Ex-Lebanon Leader: Christians Target of Genocide

BEIRUT - Extremist groups are waging a "genocide" against Christians in the Middle East, a former Lebanese president said Monday, after .

Amin Gemayel, a Christian who served a six-year term as president in the 1980s, cited the attack in Egypt and recent violence in Iraq as he urged leaders to give Christian communities a larger political role.

"Massacres are taking place for no reason and without any justification against Christians. It is only because they are Christians," said Gemayel, who leads Lebanon's right-wing Christian Phalange party.

"What is happening to Christians is a genocide," he said.

Lebanon, which experienced a ruinous 15-year civil war, in part between Muslims and Christians, that left about 150,000 dead, is deeply divided along sectarian lines. Christians make up about 40 percent of Lebanon's 4 million people and the country is the only Arab nation with a Christian head of state.

The Phalange party, which was founded in 1936 by Gemayel's father, Pierre, fought heavily on the Christian side during Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war.

Militias linked to the party carried out the notorious massacres of Palestinians in the Sabra and Shatilla refugee camps in 1982.

Egyptian police are focusing their investigation into the New Year's suicide bombing on a group of Islamic hard-liners inspired by al Qaeda and based in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria.

Scores of Iraqi Christians have been killed in the past months at the hands of extremists as well.

The bombing touched off riots and protests by Egypt's Christian minority, who feel they are targeted and discriminated against and do not get adequate protection from authorities.

There were signs of beefed up security outside churches nationwide and dozens returned to pray Sunday in the bombed, blood-spattered Saints Church - many of them sobbing, screaming in anger and slapping themselves in grief.

Late Sunday, riots erupted outside the cathedral-headquarters of the Coptic Church after the country's top Muslim religious figures and government officials met with Pope Shenouda III.

Protesters threw bottles and stones at riot police outside the cathedral, injuring 45 policemen, security officials said.

Elsewhere, demonstrators threw stones at cars on two main highways, and hundreds marched in other parts of the capital, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press.

Egyptian newspapers warned on Sunday that "civil war" could break out unless Christians and Muslims close ranks.

[YrWrongAgain]

Lebanon like Israel was intended to be a region designated for non-Muslims in a brutally xenophobic Near East. Syria has been fighting to retake Lebanon and the whole Near East despises Israel. Apologists for this behavior float to CBS News like garbage.

[mchoward21]

Doesn't the Quran/Koran/Q'uran or however you want to spell it, teach peace and to fight the non-believers? What is their definition of non-believers, because Christians are definitely believers in God. I had a class in Middle Eastern culture in college and I thought I remembered reading that the Koran defines non-believers as those who don't believe in God or worship multiple gods.

Maybe the professor was a part-time professor who didn't really know what he was talking about.

[gig76]

GOP Christians are cowards and most will squeal first. They prefer to switch to keep their rich status. GOP are a bunch of phonies and don't represent Christ at all. They are antiChrist but pretend to be Christian. Since they call themselves Christian, they are fair game.

[formrusmcsgt]

It only understandable that Christians in Muslim countries will come under attack after Judeo-Christian countries invade Muslim countries.

No different than people who attack Muslims here simply because they are Muslim after 9/11.

Where's the suprise element? They think this takes place in a vacuum or what?

[YrWrongAgain]

It even more understandable that they die or emigrate?

[miami_don]

I would hasten to remind everyone that the invasion of Afghanistan was caused by the attacks of 9/11 where there were over three thousand victims.
The invasion of Iraq was stupid, senseless, brutal, and unnecessary leading to the death of thousands of innocents. The war changed the attitudes toward the United States in the Muslim world to one of an invader reinforcing Ben Laden's message of hate against all Americans. It may well have been the greatest diplomatic blunder in the history of our nation.
Our nemesis Ben Laden has not changed his agenda but he and his allies the Taliban are not the reasons our efforts have failed. The government we created of thieves and drug dealers have destroyed our efforts to create stability in Afghanistan. The resulting American failures to create a safe nation for its inhabitants have made our efforts meaningless.
We are caught in a quagmire of deceit. Our futile efforts of trying to destroy a religious belief based on values so foreign to this century have become an impossible task. The reality of our situation is we allowed our leaders to distract us from the real goal - the destruction of al Qaeda. Opportunity missed and unrecoverable.

[rf35]

Just goes to show...if you want to see real hate, just go to the nearest religious gathering place.

[nottblu]

You obviously have never been in a christian church in the US. I have been to numerous churches of many denominations for weddings and ceremonies and never heard any hate speech. I take that back I heard hate speech from a reverend wright, Obama's former church thanks to the media.

[miami_don]

by nottblu January 4, 2011 3:55 PM EST
...I take that back I heard hate speech from a reverend wright, Obama's former church thanks to the media.

=======

Moron, did it occur to you that your closing was not Christian but that you also just reinforced the thing you say never happens? By just trying to be cute.

In regard to your statement can you explain the mosque at ground zero, and your own double standards?

[tsigili]

That's pretty obvious, now isn't it?????

[rf35]

What's obvious is that ALL religions should be classified as "hate groups" and treated as such.

And revoke their tax-exempt status. With all the money that changes hands in houses of worship the national debt could be paid off in less than a century!

[nottblu]

rf35, it is absolute ignorant indifference on your part when you claim Islamic extremism and the hatred and violence it foments is the same as all other religions. Completely False!

[nathannance77]

Also, in reply to kt82...

There was some study, that showed that even with a spike in violence toward Muslims just after 9-11, even that year, and the subsequent years until now,.. that there is more anti-Semitic violence per year than anti-Muslim violence (in the US),... and furthermore, the level is heavily disproportionate in respect to how many Jews there are, and how much violence is directed toward them here.

Who is committing these anti-Semitic acts? Muslims? The Klan?..... (Either way, the acts are despicable. Representing the worst traits in humanity. They are human, but no one wants to claim them.)

Consider this strange twist:

True Muslims cover their faces, and so do KKK members,.... but everyone knows that Klan members don't represent Christ (or true Christians)!!

See the difference?

That was a strange comment,... hmmmmm.....

[nathannance77]

The "civil war" in Lebanon was a genocide. Lebanon was a Christian country, until Muslims gained the majority and began attacking Christians. (Palestinians were given refuge in Lebanon, while Arab nations wouldn't receive them... but once they were in the majority, you can see how the Lebanese kindness was repayed.) (The Lebanese were descendants of the Phoenicians, not the Arabs.) Muslim checkpoints would stop cars along the road, killing Christians. (IDs had religious affiliation on them.) During wars with Israel, Islamic tanks will park between Christian and Jewish houses, then fire at Israelis. Then they will report how many women and children are killed.
In Iraq, Christians and even other Muslims are raped, before being killed, so that they have no chance of reaching paradise (according to Islamic teaching). In Holland, where Muslims have been allowed to come and reside, despite no intention of becoming European in any way shape or form,.... an artist critical of Christianity and Islam was shot in broad daylight, then an Islamic diatribe was stuck to his chest with a knife. A "peaceful", non-repentant Muslim admitted to the killing. (The artist was Theo van Gogh, yes related to THE van Gogh of old.) He had made a film highlighting Islamic brutalities against Muslim women that were happening in Holland. How dare he denigrate the teachings of Islam! (yes, sarcasm.)
In the Sudan, people are enslaved by Islamic peoples, as the Koran teaches that it is unlawful to enslave other Muslims. (Non Muslims are fair game.) Yes, slavery is still alive and well today. Just ask some Christian groups who have tried to help. They have gone, purchased the slaves, set them free... only to find them recaptured upon their next rescue mission. (The Christian response to Islam is a difficult one. Are we supposed to allow the rape, murder, genocide, etc. go on, help stop it peacefully, or to intervene militarily?..)

How many examples do we need to post? Coptic girls are raped by Muslim boys. Go to Sweden, where many are Christian in name only, where the perfect socialist state has been achieved, where all are welcome... and yet the Muslims there have found a way to ruin even that! Women are raped there as well, (for being second class, non Islamic peoples I guess), and where just recently, the wise imams thought it necessary to send a suicide bomber. After all, where ideology fails, fear can succeed.

It is at the least ignorance on the part of the Islamic sympathizer (aka liberal), and at worst it's denial to not admit that the "religion of peace" is actually set on turning the entire world into the house of war (dar al jihad). The only "peace" Islam refers to is that of the submitted enemy, in final submission to Allah.. .whether by force, coercion, or as a last choice.... and if not, death will do.

Lastly, what has Islam to offer? Freedom of speech? Freedom of expression? Equality of women? Equal rights for all people? Freedom from fear? The answer to all of these of course is a resounding "NO!!"

Islam speaks to its enemies with a forked tongue. The sooner we realize this, the better. Let me explain. It is lawful in Islam to lie to one's enemies in order to advance Islam (taqiyya). Do you see the problem? A devout Muslim is allowed to lie to non Muslims and to think nothing of it. So when the kind imam waxes eloquent about his religion of peace, don't forget to check where he is sending his money. It is perfectly acceptable for him to sing to us, while financing terrorists at home and abroad.

and for the haters and dismissers of all religions... go to China, check it out. Live there for a year. (I did.) Try talking about Taiwan to anyone. Try having a political discussion. You might as well turn on a record. You won't hear any differing of opinions. It's scary really. Try talking about Christ. Try bringing a Bible, or a Quran in, just for fun! For even more fun, try convincing them that they're really adopting capitalism!! It's a hoot! Lastly, imagine living there, as one in 1.3 billion, with a political opinion that's fed to you, the inability to dissent, polluted air to breathe, walls that have ears, an internet that blocks words like "human rights", and try justifying to yourself that what they're doing in Tibet is any different than what was done to Native Americans in this country. Count how many orphans are female or are handicapped. Count the laborers in the prisons who are being re-educated. Look into what happens to political dissenters. (They have the most recent Nobel Peace prize winner under house arrest,... he wasn't allowed to travel to Oslo to receive his prize.).... Anyways, yeah,.... even historic Buddhist philosophy is being stamped out by Mao's communism. Godless communism is SO good! See the value of human life disintegrate before your very eyes.

Hope this is helpful...

[nathannance77]

The "civil war" in Lebanon was a genocide. Lebanon was a Christian country, until Muslims gained the majority and began attacking Christians. (Palestinians were given refuge in Lebanon, while Arab nations wouldn't receive them... but once they were in the majority, you can see how the Lebanese kindness was repayed.) (The Lebanese were descendants of the Phoenicians, not the Arabs.) Muslim checkpoints would stop cars along the road, killing Christians. (IDs had religious affiliation on them.) During wars with Israel, Islamic tanks will park between Christian and Jewish houses, then fire at Israelis. Then they will report how many women and children are killed.
In Iraq, Christians and even other Muslims are raped, before being killed, so that they have no chance of reaching paradise (according to Islamic teaching). In Holland, where Muslims have been allowed to come and reside, despite no intention of becoming European in any way shape or form,.... an artist critical of Christianity and Islam was shot in broad daylight, then an Islamic diatribe was stuck to his chest with a knife. A "peaceful", non-repentant Muslim admitted to the killing. (The artist was Theo van Gogh, yes related to THE van Gogh of old.) He had made a film highlighting Islamic brutalities against Muslim women that were happening in Holland. How dare he denigrate the teachings of Islam! (yes, sarcasm.)
In the Sudan, people are enslaved by Islamic peoples, as the Koran teaches that it is unlawful to enslave other Muslims. (Non Muslims are fair game.) Yes, slavery is still alive and well today. Just ask some Christian groups who have tried to help. They have gone, purchased the slaves, set them free... only to find them recaptured upon their next rescue mission. (The Christian response to Islam is a difficult one. Are we supposed to allow the rape, murder, genocide, etc. go on, help stop it peacefully, or to intervene militarily?..)

How many examples do we need to post? Coptic girls are raped by Muslim boys. Go to Sweden, where many are Christian in name only, where the perfect socialist state has been achieved, where all are welcome... and yet the Muslims there have found a way to ruin even that! Women are raped there as well, (for being second class, non Islamic peoples I guess), and where just recently, the wise imams thought it necessary to send a suicide bomber. After all, where ideology fails, fear can succeed.

It is at the least ignorance on the part of the Islamic sympathizer (aka liberal), and at worst it's denial to not admit that the "religion of peace" is actually set on turning the entire world into the house of war (dar al jihad). The only "peace" Islam refers to is that of the submitted enemy, in final submission to Allah.. .whether by force, coercion, or as a last choice.... and if not, death will do.

Lastly, what has Islam to offer? Freedom of speech? Freedom of expression? Equality of women? Equal rights for all people? Freedom from fear? The answer to all of these of course is a resounding "NO!!"

Islam speaks to its enemies with a forked tongue. The sooner we realize this, the better. Let me explain. It is lawful in Islam to lie to one's enemies in order to advance Islam (taqiyya). Do you see the problem? A devout Muslim is allowed to lie to non Muslims and to think nothing of it. So when the kind imam waxes eloquent about his religion of peace, don't forget to check where he is sending his money. It is perfectly acceptable for him to sing to us, while financing terrorists at home and abroad.

and for the haters and dismissers of all religions... go to China, check it out. Live there for a year. (I did.) Try talking about Taiwan to anyone. Try having a political discussion. You might as well turn on a record. You won't hear any differing of opinions. It's scary really. Try talking about Christ. Try bringing a Bible, or a Quran in, just for fun! For even more fun, try convincing them that they're really adopting capitalism!! It's a hoot! Lastly, imagine living there, as one in 1.3 billion, with a political opinion that's fed to you, the inability to dissent, polluted air to breathe, walls that have ears, an internet that blocks words like "human rights", and try justifying to yourself that what they're doing in Tibet is any different than what was done to Native Americans in this country. Count how many orphans are female or are handicapped. Count the laborers in the prisons who are being re-educated. Look into what happens to political dissenters. (They have the most recent Nobel Peace prize winner under house arrest,... he wasn't allowed to travel to Oslo to receive his prize.).... Anyways, yeah,.... even historic Buddhist philosophy is being stamped out by Mao's communism. Godless communism is SO good! See the value of human life disintegrate before your very eyes.

[rf35]

Is a communist dictatorship the necessary result of a country not tied to a specific religion? Are not human rights violated even further in nations when the law and religious dogma are inexorably bound? Why do the religious zealots always parade out China and imply that this is the only possible outcome of a secular government? China went from rule by emperors to rule by dictatorships. They never tried democracy, a republic, or anything resembling a free society. Liberty is something heard of but never experienced by the Chinese people. Americans are used to our relative freedom and will fight for it when it is sufficiently threatened. This does not require (or preclude, for that matter) any religion.

[DWaves50]

In muslim countries across the middle east there were celebrations in the streets after 9/11, the Israeli astronaut died, etc?etc? I'm sure there have been celebrations by muslims because of this mass murder of innocent people who ARE NOT muslims.

Where are all the NON-VIOLENT moderate muslims now, I don't see any news of moderate muslims protesting this mass murder by radical muslims.

In Kansas lives a despicable pustule Fred Phelps and his clan of pustules. I bad mouth these pustules every chance I get but have they committed murder, NO. So why did I say this, for comparison. The supposed Christian Fred Phelps and his despicable clan use God in a deplorable way, on the other hand muslims use God to commit MURDER.

Radical muslims roar and murder innocent people and what do we hear from moderate muslims, MAYBE a squeak and scurrying to hide. I don't hear any CONDEMNATION of this MURDER by moderate muslims there for I guess you condone the act. Since I don't hear any condemnation about this murder I can only conclude that all muslims condone this act. There are no moderate muslims, there are muslims willing to get their hands bloody and the rest waiting for the dirty work to get done.

I'll just keep clinging to my religion (Christian) and guns and you have both when you pry them from my cold dead figures.

Go ahead call me racists!!!

[SamuelCyrus]

Moderate Muslims are murdered first because they are the greater enemy. If they are allowed to survive and women were allowed to thrive then the whole satanic house of cards comes down. Ahmad Shah Massoud is - to me anyway - a prime example. 9/9/01.

[wowurstupid]

This message sounds designed to be divisive and provocative, not saying you meant it that way, but that's how it struck me. Have you ever considered that the media doesn't want to give moderate Muslims a voice just like the media doesn't want to raise awareness of the prevalent slaughtering of Christians in China or this new one in Egypt? The media doesn't want people to come together, they want to magnify the tiny minority radical voices to manage how you perceive the world. It's called divide and conquer, and that's how media propaganda manufactures hate and wars which lead to draconian measures slapped on everyone in the name of 'peace and security'. Christ said love your enemy. They're obviously brainwashed and confused thinking they kill Christians for God.

One day, perhaps soon, just as Al Qaeda was founded, funded and trained by black-ops (headed by CIA agent Tim Osman, aka Osama bin Laden) and recycled for the global political agenda of empire building, lucrative profiteering from war, oil, opium, and police state measures, we will see similar black-ops, radical "Christian Militia" group/s stage terrorist events demonizing real Christians. Remember the Hutaree rag tag band that the media hyped up? They were being set up by the FBI with an infiltrator. The judge threw the case out because it was pure hype but hey at least all the haters got to used it to smear all the Christians for a while, just like Christians are still blamed for the antichrist activities of Pontifex Maximus/Pagan Rome/Vatican which has always been exposed as such since the days of St. John and Polycarp and beyond. Facts don't matter when you're boiling with ignorant hate tho.

2Cor 11.13-14: For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Matt 7.22-23: On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'

Luke 6.46: "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"

Be wise as serpents.