பயங்கரவாத எதிர்ப்பு போலீஸ் பத்து சிமி பயங்கரவாத அமைப்பினரை கைது செய்தார்கள். அதில் ஒரு கிறிஸ்துவரும் அடக்கம்.
அவரது பெயர் டோமினிக்
இவர்கள் தொடர்ச்சியாக பல வங்கிகொள்ளைகளில் ஈடுபட்டு அந்த பணத்தை எடுத்து இந்துக்களை கொல்வதற்காக செலவிடுகிறார்கள்.
வங்கிகொள்ளையை துப்பு துலக்கியதில் இந்த சிமி அமைப்பினர் சிக்கியுள்ளார்கள்.
Christian among 10 of SIMI arrested in MP
Shams Ur Rehman Alavi, Hindustan Times
Bhopal, June 14, 2011
First Published: 23:46 IST(14/6/2011)
Last Updated: 01:54 IST(15/6/2011)
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The Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Tuesday claimed to have arrested 10 members, including a Christian, of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) from Khandwa, about 70 km from the Maharashtra border. The group was allegedly planning retaliatory attacks in the wake of the
recent arrests of SIMI functionaries across the state. A hardcore member Aqeel Khilji and four others, however, managed to escape, said an ATS official.
In probably the first case of a Christian being associated with the SIMI, Babbu Dominique, 21, was among those arrested on late Monday night.
Inspector general of police (ATS) Vipin Maheshwari said membership forms for the banned group were recovered, along with related literature and four pistols, from the accused.
A top SIMI leader Abu Faisal had recently been caught after the ATS conducted a statewide operation, following the killings of ATS personnel by SIMI operatives. About a dozen SIMI functionaries were earlier arrested from Bhopal and Jabalpur.
Babbu’s antecedents are unknown. “It is yet to be ascertained whether he is ideologically indoctrinated. He might have even got converted,” said an ATS official.
Babbu's father, Dominique Das, however, said, "My son was coming home after collecting his daily wages when ATS officers picked him up. He knew Zakir, a SIMI man, and that is his only fault."
The ATS also claimed to have solved one of the biggest robberies in the state, at Manappuram Gold finance company, with the recovery of 6 kg gold from the arrested members.
The others arrested on Tuesday are Khalil Chauhan (34), Amjad (22), Ziaurrahman (19), Jalil (18), Irfan (24), Abdullah (19) Rashid (31), Raqeeb (27) and Ashfaq (20).
(With inputs from Sunil Keralkar, Khandwa)
Showing posts with label கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதம். Show all posts
Showing posts with label கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதம். Show all posts
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Sunday, November 23, 2008
கிறிஸ்துவ அரசியல். மிசோரம்
மிசோரத்தில் இருக்கும் ஒவ்வொரு அரசியல் கட்சியும் ஒரு கிறிஸ்த்துவ சர்ச்சின் பிரதிநிதி!
Pastor Politics
The Church is telling political parties how to fight the assembly polls, reports TERESA REHMAN
Holy orders Will Chief Minister Pu Zoramthanga listen to the church?
Photos: UB PHOTOS
THERE WILL be a touch of the ‘divine’ in the Mizoram assembly polls this year. A powerful moral watchdog, the Mizoram Peoples’ Forum (MPF) — sponsored by the Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod — will set up offices in every village to monitor the elections. The MPF is present at the constituency, district and the state levels and has its headquarters at Aizawl.
Mizoram votes on December 2 to elect the 60-member state assembly. A triangular fight is expected between the ruling Mizo National Front; the main Opposition party which is the Congress; and the newly-formed United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The eligible voters number six lakh. More than 91 percent have Photo Identity Cards.
“Our main aim is to ensure that free and fair elections are held. We are working very hard to convince people not to accept gifts from candidates,” Rev Lalbiakmawia, executive secretary of the Synod, told TEHELKA. They have asked candidates to spend little, not hold ‘community feasts’, and abide by the Election Commission’s code of conduct. “If they spend less money now, they will be clean in the future. If they spend recklessly, we will urge the people not to vote for that particular candidate,” he added.
Another MPF guideline is that the political parties cannot hold separate public meetings, and that all meetings will be supervised by the MPF. “The MPF will convene meetings in community halls where candidates can speak. We want to ensure that nothing untoward takes place and that nobody breaks the rules,” adds Rev Lalbiakmawia.
Indeed, the Synod has asked candidates to also eschew door-to-door campaigns. “Candidates might bribe voters or give them things like rice or medicines,” he reasons.
The church was instrumental in advocating total prohibition in Mizoram and the state is now dry, following the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition (Amendment) Act in 2007.
MARGARET CH ZAMA, professor, Department of English, Mizoram University, feels that the Synod has considerable influence as about 65 percent of the population that falls under it. “It is difficult to set a yardstick for a morally upright candidate. A regular church-goer can also be corrupt,” she says.
But, she says, Mizos are “politically educated” and cannot be easily swayed. “Mizos don’t just blindly follow people. They vote for people who have proven to be great leaders,” she says. This is not surprising, considering that Mizoram has a literacy rate of 90.27 percent, second only to Kerala’s 90.90 percent.
But what will the MPF or the Synod do if people don’t adhere to their guidelines? “We know the common people are pious and will abide by any guideline of the church. We can only urge them to lead a moral life. We do not want to interfere in the elections but only want to facilitate the process,” says an MPF official.
Moreover, the MPF rejects any kind of affiliation with any political party. The MPF hopes that the common people will be able to differentiate between the good and the bad, and expects all political parties to adhere to their directives. Says Rev Lalbiakmawia: “We can only pray that the best candidate wins.” Amen.
WRITER’S EMAIL:
teresa@tehelka.com
Pastor Politics
The Church is telling political parties how to fight the assembly polls, reports TERESA REHMAN
Holy orders Will Chief Minister Pu Zoramthanga listen to the church?
Photos: UB PHOTOS
THERE WILL be a touch of the ‘divine’ in the Mizoram assembly polls this year. A powerful moral watchdog, the Mizoram Peoples’ Forum (MPF) — sponsored by the Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod — will set up offices in every village to monitor the elections. The MPF is present at the constituency, district and the state levels and has its headquarters at Aizawl.
Mizoram votes on December 2 to elect the 60-member state assembly. A triangular fight is expected between the ruling Mizo National Front; the main Opposition party which is the Congress; and the newly-formed United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The eligible voters number six lakh. More than 91 percent have Photo Identity Cards.
“Our main aim is to ensure that free and fair elections are held. We are working very hard to convince people not to accept gifts from candidates,” Rev Lalbiakmawia, executive secretary of the Synod, told TEHELKA. They have asked candidates to spend little, not hold ‘community feasts’, and abide by the Election Commission’s code of conduct. “If they spend less money now, they will be clean in the future. If they spend recklessly, we will urge the people not to vote for that particular candidate,” he added.
Another MPF guideline is that the political parties cannot hold separate public meetings, and that all meetings will be supervised by the MPF. “The MPF will convene meetings in community halls where candidates can speak. We want to ensure that nothing untoward takes place and that nobody breaks the rules,” adds Rev Lalbiakmawia.
Indeed, the Synod has asked candidates to also eschew door-to-door campaigns. “Candidates might bribe voters or give them things like rice or medicines,” he reasons.
The church was instrumental in advocating total prohibition in Mizoram and the state is now dry, following the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition (Amendment) Act in 2007.
MARGARET CH ZAMA, professor, Department of English, Mizoram University, feels that the Synod has considerable influence as about 65 percent of the population that falls under it. “It is difficult to set a yardstick for a morally upright candidate. A regular church-goer can also be corrupt,” she says.
But, she says, Mizos are “politically educated” and cannot be easily swayed. “Mizos don’t just blindly follow people. They vote for people who have proven to be great leaders,” she says. This is not surprising, considering that Mizoram has a literacy rate of 90.27 percent, second only to Kerala’s 90.90 percent.
But what will the MPF or the Synod do if people don’t adhere to their guidelines? “We know the common people are pious and will abide by any guideline of the church. We can only urge them to lead a moral life. We do not want to interfere in the elections but only want to facilitate the process,” says an MPF official.
Moreover, the MPF rejects any kind of affiliation with any political party. The MPF hopes that the common people will be able to differentiate between the good and the bad, and expects all political parties to adhere to their directives. Says Rev Lalbiakmawia: “We can only pray that the best candidate wins.” Amen.
WRITER’S EMAIL:
teresa@tehelka.com
7 கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதிகள் சுட்டுக்கொலை
மணிப்பூர் மாநிலத்தில் 7 கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதிகள் சுட்டுக்கொலை
இவர்கள் இஸ்லாமிய பயங்கரவாதிகளாகவும் இருக்கலாம். இந்திய அரசு அப்படி கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதிகள் இஸ்லாமிய பயங்கர்வாதிகள் என்று பெயர் சொல்லுவதில்லை.
Seven militants killed in Manipur
Imphal, Nov 22 (PTI) Seven militants were today killed in three separate encounters with security forces in two districts of Manipur, official sources said.
A combined team of police commandos and Maratha Light Infantry personnel gunned down two militants at Mayang Imphal Charoibung area in Imphal West district.
In another incident, police commandos and Assam Rifles personnel of 23rd Battalion during a combing operation shot dead three militants at Lamlia area in Imphal East district, the sources said.
In another encounter, two militants were killed by security personnel at about 8 am at Leimapan area in Imphal East district.
The sources said two 9 mm pistols and one M-16 rifle were found from Mayang Imphal and Lamlia areas respectively. PTI
இவர்கள் இஸ்லாமிய பயங்கரவாதிகளாகவும் இருக்கலாம். இந்திய அரசு அப்படி கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதிகள் இஸ்லாமிய பயங்கர்வாதிகள் என்று பெயர் சொல்லுவதில்லை.
Seven militants killed in Manipur
Imphal, Nov 22 (PTI) Seven militants were today killed in three separate encounters with security forces in two districts of Manipur, official sources said.
A combined team of police commandos and Maratha Light Infantry personnel gunned down two militants at Mayang Imphal Charoibung area in Imphal West district.
In another incident, police commandos and Assam Rifles personnel of 23rd Battalion during a combing operation shot dead three militants at Lamlia area in Imphal East district, the sources said.
In another encounter, two militants were killed by security personnel at about 8 am at Leimapan area in Imphal East district.
The sources said two 9 mm pistols and one M-16 rifle were found from Mayang Imphal and Lamlia areas respectively. PTI
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
இந்துக்களை கொன்றுவந்த திரிபுரா கிறிஸ்துவபயங்கரவாதி தலைவன் பிடிபட்டான்
என்.எல்.எப்.டி என்றகிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாத குழு திரிபுராவில் இந்துக்களை கொன்றும், இந்துக்கள் சரஸ்வதி பூஜை, தீபாவளி, சங்கராந்தி(பொங்கல்) கொண்டாடக்கூடாது என்றும் அராஜகம் செய்துவருகிறது.
அதன் தலைவன் திரிபுரா போலீஸால் பிடிக்கப்பட்டான்.
Joint operation nets Tripura rebel leader
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Agartala, July 14: A combined team of police and the Tripura State Rifles jawans apprehended an area commander of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) at Ampi in Amarpur subdivision of South Tripura district last night.
Police sources said Balkhan Malsum, 24, was traced to Jalayapara, a remote village under Ampi police station.
“We conducted the operation after being tipped off about his presence. We trekked 15 miles southeast of Ampi. Balkhan was involved in the abduction of Alani Kumar Malsum, a tribal youth. We seized a rifle,” Amarpur subdivisional police officer Rakesh Baidya said, adding that Balkhan’s accomplices had escaped.
The militants are targeting poor tribals for extortion and abduction for ransom after most non-tribals left the interior areas of the state in the wake of ethnic cleansing and spurt in insurgency.
Describing Balkhan’s arrest as a major success, Baidya said the militants had abducted Alani Kumar, 21, at gunpoint from Tantiabari village under Ampi on June 15 this year.
Following a wave of protests and a joint search operation by the police and the TSR, the militants were forced to release Alani Kumar within a week.
“Balkhan’s arrest will encourage the tribals to resist the depredations of the NLFT,” Baidya said.
Special search operations will continue to flush out militants and their collaborators from the hilly areas, he added.
அதன் தலைவன் திரிபுரா போலீஸால் பிடிக்கப்பட்டான்.
Joint operation nets Tripura rebel leader
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Agartala, July 14: A combined team of police and the Tripura State Rifles jawans apprehended an area commander of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) at Ampi in Amarpur subdivision of South Tripura district last night.
Police sources said Balkhan Malsum, 24, was traced to Jalayapara, a remote village under Ampi police station.
“We conducted the operation after being tipped off about his presence. We trekked 15 miles southeast of Ampi. Balkhan was involved in the abduction of Alani Kumar Malsum, a tribal youth. We seized a rifle,” Amarpur subdivisional police officer Rakesh Baidya said, adding that Balkhan’s accomplices had escaped.
The militants are targeting poor tribals for extortion and abduction for ransom after most non-tribals left the interior areas of the state in the wake of ethnic cleansing and spurt in insurgency.
Describing Balkhan’s arrest as a major success, Baidya said the militants had abducted Alani Kumar, 21, at gunpoint from Tantiabari village under Ampi on June 15 this year.
Following a wave of protests and a joint search operation by the police and the TSR, the militants were forced to release Alani Kumar within a week.
“Balkhan’s arrest will encourage the tribals to resist the depredations of the NLFT,” Baidya said.
Special search operations will continue to flush out militants and their collaborators from the hilly areas, he added.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
நாகாலாந்து கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாத குழுக்கள் மோதியதில் இருவர் பலி
மத்திய கிழக்கு பகுதியில் வாழும் ஒரு பழங்குடியினரின் மதத்தை பின்பற்றி, கிறிஸ்துவ மதம் என்று கூறப்படும் அந்த மதத்தை தனிநாட்டின் ஒரே மதமாக உருவாக்க போராடும் இரண்டு கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாத குழுக்கள் ஒருவரோடு ஒருவர் போரிட்டதில் இருவர் பலியானார்கள்.
Two killed in Naga fratricidal clashes
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kohima, July 5: Clashes between the Isak-Muivah and Khaplang factions of the NSCN near Dimapur claimed two more lives today.
The killings come close on the heels of visits by special secretary (internal security), M.L. Kumawat and joint secretary (home) in-charge of Northeast, Naveen Verma, to Nagaland to review the security situation in the state. The two home ministry officials also met chief minister Neiphiu Rio.
The NSCN (K) today alleged that heavily-armed NSCN (I-M) cadres had attacked its hideout at Hetoi village in Dimapur district killing one of its cadres. A civilian was also killed in the exchange of fire that lasted for nearly an hour.
Police have confirmed the deaths but the identities of the victims are yet to be ascertained. The NSCN (K) cadre died on the spot while the other person succumbed to his injuries later.
Hetoi is not far from Vihokhu village where the NSCN (I-M) destroyed the camp of its rival faction on June 26.
Tension prevails because of the presence of cadres of the two warring factions though the district administration has rushed India Reserve Battalion and the police to disperse the militants.
Blaming the rise in extortion and abduction on its rival faction, the NSCN (I-M) said it was determined to flush out cadres of the rival camp from the area and would in no way allow any designated camp of its rival group in Dimapur district.
More than 100 non-Naga affluent businessmen have been abducted for ransom allegedly by the NSCN (K) cadres.
The NSCN (K) today said it would oppose any move to replace Kumawat as chairman of the ceasefire monitoring group of the NSCN (I-M) and the ceasefire supervisory board of the NSCN (K).
Kumawat’s is a temporary appointment.
The Nagaland government has asked the Centre to appoint a permanent chairman of the ceasefire monitoring group and ceasefire supervisory board who would be based in Nagaland.
The NSCN (I-M) is opposed to Kumawat and has vowed not to attend any more ceasefire group meeting under his chairmanship.
Arms seized
Excise officials at a checkgate at Vairangte in Mizoram today intercepted a Silchar-bound Bolero (ML 05 D 1186) and seized seven AK-47 rifles and a rocket launcher with one shell from a secret chamber, says a staff reporter from Guwahati. The officials grew suspicious when the driver stopped the car just short of the gate and ran away. The incident comes close on the heels of seizure of several AK-47 rifles and a huge cache of ammunition and cash from a truck in Mizoram recently.
The consignment was meant for the Gorlosa group of the Dima Halam Daogah.
Two killed in Naga fratricidal clashes
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kohima, July 5: Clashes between the Isak-Muivah and Khaplang factions of the NSCN near Dimapur claimed two more lives today.
The killings come close on the heels of visits by special secretary (internal security), M.L. Kumawat and joint secretary (home) in-charge of Northeast, Naveen Verma, to Nagaland to review the security situation in the state. The two home ministry officials also met chief minister Neiphiu Rio.
The NSCN (K) today alleged that heavily-armed NSCN (I-M) cadres had attacked its hideout at Hetoi village in Dimapur district killing one of its cadres. A civilian was also killed in the exchange of fire that lasted for nearly an hour.
Police have confirmed the deaths but the identities of the victims are yet to be ascertained. The NSCN (K) cadre died on the spot while the other person succumbed to his injuries later.
Hetoi is not far from Vihokhu village where the NSCN (I-M) destroyed the camp of its rival faction on June 26.
Tension prevails because of the presence of cadres of the two warring factions though the district administration has rushed India Reserve Battalion and the police to disperse the militants.
Blaming the rise in extortion and abduction on its rival faction, the NSCN (I-M) said it was determined to flush out cadres of the rival camp from the area and would in no way allow any designated camp of its rival group in Dimapur district.
More than 100 non-Naga affluent businessmen have been abducted for ransom allegedly by the NSCN (K) cadres.
The NSCN (K) today said it would oppose any move to replace Kumawat as chairman of the ceasefire monitoring group of the NSCN (I-M) and the ceasefire supervisory board of the NSCN (K).
Kumawat’s is a temporary appointment.
The Nagaland government has asked the Centre to appoint a permanent chairman of the ceasefire monitoring group and ceasefire supervisory board who would be based in Nagaland.
The NSCN (I-M) is opposed to Kumawat and has vowed not to attend any more ceasefire group meeting under his chairmanship.
Arms seized
Excise officials at a checkgate at Vairangte in Mizoram today intercepted a Silchar-bound Bolero (ML 05 D 1186) and seized seven AK-47 rifles and a rocket launcher with one shell from a secret chamber, says a staff reporter from Guwahati. The officials grew suspicious when the driver stopped the car just short of the gate and ran away. The incident comes close on the heels of seizure of several AK-47 rifles and a huge cache of ammunition and cash from a truck in Mizoram recently.
The consignment was meant for the Gorlosa group of the Dima Halam Daogah.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
இரண்டு கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாத குழுக்கள் மோதியதில் 5 பேர் பலி
இரண்டு கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாத குழுக்கள் மோதியதில் 5 பேர் பலி
Five militants killed in factional fight in Manipur
26 May 2008, 1301 hrs IST,PTI
IMPHAL: Five militants were killed in a factional fight between Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) in interior Senapati district of Manipur, official sources said on Monday.
The two sides were engaged in gunbattle for several hours at New Saikul area in the district on Sunday, the sources said, adding the killed comprised four KLA and one KRA militant.
The bodies were later handed over to their family members, the sources said.
KLA and KRA have been fighting for separate Kukiland after breaking away from Manipur for the past several years.
Five militants killed in factional fight in Manipur
26 May 2008, 1301 hrs IST,PTI
IMPHAL: Five militants were killed in a factional fight between Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) in interior Senapati district of Manipur, official sources said on Monday.
The two sides were engaged in gunbattle for several hours at New Saikul area in the district on Sunday, the sources said, adding the killed comprised four KLA and one KRA militant.
The bodies were later handed over to their family members, the sources said.
KLA and KRA have been fighting for separate Kukiland after breaking away from Manipur for the past several years.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
வடகிழக்கு இந்தியாவில் கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதம்
வடகிழக்கு இந்தியாவில் கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதம்
Christian Terrorism in Northeast India
In our attempt to help promote peace in the world for mutual and social spiritual development, there are nonetheless areas and organizations that are devotedly working against that goal. Because of their own allegiance to a particular ideology, usually based on a religion, they threaten the freedom and challenge the well-being of those of other religions. And one area where this is taking place is in India’s north eastern states, such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, etc. Because of wicked terrorist tactics and even “gun point conversions”, some people are being forced to give up their traditions. This is something that much of the world, and even many Indians, are not aware of. And since I have personally traveled in this area to give lectures to promote the preservation of the culture there and met many wonderful people, it is a region in which I have a special interest.
Here on this page you will find several reports and news items on the shocking amount of terrorism caused by the Christian militant groups in Northeast India, how they operate, where they get their funds, and the thousands of people who have already died because of it. It is primarily due to those who want to make the whole region into a separate Christian state at the expense of those who would prefer to follow their own indigenous and Hindu cultures.
Christian Terrorists Massacre Eight Hindu Civilians in India
Christian Terrorists Kill 44, Wound 118 in Attacks in Northeast India
Baptist Church Backs Terrorism in North-East India
Terrorists in North-East India get American Support
Christ and North-East India
Mahatma Gandhi on Conversion
Thirteen Years of Killings in Tripura
My Northeast India Mission
Preaching in India's Northeast for Cultural Preservation
Save Your Culture
Christian Terrorism in Northeast India
In our attempt to help promote peace in the world for mutual and social spiritual development, there are nonetheless areas and organizations that are devotedly working against that goal. Because of their own allegiance to a particular ideology, usually based on a religion, they threaten the freedom and challenge the well-being of those of other religions. And one area where this is taking place is in India’s north eastern states, such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, etc. Because of wicked terrorist tactics and even “gun point conversions”, some people are being forced to give up their traditions. This is something that much of the world, and even many Indians, are not aware of. And since I have personally traveled in this area to give lectures to promote the preservation of the culture there and met many wonderful people, it is a region in which I have a special interest.
Here on this page you will find several reports and news items on the shocking amount of terrorism caused by the Christian militant groups in Northeast India, how they operate, where they get their funds, and the thousands of people who have already died because of it. It is primarily due to those who want to make the whole region into a separate Christian state at the expense of those who would prefer to follow their own indigenous and Hindu cultures.
Christian Terrorists Massacre Eight Hindu Civilians in India
Christian Terrorists Kill 44, Wound 118 in Attacks in Northeast India
Baptist Church Backs Terrorism in North-East India
Terrorists in North-East India get American Support
Christ and North-East India
Mahatma Gandhi on Conversion
Thirteen Years of Killings in Tripura
My Northeast India Mission
Preaching in India's Northeast for Cultural Preservation
Save Your Culture
Saturday, January 19, 2008
கிறிஸ்துவர்களும் முஸ்லீம்களும் மோதியதில் 2000க்கும் மேல் பலி
நைஜீரியாவில் பாதிபேர் கிறிஸ்துவ மதத்திலும் மீத பாதி பேர் இஸ்லாமிற்கு மதம் மாறியுள்ளனர். அந்த நாட்டின் பழங்கால மதத்தை அழித்து தங்கள் மதத்துக்கு மதம் மாற்றும் வரையிலும் ஒற்றுமையாக இருந்த முஸ்லீம்களும் கிறிஸ்துவர்களும் தற்போது ஒருவர் குரல்வளையை மற்றவர்கள் நெரிப்பதில் தீவிரமாக இறங்கியிருக்கின்றனர்.
கடுனா என்ற ஒரு மாவட்டத்தில் மட்டுமே 2000க்கும் அதிகமான முஸ்லீம்களும் கிறிஸ்துவர்களும் கொல்லப்பட்டுள்ளனர். ஆயிரக்கணக்கான பெண்கள், குழந்தைகள், கர்ப்பிணிகள் ஆகியோர் இரண்டு பக்கத்தாலும் வரைமுறையின்றி கொன்று தீர்க்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.
நைஜீரியா ஒன்றாக இருப்பதே ஆபத்தான விஷயம் என்று பலர் இப்பொது அங்கு பேச ஆரம்பித்துள்ளனர்
Nigeria: Religious Crisis - Effort to Find Lasting Solution
This Day (Lagos)
OPINION
17 January 2008
Posted to the web 18 January 2008
Lagos
The saying that whatever has a beginning must have an end seems not to be applicable in Nigerian context.
Religious crisis, which has been decimating the country's productive population and destruction of properties whenever it occurs, is becoming unbearable to most Nigerians and government. Agha Ibiam writes
"Are you people sure this is Kaduna. Can this be Nigeria. Are we still in Nigeria at all?" former President Olusegun Obasanjo asked repeatedly after a religious crisis that rocked Kaduna and claimed the life of nearly 2,000 Muslims and Christians.
When eventually he was convinced that it was indeed Kaduna, Obasanjo, who spent most of his adult life in that northern city, simply broke down and wept. That was one of the religious crisis that shook the early period of his administration.
Religious crisis in Nigeria is not new, especially at this democratic dispensation. Observers have described the 2000 Kaduna riots as the single worst outbreak of violence in Nigeria since after the 1967-70 civil war. The recent of the crisis is the Bauchi disturbance which occurred towards the end of last year. Lives were lost and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.
The remote cause of the problem which was said to be a Mosque built in a secondary school would have been nipped on the board if both religious groups had understanding of what their faith is. To avoid future occurrence and to bridge the chasm that must have existed between the two religions as a result of the mayhem, the Bauchi State Government inaugurated a Reconstruction and Resettlement Interim Committee that is co-chaired by inter-religious council leaders, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Mohammed Sa'adu Abubakar III and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop John Onayinkan.
Both leaders responded to the clarion call apparently on the request of the Bauchi State Government, at least as spiritual leaders to both religions bodies. Perhaps due to circumstances beyond the control of Bishop Onayinka, he was represented by the President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and founder and leader of the Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.
Oritsejafor is not new to such missions. In fact, he could be regarded as a messenger of peace both in Northern and Southern Nigeria. Some time ago, after the Moslems and Christians clashed in Maiduguri, Borno State, followed with a reprisal attack in Onitsha, Anambra State over the cartoon crisis, the PFN leader also paid a visit to both groups in Maiduguri and in Asaba, Delta State where the Moslem communities from Onitsha fled to.
His message to both parties then was on unity, peace and understanding. He appealed to them to stop taken laws into their hands by killing one another in the name of religion, but to understand that the true God is God of love and peace.
The visit of the religious leaders to Bauchi recently was another peace talk. It could be regarded as the first of its kind because of the caliber of dignitaries that attended the parley. The Christians Association from the Northern zones was led by the CAN secretary, Samuel Salifu, an engineer.
The Christian body was on hand to receive Papa Ayo and his entourage at about 12.55pm when the charted flight descended at the Bauchi airport. The defense minister, who represented President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, also used the airport with a Nigerian Airfore plane for the same event.
The peace discussion was held at the Yelwa Kagadama, Bauchi. That was the site of the incident where most houses and properties were burnt. Later the august visitors shifted base to meet with the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu in his palace at about 3.55pm and finally concluded the discussion at the Government House.
At the end of the visit, there was no official report that emanated from the Government House. But during the rally at Yelwa community where the discussions took place, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State told the gathering that the people have to appreciate the fact that Yelwa has been a peaceful place when religious crisis bedeviled some part of the Northern states.
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The residents of the community, Yuguda said have been living in more peaceful environment. They live as brothers and sisters, but by accident or act of God some are Christians while some are Moslems. So they are one. They can also appreciate the fact that nothing in the form of religion has created any form of misunderstanding among them, the governor said.
In what appeared as the crux of the matter was the destruction of a mosque built in a secondary school premises. Yuguda said, "There have been churches and mosques that are as older than this town. If there was anything that can cause religious crisis, I don't think it is what we were told. What triggered the problem was a mosque that was built in a secondary school. The mosque was damaged twice, and that was why the crisis started," the governor said.
This, Yuguda said underscores the fact that not only the people of Yelwa community are living in peace, but the incident must have happened as a result of the work of the evil people who have infiltrated the environment.
கடுனா என்ற ஒரு மாவட்டத்தில் மட்டுமே 2000க்கும் அதிகமான முஸ்லீம்களும் கிறிஸ்துவர்களும் கொல்லப்பட்டுள்ளனர். ஆயிரக்கணக்கான பெண்கள், குழந்தைகள், கர்ப்பிணிகள் ஆகியோர் இரண்டு பக்கத்தாலும் வரைமுறையின்றி கொன்று தீர்க்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.
நைஜீரியா ஒன்றாக இருப்பதே ஆபத்தான விஷயம் என்று பலர் இப்பொது அங்கு பேச ஆரம்பித்துள்ளனர்
Nigeria: Religious Crisis - Effort to Find Lasting Solution
This Day (Lagos)
OPINION
17 January 2008
Posted to the web 18 January 2008
Lagos
The saying that whatever has a beginning must have an end seems not to be applicable in Nigerian context.
Religious crisis, which has been decimating the country's productive population and destruction of properties whenever it occurs, is becoming unbearable to most Nigerians and government. Agha Ibiam writes
"Are you people sure this is Kaduna. Can this be Nigeria. Are we still in Nigeria at all?" former President Olusegun Obasanjo asked repeatedly after a religious crisis that rocked Kaduna and claimed the life of nearly 2,000 Muslims and Christians.
When eventually he was convinced that it was indeed Kaduna, Obasanjo, who spent most of his adult life in that northern city, simply broke down and wept. That was one of the religious crisis that shook the early period of his administration.
Religious crisis in Nigeria is not new, especially at this democratic dispensation. Observers have described the 2000 Kaduna riots as the single worst outbreak of violence in Nigeria since after the 1967-70 civil war. The recent of the crisis is the Bauchi disturbance which occurred towards the end of last year. Lives were lost and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.
The remote cause of the problem which was said to be a Mosque built in a secondary school would have been nipped on the board if both religious groups had understanding of what their faith is. To avoid future occurrence and to bridge the chasm that must have existed between the two religions as a result of the mayhem, the Bauchi State Government inaugurated a Reconstruction and Resettlement Interim Committee that is co-chaired by inter-religious council leaders, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Mohammed Sa'adu Abubakar III and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop John Onayinkan.
Both leaders responded to the clarion call apparently on the request of the Bauchi State Government, at least as spiritual leaders to both religions bodies. Perhaps due to circumstances beyond the control of Bishop Onayinka, he was represented by the President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and founder and leader of the Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.
Oritsejafor is not new to such missions. In fact, he could be regarded as a messenger of peace both in Northern and Southern Nigeria. Some time ago, after the Moslems and Christians clashed in Maiduguri, Borno State, followed with a reprisal attack in Onitsha, Anambra State over the cartoon crisis, the PFN leader also paid a visit to both groups in Maiduguri and in Asaba, Delta State where the Moslem communities from Onitsha fled to.
His message to both parties then was on unity, peace and understanding. He appealed to them to stop taken laws into their hands by killing one another in the name of religion, but to understand that the true God is God of love and peace.
The visit of the religious leaders to Bauchi recently was another peace talk. It could be regarded as the first of its kind because of the caliber of dignitaries that attended the parley. The Christians Association from the Northern zones was led by the CAN secretary, Samuel Salifu, an engineer.
The Christian body was on hand to receive Papa Ayo and his entourage at about 12.55pm when the charted flight descended at the Bauchi airport. The defense minister, who represented President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, also used the airport with a Nigerian Airfore plane for the same event.
The peace discussion was held at the Yelwa Kagadama, Bauchi. That was the site of the incident where most houses and properties were burnt. Later the august visitors shifted base to meet with the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu in his palace at about 3.55pm and finally concluded the discussion at the Government House.
At the end of the visit, there was no official report that emanated from the Government House. But during the rally at Yelwa community where the discussions took place, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State told the gathering that the people have to appreciate the fact that Yelwa has been a peaceful place when religious crisis bedeviled some part of the Northern states.
Relevant Links
West Africa
Nigeria
Religion
The residents of the community, Yuguda said have been living in more peaceful environment. They live as brothers and sisters, but by accident or act of God some are Christians while some are Moslems. So they are one. They can also appreciate the fact that nothing in the form of religion has created any form of misunderstanding among them, the governor said.
In what appeared as the crux of the matter was the destruction of a mosque built in a secondary school premises. Yuguda said, "There have been churches and mosques that are as older than this town. If there was anything that can cause religious crisis, I don't think it is what we were told. What triggered the problem was a mosque that was built in a secondary school. The mosque was damaged twice, and that was why the crisis started," the governor said.
This, Yuguda said underscores the fact that not only the people of Yelwa community are living in peace, but the incident must have happened as a result of the work of the evil people who have infiltrated the environment.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
ஒரிஸ்ஸா போலிஸ் நிலையத்தின் மீது தாக்குதல் தொடுத்தது கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதிகளா கம்யூனிஸ பயங்கரவாதிகளா?
இந்துக்கள் பாதுகாப்பாக இருந்த போலீஸ் நிலையம் தாக்கப்பட்டது பலத்த சந்தேகத்தை எழுப்பியுள்ளது.
பல்வேறு துப்பாக்கிகளும் போர்தந்திரத்துடனும் நடத்தப்பட்ட இந்த தாக்குதல் சாதாரண கிராமத்தினரால் நடத்தப்பட்டிருக்கமுடியாது இது மாவோயிஸ்டு கம்யூனிஸ பயங்கரவாதிகளால்தான் நடத்தப்பட்டிருக்கவேண்டும் என்று ஒரிஸ்ஸா போலீஸ் சந்தேகிக்கிறது.
கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதிகளும் கம்யூனிஸ பயங்கரவாதிகளும் தமிழ்நாட்ட்டில் கூட்டு சேர்ந்திருப்பதுபோல ஒரிஸாவிலும் கூட்டாக இருக்கிறார்களா என்று தெரியவில்லை.
Orissa riots: Govt sees Maoist hand
Full Coverage
Press Trust of India
Saturday, January 5, 2008 (Bhubaneswar)
The Orissa government today said Maoists had a hand in the violence in riot-hit Kandhamal district where nearly 800 houses and several churches were set ablaze and three police stations attacked.
''We see the attack on a police station at Brahmanigaon village as a Maoist attack,'' Home Secretary T K Mishra said while replying a question on the role of Maoists in the communal and ethnic violence in the district.
He said police had evidence that ''the attack on Brahaminigaon police station on December 27 was carried out strategically which was not possible by villagers. Trained hands could be behind the attack.''
He said the involvement of Maoists in the attack was confirmed after recovery of 12 unlicensed guns from the village.
He, however, said the nature of attack on two other police stations at Phiringia and Baliguda were different.
Official sources said Brahmanigaon village was close to Gajapati district's Maoist affected Adaba area.
''The guns seized from villagers, who are behind bars, were sophisticated and used by Maoists,'' said a senior police officer.
Maoists in the guise of villagers attacked the police station and opened fire. A police constable was injured in the attack while an unideitified villager killed.
Maoists were also suspected to have set afire several houses at Brahmanigaon village, the sources said.
They claimed though Kandhamal district had never witnessed Maoist violence in the past, it was used by the ultras as a haven for storing firearms.
Claiming that the riot remained confined to Kandhamal district, the Home Secretary said the CRPF posted in neighbouring Gajapati district had been alerted.
The police in other Maoist-affected districts have been asked to keep a watch on movement of Maoists and whether they tried to enter Kandhamal.
பல்வேறு துப்பாக்கிகளும் போர்தந்திரத்துடனும் நடத்தப்பட்ட இந்த தாக்குதல் சாதாரண கிராமத்தினரால் நடத்தப்பட்டிருக்கமுடியாது இது மாவோயிஸ்டு கம்யூனிஸ பயங்கரவாதிகளால்தான் நடத்தப்பட்டிருக்கவேண்டும் என்று ஒரிஸ்ஸா போலீஸ் சந்தேகிக்கிறது.
கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதிகளும் கம்யூனிஸ பயங்கரவாதிகளும் தமிழ்நாட்ட்டில் கூட்டு சேர்ந்திருப்பதுபோல ஒரிஸாவிலும் கூட்டாக இருக்கிறார்களா என்று தெரியவில்லை.
Orissa riots: Govt sees Maoist hand
Full Coverage
Press Trust of India
Saturday, January 5, 2008 (Bhubaneswar)
The Orissa government today said Maoists had a hand in the violence in riot-hit Kandhamal district where nearly 800 houses and several churches were set ablaze and three police stations attacked.
''We see the attack on a police station at Brahmanigaon village as a Maoist attack,'' Home Secretary T K Mishra said while replying a question on the role of Maoists in the communal and ethnic violence in the district.
He said police had evidence that ''the attack on Brahaminigaon police station on December 27 was carried out strategically which was not possible by villagers. Trained hands could be behind the attack.''
He said the involvement of Maoists in the attack was confirmed after recovery of 12 unlicensed guns from the village.
He, however, said the nature of attack on two other police stations at Phiringia and Baliguda were different.
Official sources said Brahmanigaon village was close to Gajapati district's Maoist affected Adaba area.
''The guns seized from villagers, who are behind bars, were sophisticated and used by Maoists,'' said a senior police officer.
Maoists in the guise of villagers attacked the police station and opened fire. A police constable was injured in the attack while an unideitified villager killed.
Maoists were also suspected to have set afire several houses at Brahmanigaon village, the sources said.
They claimed though Kandhamal district had never witnessed Maoist violence in the past, it was used by the ultras as a haven for storing firearms.
Claiming that the riot remained confined to Kandhamal district, the Home Secretary said the CRPF posted in neighbouring Gajapati district had been alerted.
The police in other Maoist-affected districts have been asked to keep a watch on movement of Maoists and whether they tried to enter Kandhamal.
Monday, December 31, 2007
கேரளாவிலும் முஸ்லீம்-கிறிஸ்துவ சண்டை ஆரம்பம்
சண்டை போடும் அளவுக்கு மதமாற்றத்தால் வளர்ந்துவிட்ட கிறிஸ்துவமும் இஸ்லாமும் கேரளாவிலும் தங்கள் சண்டையை ஆரம்பித்துள்ளன.
மலபாரில் ரகசியமாக நடத்தப்பட்டுவந்த கிறிஸ்துவ சர்ச் ஒன்று இஸ்லாமிய பயங்கரவாதிகளால் இடித்து தள்ளப்பட்டுள்ளது.
House Church run by Salem Voice Ministries demolished by Muslim extremists
By Michael Ireland
An underground house church of Salem Voice Ministries was demolished by Muslim extremists at Sunnam Potty in Malabar, India on December 29.
A mob of 10 to 15 people came by cars and vans with spades, pick axes, iron bars and other tools and weapons and totally demolished the church on Saturday night. The attackers are suspected to be activists of SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India).
In the last few months around 50 people have been attending the church every week for worship services. The majority were individual Muslim youngsters from various families.
A baptism service was held early on Saturday morning, during which eight young people and three couples were baptized. Although it was a secret service, the news somehow leaked out. It is believed that might have provoked the extremists to demolish the church.
The church building was leased from a believer’s family without any rent. The family that owns the building lives a distance away from the churh location. In recent days they have been threatened by unknown people for giving this house to be used for prayer and worship.
Pastor Mildad and his family, who are ministering in this area, are facing death threats.
Pastor Paul Ciniraj, Director of the Salem Voice Ministries, visited the demolished church. He condemned the incident and requested prayer for the pastor and his family, the owner of the house and his family, and the believers who gather there.
© Assist News Service
மலபாரில் ரகசியமாக நடத்தப்பட்டுவந்த கிறிஸ்துவ சர்ச் ஒன்று இஸ்லாமிய பயங்கரவாதிகளால் இடித்து தள்ளப்பட்டுள்ளது.
House Church run by Salem Voice Ministries demolished by Muslim extremists
By Michael Ireland
An underground house church of Salem Voice Ministries was demolished by Muslim extremists at Sunnam Potty in Malabar, India on December 29.
A mob of 10 to 15 people came by cars and vans with spades, pick axes, iron bars and other tools and weapons and totally demolished the church on Saturday night. The attackers are suspected to be activists of SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India).
In the last few months around 50 people have been attending the church every week for worship services. The majority were individual Muslim youngsters from various families.
A baptism service was held early on Saturday morning, during which eight young people and three couples were baptized. Although it was a secret service, the news somehow leaked out. It is believed that might have provoked the extremists to demolish the church.
The church building was leased from a believer’s family without any rent. The family that owns the building lives a distance away from the churh location. In recent days they have been threatened by unknown people for giving this house to be used for prayer and worship.
Pastor Mildad and his family, who are ministering in this area, are facing death threats.
Pastor Paul Ciniraj, Director of the Salem Voice Ministries, visited the demolished church. He condemned the incident and requested prayer for the pastor and his family, the owner of the house and his family, and the believers who gather there.
© Assist News Service
Sunday, December 30, 2007
ஒரிஸ்ஸாவில் இந்துக்களின் வீடுகளை கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதிகள் கொளுத்துகின்றனர்
தொடர்ந்து ஐந்தாவது நாளாக கிறிஸ்துவ பாதிரியார்களின் தூண்டுதல் காரணமாகவும் காங்கிரஸ் எம்பியாகவும், கிறிஸ்துவ வோர்ட் விஷன் தலைவராகவும் இருக்கும் ராதாகாந்த் என்ற இந்திய எதிரியாலும் தூண்டப்பட்டும் கிறிஸ்துவ மதத்துக்கு மதம் மாறியவர்கள் இந்துக்களின் வீடுகளை கொளுத்தினர்.
இந்துக்களை காப்பாற்றி போலீஸ் ஸ்டேஷனில் வைத்திருந்ததற்காக போலீஸ் ஸ்டேஷனையும் தாக்கியுள்ளனர் கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாத நாய்கள்.
இந்துக்களின் பொறுமைக்கு எல்லை உண்டு.
Police firing kills four in riot-hit Orissa district
Bhubaneswar, December 28, 2007
First Published: 12:00 IST(28/12/2007)
Last Updated: 12:02 IST(28/12/2007)
Five days after communal clashes broke out over Christmas celebrations in Orissa's Kandhamal district in eastern India, tension persisted in the area with four people feared dead in police firing and the government finally deciding to order a judicial inquiry.
Police said on Friday that the core trouble area continued to be the Christian dominated Brahmanigaon village, about 150 km from the district headquarters of Phulbani and about 200 km fm the state capital.
On Thursday afternoon, hundreds of residents burnt some Hindu houses. Police rushed in to rescue the villagers and brought them to the station, which was also attacked.
A mob of about 500 people opened fire at the police station, a district police official told IANS. To disperse the mob, police opened fire. In the gunbattle that went on for more than an hour, at least four people were killed and three police officials injured.
The exact number of deaths is yet to be ascertained because all communication to the village has been disrupted, the official said. The roads have been blocked and telephone lines have been down too.
Leading Oriya daily The Sambad put the toll at nine, saying that four were killed in police firing and five in clashes.
The place has been a tinderbox since Monday, when trouble broke out in Brahmanigaon, which has a population of about 4,000.
Hindus and Christians clashed over Christmas celebrations. Trouble escalated in the area when some people attacked the vehicle of local Hindu leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati near Daringbadi when he was on his way to perform a yagna in Brahmanigaon.
Dozens of churches and prayer houses were burnt, vehicles were torched and houses of both Hindus and Christians attacked in the days that followed.
At least one person died and dozens injured in the clashes.
Kandhamal district, which has a population of about 600,000 including 150,000 Christians, is considered one of the most communally sensitive regions in the state with numerous clashes reported between both Hindus and Christians in the past.
இந்துக்களை காப்பாற்றி போலீஸ் ஸ்டேஷனில் வைத்திருந்ததற்காக போலீஸ் ஸ்டேஷனையும் தாக்கியுள்ளனர் கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாத நாய்கள்.
இந்துக்களின் பொறுமைக்கு எல்லை உண்டு.
Police firing kills four in riot-hit Orissa district
Bhubaneswar, December 28, 2007
First Published: 12:00 IST(28/12/2007)
Last Updated: 12:02 IST(28/12/2007)
Five days after communal clashes broke out over Christmas celebrations in Orissa's Kandhamal district in eastern India, tension persisted in the area with four people feared dead in police firing and the government finally deciding to order a judicial inquiry.
Police said on Friday that the core trouble area continued to be the Christian dominated Brahmanigaon village, about 150 km from the district headquarters of Phulbani and about 200 km fm the state capital.
On Thursday afternoon, hundreds of residents burnt some Hindu houses. Police rushed in to rescue the villagers and brought them to the station, which was also attacked.
A mob of about 500 people opened fire at the police station, a district police official told IANS. To disperse the mob, police opened fire. In the gunbattle that went on for more than an hour, at least four people were killed and three police officials injured.
The exact number of deaths is yet to be ascertained because all communication to the village has been disrupted, the official said. The roads have been blocked and telephone lines have been down too.
Leading Oriya daily The Sambad put the toll at nine, saying that four were killed in police firing and five in clashes.
The place has been a tinderbox since Monday, when trouble broke out in Brahmanigaon, which has a population of about 4,000.
Hindus and Christians clashed over Christmas celebrations. Trouble escalated in the area when some people attacked the vehicle of local Hindu leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati near Daringbadi when he was on his way to perform a yagna in Brahmanigaon.
Dozens of churches and prayer houses were burnt, vehicles were torched and houses of both Hindus and Christians attacked in the days that followed.
At least one person died and dozens injured in the clashes.
Kandhamal district, which has a population of about 600,000 including 150,000 Christians, is considered one of the most communally sensitive regions in the state with numerous clashes reported between both Hindus and Christians in the past.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
ஒரிஸ்ஸாவில் இந்து தலைவர்களை கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதிகள் தாக்குதல்- பதட்டம்
ஸ்வாமி லக்ஷ்மானந்த சரஸ்வதி என்ற இந்து தலைவரை கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதிகள் வழிமறித்து தாக்கியுள்ளனர். இதனால், ஆத்திரமடைந்த இந்துக்கள் கிறிஸ்துவ வழிபாட்டு தலங்கள் மீது தாக்குதல் நடத்தியுள்ளனர்.
ஒரு சில அசிங்கங்கள் மோடி ஜெயித்ததால்தான் ஒரிஸாவில் கிறிஸ்துவ வழிபாட்டுதலங்கள் மீது தாக்குதல் நடத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது என்று உளறியிருக்கின்றன.
Injured VHP leader alleges Congress leader behind attack
26 Dec 2007, 0127 hrs IST,PTI
BHUBANESWAR: VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, who was injured in an attack in Kandhmal district, which led to large scale violence and arson in the district, on Tuesday night alleged that a senior Congress leader was behind the attack on him.
Eighty-year-old Saraswati, who led an anti-conversion movement was shifted to the SCB Medical College Hospital at Cuttack from Darinigibadi government hospital, told reporters that a group of villagers launched an attack on him on Monday at the instruction of the Congress leader.
"They attacked to eliminate me," he said adding this was for the seventh time that they failed to kill him.
Saraswati, who is a member of the VHP's 'margadarshak mandali', was attacked by a group of villagers while he was on the way to Brahmanigaom on Monday.
His driver and personal security guard were seriously injured in the incident and his car badly damaged.
While Saraswati was admitted at Darinigibadi government hospital, his security guard was rushed to M K C G Medical College Hospital at Berhampur.
Sources said the district administration of Kandhamal preferred to shift Saraswati to Cuttack hospital apprehending more danger in the locality due to presence of the VHP leader in Daringibadi area.
ஒரு சில அசிங்கங்கள் மோடி ஜெயித்ததால்தான் ஒரிஸாவில் கிறிஸ்துவ வழிபாட்டுதலங்கள் மீது தாக்குதல் நடத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது என்று உளறியிருக்கின்றன.
Injured VHP leader alleges Congress leader behind attack
26 Dec 2007, 0127 hrs IST,PTI
BHUBANESWAR: VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, who was injured in an attack in Kandhmal district, which led to large scale violence and arson in the district, on Tuesday night alleged that a senior Congress leader was behind the attack on him.
Eighty-year-old Saraswati, who led an anti-conversion movement was shifted to the SCB Medical College Hospital at Cuttack from Darinigibadi government hospital, told reporters that a group of villagers launched an attack on him on Monday at the instruction of the Congress leader.
"They attacked to eliminate me," he said adding this was for the seventh time that they failed to kill him.
Saraswati, who is a member of the VHP's 'margadarshak mandali', was attacked by a group of villagers while he was on the way to Brahmanigaom on Monday.
His driver and personal security guard were seriously injured in the incident and his car badly damaged.
While Saraswati was admitted at Darinigibadi government hospital, his security guard was rushed to M K C G Medical College Hospital at Berhampur.
Sources said the district administration of Kandhamal preferred to shift Saraswati to Cuttack hospital apprehending more danger in the locality due to presence of the VHP leader in Daringibadi area.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
நைஜீரியாவில் முஸ்லீம்களும் கிறிஸ்துவர்களும் அடிதடி. 5 பேர் பலி இதுவரை
நைஜீரியாவில் பௌச்சி நகரில் முஸ்லீம்களும் கிறிஸ்துவர்களும் மசூதிகளையும் சர்ச்சுகளையும் வைத்து கொளுத்தினர். இருவரும் தெருக்களில் போரிட்டுக்கொண்டிருக்கின்றனர். இதனால், பலர் மரணமடைந்துள்ளனர். ஏராளமானவர்கள் காயமடைந்துள்ளனர்
Nigeria: Religious Riot Breaks Out in Bauchi
This Day (Lagos)
12 December 2007
Posted to the web 12 December 2007
Mustapha Shehu and Seriki Adinoyi With Agency Reports
Bauchi
Religious crisis reared its ugly head again yesterday in ancient Bauchi city as fighting broke out in Kagadama area of the metropolis following the alleged demolition of a mosque by unidentified people.
The mosque, situated at the Baba Tanko Secondary School in Kagadama, was under construction and was allegedly pulled down by unknown persons whom THISDAY learnt were suspected to be against its location.
This action was said to have angered some Muslims in the area, leading to the outbreak of violence that extended to Yelwan Tudu and Angwan Angas areas.
THISDAY investigations revealed that security reports had earlier indicated that tension was building up in the affected area following the disagreement on the location of the mosque in the secondary school but that not much was done to nip it in the bud.
A score of people were believed to have lost their lives but the Police said only one life was lost and a few houses burnt.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Kagadama and Elim Church were destroyed while two mosques at Kagadama and Angwan Angas were also affected.
Apart from the churches and mosques, houses and vehicles were also set on fire during the riots.
Hundreds of residents have started fleeing their homes to take refuge in police barracks following the incident.
Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, who was away in Abuja, had to hurriedly rush back when he was informed of the outbreak of the crisis.
The visibly shaken governor imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on the town last night after inspecting the affected areas with senior government officials.
Yuguda also visited some of the displaced victims whom had taken shelter at the Yelwa Police and Army barracks to sympathise with them.
Yuguda condemned the act in a telephone interview with THISDAY, saying the riot was politically motivated to cause confusion in the state.
He said: "There are some politicians that are bent on causing confusion in the state, and have gone as far as recruiting some youth as thugs to perpetrate this act, but the police have swung into action to investigate the matter,"
The governor who said he had just returned from Abuja to meet the crisis said he went straight to the hot spot (Yelwa) to ensure that the situation was put under control.
He debunked the rumor that the crisis had any thing to do with religion saying, "it is absolutely political, and those behind it will be unveiled shortly."
But a student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi who simply identified himself as Justin, said the crisis was religious.
"If it is political why are churches being vandalized? Are churches political organizations?, he queried.
Meanwhile, a combined team of soldiers, policemen and other security agencies has been deployed in Bauchi to quell the violent crisis that broke out at the Yelwa area of the city.
The operation was coordinated by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adanaya Talman-Gaya.
Nigeria: Religious Riot Breaks Out in Bauchi
This Day (Lagos)
12 December 2007
Posted to the web 12 December 2007
Mustapha Shehu and Seriki Adinoyi With Agency Reports
Bauchi
Religious crisis reared its ugly head again yesterday in ancient Bauchi city as fighting broke out in Kagadama area of the metropolis following the alleged demolition of a mosque by unidentified people.
The mosque, situated at the Baba Tanko Secondary School in Kagadama, was under construction and was allegedly pulled down by unknown persons whom THISDAY learnt were suspected to be against its location.
This action was said to have angered some Muslims in the area, leading to the outbreak of violence that extended to Yelwan Tudu and Angwan Angas areas.
THISDAY investigations revealed that security reports had earlier indicated that tension was building up in the affected area following the disagreement on the location of the mosque in the secondary school but that not much was done to nip it in the bud.
A score of people were believed to have lost their lives but the Police said only one life was lost and a few houses burnt.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Kagadama and Elim Church were destroyed while two mosques at Kagadama and Angwan Angas were also affected.
Apart from the churches and mosques, houses and vehicles were also set on fire during the riots.
Hundreds of residents have started fleeing their homes to take refuge in police barracks following the incident.
Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, who was away in Abuja, had to hurriedly rush back when he was informed of the outbreak of the crisis.
The visibly shaken governor imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on the town last night after inspecting the affected areas with senior government officials.
Yuguda also visited some of the displaced victims whom had taken shelter at the Yelwa Police and Army barracks to sympathise with them.
Yuguda condemned the act in a telephone interview with THISDAY, saying the riot was politically motivated to cause confusion in the state.
He said: "There are some politicians that are bent on causing confusion in the state, and have gone as far as recruiting some youth as thugs to perpetrate this act, but the police have swung into action to investigate the matter,"
The governor who said he had just returned from Abuja to meet the crisis said he went straight to the hot spot (Yelwa) to ensure that the situation was put under control.
He debunked the rumor that the crisis had any thing to do with religion saying, "it is absolutely political, and those behind it will be unveiled shortly."
But a student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi who simply identified himself as Justin, said the crisis was religious.
"If it is political why are churches being vandalized? Are churches political organizations?, he queried.
Meanwhile, a combined team of soldiers, policemen and other security agencies has been deployed in Bauchi to quell the violent crisis that broke out at the Yelwa area of the city.
The operation was coordinated by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adanaya Talman-Gaya.
Monday, November 12, 2007
மூன்று நாடுகளில் கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதம்- வடக்கு உகாண்டா, இந்தியா, அம்போன்
In the Name of the Father? Christian Militantism in Tripura, Northern Uganda, and Ambon
Authors: Jeroen Adam a; Bruno De Cordier a; Kristof Titeca a; Koen Vlassenroot a
Affiliation: a Conflict Research Group, Department of Third World Studies, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
DOI: 10.1080/10576100701611288
Publication Frequency: 12 issues per year
Published in: Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, Volume 30, Issue 11 November 2007 , pages 963 - 983
Subjects: Military & Strategic Studies; Terrorism;
Formats available: HTML (English) : PDF (English)
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Abstract
Although armed groups and political violence referring to Islam have attracted increasing attention since the start of the global war against terror, one particular religion can hardly be described as the main source of inspiration of what is commonly referred to as "terrorist acts of violence." Faith-based violence occurs in different parts of the world and its perpetrators adhere to all major world faiths including Christianity. As such, this article treats three cases of non-state armed actors that explain their actions as being motivated by Christian beliefs and aimed at the creation of a new local society that is guided by religion: the National Liberation Front of Tripura, the Lord's Resistance Army, and the Ambonese Christian militias. It analyzes the way by which they instrumentalized religion against respective backgrounds of conflict rooted in social change, the erosion of traditional identities, imbalances of power, and widening communautarian faultlines.
Authors: Jeroen Adam a; Bruno De Cordier a; Kristof Titeca a; Koen Vlassenroot a
Affiliation: a Conflict Research Group, Department of Third World Studies, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
DOI: 10.1080/10576100701611288
Publication Frequency: 12 issues per year
Published in: Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, Volume 30, Issue 11 November 2007 , pages 963 - 983
Subjects: Military & Strategic Studies; Terrorism;
Formats available: HTML (English) : PDF (English)
Article Requests: Order Reprints : Request Permissions
Purchase Article: US$25.00 - buy now add to cart [ show other buying options ]
purchase type customer type online access payment method price
Single Article Purchase Personal 3 days credit card US$25.00 buy now add to cart
Issue Purchase Any permanent credit card US$95.34 buy now add to cart
If you would like to pay in any other currency please see the purchasing help pages for more information.
Sign In Online Sample
Abstract
Although armed groups and political violence referring to Islam have attracted increasing attention since the start of the global war against terror, one particular religion can hardly be described as the main source of inspiration of what is commonly referred to as "terrorist acts of violence." Faith-based violence occurs in different parts of the world and its perpetrators adhere to all major world faiths including Christianity. As such, this article treats three cases of non-state armed actors that explain their actions as being motivated by Christian beliefs and aimed at the creation of a new local society that is guided by religion: the National Liberation Front of Tripura, the Lord's Resistance Army, and the Ambonese Christian militias. It analyzes the way by which they instrumentalized religion against respective backgrounds of conflict rooted in social change, the erosion of traditional identities, imbalances of power, and widening communautarian faultlines.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
பங்களாதேஷில் முகாம் கொண்டிருக்கும் வடகிழக்கு இந்தியாவின் கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்க்ரவாதிகள் - மேகாலயா முதல்வர்
மேகாலயா முதல்வர் லபாங், வடகிழக்கு இந்திய கிறிஸ்துவ் பயங்கரவாதிகள் பங்களாதேஷிலிருந்து வெளிவந்து கொல்கிறார்கள், மீண்டும் பங்களாதெசிற்கே பாதுகாப்புக்கு செல்கிறார்கள் என்று கூறியுள்ளார்.
NE militants working from Bangladesh: Lapang
Shillong, Nov 08: A day after a Deputy Superintendent of Police was killed in a gunbattle with HNLC militants in the state, Meghalaya Chief Minister DD Lapang on Thursday reiterated that the militant outfits of the North East have their bases in Bangladesh and were operating from there.
"It cannot be denied that the militant groups of the North East, be it the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) or any other outfit, have their bases in Bangladesh. We have been asking the Centre to arrange for flushing them out." Lapang told a crowded press conference here.
The DSP of Ri Bhoi district RP Diengdoh and an HNLC militant were killed in an early morning gun battle between security forces and militants in a remote village at Nongpoh, which is the Chief Minister's home constituency.
The Centre has been pressuring Dhaka to demolish the camps of the NE militants, Lapang said. "Unless the government of Bangladesh cooperates, nothing can be done."
Asked whether HNLC was showing signs of resurgence, he said, "the militancy problem has come down, but the police has to remain alert. The recent incidents were a follow-up of constant vigilance."
Before yesterday's encounter, five militants of the HNLC were shot dead by the police in Shillong on October 30.
He appealed to the HNLC cadres to join the mainstream.
Stating that state government had asked the Centre to increase allocation to improve the state's police machinery and to conduct training of the officers outside the state, he underlined the need to raise an all-woman battalion.
A residential complex, equipped with school, health facilities and quarters, for the state's police force were also on the anvil, the Chief Minister said.
Bureau Report
NE militants working from Bangladesh: Lapang
Shillong, Nov 08: A day after a Deputy Superintendent of Police was killed in a gunbattle with HNLC militants in the state, Meghalaya Chief Minister DD Lapang on Thursday reiterated that the militant outfits of the North East have their bases in Bangladesh and were operating from there.
"It cannot be denied that the militant groups of the North East, be it the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) or any other outfit, have their bases in Bangladesh. We have been asking the Centre to arrange for flushing them out." Lapang told a crowded press conference here.
The DSP of Ri Bhoi district RP Diengdoh and an HNLC militant were killed in an early morning gun battle between security forces and militants in a remote village at Nongpoh, which is the Chief Minister's home constituency.
The Centre has been pressuring Dhaka to demolish the camps of the NE militants, Lapang said. "Unless the government of Bangladesh cooperates, nothing can be done."
Asked whether HNLC was showing signs of resurgence, he said, "the militancy problem has come down, but the police has to remain alert. The recent incidents were a follow-up of constant vigilance."
Before yesterday's encounter, five militants of the HNLC were shot dead by the police in Shillong on October 30.
He appealed to the HNLC cadres to join the mainstream.
Stating that state government had asked the Centre to increase allocation to improve the state's police machinery and to conduct training of the officers outside the state, he underlined the need to raise an all-woman battalion.
A residential complex, equipped with school, health facilities and quarters, for the state's police force were also on the anvil, the Chief Minister said.
Bureau Report
Thursday, November 01, 2007
மெயின்ஸ்ட்ரீம் பத்திரிக்கை: அமெரிக்க ஏகாதிபத்தியமும் கிறிஸ்துவ மதமாற்றமும்
இடதுசாரி பத்திரிக்கையான மெயின்ஸ்ட்ரீம், அமெரிக்காவுடன் நட்புறவு கொள்வது ஆபத்தானது என்றும், அது எவ்வாறு கிறிஸ்துவ மதமாற்றத்தின் மூலம், வடகிழக்கு இந்தியாவை நாசம் செய்து பயங்கரவாதம் விளையும் நிலமாகவும் கிறிஸ்துவ பயங்கரவாதம் நிகழும் நிலமாகவும் மாற்றியது என்றும் விவரிக்கிறது.
கிறிஸ்துவ மதமாற்றம், இந்தியாவை அமெரிக்க ஏகாதிபத்தியத்தின் கீழ் கொண்டுவரும் தீவிர முயற்சியால் நடக்கிறது என்பதையும் விவரமாக எடுத்துரைக்கிறது.
Mainstream, Vol XLV, No 45
Strategic Alliance with the USA in a World of ’Civilisation’-based Alignment
Wednesday 31 October 2007, by Kunal Ghosh
The Government of India is in the process of reaching a comprehensive agreement with the USA on civil cooperation in nuclear power. The Left parties are opposed to it on the ground that it binds India to America as a global strategic partner and that has some long term ramifications. They say: “The nuclear cooperation deal is an integral part of the July 2005 Joint Statement, which has political, economic and strategic aspects. It is also closely linked to the June 2005 Military Framework Agreement signed with the United States.” (Left Parties’ Statement 2007) They look at the deal from their traditional anti-imperialist point of view and they make no secret that they consider the USA to be the number one neo-imperialist hegemon that has put on the garb of neo-liberalism. There is some element of truth in their assessment but I consider it incomplete. There is a cultural-civilisational-religious-racial dimension to America’s geo-politics which impinges both directly and indirectly on India’s national interests, and it is this aspect that all political parties, including the Congress, Left and BJP, have ignored so far. I shall call it the religio-ethnic dimension in brief. It has something to do with the national identity of America and its core allies.
National Identity and Secularism (or Sectarianism) of America
CONTRARY to popular belief, America is a deeply divided society on the basis of religiosity. The coastal cities of both the east and the west are centres of non-religious liberalism and are home to the major universities of world fame. We often tend to judge the USA by the social mores of these high-profile cities. The majority of people lives in Middle America and is deeply religious and harbour narrow sectarian outlook. They tend to have large families and their population is increasing faster. They are increasingly dominant in national affairs. They are primarily Protestant and secondarily Catholic. The presence of the third important Christian denomination, Orthodoxy, is negligibly small. Among the Protestants the Episcopalians and the Baptists are dominant. Both sprang from the Anglican Church in different times in history. Traditionally the Baptists have been more intolerant and devout, some say, fanatical. In contrast, the Episcopalians have been more tolerant toward other denominations and religions and have a more liberal-secular outlook, in the mould of the Church of England. But all that seems to have been changing for last one generation with the rise of the mid-20th century Evangelism. A very famous Baptist preacher, Rev Billy Graham, took centre-stage during the 1960s. He supported the American aggression in Vietnam to the hilt and to the last, even when it appeared that American withdrawal was inevitable. He was a family friend of most of the Presidents, such as, Johnson, Nixon etc. of that era. He was tremendously popular among the Blacks and was a friend of Martin Luther King, Junior, the legendary Black leader of the civil rights movement, till they fell out later over the Vietnam war. What is most important is that he had also a tremendous following among the Episcopalians. Wikipedia, the web encyclopedia, says: “Billy Graham, is a career evangelist and an Evangelical. He has been a spiritual adviser to multiple US Presidents and was number seven on Gallup’s list of admired people for the 20th century. He is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention.” The next generation saw the arrival of Pat Robertson, who is equally popular in America, a member of the closely knit top political circle. Robertson is a televangelist. He is the founder of numerous organisations and corporations, including the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), the Christian Coalition, Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corpora-tion. He is the host of The 700 Club, a Christian TV programme airing on channels throughout the United States and on CBN affiliates worldwide. He is opposed to abortion and gay rights, Robertson is a supporter of the Republican Party and campaigned unsuccessfully to become the party’s nominee in the 1988 presidential election. He is a Southern Baptist and was active as an ordained minister with that denomination for many years, but holds to a charismatic theology not traditionally common among Southern Baptists. (Wikipedia 2007) The Middle America has a long tradition of donating enormously and regularly to church funds, and with the rise of Evangelism this trend has strengthened. The Evangelical movement has tremendous money power, which can be easily judged by looking at the number of their websites, TV channels, publications and worldwide network. The declared aim of the Evangelical movement is converting the whole world to their version of Christianity. Their enormous man and money power is active in North-East India, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. They have tasted much success in targeting Catholics in Brazilian slums, and that has become a bone of contention with the Catholic Pope. To summarise, [1] the American Episcopalians and Baptists have come closer. They seem to be in the process of a de facto merger. [2] Both have moved away from their traditional worldview and found a new cause in Evangelism. President George Bush, Jr., born in an Episcopalian family, is a declared ‘Born Again’ Christian and a supporter of Evangelism. In his book, A Charge To Keep, he says he was inspired by the Baptist preacher, Rev Billy Graham, who was a family friend, during one of his visits to Bush family home at Maine and “this contributed to my decision to commit my heart to Jesus Christ”.
The American Constitution enshrines religious freedom explicitly and unambiguously, it is well known. What is not well known is that America has many anti-cult laws on her statutes. A cult is defined as a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture considers outside the mainstream. Under the cult laws any religious organisation, outside the pale of traditional Christian denominations, can be sued for millions of dollars if even one disgruntled or disappointed former disciple can be found who states that he/she has been taken advantage of. Many Hindu-Buddhist organisations and secular Yoga exercise groups have been sued under cult laws. Often an evangelical Christian enters a so-called cult in the disguise of a disciple only to come out later lifting an accusatory finger. Organised Christian cult-busting legal groups with dozens of lawyers and million dollar budgets go around systematically encouraging suits against Hindu and Buddhist groups. Such groups as the Hare Krishnas (ISKCON), Transcendental Meditation, the Sikhs under Yogi Bhajan, to name a few, have faced such suits and sometimes adverse settlements in the millions. To summarise, [1] what the Constitution gives with the right hand it takes away with the left, and [2] Evangelist influence is increasing as America moves more and more toward persecution of beliefs alien to mainstream Christian denominations.
I have written quite a few articles in the pages of Mainstream on the Baptist connection of separatism in North-East India. (Ghosh 1999, 2002; Ghosh and Kumar 2004, 2005a, 2005b) The British during the Raj consciously used religion as an instrument of politics and facilitated access to North-East India for American Baptist missionaries and had drafted a plan (the Coupland plan) for creating a Crown Colony comprising parts of India and Burma. After independence American missionary funding continued for Christianisation and secession. The American Government tacitly encouraged it for punishing non-aligned India, which had refused to join their camp. Nowadays the funding continues with renewed vigour from an America that is in the grip of combined Episcopalian-Baptist Evangelism. (See Note 1 for the American connection.) Many of the separatist organisations of North-East India are motivated by the political tenets of Christianity and employ terror tactics such as bombing of civilians and trains, forced conversion of people in remote hamlets etc. I am tempted to coin a term, namely Christianism, after the well-known term Islamism. The latter means, according to Huband (1999), ‘the ideological belief in the requirement to enact the political tenets of Islam as the basis of political life’. In the Indian North-East there are groups which believe in creating a Christian theocratic state as the basis of political life. A few excerpts from the political manifesto of National Socialist Council of Nagaland are sufficient to substantiate this point: To us the sovereign existence of our country, the salvation of our people in socialism with their spiritual salvation in Christ are eternal and unquestionable. …import of things repugnant to the taste of a Christian people would be prohibited.
We stand for faith in God and salvation of mankind in Jesus, the Christ, alone, that is, ‘NAGALAND FOR CHRIST’.
I call such people Christianist and their ideology Christianism. America is the main support base for Christianist separatists of North-East India. Returning to the proposed 123-nuclear Agreement, it is apparent that America expects its Indian ally to refrain from anything that is not in America’s strategic interest, and it restricts India’s hands in any natural-gas-deal with Iran. The least the Government of India could have done was to include a clause for closing funding channels from America to Christianist militants in North-East India, as a quid pro quo. There is no evidence that India has even mooted the topic.
Religio-Ethnic Core of America
HUNTINGTON (1996) in his book, Clash of Civilisations and Remaking of World Order, says that ‘Western Christianity’ is central to America’s civilisational identity. By Western Christianity he means Protestantism and Catholicism. He is hypocritically silent on Judaism, whereas in fact Judaism is integral to American civilisation. The Jews are a minority in America but they are the most significant minority, distinguished for their control of banking and finance, and contribution to music, film industry and all forms of intellectual activities from research in science and technology to economics, social sciences and liberal arts. Also they are singularly active and powerful in American politics. They occupy significant posts in both the mainstream parties in strength which is out of proportion to their number. From the inception of Israel in 1948 the American Jewry has been allowed to hold dual citizenship of Israel and the USA, a privilege not given to any other group or country. The West European Protestant and Catholic countries, Canada, Australia and Israel, form the block of kin-civilisation countries allied with the United States. After the disintegra-tion of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, a few countries of Central Europe, such as, Slovenia, Croatia, Poland etc. have joined this kin-civilisation group. But there is an inner core inside this group. This core consists of the English-speaking White nations and Israel. The security and welfare of the core is paramount and takes precedence even over the economic interests of America. This fact our Leftist politicians should do well to pay attention to. The next most important thing to America is, of course, her global economic interests, which include relationship with the oil exporting countries, most of whom happen to be Islamic. Most of these countries are in a dilemma over Israel’s brutal treatment of Muslim Palestinians and this dilemma is the greatest influence on American foreign policy and global politics, more than her neo-imperialist considerations. The central issue to this dilemma and American response needs a name and I shall call it America-Israel Kinship factor, in short, AIK factor. The worldwide growing anti-Americanism among the Muslims is the direct product of the AIK factor.
An Adversary : Who and Why?
NO matter what the Western political leaders profess in public, they practice something close to what is described in Huntington’s aforementioned book. They perceive Muslim and Orthodox countries as the ‘other’, a twin adversary. However, each adversary has to be handled differently. Also, there is large body of Muslims in today’s world who believe in Pan-Islamism. To such Muslims America gives a clear signal: “If you attack my core, the retaliation would be swift and all out.” Such attacks on the USA and Western Europe will be viewed as terrorism. But similar attacks on Russia, Serbia, India or Thailand would be viewed as freedom struggle. The secessionist tendency in Kashmir is almost as old as India’s independence and India has fought a few wars with Pakistan over Kashmir. The Anglo-American powers have always sided with Pakistan, overtly or covertly. When the terrorist insurgency started in Kashmir in the 1980s, this attitude on their part persisted for next 20 years and only now it seems to be softening. Bosnia, Kosovo, Chechnya are all cases in point with respect to the US attitude to the Orthodox. The Orthodox countries need not be accommodated at all, because America’s economic interests are not tied up in Orthodox countries. In fact they can be sacrificed to placate the Muslim sentiment and counter-balance the AIK factor and America has done precisely that with respect to Serbia and Russia, as I will show later.
At one time America considered the Soviet Union an enemy country because it was the centre of world communism. On the part of the Communists the idea of exporting revolutionary ideas and overthrowing capitalism was a mission. The Cold War grew out of such circumstances. But that is a thing of the past. The Soviet Union has disintegrated and Eastern Europe has embraced capitalism and so has China in the garb of the so-called market-socialism. Why does America still continue with hostile posturing vis-à-vis Russia? It is because America needs an adversary for a definite reason, for the sake of maintaining an armament industry which is gargantuan in size, generates enormous employment and helps the government to spend tax money without causing inflation. The global arms market is so huge and involves so many players globally that it would be safe to say that the world capitalist economy would get into recession if true peace (instead of cold war of one kind or another) prevails and the armament industry of all countries is forced to close down. So an adversary is necessary to maintain public support and the raison d’etre to keep the arms manufacture and defence research going. In the 1980s President Gorbachev of the erstwhile Soviet Union had offered a deal for negotiated, calibrated and gradual mutual disarmament to the United States. The offer was rejected after much pretensions and negotiations, because the leading capitalist power cannot create a serious disorder in the global capitalist economy. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the new Russia again extended its hand of friendship to America, and again it was rejected. Now President Putin has reasserted Russian dominance in whatever remains of her zone of influence in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Russia has been forced to re-start the arms race.
Russia’s Chechnya
CHECHNYA is a republic in the Caucasus mountains in the federal structure of Russia, inhabited mostly by a Muslim population. The recently arrived Wahhabism from Saudi Arabia has managed to displace the traditional Sufi Islam practised in the region to a great extent. (Khan 1999) This has bred militancy, terrorism and separatism. President Boris Yeltsin tried to come to terms with Chechen aspirations by granting them autonomy, but that spurred them on further to export Wahhabism and separatism to neighbouring Dagestan and Ingushetia by terrorist methods. Finally Russia, led by President Putin, was forced to crack down and militarily subdued the Chechen guerrillas. Thereafter sporadic acts of terrorism continue. A few years ago Chechen terrorists took over a school in Beslan which finally resulted in confrontation with the security forces and a bloodbath leading to the death of hundreds of children. The Western powers, led by the Anglo-Americans, had been pontificating to the Russians right from the beginning of separatism that they should give independence to Chechnya; the Chechens are fighting for freedom and self-determination, etc. After the Beslan massacre President Bush of the USA uttered a homily that Russia should settle politically with the Chechens and give them freedom. This invited a slap of a statement from President Putin that America should settle politically with Osama bin Laden and give him what he wanted. It is to be noted that the Beslan incident came well after the plane-bombing of the World Trade Centre in New York, USA on September 11, 2001, and Osama bin Laden was considered the top leader of the Al-Qaeda that perpetrated this horrific act of terrorism. This incident shows up the American double-standard with respect to Islamist terrorism and how America is prepared to placate Muslim sentiment at the cost of Orthodox Russia.
Serbia’s Kosovo
SERBIA, the heartland of the erstwhile Yugoslav Federation, Orthodox by religion, had been traditionally held in high regard by the West. During World War II the Serbs stood up to Hitler. In contrast, a major section of the Croats, the Catholic inhabitants of Croatia, another republic of the federation, collaborated with the Nazis and massacred the Serb Orthodox minority in Croatia under the guidance of a Catholic clergyman. The Nazis took advantage of the traditional hatred between Catholics and the Orthodox in that part of the world. Later during the 1950s Yugoslavia, defended by a predominantly Serbian Army, defied the Soviet dictator, Stalin. It continued to defy the dictates of a domineering Soviet Union till the time of Brezhnev. Politically Yugoslavia since World War II had been non-aligned in spite of being ruled by Communists and endeared herself to the Western powers. Led by Tito she always pursued a policy of mixed economy and not “command economy” as the rest of the communist bloc. Basic freedoms, such as freedom of expression and travel, were respected. All in all Serbia had earned goodwill and prestige from the Western nations.
In the next phase of history after the break-up of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, Serbia’s contribution to the defeat of Fascism and building of democracy was forgotten in no time at all. In the civil war that followed the disintegration of Yugoslavia, the West supported Catholic Croatia along the Serbia-Croatia border. There was ethnic cleansing committed by both sides. The evidence against Croatia was suppressed by the machinations of a NATO intervention force. Vanita Singh (1992), who lived in Yugoslavia at that time, has given an excellent impartial record of these events. But the worse was yet to come. In the Bosnian theatre of the war it was a triangular struggle among Muslims, Catholic Croats and Orthodox Serbs. Again all three committed war crimes, but it was only the Serbs who were held guilty. Their leaders, Karadzic and Milosevic, were demonised by the West. Europe for the first time saw infusion of Mujahideen warriors from non-European Muslim countries fighting on the side of Bosnian Muslims led by Izetbegovic. The NATO imposed a settlement on Bosnia. And then Kosovo, a southern province of Serbia, went up in flames.
Kosovo has an interesting history. Slavs entered the Balkans in 6th to 7th century AD. By 1190 Kosovo had become the administrative and cultural centre of the medieval Serbian state ruled by the powerful Nemanjic dynasty. This dynasty lasted 200 years and still today Kosovo is known by Serbians as “Old Serbia”. In the Middle Ages the Balkans were occupied by the Ottoman Turks and they imposed discriminatory laws against the Christian population leading to large scale conversion to Islam. Both Albania and present-day Kosovo had Christian and Muslim populations and there were continual strife and see-saw struggle between Christian Serbs and Muslim Albanians/Kosovars. During the Nazi occupation of World War II, the Serbs resisted and the Albanian/Kosovar Muslims collaborated; thousands of Kosovo Serbs were expelled by armed Albanian groups, notably the Vulnetari militia. It is still not known exactly how many fell victim to this, but Serbian estimates put the figures at 10,000-40,000 killed with 70,000-100,000 expelled. Kosovo was on its way to becoming an Albania- dominated province.
There is resurgence in Islamic militancy all over the world and Bosnia and Kosovo are no exceptions. As stated before, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and America-Israel Kinship (AIK) factor are primarily responsible for this. But Huntington (1996) thinks otherwise and says, ( p.116, Chapter 5: Economics, Demography and the Challenger Civilisations), While the rise of East Asia has been fuelled by spectacular rates of economic growth, the resurgence of Islam has been fuelled by equally spectacular rates of population growth. Population expansion in Islamic countries, particularly in the Balkans, North Africa and Central Asia has been significantly greater than that in the neighbouring countries and in the world generally.
He backs up his statement with impressive and latest birth rate data. The demographic factor may have skewed the politics of both Bosnia and Kosovo to some extent. There have been consistent reports of Albanians (mostly Muslim) pouring across the mountainous border into more prosperous Yugoslavia (that is, into Kosovo) from a Stalinist Albania throughout the latter half of the 20th century.
The rest of the history is brief. When the Bosnian civil war came to an end, the NATO intervention there emboldened Albanians in Kosovo and they started ethnic cleansing of the minority Orthodox Serbs. President Slobodan Milosevic strengthened the presence of the Serbian Army and security forces many fold to maintain law and order and protect the Serbs. This caused an exodus of Albanian Muslims. The NATO bombed Serbia proper for three months and into the Stone Age by destroying all power houses, utility network, road bridges and important public buildings. Serbia was forced to withdraw all security forces and the bombings came to an end on June 10, 1999. The Albanians moved back, some of the resident Serbs escaped and since then Kosovo has demanded secession from Serbia. This demand is backed by the NATO. Right now the NATO and Russian forces are present in Kosovo to protect the remaining Serb minority who live in enclaves. When Kosovo gains independence, what would happen to them? Everyone knows that they would have to escape. To me secession of Kosovo does not seem morally justified and I perceive a close parallel with India’s Kashmir, except that there never was an exodus of Muslims from Kashmir, although the Hindu exodus of 1989-90 has not been reversed so far. If Kosovo secedes with NATO assistance, would Kashmir be the next target of the Western powers led by America? The track record of America does not inspire confidence. She has to counterbalance the AIK factor continually to placate the Muslim world.
India’s Strategic Interest in Central Asia
INDIA has her sole overseas military facility at the Ayni air base, 15 km from Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe, under the 2002 bilateral defence agreement with Tajikistan. The refurbishment of the Ayni military base, for around $1.77 million (about Rs 7 crores), was completed earlier this year nearly 24 months behind schedule by the Indian Border Roads Organisation. India is likely to be evicted from its sole, albeit fledgling, overseas military facility under pressure from Russia, which has considerable influence with Tajikistan and is concerned over New Delhi’s burgeoning ties with Washington.
There are other developments in Central Asia. In order to check the entry of a freshly aggressive NATO on the one hand and Islamism on the other, a Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) was loosely formed in 1992 in Tashkhent. Later some other countries joined it and the Treaty came into force formally on April 20, 1994. The signatories are Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrghyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Belarus. The Treaty reaffirmed the desire of all the participating states to abstain from the use or threat of force. The signatories wouldn’t be able to join other military alliances, while an aggression against one signatory would be perceived as an aggression against all.
China is not a member of the CSTO and is the key country in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Such a name has been chosen deliberately to keep India out. India cannot possibly join the SCO for the same reason as why she cannot join a hypothetical Rawalpindi Coopera-tion Treaty. Names matter. India can, however, seek an ‘observer’ status in the SCO, which is notably not a military alliance. China’s relationship with India is not going to change much in the near future and China would maintain an aggressive posture by claiming Arunachal, and military thrusts and jabs along the border. But India need not be unnecessarily perturbed since we have adequate strength and China would never engage on this side of the Himalayan ridge line. China may have superior strength in ICBMs and nuclear arms, but infantry engagement across a mountain is another matter. She remembers what happened when she sent her Army into Vietnam during the 1980s. Skirmishes along the North-Eastern border would continue and India must keep a vigil, take local action, lodge a protest when appropriate but not get perturbed. China would continue to arm Pakistan and give it nuclear and missile technology to keep India tied down on her western borders. All this is because of Dalai Lama and Buddhism, both having an Indian connection. Chinese Communists consider Buddhism a competing religion/ideology and a threat, and persecute any organised Buddhist activity in mainland China, such as Falun Gong. (Ghosh 2002b) They just about tolerate organised Lama Buddhism in Tibet but have circumscribed it to a great extent. India must make a realistic assessment of any international situation and should neither whip up nor get carried away by emotions. India must come to terms with China’s phenomenal economic and military rise. It is completely unnecessary to even think of a containment of China. How does it matter to us if China becomes a superpower? Our priorities should be security along the border and economic development. It would be sheer stupidity to think that America can help us contain China, even if she wants to. China has close economic ties with the USA, become the hub of production of consumer goods for thousands of major US companies, holds 900 billion dollars worth of US treasury bonds, and helps maintain the world dollar standard. It means that China subsidises the American consumer and America is ‘indebted’ to China.
Russia is drawing closer to China in the face of the hostile Western posturing, and the SCO and CSTO—which have some overlapping membership—may soon sign a protocol of cooperation. (Bhadra-kumar 2007) Is time running out for India in Central Asia?
Russia has always been a reliable friend to India, whereas America’s record is mixed. What would be our standing in Central Asia after the 123-nuclear Agreement with the USA goes through? Can we not acquire nuclear fuel and technology from a resurgent Russia? The USA backtracked from a signed agreement on the Bokaro steel plant in the 1960s. Internationally it has withdrawn from many treaties when its national interests so demanded. The Kyoto Protocol on climate change, Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) are examples. There is already the Hyde Act, and a future President may interpret this Act to his convenience and withdraw from the 123-nuclear Agreement with India. Conclusions
DURING the Cold War era Russia was Communist and India non-aligned. British imperialism had ended and given place to Anglo-American neo-colonialism. India as a non-aligned country wanted friendship with all, but was viewed with suspicion by the Western powers. They struck a pro-Pakistan posture and tacitly encouraged Kashmir’s secession. In North-East India they facilitated Baptist-inspired separatism. Notably, religion was used as an instrument of politics in both arenas to trouble India. Russia, as the prime component of communist Soviet Union, stood by India in all confrontations with Pakistan, was the largest supplier of military hardware and helped India to industrialise, whereas America backed off from a signed agreement to build a single steel plant.
Now the world paradigm has changed. The conflicts are no longer ideology-based but civilisation-based, as per Huntington (1996), and the most important ingredient of a civilisation is its religion. In this era what is the probability that America would retract from fomenting trouble in the North-East by reining in funding from the Baptists? It is pretty much nil, in my opinion. America herself is in the grip of Evangelist fervour as Baptists and Episcopalians are gradually merging, and support of the Christianist militants of the North-East will likely gain momentum. America, in this mood, cannot be a reliable strategic partner. In addition America has to appease the Muslim world in all other theatres except in the Arab-Israeli conflict of West Asia. She has conveniently picked Orthodox Christianity as the adversary and has encouraged Islamist separatists in Kosovo and Chechnya, and bombed Serbia to Stone Age, in order to neutralise the effect of the AIK factor. For a long time America had categorised Islamist terrorism in Kashmir as freedom struggle, and only recently has resiled from that stand. When Afghanistan’s and North-West Pakistan’s Taliban militancy becomes somewhat pacified, America will likely revert back to her original Kashmir posture again, to reward (and perhaps stabilise) Pakistan for her cooperation in the Afghan frontier.
Our foreign policy seems ill-advised and short- sighted. We seem to be putting all our eggs in the American basket. We may have limited joint naval exercises with America but should not enter into any military or strategic pact or understanding with her. However, we should join the CSTO, retain our military base and presence in Tajikistan and influence events in Afghanistan. If China can have close economic ties with the USA, hold billions of dollars worth of US treasury bonds and help maintain the world dollar standard on one hand, and cosy up to the CSTO on the other, why cannot India continue her traditional friendship with Russia and at the same time have a working relationship with the USA? What the government is proposing right now is an extremely close strategic tie-up with America to the detriment of our relationship with Russia. In the end it is a question of finesse in conducting foreign policy. We should learn from Pakistan; observe how it acquires nuclear power with the help of China, carries on ambivalently with the Taliban and yet milks her relationship with the USA to the last drop. In contrast, our foreign policy is offending our traditional and reliable friend, Russia, by a ham-handed one-sided approach. The government must rethink and change direction. What I have tried to show is that, under the present geo-political circumstances, Orthodox-majority secular Russia is a natural and reliable ally of Hindu-majority secular India. The Orthodox, unlike the Protestant and Catholic, do not have a proselytising mission to convert the rest of the world to their faith, and religion matters in today’s world.
Note 1
THE official language of Nagaland is English and its ‘national anthem’ is also in English. Irving Berlin (1888-1989) wrote “God Bless My America”, a patriotic song that has been quite popular in the US since WW II. As per the Library of Congress (of the USA) records, it is “America’s unofficial national anthem”. The Naga national anthem is a true adaptation, just short of a copy. The original American is given below, and the Naga one alongside in square brackets.
God Bless America [God bless my Nagaland] -Land that I love [That I love] -Stand beside her, and guide her [Stand beside her, and guide her] -Through the night with a light from above. [Through the night with a light from above] -From the mountains, to the prairies, [From the mountains and the valleys and] -To the oceans, white with foam [The hilltops where I roam] -God bless America [God bless my Nagaland] -My home sweet home. [My home sweet home.] -For more details about the song refer Library of Congress -(http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm019.html).
REFERENCES
Bhadrakumar, M. K. (2007), “New ‘NATO’ of The East Takes Shape”, pp. 11-16, September 1, Mainstream, New Delhi.
Ghosh, Kunal (1999), “Religion, Linguistics and Separatism in North-East India”, September 25, pp. 21-25, Mainstream, New Delhi.
Ghosh, Kunal (2002a), “Terrorists in North-East India get Support from America”, July 13, pp. 30-32, Mainstream, New Delhi.
Ghosh, Kunal (2002b), “Rival Faiths, China’s India Policy and the Religious Card in Sikkim”, pp. 25-30, April 20, Mainstream, New Delhi.
Ghosh, Kunal and Kumar, Vikas (2004), “NSCN (IM) and the roots of Naga Identity: Religion and Language”— Part I (April 10, p. 11-17), Part II (April 17, p. 27-30) and Corrigendum (May 15, p. 35), Mainstream, New Delhi.
Ghosh, Kunal and Kumar, Vikas (2005a), “Partition of Manipur, Greater Nagaland and Contrived Tangkhul-Naga Identity: Role of Script and Lingua Franca”, Mainstream, New Delhi, May 6-12, pp. 13-19.
Ghosh, Kunal and Kumar, Vikas (2005b), “Naga Question in India”, September 23-29, pp. 19-22, Mainstream, New Delhi.
Huband, Mark (1999), Warriors of the Prophet: The Struggles for Islam, Westview Press, Oxford.
Huntington, Samuel P. (1996), Clash of Civilisations and Remaking of World Order, Simon and Schuster, Published in India by Penguin Books in 1997.
Khan, Masood Ali (1999), “Wahhabi Threat to Russia and Central Asia”, October 9, pp. 23-24, Mainstream, New Delhi.
Left Parties’ Statement (2007): “On the Indo-US Bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreement”, August 10-16, pp. 4-6, Mainstream, New Delhi.
Singh, Vanita (1992), “NATO Intervention in Yugoslavia: The Test of Western Credibility”—Part I (May 22); Part II (May 29), Mainstream, New Delhi.
Dr Kunal Ghosh is a Professor and the Head, Aerospace Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.
கிறிஸ்துவ மதமாற்றம், இந்தியாவை அமெரிக்க ஏகாதிபத்தியத்தின் கீழ் கொண்டுவரும் தீவிர முயற்சியால் நடக்கிறது என்பதையும் விவரமாக எடுத்துரைக்கிறது.
Mainstream, Vol XLV, No 45
Strategic Alliance with the USA in a World of ’Civilisation’-based Alignment
Wednesday 31 October 2007, by Kunal Ghosh
The Government of India is in the process of reaching a comprehensive agreement with the USA on civil cooperation in nuclear power. The Left parties are opposed to it on the ground that it binds India to America as a global strategic partner and that has some long term ramifications. They say: “The nuclear cooperation deal is an integral part of the July 2005 Joint Statement, which has political, economic and strategic aspects. It is also closely linked to the June 2005 Military Framework Agreement signed with the United States.” (Left Parties’ Statement 2007) They look at the deal from their traditional anti-imperialist point of view and they make no secret that they consider the USA to be the number one neo-imperialist hegemon that has put on the garb of neo-liberalism. There is some element of truth in their assessment but I consider it incomplete. There is a cultural-civilisational-religious-racial dimension to America’s geo-politics which impinges both directly and indirectly on India’s national interests, and it is this aspect that all political parties, including the Congress, Left and BJP, have ignored so far. I shall call it the religio-ethnic dimension in brief. It has something to do with the national identity of America and its core allies.
National Identity and Secularism (or Sectarianism) of America
CONTRARY to popular belief, America is a deeply divided society on the basis of religiosity. The coastal cities of both the east and the west are centres of non-religious liberalism and are home to the major universities of world fame. We often tend to judge the USA by the social mores of these high-profile cities. The majority of people lives in Middle America and is deeply religious and harbour narrow sectarian outlook. They tend to have large families and their population is increasing faster. They are increasingly dominant in national affairs. They are primarily Protestant and secondarily Catholic. The presence of the third important Christian denomination, Orthodoxy, is negligibly small. Among the Protestants the Episcopalians and the Baptists are dominant. Both sprang from the Anglican Church in different times in history. Traditionally the Baptists have been more intolerant and devout, some say, fanatical. In contrast, the Episcopalians have been more tolerant toward other denominations and religions and have a more liberal-secular outlook, in the mould of the Church of England. But all that seems to have been changing for last one generation with the rise of the mid-20th century Evangelism. A very famous Baptist preacher, Rev Billy Graham, took centre-stage during the 1960s. He supported the American aggression in Vietnam to the hilt and to the last, even when it appeared that American withdrawal was inevitable. He was a family friend of most of the Presidents, such as, Johnson, Nixon etc. of that era. He was tremendously popular among the Blacks and was a friend of Martin Luther King, Junior, the legendary Black leader of the civil rights movement, till they fell out later over the Vietnam war. What is most important is that he had also a tremendous following among the Episcopalians. Wikipedia, the web encyclopedia, says: “Billy Graham, is a career evangelist and an Evangelical. He has been a spiritual adviser to multiple US Presidents and was number seven on Gallup’s list of admired people for the 20th century. He is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention.” The next generation saw the arrival of Pat Robertson, who is equally popular in America, a member of the closely knit top political circle. Robertson is a televangelist. He is the founder of numerous organisations and corporations, including the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), the Christian Coalition, Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corpora-tion. He is the host of The 700 Club, a Christian TV programme airing on channels throughout the United States and on CBN affiliates worldwide. He is opposed to abortion and gay rights, Robertson is a supporter of the Republican Party and campaigned unsuccessfully to become the party’s nominee in the 1988 presidential election. He is a Southern Baptist and was active as an ordained minister with that denomination for many years, but holds to a charismatic theology not traditionally common among Southern Baptists. (Wikipedia 2007) The Middle America has a long tradition of donating enormously and regularly to church funds, and with the rise of Evangelism this trend has strengthened. The Evangelical movement has tremendous money power, which can be easily judged by looking at the number of their websites, TV channels, publications and worldwide network. The declared aim of the Evangelical movement is converting the whole world to their version of Christianity. Their enormous man and money power is active in North-East India, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. They have tasted much success in targeting Catholics in Brazilian slums, and that has become a bone of contention with the Catholic Pope. To summarise, [1] the American Episcopalians and Baptists have come closer. They seem to be in the process of a de facto merger. [2] Both have moved away from their traditional worldview and found a new cause in Evangelism. President George Bush, Jr., born in an Episcopalian family, is a declared ‘Born Again’ Christian and a supporter of Evangelism. In his book, A Charge To Keep, he says he was inspired by the Baptist preacher, Rev Billy Graham, who was a family friend, during one of his visits to Bush family home at Maine and “this contributed to my decision to commit my heart to Jesus Christ”.
The American Constitution enshrines religious freedom explicitly and unambiguously, it is well known. What is not well known is that America has many anti-cult laws on her statutes. A cult is defined as a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture considers outside the mainstream. Under the cult laws any religious organisation, outside the pale of traditional Christian denominations, can be sued for millions of dollars if even one disgruntled or disappointed former disciple can be found who states that he/she has been taken advantage of. Many Hindu-Buddhist organisations and secular Yoga exercise groups have been sued under cult laws. Often an evangelical Christian enters a so-called cult in the disguise of a disciple only to come out later lifting an accusatory finger. Organised Christian cult-busting legal groups with dozens of lawyers and million dollar budgets go around systematically encouraging suits against Hindu and Buddhist groups. Such groups as the Hare Krishnas (ISKCON), Transcendental Meditation, the Sikhs under Yogi Bhajan, to name a few, have faced such suits and sometimes adverse settlements in the millions. To summarise, [1] what the Constitution gives with the right hand it takes away with the left, and [2] Evangelist influence is increasing as America moves more and more toward persecution of beliefs alien to mainstream Christian denominations.
I have written quite a few articles in the pages of Mainstream on the Baptist connection of separatism in North-East India. (Ghosh 1999, 2002; Ghosh and Kumar 2004, 2005a, 2005b) The British during the Raj consciously used religion as an instrument of politics and facilitated access to North-East India for American Baptist missionaries and had drafted a plan (the Coupland plan) for creating a Crown Colony comprising parts of India and Burma. After independence American missionary funding continued for Christianisation and secession. The American Government tacitly encouraged it for punishing non-aligned India, which had refused to join their camp. Nowadays the funding continues with renewed vigour from an America that is in the grip of combined Episcopalian-Baptist Evangelism. (See Note 1 for the American connection.) Many of the separatist organisations of North-East India are motivated by the political tenets of Christianity and employ terror tactics such as bombing of civilians and trains, forced conversion of people in remote hamlets etc. I am tempted to coin a term, namely Christianism, after the well-known term Islamism. The latter means, according to Huband (1999), ‘the ideological belief in the requirement to enact the political tenets of Islam as the basis of political life’. In the Indian North-East there are groups which believe in creating a Christian theocratic state as the basis of political life. A few excerpts from the political manifesto of National Socialist Council of Nagaland are sufficient to substantiate this point: To us the sovereign existence of our country, the salvation of our people in socialism with their spiritual salvation in Christ are eternal and unquestionable. …import of things repugnant to the taste of a Christian people would be prohibited.
We stand for faith in God and salvation of mankind in Jesus, the Christ, alone, that is, ‘NAGALAND FOR CHRIST’.
I call such people Christianist and their ideology Christianism. America is the main support base for Christianist separatists of North-East India. Returning to the proposed 123-nuclear Agreement, it is apparent that America expects its Indian ally to refrain from anything that is not in America’s strategic interest, and it restricts India’s hands in any natural-gas-deal with Iran. The least the Government of India could have done was to include a clause for closing funding channels from America to Christianist militants in North-East India, as a quid pro quo. There is no evidence that India has even mooted the topic.
Religio-Ethnic Core of America
HUNTINGTON (1996) in his book, Clash of Civilisations and Remaking of World Order, says that ‘Western Christianity’ is central to America’s civilisational identity. By Western Christianity he means Protestantism and Catholicism. He is hypocritically silent on Judaism, whereas in fact Judaism is integral to American civilisation. The Jews are a minority in America but they are the most significant minority, distinguished for their control of banking and finance, and contribution to music, film industry and all forms of intellectual activities from research in science and technology to economics, social sciences and liberal arts. Also they are singularly active and powerful in American politics. They occupy significant posts in both the mainstream parties in strength which is out of proportion to their number. From the inception of Israel in 1948 the American Jewry has been allowed to hold dual citizenship of Israel and the USA, a privilege not given to any other group or country. The West European Protestant and Catholic countries, Canada, Australia and Israel, form the block of kin-civilisation countries allied with the United States. After the disintegra-tion of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, a few countries of Central Europe, such as, Slovenia, Croatia, Poland etc. have joined this kin-civilisation group. But there is an inner core inside this group. This core consists of the English-speaking White nations and Israel. The security and welfare of the core is paramount and takes precedence even over the economic interests of America. This fact our Leftist politicians should do well to pay attention to. The next most important thing to America is, of course, her global economic interests, which include relationship with the oil exporting countries, most of whom happen to be Islamic. Most of these countries are in a dilemma over Israel’s brutal treatment of Muslim Palestinians and this dilemma is the greatest influence on American foreign policy and global politics, more than her neo-imperialist considerations. The central issue to this dilemma and American response needs a name and I shall call it America-Israel Kinship factor, in short, AIK factor. The worldwide growing anti-Americanism among the Muslims is the direct product of the AIK factor.
An Adversary : Who and Why?
NO matter what the Western political leaders profess in public, they practice something close to what is described in Huntington’s aforementioned book. They perceive Muslim and Orthodox countries as the ‘other’, a twin adversary. However, each adversary has to be handled differently. Also, there is large body of Muslims in today’s world who believe in Pan-Islamism. To such Muslims America gives a clear signal: “If you attack my core, the retaliation would be swift and all out.” Such attacks on the USA and Western Europe will be viewed as terrorism. But similar attacks on Russia, Serbia, India or Thailand would be viewed as freedom struggle. The secessionist tendency in Kashmir is almost as old as India’s independence and India has fought a few wars with Pakistan over Kashmir. The Anglo-American powers have always sided with Pakistan, overtly or covertly. When the terrorist insurgency started in Kashmir in the 1980s, this attitude on their part persisted for next 20 years and only now it seems to be softening. Bosnia, Kosovo, Chechnya are all cases in point with respect to the US attitude to the Orthodox. The Orthodox countries need not be accommodated at all, because America’s economic interests are not tied up in Orthodox countries. In fact they can be sacrificed to placate the Muslim sentiment and counter-balance the AIK factor and America has done precisely that with respect to Serbia and Russia, as I will show later.
At one time America considered the Soviet Union an enemy country because it was the centre of world communism. On the part of the Communists the idea of exporting revolutionary ideas and overthrowing capitalism was a mission. The Cold War grew out of such circumstances. But that is a thing of the past. The Soviet Union has disintegrated and Eastern Europe has embraced capitalism and so has China in the garb of the so-called market-socialism. Why does America still continue with hostile posturing vis-à-vis Russia? It is because America needs an adversary for a definite reason, for the sake of maintaining an armament industry which is gargantuan in size, generates enormous employment and helps the government to spend tax money without causing inflation. The global arms market is so huge and involves so many players globally that it would be safe to say that the world capitalist economy would get into recession if true peace (instead of cold war of one kind or another) prevails and the armament industry of all countries is forced to close down. So an adversary is necessary to maintain public support and the raison d’etre to keep the arms manufacture and defence research going. In the 1980s President Gorbachev of the erstwhile Soviet Union had offered a deal for negotiated, calibrated and gradual mutual disarmament to the United States. The offer was rejected after much pretensions and negotiations, because the leading capitalist power cannot create a serious disorder in the global capitalist economy. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the new Russia again extended its hand of friendship to America, and again it was rejected. Now President Putin has reasserted Russian dominance in whatever remains of her zone of influence in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Russia has been forced to re-start the arms race.
Russia’s Chechnya
CHECHNYA is a republic in the Caucasus mountains in the federal structure of Russia, inhabited mostly by a Muslim population. The recently arrived Wahhabism from Saudi Arabia has managed to displace the traditional Sufi Islam practised in the region to a great extent. (Khan 1999) This has bred militancy, terrorism and separatism. President Boris Yeltsin tried to come to terms with Chechen aspirations by granting them autonomy, but that spurred them on further to export Wahhabism and separatism to neighbouring Dagestan and Ingushetia by terrorist methods. Finally Russia, led by President Putin, was forced to crack down and militarily subdued the Chechen guerrillas. Thereafter sporadic acts of terrorism continue. A few years ago Chechen terrorists took over a school in Beslan which finally resulted in confrontation with the security forces and a bloodbath leading to the death of hundreds of children. The Western powers, led by the Anglo-Americans, had been pontificating to the Russians right from the beginning of separatism that they should give independence to Chechnya; the Chechens are fighting for freedom and self-determination, etc. After the Beslan massacre President Bush of the USA uttered a homily that Russia should settle politically with the Chechens and give them freedom. This invited a slap of a statement from President Putin that America should settle politically with Osama bin Laden and give him what he wanted. It is to be noted that the Beslan incident came well after the plane-bombing of the World Trade Centre in New York, USA on September 11, 2001, and Osama bin Laden was considered the top leader of the Al-Qaeda that perpetrated this horrific act of terrorism. This incident shows up the American double-standard with respect to Islamist terrorism and how America is prepared to placate Muslim sentiment at the cost of Orthodox Russia.
Serbia’s Kosovo
SERBIA, the heartland of the erstwhile Yugoslav Federation, Orthodox by religion, had been traditionally held in high regard by the West. During World War II the Serbs stood up to Hitler. In contrast, a major section of the Croats, the Catholic inhabitants of Croatia, another republic of the federation, collaborated with the Nazis and massacred the Serb Orthodox minority in Croatia under the guidance of a Catholic clergyman. The Nazis took advantage of the traditional hatred between Catholics and the Orthodox in that part of the world. Later during the 1950s Yugoslavia, defended by a predominantly Serbian Army, defied the Soviet dictator, Stalin. It continued to defy the dictates of a domineering Soviet Union till the time of Brezhnev. Politically Yugoslavia since World War II had been non-aligned in spite of being ruled by Communists and endeared herself to the Western powers. Led by Tito she always pursued a policy of mixed economy and not “command economy” as the rest of the communist bloc. Basic freedoms, such as freedom of expression and travel, were respected. All in all Serbia had earned goodwill and prestige from the Western nations.
In the next phase of history after the break-up of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, Serbia’s contribution to the defeat of Fascism and building of democracy was forgotten in no time at all. In the civil war that followed the disintegration of Yugoslavia, the West supported Catholic Croatia along the Serbia-Croatia border. There was ethnic cleansing committed by both sides. The evidence against Croatia was suppressed by the machinations of a NATO intervention force. Vanita Singh (1992), who lived in Yugoslavia at that time, has given an excellent impartial record of these events. But the worse was yet to come. In the Bosnian theatre of the war it was a triangular struggle among Muslims, Catholic Croats and Orthodox Serbs. Again all three committed war crimes, but it was only the Serbs who were held guilty. Their leaders, Karadzic and Milosevic, were demonised by the West. Europe for the first time saw infusion of Mujahideen warriors from non-European Muslim countries fighting on the side of Bosnian Muslims led by Izetbegovic. The NATO imposed a settlement on Bosnia. And then Kosovo, a southern province of Serbia, went up in flames.
Kosovo has an interesting history. Slavs entered the Balkans in 6th to 7th century AD. By 1190 Kosovo had become the administrative and cultural centre of the medieval Serbian state ruled by the powerful Nemanjic dynasty. This dynasty lasted 200 years and still today Kosovo is known by Serbians as “Old Serbia”. In the Middle Ages the Balkans were occupied by the Ottoman Turks and they imposed discriminatory laws against the Christian population leading to large scale conversion to Islam. Both Albania and present-day Kosovo had Christian and Muslim populations and there were continual strife and see-saw struggle between Christian Serbs and Muslim Albanians/Kosovars. During the Nazi occupation of World War II, the Serbs resisted and the Albanian/Kosovar Muslims collaborated; thousands of Kosovo Serbs were expelled by armed Albanian groups, notably the Vulnetari militia. It is still not known exactly how many fell victim to this, but Serbian estimates put the figures at 10,000-40,000 killed with 70,000-100,000 expelled. Kosovo was on its way to becoming an Albania- dominated province.
There is resurgence in Islamic militancy all over the world and Bosnia and Kosovo are no exceptions. As stated before, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and America-Israel Kinship (AIK) factor are primarily responsible for this. But Huntington (1996) thinks otherwise and says, ( p.116, Chapter 5: Economics, Demography and the Challenger Civilisations), While the rise of East Asia has been fuelled by spectacular rates of economic growth, the resurgence of Islam has been fuelled by equally spectacular rates of population growth. Population expansion in Islamic countries, particularly in the Balkans, North Africa and Central Asia has been significantly greater than that in the neighbouring countries and in the world generally.
He backs up his statement with impressive and latest birth rate data. The demographic factor may have skewed the politics of both Bosnia and Kosovo to some extent. There have been consistent reports of Albanians (mostly Muslim) pouring across the mountainous border into more prosperous Yugoslavia (that is, into Kosovo) from a Stalinist Albania throughout the latter half of the 20th century.
The rest of the history is brief. When the Bosnian civil war came to an end, the NATO intervention there emboldened Albanians in Kosovo and they started ethnic cleansing of the minority Orthodox Serbs. President Slobodan Milosevic strengthened the presence of the Serbian Army and security forces many fold to maintain law and order and protect the Serbs. This caused an exodus of Albanian Muslims. The NATO bombed Serbia proper for three months and into the Stone Age by destroying all power houses, utility network, road bridges and important public buildings. Serbia was forced to withdraw all security forces and the bombings came to an end on June 10, 1999. The Albanians moved back, some of the resident Serbs escaped and since then Kosovo has demanded secession from Serbia. This demand is backed by the NATO. Right now the NATO and Russian forces are present in Kosovo to protect the remaining Serb minority who live in enclaves. When Kosovo gains independence, what would happen to them? Everyone knows that they would have to escape. To me secession of Kosovo does not seem morally justified and I perceive a close parallel with India’s Kashmir, except that there never was an exodus of Muslims from Kashmir, although the Hindu exodus of 1989-90 has not been reversed so far. If Kosovo secedes with NATO assistance, would Kashmir be the next target of the Western powers led by America? The track record of America does not inspire confidence. She has to counterbalance the AIK factor continually to placate the Muslim world.
India’s Strategic Interest in Central Asia
INDIA has her sole overseas military facility at the Ayni air base, 15 km from Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe, under the 2002 bilateral defence agreement with Tajikistan. The refurbishment of the Ayni military base, for around $1.77 million (about Rs 7 crores), was completed earlier this year nearly 24 months behind schedule by the Indian Border Roads Organisation. India is likely to be evicted from its sole, albeit fledgling, overseas military facility under pressure from Russia, which has considerable influence with Tajikistan and is concerned over New Delhi’s burgeoning ties with Washington.
There are other developments in Central Asia. In order to check the entry of a freshly aggressive NATO on the one hand and Islamism on the other, a Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) was loosely formed in 1992 in Tashkhent. Later some other countries joined it and the Treaty came into force formally on April 20, 1994. The signatories are Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrghyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Belarus. The Treaty reaffirmed the desire of all the participating states to abstain from the use or threat of force. The signatories wouldn’t be able to join other military alliances, while an aggression against one signatory would be perceived as an aggression against all.
China is not a member of the CSTO and is the key country in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Such a name has been chosen deliberately to keep India out. India cannot possibly join the SCO for the same reason as why she cannot join a hypothetical Rawalpindi Coopera-tion Treaty. Names matter. India can, however, seek an ‘observer’ status in the SCO, which is notably not a military alliance. China’s relationship with India is not going to change much in the near future and China would maintain an aggressive posture by claiming Arunachal, and military thrusts and jabs along the border. But India need not be unnecessarily perturbed since we have adequate strength and China would never engage on this side of the Himalayan ridge line. China may have superior strength in ICBMs and nuclear arms, but infantry engagement across a mountain is another matter. She remembers what happened when she sent her Army into Vietnam during the 1980s. Skirmishes along the North-Eastern border would continue and India must keep a vigil, take local action, lodge a protest when appropriate but not get perturbed. China would continue to arm Pakistan and give it nuclear and missile technology to keep India tied down on her western borders. All this is because of Dalai Lama and Buddhism, both having an Indian connection. Chinese Communists consider Buddhism a competing religion/ideology and a threat, and persecute any organised Buddhist activity in mainland China, such as Falun Gong. (Ghosh 2002b) They just about tolerate organised Lama Buddhism in Tibet but have circumscribed it to a great extent. India must make a realistic assessment of any international situation and should neither whip up nor get carried away by emotions. India must come to terms with China’s phenomenal economic and military rise. It is completely unnecessary to even think of a containment of China. How does it matter to us if China becomes a superpower? Our priorities should be security along the border and economic development. It would be sheer stupidity to think that America can help us contain China, even if she wants to. China has close economic ties with the USA, become the hub of production of consumer goods for thousands of major US companies, holds 900 billion dollars worth of US treasury bonds, and helps maintain the world dollar standard. It means that China subsidises the American consumer and America is ‘indebted’ to China.
Russia is drawing closer to China in the face of the hostile Western posturing, and the SCO and CSTO—which have some overlapping membership—may soon sign a protocol of cooperation. (Bhadra-kumar 2007) Is time running out for India in Central Asia?
Russia has always been a reliable friend to India, whereas America’s record is mixed. What would be our standing in Central Asia after the 123-nuclear Agreement with the USA goes through? Can we not acquire nuclear fuel and technology from a resurgent Russia? The USA backtracked from a signed agreement on the Bokaro steel plant in the 1960s. Internationally it has withdrawn from many treaties when its national interests so demanded. The Kyoto Protocol on climate change, Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) are examples. There is already the Hyde Act, and a future President may interpret this Act to his convenience and withdraw from the 123-nuclear Agreement with India. Conclusions
DURING the Cold War era Russia was Communist and India non-aligned. British imperialism had ended and given place to Anglo-American neo-colonialism. India as a non-aligned country wanted friendship with all, but was viewed with suspicion by the Western powers. They struck a pro-Pakistan posture and tacitly encouraged Kashmir’s secession. In North-East India they facilitated Baptist-inspired separatism. Notably, religion was used as an instrument of politics in both arenas to trouble India. Russia, as the prime component of communist Soviet Union, stood by India in all confrontations with Pakistan, was the largest supplier of military hardware and helped India to industrialise, whereas America backed off from a signed agreement to build a single steel plant.
Now the world paradigm has changed. The conflicts are no longer ideology-based but civilisation-based, as per Huntington (1996), and the most important ingredient of a civilisation is its religion. In this era what is the probability that America would retract from fomenting trouble in the North-East by reining in funding from the Baptists? It is pretty much nil, in my opinion. America herself is in the grip of Evangelist fervour as Baptists and Episcopalians are gradually merging, and support of the Christianist militants of the North-East will likely gain momentum. America, in this mood, cannot be a reliable strategic partner. In addition America has to appease the Muslim world in all other theatres except in the Arab-Israeli conflict of West Asia. She has conveniently picked Orthodox Christianity as the adversary and has encouraged Islamist separatists in Kosovo and Chechnya, and bombed Serbia to Stone Age, in order to neutralise the effect of the AIK factor. For a long time America had categorised Islamist terrorism in Kashmir as freedom struggle, and only recently has resiled from that stand. When Afghanistan’s and North-West Pakistan’s Taliban militancy becomes somewhat pacified, America will likely revert back to her original Kashmir posture again, to reward (and perhaps stabilise) Pakistan for her cooperation in the Afghan frontier.
Our foreign policy seems ill-advised and short- sighted. We seem to be putting all our eggs in the American basket. We may have limited joint naval exercises with America but should not enter into any military or strategic pact or understanding with her. However, we should join the CSTO, retain our military base and presence in Tajikistan and influence events in Afghanistan. If China can have close economic ties with the USA, hold billions of dollars worth of US treasury bonds and help maintain the world dollar standard on one hand, and cosy up to the CSTO on the other, why cannot India continue her traditional friendship with Russia and at the same time have a working relationship with the USA? What the government is proposing right now is an extremely close strategic tie-up with America to the detriment of our relationship with Russia. In the end it is a question of finesse in conducting foreign policy. We should learn from Pakistan; observe how it acquires nuclear power with the help of China, carries on ambivalently with the Taliban and yet milks her relationship with the USA to the last drop. In contrast, our foreign policy is offending our traditional and reliable friend, Russia, by a ham-handed one-sided approach. The government must rethink and change direction. What I have tried to show is that, under the present geo-political circumstances, Orthodox-majority secular Russia is a natural and reliable ally of Hindu-majority secular India. The Orthodox, unlike the Protestant and Catholic, do not have a proselytising mission to convert the rest of the world to their faith, and religion matters in today’s world.
Note 1
THE official language of Nagaland is English and its ‘national anthem’ is also in English. Irving Berlin (1888-1989) wrote “God Bless My America”, a patriotic song that has been quite popular in the US since WW II. As per the Library of Congress (of the USA) records, it is “America’s unofficial national anthem”. The Naga national anthem is a true adaptation, just short of a copy. The original American is given below, and the Naga one alongside in square brackets.
God Bless America [God bless my Nagaland] -Land that I love [That I love] -Stand beside her, and guide her [Stand beside her, and guide her] -Through the night with a light from above. [Through the night with a light from above] -From the mountains, to the prairies, [From the mountains and the valleys and] -To the oceans, white with foam [The hilltops where I roam] -God bless America [God bless my Nagaland] -My home sweet home. [My home sweet home.] -For more details about the song refer Library of Congress -(http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm019.html).
REFERENCES
Bhadrakumar, M. K. (2007), “New ‘NATO’ of The East Takes Shape”, pp. 11-16, September 1, Mainstream, New Delhi.
Ghosh, Kunal (1999), “Religion, Linguistics and Separatism in North-East India”, September 25, pp. 21-25, Mainstream, New Delhi.
Ghosh, Kunal (2002a), “Terrorists in North-East India get Support from America”, July 13, pp. 30-32, Mainstream, New Delhi.
Ghosh, Kunal (2002b), “Rival Faiths, China’s India Policy and the Religious Card in Sikkim”, pp. 25-30, April 20, Mainstream, New Delhi.
Ghosh, Kunal and Kumar, Vikas (2004), “NSCN (IM) and the roots of Naga Identity: Religion and Language”— Part I (April 10, p. 11-17), Part II (April 17, p. 27-30) and Corrigendum (May 15, p. 35), Mainstream, New Delhi.
Ghosh, Kunal and Kumar, Vikas (2005a), “Partition of Manipur, Greater Nagaland and Contrived Tangkhul-Naga Identity: Role of Script and Lingua Franca”, Mainstream, New Delhi, May 6-12, pp. 13-19.
Ghosh, Kunal and Kumar, Vikas (2005b), “Naga Question in India”, September 23-29, pp. 19-22, Mainstream, New Delhi.
Huband, Mark (1999), Warriors of the Prophet: The Struggles for Islam, Westview Press, Oxford.
Huntington, Samuel P. (1996), Clash of Civilisations and Remaking of World Order, Simon and Schuster, Published in India by Penguin Books in 1997.
Khan, Masood Ali (1999), “Wahhabi Threat to Russia and Central Asia”, October 9, pp. 23-24, Mainstream, New Delhi.
Left Parties’ Statement (2007): “On the Indo-US Bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreement”, August 10-16, pp. 4-6, Mainstream, New Delhi.
Singh, Vanita (1992), “NATO Intervention in Yugoslavia: The Test of Western Credibility”—Part I (May 22); Part II (May 29), Mainstream, New Delhi.
Dr Kunal Ghosh is a Professor and the Head, Aerospace Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
சர்வாதிகார அரசாங்கம் பொதுமக்களை கொல்ல உடந்தையாக இருந்த கத்தோலிக்க பாதிரியாருக்கு ஆயுள்தண்டனை
1976 இலிருந்து 1983 வரை அர்ஜண்டைனாவின் சர்வாதிகார ஆட்சிக்கு துணையாக ஆயிரக்கணக்கான மக்களிடமிருந்து ஒப்புதல் வாக்குமூலங்களை வாங்கி அவற்றை அரசாங்கத்துக்கு கொடுத்து அவர்கள் கொல்லப்பட காரணமாக இருந்த ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க பாதிரியாருக்கு ஆயுள்தண்டனை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
இவருக்கு ஆயுள்தண்டனை கொடுத்ததும், போப்பாண்டவரின் வாடிகன் உடனே கையை கழுவிவிட்டது.
Priest gets life sentence over Argentina junta killings
1 day ago
LA PLATA, Argentina (AFP) — A Roman Catholic priest who compared himself to Jesus Christ was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday for collaborating in murders, kidnappings and torture during Argentina's 1976-1983 military dictatorship.
Christian Von Wernich, 69, was chaplain to the Buenos Aires police force. He used this position to obtain confessions from prisoners, which he then passed on to police who tortured them at secret detention centers.
Von Wernich was convicted of complicity in seven murders, 31 cases of torture and 42 abductions in the Buenos Aires region; a mere smattering of the estimated 30,000 disappearances during the military junta's countrywide purge of leftists.
Von Wernich, the first priest sentenced in Argentina for abuses under the military dictatorship, displayed no emotion as he heard his life sentence, sitting behind a thick pane of glass and wearing a bullet-proof jacket.
Testifying earlier in his defense, he compared himself to Jesus Christ "who was put on trial with support from the people, who asked that he be crucified."
He accused the witnesses in his trial -- all survivors of the torture chambers -- of being possessed by the devil.
"The false witness here is the devil, because he is pregnant with malice," he said staring fixedly at his judges on the podium, behind which a huge cross hung from the wall.
His sentence came at the end of a three-month trial in the town of La Plata, 57 kilometers (35 miles) south of Buenos Aires.
Hundreds of people following the trial celebrated the sentence with songs, by setting off fireworks, and by torching an effigy of Von Wernich.
"Justice has been done. This is a historic day we Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo never thought we'd live to see," said Tati Almeyda, a member of the group that for 30 years has been pressing for the identification of the victims of the military repression, many of them close family members.
"That a court has acknowledged that genocide exists in our country is an encouragement for us to carry on and justifies so many years of struggle," Adriana Calvo, of the Association of former Detainees and the Missing told AFP.
The government's Secretary for Human Rights Eduardo Duhalde welcomed the verdict and said: "Now we think it should be followed up with sentences for all those found guilty of illegal repression."
The Catholic Church, in a statement issued immediately after the verdict was announced, said it was stricken with pain at seeing "a priest participating in very serious crimes."
"We believe the steps taken by the justice system in clarifying the facts should help renew every citizen's effort toward reconciliation and serve as a wake up call to put impunity, hatred and bitterness behind us," said Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio who signed the statement.
"If any member of the Church ... by recommendation or complicity, endorsed the violent repression, he did so under his own responsibility, straying from and sinning gravely against God, humanity and his own conscience," he added.
இவருக்கு ஆயுள்தண்டனை கொடுத்ததும், போப்பாண்டவரின் வாடிகன் உடனே கையை கழுவிவிட்டது.
Priest gets life sentence over Argentina junta killings
1 day ago
LA PLATA, Argentina (AFP) — A Roman Catholic priest who compared himself to Jesus Christ was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday for collaborating in murders, kidnappings and torture during Argentina's 1976-1983 military dictatorship.
Christian Von Wernich, 69, was chaplain to the Buenos Aires police force. He used this position to obtain confessions from prisoners, which he then passed on to police who tortured them at secret detention centers.
Von Wernich was convicted of complicity in seven murders, 31 cases of torture and 42 abductions in the Buenos Aires region; a mere smattering of the estimated 30,000 disappearances during the military junta's countrywide purge of leftists.
Von Wernich, the first priest sentenced in Argentina for abuses under the military dictatorship, displayed no emotion as he heard his life sentence, sitting behind a thick pane of glass and wearing a bullet-proof jacket.
Testifying earlier in his defense, he compared himself to Jesus Christ "who was put on trial with support from the people, who asked that he be crucified."
He accused the witnesses in his trial -- all survivors of the torture chambers -- of being possessed by the devil.
"The false witness here is the devil, because he is pregnant with malice," he said staring fixedly at his judges on the podium, behind which a huge cross hung from the wall.
His sentence came at the end of a three-month trial in the town of La Plata, 57 kilometers (35 miles) south of Buenos Aires.
Hundreds of people following the trial celebrated the sentence with songs, by setting off fireworks, and by torching an effigy of Von Wernich.
"Justice has been done. This is a historic day we Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo never thought we'd live to see," said Tati Almeyda, a member of the group that for 30 years has been pressing for the identification of the victims of the military repression, many of them close family members.
"That a court has acknowledged that genocide exists in our country is an encouragement for us to carry on and justifies so many years of struggle," Adriana Calvo, of the Association of former Detainees and the Missing told AFP.
The government's Secretary for Human Rights Eduardo Duhalde welcomed the verdict and said: "Now we think it should be followed up with sentences for all those found guilty of illegal repression."
The Catholic Church, in a statement issued immediately after the verdict was announced, said it was stricken with pain at seeing "a priest participating in very serious crimes."
"We believe the steps taken by the justice system in clarifying the facts should help renew every citizen's effort toward reconciliation and serve as a wake up call to put impunity, hatred and bitterness behind us," said Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio who signed the statement.
"If any member of the Church ... by recommendation or complicity, endorsed the violent repression, he did so under his own responsibility, straying from and sinning gravely against God, humanity and his own conscience," he added.
Friday, October 05, 2007
பங்களாதேஷ் சிறுவன் வரைந்த கார்ட்டூனால், நைஜீரியாவில் 9 கிறிஸ்துவர்கள் பயங்கரவாதிகளால் கொலை
பங்களாதேசில் ஒரு முஸ்லீம் சிறுவன் வரைந்த கார்ட்டூனால், நைஜிரியாவில் முஸ்லீம் பயங்கரவாதிகள் கிறிஸ்துவர்களை தாக்கியதில் 9 பேர் பலியானார்கள்.
ஏராளமான கிறிஸ்துவர்களின் வீடுகள் எரிக்கப்பட்டு தரை மட்டமாக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. ஏராளமானவர்கள் படுகாயமடைந்துள்ளனர். சர்ச் தலைவர் கிறிஸ்துவர்கள் கைபூப்பறித்துக்கொண்டிருக்காது என்று எச்சரித்துள்ளார்.
Nigeria: Can Condemns Religious Killing in Kano
Daily Champion (Lagos)
1 October 2007
Posted to the web 1 October 2007
John Shiklam
Kaduna
GENERAL Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mr Samuel Salifu has condemned the killing of Christians in Tudun Dankande local government area of Kano State.
He called on the state government to bring the perpetrators to book, warning that Christians would no longer condone any attack on them.
Salifu who spoke with newsmen in Kaduna weekend said that reports reaching him from Kano state said there was trouble in Tudun Dankande local government area of the state Friday where nine Christians, including a youth corper serving in the area were killed and their property destroyed over an internet cartoon said to have emanated from a 20-year-old Muslim boy from Bangladesh.
"Information available to me is that almost all the churches within that local government area have been razed down and shops belonging to Christians had also been burnt including their houses. We have been told that they have been ejected and their property brought down and burnt.
"The information given was that they saw a cartoon on the internet and they discovered that this cartoon was drawn by a 20-year-old Muslim boy from Bangladesh and they decided to visit their anger on innocent Christians and their churches.
"I have been told that nine people including a youth corper are confirmed dead and several others injured while the local government in a desperate attempt to cover the dastardly act pretended to be taking the victims to the hospital while in reality they sent some of the victims to Bauchi and some other places around so that people will not go there and see the number of destitutes or refugees caused by this incident.
"That is the information available, so far. What we have done is to ensure that the vice president is informed," he alleged.
He said Christians and their leaders were getting worried because both the Christian leaders and Muslims had been holding series of meetings within and outside the Nigerian Inter Religious Council (NIREC) to see how to bring about peaceful coexistence between followers of the two religions. Salifu regretted, however, that "the more we continue to meet with Muslim leaders the more some of these people attack our people.
"We are pleading with the government to step in. I am directly telling President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua because this may be a very good litmus test of his administration.
Relevant Links
West Africa
Nigeria
Religion
" So far, both Christians and Muslims in the country seem to appreciate what he is doing. But if he keeps quiet and talks about rule of law and doesn't try quickly to intervene in what is happening, then he will begin to see that there is a different law running in this country because the Christians will not just continue to watch while people just slaughter them as they like ..."
"It is clear that the cartoonist is from Bangladesh and he is a Muslim, so why should they now visit their anger on Christians unless they are lunatics and if you call them this type of name, they say they are angry, but they go killing.
"They cannot control their anger, they take knives and slaughter. When you tell them what they are doing is wrong, they will turn round and start to kill. Very soon, there would be a lot of blood shed unless they stop this nonsense because the church is getting fed up.
ஏராளமான கிறிஸ்துவர்களின் வீடுகள் எரிக்கப்பட்டு தரை மட்டமாக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. ஏராளமானவர்கள் படுகாயமடைந்துள்ளனர். சர்ச் தலைவர் கிறிஸ்துவர்கள் கைபூப்பறித்துக்கொண்டிருக்காது என்று எச்சரித்துள்ளார்.
Nigeria: Can Condemns Religious Killing in Kano
Daily Champion (Lagos)
1 October 2007
Posted to the web 1 October 2007
John Shiklam
Kaduna
GENERAL Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mr Samuel Salifu has condemned the killing of Christians in Tudun Dankande local government area of Kano State.
He called on the state government to bring the perpetrators to book, warning that Christians would no longer condone any attack on them.
Salifu who spoke with newsmen in Kaduna weekend said that reports reaching him from Kano state said there was trouble in Tudun Dankande local government area of the state Friday where nine Christians, including a youth corper serving in the area were killed and their property destroyed over an internet cartoon said to have emanated from a 20-year-old Muslim boy from Bangladesh.
"Information available to me is that almost all the churches within that local government area have been razed down and shops belonging to Christians had also been burnt including their houses. We have been told that they have been ejected and their property brought down and burnt.
"The information given was that they saw a cartoon on the internet and they discovered that this cartoon was drawn by a 20-year-old Muslim boy from Bangladesh and they decided to visit their anger on innocent Christians and their churches.
"I have been told that nine people including a youth corper are confirmed dead and several others injured while the local government in a desperate attempt to cover the dastardly act pretended to be taking the victims to the hospital while in reality they sent some of the victims to Bauchi and some other places around so that people will not go there and see the number of destitutes or refugees caused by this incident.
"That is the information available, so far. What we have done is to ensure that the vice president is informed," he alleged.
He said Christians and their leaders were getting worried because both the Christian leaders and Muslims had been holding series of meetings within and outside the Nigerian Inter Religious Council (NIREC) to see how to bring about peaceful coexistence between followers of the two religions. Salifu regretted, however, that "the more we continue to meet with Muslim leaders the more some of these people attack our people.
"We are pleading with the government to step in. I am directly telling President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua because this may be a very good litmus test of his administration.
Relevant Links
West Africa
Nigeria
Religion
" So far, both Christians and Muslims in the country seem to appreciate what he is doing. But if he keeps quiet and talks about rule of law and doesn't try quickly to intervene in what is happening, then he will begin to see that there is a different law running in this country because the Christians will not just continue to watch while people just slaughter them as they like ..."
"It is clear that the cartoonist is from Bangladesh and he is a Muslim, so why should they now visit their anger on Christians unless they are lunatics and if you call them this type of name, they say they are angry, but they go killing.
"They cannot control their anger, they take knives and slaughter. When you tell them what they are doing is wrong, they will turn round and start to kill. Very soon, there would be a lot of blood shed unless they stop this nonsense because the church is getting fed up.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
கிறிஸ்துவ மதத்தால் இதுவரை எத்தனை பேர் கொல்லப்பட்டுள்ளனர்?
கிறிஸ்துவ மதம் தோன்றிய காலத்திலிருந்து அதனால் கொல்லப்பட்டுள்ளவர்களையும் காலங்களையும் பட்டியலிடுகிறது கட்டுரை.
How many people have been killed by Christians since Biblical times?
VICTIMS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
by Kelsos
"WONDERFUL EVENTS THAT TESTIFY TO GOD'S DIVINE GLORY"
Listed are only events that solely occurred on command of church authorities or were committed in the name of Christianity. (List incomplete)
Ancient Pagans
As soon as Christianity was legal (315), more and more pagan temples were destroyed by Christian mob. Pagan priests were killed.
Between 315 and 6th century thousands of pagan believers were slain.
Examples of destroyed Temples: the Sanctuary of Aesculap in Aegaea, the Temple of Aphrodite in Golgatha, Aphaka in Lebanon, the Heliopolis.
Christian priests such as Mark of Arethusa or Cyrill of Heliopolis were famous as "temple destroyer." [DA468]
Pagan services became punishable by death in 356. [DA468]
Christian Emperor Theodosius (408-450) even had children executed, because they had been playing with remains of pagan statues. [DA469]
According to Christian chroniclers he "followed meticulously all Christian teachings..."
In 6th century pagans were declared void of all rights.
In the early fourth century the philosopher Sopatros was executed on demand of Christian authorities. [DA466]
The world famous female philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria was torn to pieces with glass fragments by a hysterical Christian mob led by a Christian minister named Peter, in a church, in 415.
[DO19-25]
Mission
Emperor Karl (Charlemagne) in 782 had 4500 Saxons, unwilling to convert to Christianity, beheaded. [DO30]
Peasants of Steding (Germany) unwilling to pay suffocating church taxes: between 5,000 and 11,000 men, women and children slain 5/27/1234 near Altenesch/Germany. [WW223]
Battle of Belgrad 1456: 80,000 Turks slaughtered. [DO235]
15th century Poland: 1019 churches and 17987 villages plundered by Knights of the Order. Victims unknown. [DO30]
16th and 17th century Ireland. English troops "pacified and civilized" Ireland, where only Gaelic "wild Irish", "unreasonable beasts lived without any knowledge of God or good manners, in common of their goods, cattle, women, children and every other thing." One of the more successful soldiers, a certain Humphrey Gilbert, half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh, ordered that "the heddes of all those (of what sort soever thei were) which were killed in the daie, should be cutte off from their bodies... and should bee laied on the ground by eche side of the waie", which effort to civilize the Irish indeed caused "greate terrour to the people when thei sawe the heddes of their dedde fathers, brothers, children, kinsfolke, and freinds on the grounde".
Tens of thousands of Gaelic Irish fell victim to the carnage. [SH99, 225]
Crusades (1095-1291)
First Crusade: 1095 on command of pope Urban II. [WW11-41]
Semlin/Hungary 6/24/96 thousands slain. Wieselburg/Hungary 6/12/96 thousands. [WW23]
9/9/96-9/26/96 Nikaia, Xerigordon (then turkish), thousands respectively. [WW25-27]
Until Jan 1098 a total of 40 capital cities and 200 castles conquered (number of slain unknown) [WW30]
after 6/3/98 Antiochia (then turkish) conquered, between 10,000 and 60,000 slain. 6/28/98 100,000 Turks (incl. women & children) killed. [WW32-35]
Here the Christians "did no other harm to the women found in [the enemy's] tents - save that they ran their lances through their bellies," according to Christian chronicler Fulcher of Chartres. [EC60]
Marra (Maraat an-numan) 12/11/98 thousands killed. Because of the subsequent famine "the already stinking corpses of the enemies were eaten by the Christians" said chronicler Albert Aquensis. [WW36]
Jerusalem conquered 7/15/1099 more than 60,000 victims (jewish, muslim, men, women, children). [WW37-40]
(In the words of one witness: "there [in front of Solomon's temple] was such a carnage that our people were wading ankle-deep in the blood of our foes", and after that "happily and crying for joy our people marched to our Saviour's tomb, to honour it and to pay off our debt of gratitude")
The Archbishop of Tyre, eye-witness, wrote: "It was impossible to look upon the vast numbers of the slain without horror; everywhere lay fragments of human bodies, and the very ground was covered with the blood of the slain. It was not alone the spectacle of headless bodies and mutilated limbs strewn in all directions that roused the horror of all who looked upon them. Still more dreadful was it to gaze upon the victors themselves, dripping with blood from head to foot, an ominous sight which brought terror to all who met them. It is reported that within the Temple enclosure alone about ten thousand infidels perished." [TG79]
Christian chronicler Eckehard of Aura noted that "even the following summer in all of palestine the air was polluted by the stench of decomposition". One million victims of the first crusade alone. [WW41]
Battle of Askalon, 8/12/1099. 200,000 heathens slaughtered "in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ". [WW45]
Fourth crusade: 4/12/1204 Constantinople sacked, number of victims unknown, numerous thousands, many of them Christian. [WW141-148]
Rest of Crusades in less detail: until the fall of Akkon 1291 probably 20 million victims (in the Holy land and Arab/Turkish areas alone). [WW224]
Note: All figures according to contemporary (Christian) chroniclers.
Heretics
Already in 385 C.E. the first Christians, the Spanish Priscillianus and six followers, were beheaded for heresy in Trier/Germany [DO26]
Manichaean heresy: a crypto-Christian sect decent enough to practice birth control (and thus not as irresponsible as faithful Catholics) was exterminated in huge campaigns all over the Roman empire between 372 C.E. and 444 C.E. Numerous thousands of victims. [NC]
Albigensians: the first Crusade intended to slay other Christians. [DO29]
The Albigensians (cathars = Christians allegedly that have all rarely sucked) viewed themselves as good Christians, but would not accept roman Catholic rule, and taxes, and prohibition of birth control. [NC]
Begin of violence: on command of pope Innocent III (greatest single pre-nazi mass murderer) in 1209. Bezirs (today France) 7/22/1209 destroyed, all the inhabitants were slaughtered. Victims (including Catholics refusing to turn over their heretic neighbours and friends) 20,000-70,000. [WW179-181]
Carcassonne 8/15/1209, thousands slain. Other cities followed. [WW181]
subsequent 20 years of war until nearly all Cathars (probably half the population of the Languedoc, today southern France) were exterminated. [WW183]
After the war ended (1229) the Inquisition was founded 1232 to search and destroy surviving/hiding heretics. Last Cathars burned at the stake 1324. [WW183]
Estimated one million victims (cathar heresy alone), [WW183]
Other heresies: Waldensians, Paulikians, Runcarians, Josephites, and many others. Most of these sects exterminated, (I believe some Waldensians live today, yet they had to endure 600 years of persecution) I estimate at least hundred thousand victims (including the Spanish inquisition but excluding victims in the New World).
Spanish Inquisitor Torquemada alone allegedly responsible for 10,220 burnings. [DO28]
John Huss, a critic of papal infallibility and indulgences, was burned at the stake in 1415. [LI475-522]
University professor B.Hubmaier burned at the stake 1538 in Vienna. [DO59]
Giordano Bruno, Dominican monk, after having been incarcerated for seven years, was burned at the stake for heresy on the Campo dei Fiori (Rome) on 2/17/1600.
Witches
from the beginning of Christianity to 1484 probably more than several thousand.
in the era of witch hunting (1484-1750) according to modern scholars several hundred thousand (about 80% female) burned at the stake or hanged. [WV]
incomplete list of documented cases:
The Burning of Witches - A Chronicle of the Burning Times
Religious Wars
15th century: Crusades against Hussites, thousands slain. [DO30]
1538 pope Paul III declared Crusade against apostate England and all English as slaves of Church (fortunately had not power to go into action). [DO31]
1568 Spanish Inquisition Tribunal ordered extermination of 3 million rebels in (then Spanish) Netherlands. Thousands were actually slain. [DO31]
1572 In France about 20,000 Huguenots were killed on command of pope Pius V. Until 17th century 200,000 flee. [DO31]
17th century: Catholics slay Gaspard de Coligny, a Protestant leader. After murdering him, the Catholic mob mutilated his body, "cutting off his head, his hands, and his genitals... and then dumped him into the river [...but] then, deciding that it was not worthy of being food for the fish, they hauled it out again [... and] dragged what was left ... to the gallows of Montfaulcon, 'to be meat and carrion for maggots and crows'." [SH191]
17th century: Catholics sack the city of Magdeburg/Germany: roughly 30,000 Protestants were slain. "In a single church fifty women were found beheaded," reported poet Friedrich Schiller, "and infants still sucking the breasts of their lifeless mothers." [SH191]
17th century 30 years' war (Catholic vs. Protestant): at least 40% of population decimated, mostly in Germany. [DO31-32]
Jews
Already in the 4th and 5th centuries synagogues were burned by Christians. Number of Jews slain unknown.
In the middle of the fourth century the first synagogue was destroyed on command of bishop Innocentius of Dertona in Northern Italy. The first synagogue known to have been burned down was near the river Euphrat, on command of the bishop of Kallinikon in the year 388. [DA450]
17. Council of Toledo 694: Jews were enslaved, their property confiscated, and their children forcibly baptized. [DA454]
The Bishop of Limoges (France) in 1010 had the cities' Jews, who would not convert to Christianity, expelled or killed. [DA453]
First Crusade: Thousands of Jews slaughtered 1096, maybe 12.000 total. Places: Worms 5/18/1096, Mainz 5/27/1096 (1100 persons), Cologne, Neuss, Altenahr, Wevelinghoven, Xanten, Moers, Dortmund, Kerpen, Trier, Metz, Regensburg, Prag and others (All locations Germany except Metz/France, Prag/Czech) [EJ]
Second Crusade: 1147. Several hundred Jews were slain in Ham, Sully, Carentan, and Rameru (all locations in France). [WW57]
Third Crusade: English Jewish communities sacked 1189/90. [DO40]
Fulda/Germany 1235: 34 Jewish men and women slain. [DO41]
1257, 1267: Jewish communities of London, Canterbury, Northampton, Lincoln, Cambridge, and others exterminated. [DO41]
1290 in Bohemian (Poland) allegedly 10,000 Jews killed. [DO41]
1337 Starting in Deggendorf/Germany a Jew-killing craze reaches 51 towns in Bavaria, Austria, Poland. [DO41]
1348 All Jews of Basel/Switzerland and Strasbourg/France (two thousand) burned. [DO41]
1349 In more than 350 towns in Germany all Jews murdered, mostly burned alive (in this one year more Jews were killed than Christians in 200 years of ancient Roman persecution of Christians). [DO42]
1389 In Prag 3,000 Jews were slaughtered. [DO42]
1391 Seville's Jews killed (Archbishop Martinez leading). 4,000 were slain, 25,000 sold as slaves. [DA454] Their identification was made easy by the brightly colored "badges of shame" that all jews above the age of ten had been forced to wear.
1492: In the year Columbus set sail to conquer a New World, more than 150,000 Jews were expelled from Spain, many died on their way: 6/30/1492. [MM470-476]
1648 Chmielnitzki massacres: In Poland about 200,000 Jews were slain. [DO43]
(I feel sick ...) this goes on and on, century after century, right into the kilns of Auschwitz.
Native Peoples
Beginning with Columbus (a former slave trader and would-be Holy Crusader) the conquest of the New World began, as usual understood as a means to propagate Christianity.
Within hours of landfall on the first inhabited island he encountered in the Caribbean, Columbus seized and carried off six native people who, he said, "ought to be good servants ... [and] would easily be made Christians, because it seemed to me that they belonged to no religion." [SH200]
While Columbus described the Indians as "idolators" and "slaves, as many as [the Crown] shall order," his pal Michele de Cuneo, Italian nobleman, referred to the natives as "beasts" because "they eat when they are hungry," and made love "openly whenever they feel like it." [SH204-205]
On every island he set foot on, Columbus planted a cross, "making the declarations that are required" - the requerimiento - to claim the ownership for his Catholic patrons in Spain. And "nobody objected." If the Indians refused or delayed their acceptance (or understanding), the requerimiento continued:
I certify to you that, with the help of God, we shall powerfully enter in your country and shall make war against you ... and shall subject you to the yoke and obedience of the Church ... and shall do you all mischief that we can, as to vassals who do not obey and refuse to receive their lord and resist and contradict him." [SH66]
Likewise in the words of John Winthrop, first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony: "justifieinge the undertakeres of the intended Plantation in New England ... to carry the Gospell into those parts of the world, ... and to raise a Bulworke against the kingdome of the Ante-Christ." [SH235]
In average two thirds of the native population were killed by colonist-imported smallpox before violence began. This was a great sign of "the marvelous goodness and providence of God" to the Christians of course, e.g. the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony wrote in 1634, as "for the natives, they are near all dead of the smallpox, so as the Lord hath cleared our title to what we possess." [SH109,238]
On Hispaniola alone, on Columbus visits, the native population (Arawak), a rather harmless and happy people living on an island of abundant natural resources, a literal paradise, soon mourned 50,000 dead. [SH204]
The surviving Indians fell victim to rape, murder, enslavement and spanish raids.
As one of the culprits wrote: "So many Indians died that they could not be counted, all through the land the Indians lay dead everywhere. The stench was very great and pestiferous." [SH69]
The indian chief Hatuey fled with his people but was captured and burned alive. As "they were tying him to the stake a Franciscan friar urged him to take Jesus to his heart so that his soul might go to heaven, rather than descend into hell. Hatuey replied that if heaven was where the Christians went, he would rather go to hell." [SH70]
What happened to his people was described by an eyewitness:
"The Spaniards found pleasure in inventing all kinds of odd cruelties ... They built a long gibbet, long enough for the toes to touch the ground to prevent strangling, and hanged thirteen [natives] at a time in honor of Christ Our Saviour and the twelve Apostles... then, straw was wrapped around their torn bodies and they were burned alive." [SH72]
Or, on another occasion:
"The Spaniards cut off the arm of one, the leg or hip of another, and from some their heads at one stroke, like butchers cutting up beef and mutton for market. Six hundred, including the cacique, were thus slain like brute beasts...Vasco [de Balboa] ordered forty of them to be torn to pieces by dogs." [SH83]
The "island's population of about eight million people at the time of Columbus's arrival in 1492 already had declined by a third to a half before the year 1496 was out." Eventually all the island's natives were exterminated, so the Spaniards were "forced" to import slaves from other caribbean islands, who soon suffered the same fate. Thus "the Caribbean's millions of native people [were] thereby effectively liquidated in barely a quarter of a century". [SH72-73] "In less than the normal lifetime of a single human being, an entire culture of millions of people, thousands of years resident in their homeland, had been exterminated." [SH75]
"And then the Spanish turned their attention to the mainland of Mexico and Central America. The slaughter had barely begun. The exquisite city of Tenochtitln [Mexico city] was next." [SH75]
Cortez, Pizarro, De Soto and hundreds of other spanish conquistadors likewise sacked southern and mesoamerican civilizations in the name of Christ (De Soto also sacked Florida).
"When the 16th century ended, some 200,000 Spaniards had moved to the Americas. By that time probably more than 60,000,000 natives were dead." [SH95]
Of course no different were the founders of what today is the US of Amerikkka.
Although none of the settlers would have survived winter without native help, they soon set out to expel and exterminate the Indians. Warfare among (north American) Indians was rather harmless, in comparison to European standards, and was meant to avenge insults rather than conquer land. In the words of some of the pilgrim fathers: "Their Warres are farre less bloudy...", so that there usually was "no great slawter of nether side". Indeed, "they might fight seven yeares and not kill seven men." What is more, the Indians usually spared women and children. [SH111]
In the spring of 1612 some English colonists found life among the (generally friendly and generous) natives attractive enough to leave Jamestown - "being idell ... did runne away unto the Indyans," - to live among them (that probably solved a sex problem).
"Governor Thomas Dale had them hunted down and executed: 'Some he apointed (sic) to be hanged Some burned Some to be broken upon wheles, others to be staked and some shott to deathe'." [SH105] Of course these elegant measures were restricted for fellow englishmen: "This was the treatment for those who wished to act like Indians. For those who had no choice in the matter, because they were the native people of Virginia" methods were different: "when an Indian was accused by an Englishman of stealing a cup and failing to return it, the English response was to attack the natives in force, burning the entire community" down. [SH105]
On the territory that is now Massachusetts the founding fathers of the colonies were committing genocide, in what has become known as the "Peqout War". The killers were New England Puritan Christians, refugees from persecution in their own home country England.
When however, a dead colonist was found, apparently killed by Narragansett Indians, the Puritan colonists wanted revenge. Despite the Indian chief's pledge they attacked.
Somehow they seem to have lost the idea of what they were after, because when they were greeted by Pequot Indians (long-time foes of the Narragansetts) the troops nevertheless made war on the Pequots and burned their villages.
The puritan commander-in-charge John Mason after one massacre wrote: "And indeed such a dreadful Terror did the Almighty let fall upon their Spirits, that they would fly from us and run into the very Flames, where many of them perished ... God was above them, who laughed his Enemies and the Enemies of his People to Scorn, making them as a fiery Oven ... Thus did the Lord judge among the Heathen, filling the Place with dead Bodies": men, women, children. [SH113-114]
So "the Lord was pleased to smite our Enemies in the hinder Parts, and to give us their land for an inheritance". [SH111].
Because of his readers' assumed knowledge of Deuteronomy, there was no need for Mason to quote the words that immediately follow:
"Thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth. But thou shalt utterly destroy them..." (Deut 20)
Mason's comrade Underhill recalled how "great and doleful was the bloody sight to the view of the young soldiers" yet reassured his readers that "sometimes the Scripture declareth women and children must perish with their parents". [SH114]
Other Indians were killed in successful plots of poisoning. The colonists even had dogs especially trained to kill Indians and to devour children from their mothers breasts, in the colonists' own words: "blood Hounds to draw after them, and Mastives to seaze them." (This was inspired by spanish methods of the time)
In this way they continued until the extermination of the Pequots was near. [SH107-119]
The surviving handful of Indians "were parceled out to live in servitude. John Endicott and his pastor wrote to the governor asking for 'a share' of the captives, specifically 'a young woman or girle and a boy if you thinke good'." [SH115]
Other tribes were to follow the same path.
Comment the Christian exterminators: "God's Will, which will at last give us cause to say: How Great is His Goodness! and How Great is his Beauty!"
"Thus doth the Lord Jesus make them to bow before him, and to lick the Dust!" [TA]
Like today, lying was OK to Christians then. "Peace treaties were signed with every intention to violate them: when the Indians 'grow secure uppon (sic) the treatie', advised the Council of State in Virginia, 'we shall have the better Advantage both to surprise them, & cutt downe theire Corne'." [SH106]
In 1624 sixty heavily armed Englishmen cut down 800 defenseless Indian men, women and children. [SH107]
In a single massacre in "King Philip's War" of 1675 and 1676 some "600 Indians were destroyed. A delighted Cotton Mather, revered pastor of the Second Church in Boston, later referred to the slaughter as a 'barbeque'." [SH115]
To summarize: Before the arrival of the English, the western Abenaki people in New Hampshire and Vermont had numbered 12,000. Less than half a century later about 250 remained alive - a destruction rate of 98%. The Pocumtuck people had numbered more than 18,000, fifty years later they were down to 920 - 95% destroyed. The Quiripi-Unquachog people had numbered about 30,000, fifty years later they were down to 1500 - 95% destroyed. The Massachusetts people had numbered at least 44,000, fifty years later barely 6000 were alive - 81% destroyed. [SH118] These are only a few examples of the multitude of tribes living before Christian colonists set their foot on the New World. All this was before the smallpox epidemics of 1677 and 1678 had occurred. And the carnage was not over then.
All the above was only the beginning of the European colonization, it was before the frontier age actually had begun.
A total of maybe more than 150 million Indians (of both Americas) were destroyed in the period of 1500 to 1900, as an average two thirds by smallpox and other epidemics, that leaves some 50 million killed directly by violence, bad treatment and slavery.
In many countries, such as Brazil, and Guatemala, this continues even today.
More Glorious events in US history
Reverend Solomon Stoddard, one of New England's most esteemed religious leaders, in "1703 formally proposed to the Massachusetts Governor that the colonists be given the financial wherewithal to purchase and train large packs of dogs 'to hunt Indians as they do bears'." [SH241]
Massacre of Sand Creek, Colorado 11/29/1864. Colonel John Chivington, a former Methodist minister and still elder in the church ("I long to be wading in gore") had a Cheyenne village of about 600, mostly women and children, gunned down despite the chiefs' waving with a white flag: 400-500 killed.
From an eye-witness account: "There were some thirty or forty squaws collected in a hole for protection; they sent out a little girl about six years old with a white flag on a stick; she had not proceeded but a few steps when she was shot and killed. All the squaws in that hole were afterwards killed ..." [SH131]
More gory details.
By the 1860s, "in Hawai'i the Reverend Rufus Anderson surveyed the carnage that by then had reduced those islands' native population by 90 percent or more, and he declined to see it as tragedy; the expected total die-off of the Hawaiian population was only natural, this missionary said, somewhat equivalent to 'the amputation of diseased members of the body'." [SH244]
20th Century Church Atrocities
Catholic extermination camps
Surpisingly few know that Nazi extermination camps in World War II were by no means the only ones in Europe at the time. In the years 1942-1943 also in Croatia existed numerous extermination camps, run by Catholic Ustasha under their dictator Ante Paveli, a practising Catholic and regular visitor to the then pope. There were even concentration camps exclusively for children!
In these camps - the most notorious was Jasenovac, headed by a Franciscan friar - orthodox-Christian serbians (and a substantial number of Jews) were murdered. Like the Nazis the Catholic Ustasha burned their victims in kilns, alive (the Nazis were decent enough to have their victims gassed first). But most of the victims were simply stabbed, slain or shot to death, the number of them being estimated between 300,000 and 600,000, in a rather tiny country. Many of the killers were Franciscan friars. The atrocities were appalling enough to induce bystanders of the Nazi "Sicherheitsdient der SS", watching, to complain about them to Hitler (who did not listen). The pope knew about these events and did nothing to prevent them. [MV]
Catholic terror in Vietnam
In 1954 Vietnamese freedom fighters - the Viet Minh - had finally defeated the French colonial government in North Vietnam, which by then had been supported by U.S. funds amounting to more than $2 billion. Although the victorious assured religious freedom to all (most non-buddhist Vietnamese were Catholics), due to huge anticommunist propaganda campaigns many Catholics fled to the South. With the help of Catholic lobbies in Washington and Cardinal Spellman, the Vatican's spokesman in U.S. politics, who later on would call the U.S. forces in Vietnam "Soldiers of Christ", a scheme was concocted to prevent democratic elections which could have brought the communist Viet Minh to power in the South as well, and the fanatic Catholic Ngo Dinh Diem was made president of South Vietnam. [MW16ff]
Diem saw to it that U.S. aid, food, technical and general assistance was given to Catholics alone, Buddhist individuals and villages were ignored or had to pay for the food aids which were given to Catholics for free. The only religious denomination to be supported was Roman Catholicism.
The Vietnamese McCarthyism turned even more vicious than its American counterpart. By 1956 Diem promulgated a presidential order which read:
"Individuals considered dangerous to the national defense and common security may be confined by executive order, to a concentration camp."
Supposedly to fight communism, thousands of buddhist protesters and monks were imprisoned in "detention camps." Out of protest dozens of buddhist teachers - male and female - and monks poured gasoline over themselves and burned themselves. (Note that Buddhists burned themselves: in comparison Christians tend to burn others). Meanwhile some of the prison camps, which in the meantime were filled with Protestant and even Catholic protesters as well, had turned into no-nonsense death camps. It is estimated that during this period of terror (1955-1960) at least 24,000 were wounded - mostly in street riots - 80,000 people were executed, 275,000 had been detained or tortured, and about 500,000 were sent to concentration or detention camps. [MW76-89].
To support this kind of government in the next decade thousands of American GI's lost their life.
Christianity kills the cat
On July 1, 1976, Anneliese Michel, a 23-year-old student of a teachers college in Germany, died: she starved herself to death. For months she had been haunted by demonic visions and apparitions, and for months two Catholic priests - with explicit approval of the Catholic bishop of Wrzburg - additionally pestered and tormented the wretched girl with their exorcist rituals. After her death in Klingenberg hospital - her body was littered with wounds - her parents, both of them fanatical Catholics, were sentenced to six months for not having called for medical help. None of the priests was punished: on the contrary, Miss Michel's grave today is a place of pilgrimage and worship for a number of similarly faithful Catholics (in the seventeenth century Wrzburg was notorious for it's extensive witch burnings).
This case is only the tip of an iceberg of such evil superstition and has become known only because of its lethal outcome. [SP80]
Rwanda Massacres
In 1994 in the small african country of Rwanda in just a few months several hundred thousand civilians were butchered, apparently a conflict of the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups.
For quite some time I heard only rumours about Catholic clergy actively involved in the 1994 Rwanda massacres. Odd denials of involvement were printed in Catholic church journals, before even anybody had openly accused members of the church.
Then, 10/10/96, in the newscast of S2 Aktuell, Germany - a station not at all critical to Christianity - the following was stated:
"Anglican as well as Catholic priests and nuns are suspect of having actively participated in murders. Especially the conduct of a certain Catholic priest has been occupying the public mind in Rwanda's capital Kigali for months. He was minister of the church of the Holy Family and allegedly murdered Tutsis in the most brutal manner. He is reported to have accompanied marauding Hutu militia with a gun in his cowl. In fact there has been a bloody slaughter of Tutsis seeking shelter in his parish. Even two years after the massacres many Catholics refuse to set foot on the threshold of their church, because to them the participation of a certain part of the clergy in the slaughter is well established. There is almost no church in Rwanda that has not seen refugees - women, children, old - being brutally butchered facing the crucifix.
According to eyewitnesses clergymen gave away hiding Tutsis and turned them over to the machetes of the Hutu militia.
In connection with these events again and again two Benedictine nuns are mentioned, both of whom have fled into a Belgian monastery in the meantime to avoid prosecution. According to survivors one of them called the Hutu killers and led them to several thousand people who had sought shelter in her monastery. By force the doomed were driven out of the churchyard and were murdered in the presence of the nun right in front of the gate. The other one is also reported to have directly cooperated with the murderers of the Hutu militia. In her case again witnesses report that she watched the slaughtering of people in cold blood and without showing response. She is even accused of having procured some petrol used by the killers to set on fire and burn their victims alive..." [S2]
As can be seen from these events, to Christianity the Dark Ages never come to an end.
If today Christians talk to me about morality, this is why they make me sick.
References:
[DA]
K.Deschner, Abermals krhte der Hahn, Stuttgart 1962.
[DO]
K.Deschner, Opus Diaboli, Reinbek 1987.
[EC]
P.W.Edbury, Crusade and Settlement, Cardiff Univ. Press 1985.
[EJ]
S.Eidelberg, The Jews and the Crusaders, Madison 1977.
[LI]
H.C.Lea, The Inquisition of the Middle Ages, New York 1961.
[MM]
M.Margolis, A.Marx, A History of the Jewish People.
[MV]
A.Manhattan, The Vatican’s Holocaust, Springfield 1986.
See also V.Dedijer, The Yugoslav Auschwitz and the Vatican, Buffalo NY, 1992.
[NC]
J.T.Noonan, Contraception: A History of its Treatment by the Catholic Theologians and Canonists, Cambridge/Mass., 1992.
[S2]
Newscast of S2 Aktuell, Germany, 10/10/96, 12:00.
[SH]
D.Stannard, American Holocaust, Oxford University Press 1992.
[SP]
German news magazine Der Spiegel, no.49, 12/2/1996.
[TA]
A True Account of the Most Considerable Occurrences that have Hapned in the Warre Between the English and the Indians in New England, London 1676.
[TG]
F.Turner, Beyond Geography, New York 1980.
[WW]
H.Wollschlger: Die bewaffneten Wallfahrten gen Jerusalem, Zrich 1973.
(This is in german and what is worse, it is out of print. But it is the best I ever read about crusades and includes a full list of original medieval Christian chroniclers' writings).
[WV]
Estimates on the number of executed witches:
N.Cohn, Europe's Inner Demons: An Enquiry Inspired by the Great Witch Hunt, Frogmore 1976, 253.
R.H.Robbins, The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Demonology, New York 1959, 180.
J.B.Russell, Witchcraft in the Middle Ages, Ithaca/NY 1972, 39.
H.Zwetsloot, Friedrich Spee und die Hexenprozesse, Trier 1954, 56.
How many people have been killed by Christians since Biblical times?
VICTIMS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
by Kelsos
"WONDERFUL EVENTS THAT TESTIFY TO GOD'S DIVINE GLORY"
Listed are only events that solely occurred on command of church authorities or were committed in the name of Christianity. (List incomplete)
Ancient Pagans
As soon as Christianity was legal (315), more and more pagan temples were destroyed by Christian mob. Pagan priests were killed.
Between 315 and 6th century thousands of pagan believers were slain.
Examples of destroyed Temples: the Sanctuary of Aesculap in Aegaea, the Temple of Aphrodite in Golgatha, Aphaka in Lebanon, the Heliopolis.
Christian priests such as Mark of Arethusa or Cyrill of Heliopolis were famous as "temple destroyer." [DA468]
Pagan services became punishable by death in 356. [DA468]
Christian Emperor Theodosius (408-450) even had children executed, because they had been playing with remains of pagan statues. [DA469]
According to Christian chroniclers he "followed meticulously all Christian teachings..."
In 6th century pagans were declared void of all rights.
In the early fourth century the philosopher Sopatros was executed on demand of Christian authorities. [DA466]
The world famous female philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria was torn to pieces with glass fragments by a hysterical Christian mob led by a Christian minister named Peter, in a church, in 415.
[DO19-25]
Mission
Emperor Karl (Charlemagne) in 782 had 4500 Saxons, unwilling to convert to Christianity, beheaded. [DO30]
Peasants of Steding (Germany) unwilling to pay suffocating church taxes: between 5,000 and 11,000 men, women and children slain 5/27/1234 near Altenesch/Germany. [WW223]
Battle of Belgrad 1456: 80,000 Turks slaughtered. [DO235]
15th century Poland: 1019 churches and 17987 villages plundered by Knights of the Order. Victims unknown. [DO30]
16th and 17th century Ireland. English troops "pacified and civilized" Ireland, where only Gaelic "wild Irish", "unreasonable beasts lived without any knowledge of God or good manners, in common of their goods, cattle, women, children and every other thing." One of the more successful soldiers, a certain Humphrey Gilbert, half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh, ordered that "the heddes of all those (of what sort soever thei were) which were killed in the daie, should be cutte off from their bodies... and should bee laied on the ground by eche side of the waie", which effort to civilize the Irish indeed caused "greate terrour to the people when thei sawe the heddes of their dedde fathers, brothers, children, kinsfolke, and freinds on the grounde".
Tens of thousands of Gaelic Irish fell victim to the carnage. [SH99, 225]
Crusades (1095-1291)
First Crusade: 1095 on command of pope Urban II. [WW11-41]
Semlin/Hungary 6/24/96 thousands slain. Wieselburg/Hungary 6/12/96 thousands. [WW23]
9/9/96-9/26/96 Nikaia, Xerigordon (then turkish), thousands respectively. [WW25-27]
Until Jan 1098 a total of 40 capital cities and 200 castles conquered (number of slain unknown) [WW30]
after 6/3/98 Antiochia (then turkish) conquered, between 10,000 and 60,000 slain. 6/28/98 100,000 Turks (incl. women & children) killed. [WW32-35]
Here the Christians "did no other harm to the women found in [the enemy's] tents - save that they ran their lances through their bellies," according to Christian chronicler Fulcher of Chartres. [EC60]
Marra (Maraat an-numan) 12/11/98 thousands killed. Because of the subsequent famine "the already stinking corpses of the enemies were eaten by the Christians" said chronicler Albert Aquensis. [WW36]
Jerusalem conquered 7/15/1099 more than 60,000 victims (jewish, muslim, men, women, children). [WW37-40]
(In the words of one witness: "there [in front of Solomon's temple] was such a carnage that our people were wading ankle-deep in the blood of our foes", and after that "happily and crying for joy our people marched to our Saviour's tomb, to honour it and to pay off our debt of gratitude")
The Archbishop of Tyre, eye-witness, wrote: "It was impossible to look upon the vast numbers of the slain without horror; everywhere lay fragments of human bodies, and the very ground was covered with the blood of the slain. It was not alone the spectacle of headless bodies and mutilated limbs strewn in all directions that roused the horror of all who looked upon them. Still more dreadful was it to gaze upon the victors themselves, dripping with blood from head to foot, an ominous sight which brought terror to all who met them. It is reported that within the Temple enclosure alone about ten thousand infidels perished." [TG79]
Christian chronicler Eckehard of Aura noted that "even the following summer in all of palestine the air was polluted by the stench of decomposition". One million victims of the first crusade alone. [WW41]
Battle of Askalon, 8/12/1099. 200,000 heathens slaughtered "in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ". [WW45]
Fourth crusade: 4/12/1204 Constantinople sacked, number of victims unknown, numerous thousands, many of them Christian. [WW141-148]
Rest of Crusades in less detail: until the fall of Akkon 1291 probably 20 million victims (in the Holy land and Arab/Turkish areas alone). [WW224]
Note: All figures according to contemporary (Christian) chroniclers.
Heretics
Already in 385 C.E. the first Christians, the Spanish Priscillianus and six followers, were beheaded for heresy in Trier/Germany [DO26]
Manichaean heresy: a crypto-Christian sect decent enough to practice birth control (and thus not as irresponsible as faithful Catholics) was exterminated in huge campaigns all over the Roman empire between 372 C.E. and 444 C.E. Numerous thousands of victims. [NC]
Albigensians: the first Crusade intended to slay other Christians. [DO29]
The Albigensians (cathars = Christians allegedly that have all rarely sucked) viewed themselves as good Christians, but would not accept roman Catholic rule, and taxes, and prohibition of birth control. [NC]
Begin of violence: on command of pope Innocent III (greatest single pre-nazi mass murderer) in 1209. Bezirs (today France) 7/22/1209 destroyed, all the inhabitants were slaughtered. Victims (including Catholics refusing to turn over their heretic neighbours and friends) 20,000-70,000. [WW179-181]
Carcassonne 8/15/1209, thousands slain. Other cities followed. [WW181]
subsequent 20 years of war until nearly all Cathars (probably half the population of the Languedoc, today southern France) were exterminated. [WW183]
After the war ended (1229) the Inquisition was founded 1232 to search and destroy surviving/hiding heretics. Last Cathars burned at the stake 1324. [WW183]
Estimated one million victims (cathar heresy alone), [WW183]
Other heresies: Waldensians, Paulikians, Runcarians, Josephites, and many others. Most of these sects exterminated, (I believe some Waldensians live today, yet they had to endure 600 years of persecution) I estimate at least hundred thousand victims (including the Spanish inquisition but excluding victims in the New World).
Spanish Inquisitor Torquemada alone allegedly responsible for 10,220 burnings. [DO28]
John Huss, a critic of papal infallibility and indulgences, was burned at the stake in 1415. [LI475-522]
University professor B.Hubmaier burned at the stake 1538 in Vienna. [DO59]
Giordano Bruno, Dominican monk, after having been incarcerated for seven years, was burned at the stake for heresy on the Campo dei Fiori (Rome) on 2/17/1600.
Witches
from the beginning of Christianity to 1484 probably more than several thousand.
in the era of witch hunting (1484-1750) according to modern scholars several hundred thousand (about 80% female) burned at the stake or hanged. [WV]
incomplete list of documented cases:
The Burning of Witches - A Chronicle of the Burning Times
Religious Wars
15th century: Crusades against Hussites, thousands slain. [DO30]
1538 pope Paul III declared Crusade against apostate England and all English as slaves of Church (fortunately had not power to go into action). [DO31]
1568 Spanish Inquisition Tribunal ordered extermination of 3 million rebels in (then Spanish) Netherlands. Thousands were actually slain. [DO31]
1572 In France about 20,000 Huguenots were killed on command of pope Pius V. Until 17th century 200,000 flee. [DO31]
17th century: Catholics slay Gaspard de Coligny, a Protestant leader. After murdering him, the Catholic mob mutilated his body, "cutting off his head, his hands, and his genitals... and then dumped him into the river [...but] then, deciding that it was not worthy of being food for the fish, they hauled it out again [... and] dragged what was left ... to the gallows of Montfaulcon, 'to be meat and carrion for maggots and crows'." [SH191]
17th century: Catholics sack the city of Magdeburg/Germany: roughly 30,000 Protestants were slain. "In a single church fifty women were found beheaded," reported poet Friedrich Schiller, "and infants still sucking the breasts of their lifeless mothers." [SH191]
17th century 30 years' war (Catholic vs. Protestant): at least 40% of population decimated, mostly in Germany. [DO31-32]
Jews
Already in the 4th and 5th centuries synagogues were burned by Christians. Number of Jews slain unknown.
In the middle of the fourth century the first synagogue was destroyed on command of bishop Innocentius of Dertona in Northern Italy. The first synagogue known to have been burned down was near the river Euphrat, on command of the bishop of Kallinikon in the year 388. [DA450]
17. Council of Toledo 694: Jews were enslaved, their property confiscated, and their children forcibly baptized. [DA454]
The Bishop of Limoges (France) in 1010 had the cities' Jews, who would not convert to Christianity, expelled or killed. [DA453]
First Crusade: Thousands of Jews slaughtered 1096, maybe 12.000 total. Places: Worms 5/18/1096, Mainz 5/27/1096 (1100 persons), Cologne, Neuss, Altenahr, Wevelinghoven, Xanten, Moers, Dortmund, Kerpen, Trier, Metz, Regensburg, Prag and others (All locations Germany except Metz/France, Prag/Czech) [EJ]
Second Crusade: 1147. Several hundred Jews were slain in Ham, Sully, Carentan, and Rameru (all locations in France). [WW57]
Third Crusade: English Jewish communities sacked 1189/90. [DO40]
Fulda/Germany 1235: 34 Jewish men and women slain. [DO41]
1257, 1267: Jewish communities of London, Canterbury, Northampton, Lincoln, Cambridge, and others exterminated. [DO41]
1290 in Bohemian (Poland) allegedly 10,000 Jews killed. [DO41]
1337 Starting in Deggendorf/Germany a Jew-killing craze reaches 51 towns in Bavaria, Austria, Poland. [DO41]
1348 All Jews of Basel/Switzerland and Strasbourg/France (two thousand) burned. [DO41]
1349 In more than 350 towns in Germany all Jews murdered, mostly burned alive (in this one year more Jews were killed than Christians in 200 years of ancient Roman persecution of Christians). [DO42]
1389 In Prag 3,000 Jews were slaughtered. [DO42]
1391 Seville's Jews killed (Archbishop Martinez leading). 4,000 were slain, 25,000 sold as slaves. [DA454] Their identification was made easy by the brightly colored "badges of shame" that all jews above the age of ten had been forced to wear.
1492: In the year Columbus set sail to conquer a New World, more than 150,000 Jews were expelled from Spain, many died on their way: 6/30/1492. [MM470-476]
1648 Chmielnitzki massacres: In Poland about 200,000 Jews were slain. [DO43]
(I feel sick ...) this goes on and on, century after century, right into the kilns of Auschwitz.
Native Peoples
Beginning with Columbus (a former slave trader and would-be Holy Crusader) the conquest of the New World began, as usual understood as a means to propagate Christianity.
Within hours of landfall on the first inhabited island he encountered in the Caribbean, Columbus seized and carried off six native people who, he said, "ought to be good servants ... [and] would easily be made Christians, because it seemed to me that they belonged to no religion." [SH200]
While Columbus described the Indians as "idolators" and "slaves, as many as [the Crown] shall order," his pal Michele de Cuneo, Italian nobleman, referred to the natives as "beasts" because "they eat when they are hungry," and made love "openly whenever they feel like it." [SH204-205]
On every island he set foot on, Columbus planted a cross, "making the declarations that are required" - the requerimiento - to claim the ownership for his Catholic patrons in Spain. And "nobody objected." If the Indians refused or delayed their acceptance (or understanding), the requerimiento continued:
I certify to you that, with the help of God, we shall powerfully enter in your country and shall make war against you ... and shall subject you to the yoke and obedience of the Church ... and shall do you all mischief that we can, as to vassals who do not obey and refuse to receive their lord and resist and contradict him." [SH66]
Likewise in the words of John Winthrop, first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony: "justifieinge the undertakeres of the intended Plantation in New England ... to carry the Gospell into those parts of the world, ... and to raise a Bulworke against the kingdome of the Ante-Christ." [SH235]
In average two thirds of the native population were killed by colonist-imported smallpox before violence began. This was a great sign of "the marvelous goodness and providence of God" to the Christians of course, e.g. the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony wrote in 1634, as "for the natives, they are near all dead of the smallpox, so as the Lord hath cleared our title to what we possess." [SH109,238]
On Hispaniola alone, on Columbus visits, the native population (Arawak), a rather harmless and happy people living on an island of abundant natural resources, a literal paradise, soon mourned 50,000 dead. [SH204]
The surviving Indians fell victim to rape, murder, enslavement and spanish raids.
As one of the culprits wrote: "So many Indians died that they could not be counted, all through the land the Indians lay dead everywhere. The stench was very great and pestiferous." [SH69]
The indian chief Hatuey fled with his people but was captured and burned alive. As "they were tying him to the stake a Franciscan friar urged him to take Jesus to his heart so that his soul might go to heaven, rather than descend into hell. Hatuey replied that if heaven was where the Christians went, he would rather go to hell." [SH70]
What happened to his people was described by an eyewitness:
"The Spaniards found pleasure in inventing all kinds of odd cruelties ... They built a long gibbet, long enough for the toes to touch the ground to prevent strangling, and hanged thirteen [natives] at a time in honor of Christ Our Saviour and the twelve Apostles... then, straw was wrapped around their torn bodies and they were burned alive." [SH72]
Or, on another occasion:
"The Spaniards cut off the arm of one, the leg or hip of another, and from some their heads at one stroke, like butchers cutting up beef and mutton for market. Six hundred, including the cacique, were thus slain like brute beasts...Vasco [de Balboa] ordered forty of them to be torn to pieces by dogs." [SH83]
The "island's population of about eight million people at the time of Columbus's arrival in 1492 already had declined by a third to a half before the year 1496 was out." Eventually all the island's natives were exterminated, so the Spaniards were "forced" to import slaves from other caribbean islands, who soon suffered the same fate. Thus "the Caribbean's millions of native people [were] thereby effectively liquidated in barely a quarter of a century". [SH72-73] "In less than the normal lifetime of a single human being, an entire culture of millions of people, thousands of years resident in their homeland, had been exterminated." [SH75]
"And then the Spanish turned their attention to the mainland of Mexico and Central America. The slaughter had barely begun. The exquisite city of Tenochtitln [Mexico city] was next." [SH75]
Cortez, Pizarro, De Soto and hundreds of other spanish conquistadors likewise sacked southern and mesoamerican civilizations in the name of Christ (De Soto also sacked Florida).
"When the 16th century ended, some 200,000 Spaniards had moved to the Americas. By that time probably more than 60,000,000 natives were dead." [SH95]
Of course no different were the founders of what today is the US of Amerikkka.
Although none of the settlers would have survived winter without native help, they soon set out to expel and exterminate the Indians. Warfare among (north American) Indians was rather harmless, in comparison to European standards, and was meant to avenge insults rather than conquer land. In the words of some of the pilgrim fathers: "Their Warres are farre less bloudy...", so that there usually was "no great slawter of nether side". Indeed, "they might fight seven yeares and not kill seven men." What is more, the Indians usually spared women and children. [SH111]
In the spring of 1612 some English colonists found life among the (generally friendly and generous) natives attractive enough to leave Jamestown - "being idell ... did runne away unto the Indyans," - to live among them (that probably solved a sex problem).
"Governor Thomas Dale had them hunted down and executed: 'Some he apointed (sic) to be hanged Some burned Some to be broken upon wheles, others to be staked and some shott to deathe'." [SH105] Of course these elegant measures were restricted for fellow englishmen: "This was the treatment for those who wished to act like Indians. For those who had no choice in the matter, because they were the native people of Virginia" methods were different: "when an Indian was accused by an Englishman of stealing a cup and failing to return it, the English response was to attack the natives in force, burning the entire community" down. [SH105]
On the territory that is now Massachusetts the founding fathers of the colonies were committing genocide, in what has become known as the "Peqout War". The killers were New England Puritan Christians, refugees from persecution in their own home country England.
When however, a dead colonist was found, apparently killed by Narragansett Indians, the Puritan colonists wanted revenge. Despite the Indian chief's pledge they attacked.
Somehow they seem to have lost the idea of what they were after, because when they were greeted by Pequot Indians (long-time foes of the Narragansetts) the troops nevertheless made war on the Pequots and burned their villages.
The puritan commander-in-charge John Mason after one massacre wrote: "And indeed such a dreadful Terror did the Almighty let fall upon their Spirits, that they would fly from us and run into the very Flames, where many of them perished ... God was above them, who laughed his Enemies and the Enemies of his People to Scorn, making them as a fiery Oven ... Thus did the Lord judge among the Heathen, filling the Place with dead Bodies": men, women, children. [SH113-114]
So "the Lord was pleased to smite our Enemies in the hinder Parts, and to give us their land for an inheritance". [SH111].
Because of his readers' assumed knowledge of Deuteronomy, there was no need for Mason to quote the words that immediately follow:
"Thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth. But thou shalt utterly destroy them..." (Deut 20)
Mason's comrade Underhill recalled how "great and doleful was the bloody sight to the view of the young soldiers" yet reassured his readers that "sometimes the Scripture declareth women and children must perish with their parents". [SH114]
Other Indians were killed in successful plots of poisoning. The colonists even had dogs especially trained to kill Indians and to devour children from their mothers breasts, in the colonists' own words: "blood Hounds to draw after them, and Mastives to seaze them." (This was inspired by spanish methods of the time)
In this way they continued until the extermination of the Pequots was near. [SH107-119]
The surviving handful of Indians "were parceled out to live in servitude. John Endicott and his pastor wrote to the governor asking for 'a share' of the captives, specifically 'a young woman or girle and a boy if you thinke good'." [SH115]
Other tribes were to follow the same path.
Comment the Christian exterminators: "God's Will, which will at last give us cause to say: How Great is His Goodness! and How Great is his Beauty!"
"Thus doth the Lord Jesus make them to bow before him, and to lick the Dust!" [TA]
Like today, lying was OK to Christians then. "Peace treaties were signed with every intention to violate them: when the Indians 'grow secure uppon (sic) the treatie', advised the Council of State in Virginia, 'we shall have the better Advantage both to surprise them, & cutt downe theire Corne'." [SH106]
In 1624 sixty heavily armed Englishmen cut down 800 defenseless Indian men, women and children. [SH107]
In a single massacre in "King Philip's War" of 1675 and 1676 some "600 Indians were destroyed. A delighted Cotton Mather, revered pastor of the Second Church in Boston, later referred to the slaughter as a 'barbeque'." [SH115]
To summarize: Before the arrival of the English, the western Abenaki people in New Hampshire and Vermont had numbered 12,000. Less than half a century later about 250 remained alive - a destruction rate of 98%. The Pocumtuck people had numbered more than 18,000, fifty years later they were down to 920 - 95% destroyed. The Quiripi-Unquachog people had numbered about 30,000, fifty years later they were down to 1500 - 95% destroyed. The Massachusetts people had numbered at least 44,000, fifty years later barely 6000 were alive - 81% destroyed. [SH118] These are only a few examples of the multitude of tribes living before Christian colonists set their foot on the New World. All this was before the smallpox epidemics of 1677 and 1678 had occurred. And the carnage was not over then.
All the above was only the beginning of the European colonization, it was before the frontier age actually had begun.
A total of maybe more than 150 million Indians (of both Americas) were destroyed in the period of 1500 to 1900, as an average two thirds by smallpox and other epidemics, that leaves some 50 million killed directly by violence, bad treatment and slavery.
In many countries, such as Brazil, and Guatemala, this continues even today.
More Glorious events in US history
Reverend Solomon Stoddard, one of New England's most esteemed religious leaders, in "1703 formally proposed to the Massachusetts Governor that the colonists be given the financial wherewithal to purchase and train large packs of dogs 'to hunt Indians as they do bears'." [SH241]
Massacre of Sand Creek, Colorado 11/29/1864. Colonel John Chivington, a former Methodist minister and still elder in the church ("I long to be wading in gore") had a Cheyenne village of about 600, mostly women and children, gunned down despite the chiefs' waving with a white flag: 400-500 killed.
From an eye-witness account: "There were some thirty or forty squaws collected in a hole for protection; they sent out a little girl about six years old with a white flag on a stick; she had not proceeded but a few steps when she was shot and killed. All the squaws in that hole were afterwards killed ..." [SH131]
More gory details.
By the 1860s, "in Hawai'i the Reverend Rufus Anderson surveyed the carnage that by then had reduced those islands' native population by 90 percent or more, and he declined to see it as tragedy; the expected total die-off of the Hawaiian population was only natural, this missionary said, somewhat equivalent to 'the amputation of diseased members of the body'." [SH244]
20th Century Church Atrocities
Catholic extermination camps
Surpisingly few know that Nazi extermination camps in World War II were by no means the only ones in Europe at the time. In the years 1942-1943 also in Croatia existed numerous extermination camps, run by Catholic Ustasha under their dictator Ante Paveli, a practising Catholic and regular visitor to the then pope. There were even concentration camps exclusively for children!
In these camps - the most notorious was Jasenovac, headed by a Franciscan friar - orthodox-Christian serbians (and a substantial number of Jews) were murdered. Like the Nazis the Catholic Ustasha burned their victims in kilns, alive (the Nazis were decent enough to have their victims gassed first). But most of the victims were simply stabbed, slain or shot to death, the number of them being estimated between 300,000 and 600,000, in a rather tiny country. Many of the killers were Franciscan friars. The atrocities were appalling enough to induce bystanders of the Nazi "Sicherheitsdient der SS", watching, to complain about them to Hitler (who did not listen). The pope knew about these events and did nothing to prevent them. [MV]
Catholic terror in Vietnam
In 1954 Vietnamese freedom fighters - the Viet Minh - had finally defeated the French colonial government in North Vietnam, which by then had been supported by U.S. funds amounting to more than $2 billion. Although the victorious assured religious freedom to all (most non-buddhist Vietnamese were Catholics), due to huge anticommunist propaganda campaigns many Catholics fled to the South. With the help of Catholic lobbies in Washington and Cardinal Spellman, the Vatican's spokesman in U.S. politics, who later on would call the U.S. forces in Vietnam "Soldiers of Christ", a scheme was concocted to prevent democratic elections which could have brought the communist Viet Minh to power in the South as well, and the fanatic Catholic Ngo Dinh Diem was made president of South Vietnam. [MW16ff]
Diem saw to it that U.S. aid, food, technical and general assistance was given to Catholics alone, Buddhist individuals and villages were ignored or had to pay for the food aids which were given to Catholics for free. The only religious denomination to be supported was Roman Catholicism.
The Vietnamese McCarthyism turned even more vicious than its American counterpart. By 1956 Diem promulgated a presidential order which read:
"Individuals considered dangerous to the national defense and common security may be confined by executive order, to a concentration camp."
Supposedly to fight communism, thousands of buddhist protesters and monks were imprisoned in "detention camps." Out of protest dozens of buddhist teachers - male and female - and monks poured gasoline over themselves and burned themselves. (Note that Buddhists burned themselves: in comparison Christians tend to burn others). Meanwhile some of the prison camps, which in the meantime were filled with Protestant and even Catholic protesters as well, had turned into no-nonsense death camps. It is estimated that during this period of terror (1955-1960) at least 24,000 were wounded - mostly in street riots - 80,000 people were executed, 275,000 had been detained or tortured, and about 500,000 were sent to concentration or detention camps. [MW76-89].
To support this kind of government in the next decade thousands of American GI's lost their life.
Christianity kills the cat
On July 1, 1976, Anneliese Michel, a 23-year-old student of a teachers college in Germany, died: she starved herself to death. For months she had been haunted by demonic visions and apparitions, and for months two Catholic priests - with explicit approval of the Catholic bishop of Wrzburg - additionally pestered and tormented the wretched girl with their exorcist rituals. After her death in Klingenberg hospital - her body was littered with wounds - her parents, both of them fanatical Catholics, were sentenced to six months for not having called for medical help. None of the priests was punished: on the contrary, Miss Michel's grave today is a place of pilgrimage and worship for a number of similarly faithful Catholics (in the seventeenth century Wrzburg was notorious for it's extensive witch burnings).
This case is only the tip of an iceberg of such evil superstition and has become known only because of its lethal outcome. [SP80]
Rwanda Massacres
In 1994 in the small african country of Rwanda in just a few months several hundred thousand civilians were butchered, apparently a conflict of the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups.
For quite some time I heard only rumours about Catholic clergy actively involved in the 1994 Rwanda massacres. Odd denials of involvement were printed in Catholic church journals, before even anybody had openly accused members of the church.
Then, 10/10/96, in the newscast of S2 Aktuell, Germany - a station not at all critical to Christianity - the following was stated:
"Anglican as well as Catholic priests and nuns are suspect of having actively participated in murders. Especially the conduct of a certain Catholic priest has been occupying the public mind in Rwanda's capital Kigali for months. He was minister of the church of the Holy Family and allegedly murdered Tutsis in the most brutal manner. He is reported to have accompanied marauding Hutu militia with a gun in his cowl. In fact there has been a bloody slaughter of Tutsis seeking shelter in his parish. Even two years after the massacres many Catholics refuse to set foot on the threshold of their church, because to them the participation of a certain part of the clergy in the slaughter is well established. There is almost no church in Rwanda that has not seen refugees - women, children, old - being brutally butchered facing the crucifix.
According to eyewitnesses clergymen gave away hiding Tutsis and turned them over to the machetes of the Hutu militia.
In connection with these events again and again two Benedictine nuns are mentioned, both of whom have fled into a Belgian monastery in the meantime to avoid prosecution. According to survivors one of them called the Hutu killers and led them to several thousand people who had sought shelter in her monastery. By force the doomed were driven out of the churchyard and were murdered in the presence of the nun right in front of the gate. The other one is also reported to have directly cooperated with the murderers of the Hutu militia. In her case again witnesses report that she watched the slaughtering of people in cold blood and without showing response. She is even accused of having procured some petrol used by the killers to set on fire and burn their victims alive..." [S2]
As can be seen from these events, to Christianity the Dark Ages never come to an end.
If today Christians talk to me about morality, this is why they make me sick.
References:
[DA]
K.Deschner, Abermals krhte der Hahn, Stuttgart 1962.
[DO]
K.Deschner, Opus Diaboli, Reinbek 1987.
[EC]
P.W.Edbury, Crusade and Settlement, Cardiff Univ. Press 1985.
[EJ]
S.Eidelberg, The Jews and the Crusaders, Madison 1977.
[LI]
H.C.Lea, The Inquisition of the Middle Ages, New York 1961.
[MM]
M.Margolis, A.Marx, A History of the Jewish People.
[MV]
A.Manhattan, The Vatican’s Holocaust, Springfield 1986.
See also V.Dedijer, The Yugoslav Auschwitz and the Vatican, Buffalo NY, 1992.
[NC]
J.T.Noonan, Contraception: A History of its Treatment by the Catholic Theologians and Canonists, Cambridge/Mass., 1992.
[S2]
Newscast of S2 Aktuell, Germany, 10/10/96, 12:00.
[SH]
D.Stannard, American Holocaust, Oxford University Press 1992.
[SP]
German news magazine Der Spiegel, no.49, 12/2/1996.
[TA]
A True Account of the Most Considerable Occurrences that have Hapned in the Warre Between the English and the Indians in New England, London 1676.
[TG]
F.Turner, Beyond Geography, New York 1980.
[WW]
H.Wollschlger: Die bewaffneten Wallfahrten gen Jerusalem, Zrich 1973.
(This is in german and what is worse, it is out of print. But it is the best I ever read about crusades and includes a full list of original medieval Christian chroniclers' writings).
[WV]
Estimates on the number of executed witches:
N.Cohn, Europe's Inner Demons: An Enquiry Inspired by the Great Witch Hunt, Frogmore 1976, 253.
R.H.Robbins, The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Demonology, New York 1959, 180.
J.B.Russell, Witchcraft in the Middle Ages, Ithaca/NY 1972, 39.
H.Zwetsloot, Friedrich Spee und die Hexenprozesse, Trier 1954, 56.
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