sounds like a pretty good deal!

[fibonacci_]

I never felt the need really to be "saved" by anyone. I do respect that this is an important day for you all though - I dont want to belittle it.

[providence_-2009]

Every other religion says this is what you must do!
God says he has done it for you by his wisdom? His plan was to punish sin once and for all by providing his son at the cross to take our place. With the sin debt now paid for Jesus rose from the dead to prove this to us. Jesus is alive!

[jumkey]

Haha - the "racism" of Obama? Again, Demslie points out that all the right does is project their bigory and racism onto others. Obama repudiates the racism message of Wright and Obama is a racist - McCain embraces an overtly and anti-Catholic preacher and Demslie is gleefully slient. Yes, Demslie does lie and is a clearly a racist himself. Hypocrisy, lying, racism, it''s all good for conservatives.

Hey "Demslie" your next leader is going to be a liberal Democratic black man a woman.

And this make me SO happy!!

[providence_-2009]

Every other religion says this is what you must do!
God says he has done it for you by his wisdom? His plan was to punish sin once and for all by providing his son at the cross to take our place. With the sin debt now paid for Jesus rose from the dead to prove this to us. Jesus is alive! Jesus can be your Lord with this promise. All you need to do is call on Jesus period!

[bozworth4]

Well, we''''re all supposed to get alone. A shame some prefer to be bullies, picking up weapons and shooting people trying to help.

Or so-called peace groups who use violence and destruction while saying they want peace (ELF, KKK, New Black Panthers, et al).

I understand - and agree - why Saddam was removed. The ensuing chaos was inevitable. Maybe the three factions of Iraqi need to put their squabbles aside and help rebuild instead of killing anyone and anything.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by hypnotoad72 at 07:53 AM : Mar 23, 2008

Don''t think it was ever mentioned the protesters at Kent State had guns. However, the sticks the signs were on did pose a threat to the gun weilding soldiers.
As for Iraq maybe they groups ought to band together to get the USA out. The politicians can''t seem to agree to do that.

[providence_-2009]

Posted by FloydZepp at 10:55 AM : Mar 23, 2008

No Floydd
Because of the sin in our lives. Its in our root nature. Its in Gods plan of His wisdom that he provided Jesus for you!

[providence_-2009]

How would you know Providence? Are you claiming you know God''''s Mind now?
I expect you''''ll run away from the blog now.....

Posted by FloydZepp at 10:57 AM : Mar 23, 2008

No but I know the Gospel truth! No pun intended!

This is the way to salvation that once understood can bring assurance by this message of the cross!

[providence_-2009]

No Floydd
Because of the sin in our lives. Its in our root nature. Its in Gods plan of His wisdom that he provided Jesus for you!

Posted by Providence_ at 10:59 AM : Mar 23, 2008
Prove it.
Posted by FloydZepp at 11:00 AM : Mar 23, 2008

I do not need to prove it it is there available for you. God loves us period. He saw to our need by providing Jesus for our sin at the cross paying for our sin debt which you can now come freely to God and say''
God I am a sinner period. I need your son and I acknowledge your son for having died for me dear Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord and savior!

[jumkey]

You know, it''s funny that this whole Wright/Obama episode reflected only on the politicians. What about the hate and racism and bigotry preached every Sunday at Christian churches across America?

I''ve personally heard sermons calling for imposition of Christian law, imprisonment of non-believers, forced religious education and even the overthrow of the US Government - and this at a "mainstream" church.

Where is the outrage? Where are the calls for them to recant? The hypocrisy is stunning.

[providence_-2009]

I pity you.
Posted by FloydZepp at 11:06 AM : Mar 23, 2008

I have Gods promise realized in the gospel message meant for us that I shared with you. Its not of us but of God. His ways are not our was. His weakness is greater than mans strength and his foolishness is greater thans mans wisdom!

[checkitout9]

I was going to chew on CBS News for their normal bias against Christianity, as a whole. But, they have a point. While at a Catholic church, in their parking lot where they have a food shelter, I was getting out of my car on "good Friday" when two younger girls, dressed very cleanly, were looking at the sign on the Food Closet door "closed for Good Friday". They asked me "don''t they know that it''s a holiday?" They needed food. Things are very expensive here, and they needed food, and the Christians closed their doors to celebrate Jesus'' death.

Surely we need to look to ourselves before we (I) or any Christian slams CBS, until we get our own act together.

Do you see the floods? Getting worse...The schools, no prayer, no morality, getting worse...Too many people going to your church already? Have to spend 200k on remodeling your sanctuary while people go hungry around you? Visit a food shelter-that''s right! take a look at it. If you''ve ever had to use one, you would gladly give-not just the poorest food you could find-give good food, the same you would eat!

May G-d have mercy on our souls.

[fibonacci_]

I just dont see any evidence, like FloydZepp. Not convinced in the least. All the talk is pretty, but it means nothing to us, really.

[providence_-2009]

Preach away, Providence. But I''''ve know God since i was 5. And I walked through the Valley of Death that is American Freakvangelicalism and emerged untouch, unswayed and stronger in my Faith. I knew, even as a small child, that Freakvangelicalism is the the Evil.
Posted by FloydZepp at 11:11 AM : Mar 23, 2008

Dear Floyd I also was hurt in a so called christian church that did not know the gospel of Jesus, the reconciliation between God and Man. I understand your hurt because of people not being true to their Lord let alone if they are saved. But Jesus will never fail you!

[fibonacci_]

FloydZepp and I see belief in Jesus as God as a sort of scientific hypothesis, and if it cant be proven (or even supported a little) with evidence, we see no reason to believe it.

[providence_-2009]

Again I do not need to prove it it is there available for you. God loves us period. He saw to our need by providing Jesus for our sin at the cross paying for our sin debt which you can now come freely to God and say''''''''
God I am a sinner period. I need your son and I acknowledge your son for having died for me dear Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord and savior!

[jumkey]

FloydZepp: I had a ex-Christian explain the concept of "easy grace", where Christians would sin and then go to church and be "forgiven" and then just sin again.

Well, I had always assumed that once you were "forgiven" you would go on to reflect on you sins and try not to do it again, when actually it meant for many Christians a get-out-of-jail-free card that allowed them to sin with impunity.

I have come to realize that if you have a moral or ethical dilemma don''t seek a religious person for guidance as the simplistic set of rules they blindly follow makes them woefully unable to make responsible moral or ethical choices.

[fibonacci_]

That is almost the same as saying something like: "There is a large TV set circling around the earth at this moment, I dont need to prove it, it is there for you." Doesnt really cut it, does it?

[providence_-2009]

of "easy grace"
Posted by jumkey at 11:22 AM : Mar 23, 2008

1. There was nothing easy about Gods Son dying on the cross for the penalty of sin!
2. Gods says in various places not to trust a man, but trust the truth of Gods plan through the cross to save you by Jesus Christ!

[fibonacci_]

Sounds like a bunch of baloney to me.

[jumkey]

Providence_ at: yes you do have to prove it. Until you do all you do is post gibberish.

"I need your son and I acknowledge your son for having died for me dear Lord Jesus come into my life"

This makes no sense. Sorry, it''s can''t be parsed in any reasonable manner. Your answer to me is effectively "you have to be as mentally ill as I am to understand this". Well, I''m not, so I can''t understand your thought process any more than I can understand or accept the rambling incoherence of a schizophrenic.

Your "believe" is delusion. And it''s clear to us who don''t suffer from it.

[providence_-2009]

That is almost the same as saying something like: "There is a large TV set circling around the earth at this moment, I dont need to prove it, it is there for you." Doesnt really cut it, does it?

Posted by fibonacci_ at 11:23 AM : Mar 23, 2008

The promise by God is there for you to have. All you have to do is call on Jesus knowing your sin debt was paid for by Jesus at the cross for you to have a promise. The cross is Gods Justice, The wisdom of God was His plan the love of God was his motivation and the power of God is there to save you and keep you!

[fibonacci_]

This is nothing new - you arent getting anywhere. You say the same thing over and over again. It has no meaning really to me. Sorry!

[jumkey]

Providence_at: nevermind. Sorry. Go back to your babbling.

Bye.

[rohink-2009]

Prove it.

Posted by FloydZepp

~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~

Why do you feel the need to belittle people for their belief in God? It''s Easter Sunday. No one needs to prove God''s existence to you. People have faith and believe even without absolute proof. Since you have no proof that there is no God, what is your point?

[fibonacci_]

rohink, you have no proof that when I go to bed, the plants outside my house start dancing to a salsa beat.

[providence_-2009]

osted by jumkey at 11:29 AM : Mar 23, 2008
Posted by FloydZepp at 11:19 AM : Mar 23, 2008
Posted by fibonacci_ at 11:23 AM : Mar 23, 2008

God wants to have a relationship with you. This is only possible if you come to Him. The cross is were our sins were paid for by His son. The Justice of God made it possible. Because it says in his word "for the wages of sin is death..." The wisdom of God chose the plan. The love of God is His motivation and the power of God through Jesus is the power to save and keep you!

[fibonacci_]

How do you know God wants to have a relationship with me? Do you "just know"?

[providence_-2009]

Why do you feel the need to belittle people for their belief in God? It''''s Easter Sunday. No one needs to prove God''''s existence to you. People have faith and believe even without absolute proof. Since you have no proof that there is no God, what is your point?

Posted by rohink at 11:32 AM : Mar 23, 2008


Believe it or not God through you help me understand that this is my faith! Thank you!

[rohink-2009]

rohink, you have no proof that when I go to bed, the plants outside my house start dancing to a salsa beat.

Posted by fibonacci_

You and Floyd think you are so clever. I don''t need to prove anything to you. People chose to believe what they believe. You just like to argue and bait people.

[checkitout9]

The "Great Christian Civil War". Read Rick Joyner''s book series on "The Final Quest". This explains what''s really happening in the "church" today. The church has never been about a building, or a click. The true Church is the Body of Christ-Believers that truly adhere to the Word, The Way, not Traditionalists.

So, we blog here and argue amongst ourselves, looking foolish, trying to be intelictual enough to "outshine" the other person.

They will know we are Christians by our love.

Too bad no one remembers this and "loves" people to Christ.

[fibonacci_]

I like debating religious people, have been doing it for over half my life now. I am good at it.

[providence_-2009]

Jesus rose from the dead to prove this to us. Jesus is alive!
2000 years ago Jesus paid my sin debt once and for all. It was Gods justice poured out on sin at the cross. The cross is the finished work of Jesus! All I have to do is claim it by calling on Jesus to save me. Now I have eternal life! This is what Easter is all about for Christians. Its allowing us to share Gods Justice, His Wisdom, His Love and His Power to save you and keep you! You can come to know him. Its that simple once you realize that all your sin debt was paid in full at the cross! This is my faith, Jesus, and it can be your faith to walk in as well!

[rohink-2009]

I like debating religious people, have been doing it for over half my life now. I am good at it.

Posted by fibonacci_

I''m not trying to be mean, but you really aren''t that good at it. You don''t debate. You insult.

[fibonacci_]

Here is an example of why I am good at it:

you said: you have no proof there is NO God
i came back with: you have no proof my plants dont dance.

Does this put us at 50/50 for the chances of my plants dancing outside at night? Same argument goes for God. I am a master at this. I know all your arguments and can retort every one.