How many times is the charade of denial going to play out? (Note that this article was written before the BBC carried a report saying that Sri Lankan authorities were identifying the attackers as part of a “radical Islamist extremist group.”) My latest in FrontPage:
Well over two hundred people are dead, and hundreds more injured, in jihad massacres in churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday morning, and now the usual denial and obfuscation are in full swing. I’m often asked, when I speak around the country, what it will take to wake people up to the nature and gravity of the jihad threat. For all too many people, the answer, as the Sri Lanka attacks abundantly show, is nothing.
The facts were clear enough, at least if one checked the Indian media. India’s News18.com reported that “two of the six attacks that rocked Sri Lanka this morning are reportedly to be have been carried out by suicide bombers,” that telltale sign that this was a jihad attack, with the bombers hoping to claim the Qur’an’s promise of Paradise for those who “kill and are killed” for Allah (9:111). “The attack at Shangri La hotel,” News18 continued, “was carried out by suicide bomber Zahran Hashim, while Abu Mohammad has been identified as the attacker at the Batticalao church.”
The Hindu, meanwhile, reported on another jihad suicide bomber, Mohamed Azzam Mohamed, who “waited patiently in a queue for the Easter Sunday breakfast buffet at Sri Lanka’s Cinnamon Grand hotel before setting off explosives strapped to his back.” Mohamed was “just about to be served when he set off his devastating strike in the packed restaurant, a manager at the Sri Lankan hotel said.”
What’s more, there was advance warning: AFP reported that “Sri Lanka’s police chief Pujuth Jayasundara issued an intelligence alert to top officers 10 days ago, warning that suicide bombers planned to hit ‘prominent churches’. ‘A foreign intelligence agency has reported that the NTJ (National Thowheeth Jama’ath) is planning to carry out suicide attacks targeting prominent churches as well as the Indian high commission in Colombo,’ the alert said. The NTJ is a radical Muslim group in Sri Lanka that was linked last year to the vandalisation of Buddhist statues.”
Nevertheless, the Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Ranjith, said: “It’s a very difficult and a very sad situation for all of us because we never expected such a thing to happen and especially on Easter Sunday.”
Did Jayasundara alert the “prominent churches,” or just the intelligence officers? If he did alert the churches, did Ranjith disregard the warning? We may never know the answers to those questions, but in a larger sense it is easy to see, despite escalating Muslim persecution of Christians worldwide, why Ranjith “never expected such a thing to happen,” and so had no guards at the churches for Easter Sunday: all those who have been for years calling attention to this threat have been branded as “racist,” “bigoted” and “Islamophobic,” and dismissed as “fearmongering.” Everyone in the Catholic Church knows that Islam is a religion of peace; dissenters are shunned and ostracized. Would it have been “Islamophobic” to have Sri Lankan churches guarded for Easter?
The establishment media in the West seemed determined to keep people as much in the dark as Ranjith was. The New York Times mentioned the jihad group that Jayasundara had warned about, but didn’t mention any of the names of the jihadis who had been identified in the Indian media. CNN didn’t mention either, and even claimed that “it’s not clear who’s behind the eight explosions that forced the country of 21 million people to go on lockdown.” Buzzfeed was completely mum about who might be behind the attacks. CBS noted a Sri Lankan official’s acknowledgment that “religious extremists,” of unidentified affiliation, were responsible. The BBC insisted that “it remains unclear who carried out the attacks.”
That coverage was representative of how the attacks were reported all over the West, and indicative of how all jihad attacks are covered. The identity and motive of the perpetrator are glossed over, downplayed, or ignored altogether. If that cannot be done, then the focus shifts to Muslims as victims, bracing for an “Islamophobic backlash” that seldom, actually materializes. In this case, the worst take came from Britain’s egregious Prime Minister Theresa May, whose initial response to the massacre was to tweet: “The acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly appalling.”
Yes, Ms. May, this was the work of anti-hotel and anti-church building zealots.
Britain’s Prime Minister can’t name the victims — Christians — for fear of offending the Muslim communities in the UK whose votes she desperately needs. For the same reason, she most certainly cannot mention the fact that many of the victims were celebrating Easter, or name the attackers, or explain the basis upon which they chose their targets.
Theresa May epitomizes the cowardice and pusillanimity of modern Western leaders. And that is why her country, and other nations of the West, are in such a precarious state. But it isn’t her fault. The overall response to the Sri Lanka jihad massacre shows why the West’s response to the global jihad is so wholly and comprehensively inadequate.
Michael Copeland says
“What a fantastic contribution muslims make to this country!”
David Cameron, echoed by Theresa May
mortimer says
Theresa May’s cowardly dissembling in the face of an obvious reality goes beyond a wishful denial of REALITY … it is GASLIGHTING … namely, intentionally trying to convince people that they DO NOT SEE WHAT THEY SEE or HEAR WHAT THEY HEAR. Gaslighting the public repeatedly is NOT ACCEPTABLE and should be denounced by the voters. Will they be knowledgeable or not?
The denials will continue until most people in the West understand the ESSENTIAL TEACHING of Islam (Al Walaa wal Baraa) which MANDATES that Muslims HATE the dirty kafirs ‘FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH’.
This hatred directed by Muslims against disbelieving KAFIRS is not optional, but a REQUIRED ACTION if a Muslim wishes to go to the Islamic playboy mansion in the sky.
CRUSADER says
Muslim Debate Initiative
topic: ISLAMOPHOBIA
https://thedebateinitiative.com/category/subject/islamophobia/
Demsci says
Ever since 9/11, starting with G.W. Bush, politicians from all Western Democracies, most parties, from left and right, have said this. They have echoed Muslim and leftist Islam-apologists, the defender-lawyers of Islam, and of Muslims (most, but not all). Among them so many Mainstream Media nowadays.
Others, like JW, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Douglas Murray, Geert Wilders etc. Have warned against Islam. They are the “prosecutors of Islam” and of Muslims (some, not all).
The 3rd party, judge and jury, if you will, is the public, are the voters, and then there are many opportunistic politicians, catering to them.
One can respond by looking for who af the 2 sides are right and who wrong and telling that to the 3rd party.
One can also respond by telling the 3rd party; look, both sides come with good evidence, and if both sides are right then that means that the texts and their validity in descriptiveness or prescriptiveness, are AMBIGUOUS, multi-interpretable.
But definitely among those interpretations indeed is a widespread dangerous one. Even if others are as nice and innocent as these Islam-defenders say.
that means that the very multi-interpretability makes Islam dangerous!
Malcolm (South Afric) says
Catholic Poland attitude to refugees (illegal muslims): We laugh at the rest of europe, and wish them well:
Joseph Foley says
With Morons like Theresa May and Macron running Britain and France, what can anyone expect but these countries to go down the tube. See how the Poles don’t give a damn about political correctness and they have a safe country.
Rufolino says
Poland not quite so “safe” as you put it, for gay people, a result of the Catholic Church’s prejudice and rejection.
Not that W.Europe is “safe” for gays. Now that Islam proliferates. Attacks against gays go unreported -it would be islamophobic.
It is set to get far worse for gays in W.Europe. This is only a matter of time.
No doubt many gay-haters in the West will be gratified by this.
Cicero says
Well free speech and internet debate is being shut down in the U.K. U.K. councils have amended their Equality and Diversity policy to include “Hate Speech “. If an employee or service user overhears a private conversation between two individuals or a group of individuals and thinks they are uttering words or ideas which the eaves dropper feels is offensive or derogarotory to themselves , they can report the “The Hate Speech “ to Council Officers 2ho will then prosecute/ persecute the perceived “ miscreants “.
Tommy Robinson has been shut down by Instagram, Twitter, Facebook . The Dark Cloud of Censorship and Suppression of Dissent is tightening its stranglehold on All Free thinking British citizens
mortimer says
Horrible. The UK needs a version of the First Amendment. The neo-Marxist government elites are crushing the rights of Britons.
Britons are complacently accepting the removal of their civil liberties. They will regret it.
They have been totally brainwashed to accept this tyranny.
Sue Sherrill says
The US needs to have it’s 1st Amendment enforced!
See Prager U video: https://www.gofundme.com/peter-vlaming-family-fund?viewupdates=1&rcid=r01-155595984184-b21d698cd492410f&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_email%2B1137-update-supporters-v5b
CRUSADER says
What is so controversial about Tommy Robinson’s “Qur’an” that it can’t be published and distributed?
jule says
But what about the hate speech coming continuously from Mosques carried to the streets and taught from the Qur’an/Hadiths? When are they going to stop that?
Westman says
It seems that at the core of denial and delusion by government and MSM is that jihad will not progess beyond Siddiq Khan’s, “part and parcel”, of big city life when, in fact, it is accelerating.
Governments rule by statistics which ignore individual measrements in favor of trends. “How many will vote for me”, is the most important statistic. Purposefully exchanging correlation with causation is also a useful tool, as in, “We have more violence because we have more unsettled immigrants. It will soon settle down. It has nothing to do with Islam – the religion of peace.”
James Lincoln says
Robert Spencer says,
“The identity and motive of the perpetrator are glossed over, downplayed, or ignored altogether.”
Absolutely true… He is not exaggerating…
From an Associated Press article that I saw this morning:
“Defense Minister Ruwan
Wijewardena described the
blasts as a terrorist attack by
religious extremists”
“Two Muslim groups in
Sri Lanka condemned the
church attacks”
And some US newspapers have already removed the already whitewashed articles from their online websites.
Unbelievable.
Malcolm (South Afric) says
Barack Obama
“The attacks on tourists and Easter worshippers in Sri Lanka are an attack on humanity,” Obama tweeted on Easter Sunday.
The left can not mention the word Christians celebrating the most important day on the calendar they are now termed Easter worshippers.
CRUSADER says
Combination of lazy and looney education systems infected by Leftism….
David Horowitz’s “Unholy Alliance” explains much….
“Choomer” Obama was a fellow easily influenced,
and the worms came out of the woodwork around him.
rosiefingereddon says
And so it is in Australia.
“Tamil Tigers 10 years on blah blah…”
“No one has taken any responsibility.”
[ Because the bombers are all captured or killed? Aha! ]
“Tamil Tigers.”
“A little known Islamic Group.”
Is that A little known-Islamic-Group OR A little-known Islamic Group ?
“Nobody knows but anyway this is 10 years on from the Tamil Tigers”
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation with a billion dollar annual budget doesn’t know that the bombers have Islamic names OR “Just repeat Tamil Tigers blah blah for now anyway.”
What about New Zealand?
Who?
New Zealand, you know our cousins, just 2 hours away from Sydney. We should see what they feel about all this.
“No, never heard of them, Anyway, it’s Tamil Tigers blah blah for now anyway.”
It’s Tamil Tigers all the way down.
Jeremiah says
Get behind Trump and return to Church.
Malcolm (South Afric) says
MAGA
CRUSADER says
If only Muslims would convert multitudinally in droves to Christianity,
a religion which they are at least somewhat familiar with….
Demsci says
ABI; Anything But Islam; I hope Atheism is OK too. And all the other religions. Let them give it a shot to compete for followers with Islam.
If anything to replace it; belief in the fundamentals of Democracy, in the Golden Rule for human rights.
Walk Away Muslims, do MEXIT or MEXODUS.
Demsci says
Muslims, instead of Identifying yourself as Muslims, take some other identity. Your ancestors changed into Islam, can’t you now find something better, more true, more inspiring?
CRUSADER says
We will need more than MAGA to fend of Muzzies.
We will also need KRAV MAGA !!
Each of us.
FYI says
MIGA
Make Infidels Great Again
DanC says
To compare the reporting of this tragedy in Sri Lanka with NZ mosques attack: in NZ case it was from second #1 “extremist”, “radical-right”, “we must all stand against hate” + all the rest of mandatory emo BS but in this case everyone is afraid to say it bluntly who it was and why.
Who knows? must have been Amish Mafia, apparently they are deadly and dangerous…
WPM says
In the NZ Mosque attacks you had the guy,s name, country he grew up in, were he travel in the last two years and his manifesto all in 24 hours .In this attack you have the MSM saying “some people did something” and we cannot name or figure out who or why they did it on to more news Tami Tigers did something 10 years ago is it linked the MSM we will not say or spend time looking at if it was or was not ! Fast breaking News in America Trump will not release his tax returns to the public so they cannot paw threw them oh the humanity he is simple an evil man because of this! 200 Christians murder on Easter Sunday by Jihadist o-hum ,say mean things about Islam you are a racist hater who the left thinks you should be punched in the face, lose your job ,be hounded by the though police if you live in western Europe.
CRUSADER says
It helped the news outlets that the NZ attacker filmed and left manifesto.
Who knows though if these Sri Lanka perps have left a detailed manifesto,
other than “OllyOllyOxenFree” ?
WPM says
Even if they left bread crumbs and an internet trail a mile long what makes you think the MSM would bother looking at this ?How many people run over in France, London , New York, bombs in Boston Marathon , rape gangs in England ,flying planes into buildings in NYC, shooting and cutting the throats of journalist and film makers in Northern Europe on public streets in broad day light. People elected to Congress represent Americas Midwest saying “someone did something” we do no know why yet about 911 lets not stay angry over these unknow motives. Some else elected as congresswomen saying publicly we have to get that m@ther Fu@ker talking about a serving president with no blow back from the press she got an approval and thumbs up from the MSM. You are telling me there is no film in these 5 star Hotels that have millionaire guest staying there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.There is no film of any of these attacks in the 21 century where ever Deli, cathouse , store even in third world countries has cameras watching the front doors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rufolino says
They don’t need a “manifesto”. Their manifesto is the Koran and the words of Mohammed.
Walter Sieruk says
Those jihadist /Muslims who engaged in those violent and murderous Islamic terror attacks which are the deadly Sri Easter church jihad bombings reflects the teaching of the “holy book” of Islam, the Quran. As, for example, the Quran instructs in Sura 9:111. “The believers fight in Allah’s Cause, they slay and are slain, they kill and are killed.” Nevertheless, the apologists for Islam still have the gall to make the claim the “Islam is a peaceful religion.” What an outlandishly false claim to make
Dennis Pasek says
If you know the concept of Taqiyya, then you know that Mozlems are compelled to make those outlandishly false claims.
Rolf Wittwer says
After every islamic terrorattack, too many leftwing medias. groups, people,,etc.,indirectly defending the muslim community in a way. as nothing had happened! The continuous playing down of bloody terror ist going on and on and on. But it is criminal.
The satanic evil “political correctness” has been implemented to us by intolerant, hateful and primitive leftists and those under “religion” responsable bunch of wild illiterate subanimal hellterrorists.
It was invented, to keep down democracy and freedom of speech in our civilized western society.
Should we further agree, that stoneaged, inhuman, intolerant and strict Sharia, Quran will incoctrinating our little kids – even befor its Kindergarden-age? Should this be the future led by hateful fanatic “religious” citizens?
Why medias, political parties, groups and people are trying to bring down our culture by any means?
Is it the damned, wanted to be implemented “New World Order” – respectivelly the “3.Reich, 2.0” ????
We have to wake up!
Demsci says
Rolf, understood.
Consider 3 parties, the already woken conservatives and their opponents; the de facto RED-GREEN alliance; Muslims and leftists. 3rd party; the public, mass, voters. And those who will cater to them; the politicians. We might need power and leverage next to debates and persuasion.
A substantial part of the leftists and the public is now very concerned about global warming. It is THEIR urgent danger, as Islam is ours.
What if we could vote into power politicians like Donald Trump and tell the leftists that we will NOT try to save our planet, mankind from the effects of global warming.
First of all because we believe it is only partially true and is not so urgent as you say,
Second of all; in a sense; we might as well PERISH by global warming as by ISLAM. Which leftists keep underestimating and protecting, with their votes and their politicians.
It sounds cynical; but we need you and you need us. If you say “f* you with Islam”, we can say “f* you with Global Warming”. But we much prefer to compromise on both issues.
CRUSADER says
Perhaps the death of the children of a Billionaire Dane will influence matters?
Sometimes it takes a few shocks to the system, and influencers turn toward fighting what ails society. Civilizations are clashing. Lines will have to get drawn. Sides will have to be chosen. Arming up for the Good Fight will become more necessary.
The DAVOS crowd are those who influence society at many levels….
=====================================================
Danish billionaire’s children killed on Easter Sunday attack by Islamic suicide bombers at hotels and churches in Sri Lanka
Three of Danish billionaire Anders Holch-Povlsen’s four children were among the nearly 300 people killed on Easter Sunday when Islamic suicide bombers attacked hotels and churches in Sri Lanka, a spokesperson for Povlsen’s company confirmed.
Holch-Povlsen, his wife Anne and the couple’s four children were in Colombo during the Easter holiday when the suicide bombing occurred. They were staying at the Shangri-La hotel, which was targeted by two suicide bombers Sunday, Forbes reported.
“Unfortunately, we can confirm the reports,” a spokesperson for Bestseller, another of Povlsen’s companies, said in a statement to Fox News. “We ask you to respect the privacy of the family and we, therefore, have no further comments.”
The spokesman did not provide further information on where the Holch-Povlsen family was when the attacks occurred. The identities of the children were not released.
An Instagram account identified as belonging to one of Holch-Povlsen’s children featured a post from several days ago showing her and two of her siblings. The Instagram post has since been flooded with condolences for the family, though it’s unclear if those pictured were the children who died.
The 46-year-old business tycoon is the richest person in Denmark with a net worth of $7.9 billion. He is the biggest shareholder of British online retailer Asos and the largest landowner in Scotland. Holch-Povlsen also holds significant stakes in Zalando and Klarna.
Sunday’s coordinated bombings, which ripped through churches and luxury hotels, were carried out by seven suicide bombers from a militant group believed to be National Thowfeek Jamaath, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.
Senaratne said the international intelligence agencies warned of attacks several times since the start of April, but Sri Lankan officials still failed to stop the deadly bombings.
Among those killed was Dieter Kowalski, a 40-year-old man from Denver, Colo., who landed in the country on Sunday, his employer confirmed to FOX31.
“We mourn Dieter deeply today. We pray for his soul, and for his family and friends,” the email from Pearson’s CEO John Fallon said. “We pray, too, for our colleagues in Sri Lanka, and Denver, and Boston, and in Pearson offices around the world.”
The Daily Telegraph reported five British nationals are among the dead, including Shantha Mayadunne, a TV chef, and her daughter, Nisanga.
Shantha Mayadunne’s website identified her as the first chef to host a live cooking show in Sri Lanka. She also had published multiple books.
gravenimage says
I’m not going to gloat over the death of any of these victims.
CRUSADER says
Gloating should be belayed.
It is the PERSONAL experience of one of the movers and shakers of Western Europe being so horribly affected by tragedy which has potential to wake up those in greater authority and influence…..
Most people really don’t pay attention till it “happens to them”….
warren nicodemus says
OH my GOD ! NOT AGAIN! Muslim Jihad/Massacre .Face/Book hates this”truth” &’s taken the side of EVIL . Post about the dead Christians & be band.
Sri Lanka 300
Reina Nightclub 39
Sehwan suicide bombing 88
Tanta& Alexandria church bombings 47
Zliten truck bombing 50
Nigerian village Boko Haram 65
Lahore suicide bombing 70
Orlando Florida 49
Bastille day France 87
St. Peter & Paul’s Church 29
Baga Nigeria 200
Al-Shabaab’s Garissa University College 148
Russian jet Bomb 224
14 female suicide bombers 36
https://youtu.be/I_To-cV94Bo
CRUSADER says
Christian Persecutions worldwide
http://www.OPENDOORSusa.org
Oren says
I agree with everything in the article except the part about needing muslim votes. Just like in America the republicans are overwhelmingly the white party, and the democrats are the non white party. The same is the case in Britain, the muslims vote for the left. May is almost certainly one of those soft conservatives, but she has no chance of ever capturing the vote of the non white muslims of Britain. I have heard that the majority of Jews of Britain are now voting right wing, but I have not confirmed this.
It is not clear to me why the right wing republicans sell out any right winger who stands up for white identity, why they grovel to the left about how anti racist they are, how they play along with any false accusation of racism made by any leftist. I suppose the answer is America is mostly a fascist left wing government, the more we get the American people to move to the right, the more the government will expose themselves as not really being in support of free speech for supporters of white rights, equal rights, the right to representation will all be exposed as farcical at some point in time. In G-d I trust.
Also, I figure you are playing defense for the idea of Teresa may trying to get muslim votes for the british right wing. It sounds so weak and stupid, I hope G-d frees us from such a fatally flawed equal potential of all worldview. Talking about the muslim religion is A good minor substitute for the real conversation of racial inequality, but I am not fond, nor effective at the constant lying about the root causes and the rest of the dancing act necessary to maintain discourse. It would seem to me that although it is good, just thing of how many white girls get angry at the idea of their man being criticized, vast percentages of men fail to properly manage the juggling act. In G-d I trust.
CRUSADER says
Why bring in Race?
Larry Elder would take you to task on this point, Oren.
Also, you don’t have to be of dark skin to be Muslim.
If there are more caucasians who are of a conservative traditional political party,
it is because of the history of a nation being mainly caucasian. Skin color rarely
has much to do with it. Policies opened to influx of “colored” immigrants.
It is the principles and also specifics of political points and policies which
make one more conservative or less so.
Eric Jones says
Prophet Mohammad was white.
Eric
CRUSADER says
POOBAH had this description of his appearance made up at the Make Over Department:
========================================
Physical Appearance of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
lifeofprophet.com/about-prophet-muhammad/his-physical-appearance/
Physical Appearance of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
What was his skin color? How long was his hair?
Skin Color – Light Brown, Yellowish
Hair – Neither Curly nor Firm
Stature – Medium Build, Broad Shoulders
Face – Slightly ovalish
“There was nothing that was more sweeter to me, more beloved to me than to stare at the face of the Prophet . And I could never get enough of looking at him, I never got tired of looking at him and yet if you were to ask me how he looked, I couldn’t describe him. Because along with this desire to stare at him there was also this awe, this reverence that I had that could not allow me to just stare directly at him and I had to lower my face.”
AWWW….THE DUDE HAD A MO CRUSH !!!
Islamaphone says
‘Members of extremist Muslim group National Thowheeth Jama’ath were among 24 people arrested after eight bombs tore through three churches, four high-end hotels and what was believed to be a terrorists’ safe house on Easter Sunday.’
*AMONG*??? Serious? And WTH is a terrorists’ safe house?
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/australians-killed-in-sri-lanka-named/news-story/0b11127090838bb821e384f47e03bf69?fbclid=IwAR0qPQ0xXElbz25M_KT1OGeKNC74BNjoIdWAeUx4R_DXW8mJzQq-9TcvCIM
CRUSADER says
Islamaphone? Does that mean you listen to Islama ?
Islamaphone says
I slam a phone – meh. Sorry, best I could come up with when 1st posting here.
TKF says
33000 dead? Don’t worry about it, it’s just something someone did. Now, let’s get back to wring our hands over Islamophobia and focus on the real victims….Muslims, as per always.
CRUSADER says
Jamie Glazov has to speak more about this concept Mortimer brings up: GASLIGHTING.
It is quite apropos.
WPM says
Islam has been gaslighting for the last 40 years with allies in the Western MSM cheerleading them .
CRUSADER says
OpenDoorsUSA: Christian Persecution by Muslims tracked
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/ethiopia/
Expanding Islam and Christian targets
In Ethiopia, radical Islam is growing at the local, regional and national levels. Particularly in the rural areas, where Muslims are the majority, Christians are harassed and often denied access to communal resources. The new prime minister has spurred hope for Christians regarding the future of Ethiopia, but the government is not in control of the entire country. In areas where control is lacking, Christian persecution is a common fear and believers are still targeted.
How Christians are suffering
All Christian communities are affected by persecution in Ethiopia, although some denominations are more affected than others. Non-traditional Christians face the harshest persecution both from the government and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Converts to Christianity from a Muslim background, particularly in eastern and southeastern parts of the country, as well as cross-denominational converts from an Orthodox background, face harsh mistreatment from their families and communities. In some areas, Christians are denied access to community resources and sometimes ostracized from society. In addition, in some regions of the country mobs will attack churches.
Examples
On August 4, 2018, a two-day period of violence erupted in which Muslim mobs targeted the Christian minority in Ethiopia’s Somali Region; 15 Orthodox priests were among those killed. Ten Orthodox churches were set ablaze and nine evangelical churches were also vandalized or looted.
Violence 81%
Church Life 62%
National Life 65%
Community Life 61%
Family Life 60%
Private Life 60%
….
CRUSADER says
….
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/about-the-ranking/
A ‘five spheres concept’ has been developed to track the various expressions of persecution in the different areas of a Christian’s life. The WWL questionnaire contains questions specific for each sphere and a score is recorded. The maximum for each of the 5 spheres and 1 violence block is 16.667, making a maximum overall score of 100 points when the scores for violence are added.
1. Private Life
The guiding WWL question asked is: “How free has a Christian been to relate to God one-on-one in his/her own space?”
The questions set out in the WWL questionnaire deal with conversion, private worship, possession of religious material, freedom of expression (e.g. in spoken word and writing, through images and symbols, access to information and media, privately sharing a belief with others), freedom of private assembly, and isolation of Christians.
2. Family Life
The guiding WWL question asked is: “How free has a Christian been to live his/her Christian convictions within the circle of the family, and how free have Christian families been to conduct their family life in a Christian way?”
The questions set out in the WWL questionnaire deal with the forced allocation of religious identity, registration of civil affairs, weddings, baptisms, burials, adoptions, child rearing, indoctrination of children, harassment of or discrimination against children, separation of families, isolation of converts, pressure to divorce, custody of children, and inheritance rights.
3. Community Life
Community life includes the workplace, business, health care, education, and local public life and civic order.
The guiding WWL question asked is: “How free have Christians been individually and collectively to live their Christian convictions within the local community (beyond church life), and how much pressure has the community put on Christians by acts of discrimination, harassment or any other form of persecution?”
The questions set out in the WWL questionnaire deal with threat or obstruction to daily life, dress codes, monitoring of Christians, abduction and forced marriage, access to community resources, community ceremonies, participation in communal institutions and and disadvantages in education, discrimination in employment and obstruction in business, policing issues (fines, interrogations, forced reporting).
4. National Life
The interaction between Christians and the nation they live in includes rights and laws, the justice system, national public administration and public life.
The guiding WWL question asked is: “How free have Christians been individually and collectively to live their Christian convictions beyond their local community, and how much pressure has the legal system put on Christians, and how much pressure have agents of supra-local life put on Christians by acts of misinformation, discrimination, harassment or any other form of persecution?”
The questions set out in the WWL questionnaire deal with national ideology, constitution, registration of religion in IDs, conscientious objection, travel within a country and abroad, discrimination by authorities, barring from public office or professional progress, policy interference with businesses, expression of opinion in public, Christian civil society organizations and political parties, reporting about religious or social conflicts, smear campaigns, toleration of public disrespect, religious symbols, blasphemy accusations, impunity, equal treatment in court, monitoring of trials.
5. Church Life
Church life is understood as the collective exercise by Christians of freedom of thought and conscience, particularly as regards uniting with fellow Christians in worship, life, service and public expression of their faith without undue interference. It also pertains to properties held or used by Christians for these purposes.
The guiding WWL question asked is: “How have restrictions, discrimination, harassment or other forms of persecution infringed upon these rights and this collective life of Christian churches, organizations and institutions?”
The questions set out in the WWL questionnaire deal with the hindrance in gathering of Christians, registration of churches, monitoring or closing of unregistered churches, church building and renovation, expropriation and non-return, disturbance or disruption of services, prevention of activities inside or outside churches or among youth, acceptance of converts, monitoring of preaching and published materials, election and training of leaders, harassment of leaders or their families, Bibles and other religious materials and their printing, importing, selling or dissemination, and confiscation, broadcasting and Internet use, interference with ethical convictions (regarding family and marriage) and personnel policy of Christian institutions, Christian civil society organizations and social activities, interaction with the global Church, and the denouncing of government persecution.
Violence is defined as the deprivation of physical freedom or as serious bodily or mental harm to Christians or serious damage to their property and can occur in all spheres of life – as illustrated in the diagram below.
Diagram showing how violence can cut through all spheres of life (© Christof Sauer, IIRF)
….
CRUSADER says
….
OpenDoorsUSA.org
EXPLANATION OF PERSECUTION ENGINES
There are different types of Persecution engine, each displaying their own brand of hostility towards Christians. WWL methodology works with 8 categories of Persecution engine
1. Islamic oppression
This engine describes the persecution situation where countries, communities and households are being forced under Islamic control. This can be done gradually by a process of systematic Islamization (building up pressure) or suddenly by the use of militant force (violence) or by both together.
An example of gradual Islamization is found in many countries where the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic NGOs and other likewise groups roll out a holistic Islamic mission strategy, coupled with a ban on conversion at the family and local community level.
An example of the use of militant force can be seen in groups such as Islamic State, Boko Haram and al-Shabaab.
The scope of this ‘Islamic movement’ is global.
2. Religious nationalism
This engine describes the persecution situation where countries, communities or households are being forced under the control of one particular religion (other than Islam). This religion can be Hinduism, Buddhism or Judaism, or even other. The process can be gradual and systematic (via a building-up of pressure), or abrupt (through violence). Often it is the combination of both that increasingly makes life for Christians in the country difficult.
An example is Hindu mob violence in India against Christians who witness in the public domain against the background of ever-increasing legislation that curtails religious freedom (e.g. anti-conversion laws).
The scope of these ‘religious movements’ is mostly national.
3. Ethnic Antagonism
This engine describes the persecution situation where communities and households are being forced to adhere to age-old indigenous customs established by tribes or ethnic people groups. There is a huge variety of groups here. The ‘mechanics’ of this engine is comparable to Islamic oppression and Religious nationalism – there often is a combination of a gradual building-up of pressure and incidental outright violence.
An example of subtle pressure is when the authorities of an indigenous community in Myanmar or Mexico refuse to allow a Christian family’s children to attend school.
An example of outright violence is when Christian families are driven out a village because they do not want to participate in traditional ceremonies.
The scope of this ‘ethnic movement’ is mainly subnational (part of the territory of the country) but can involve the crossing of national borders depending on the regional spread of the ethnic people groups.
4. Denominational protectionism
This engine describes the situation where fellow Christians are being persecuted by one church denomination to make sure it remains the only legitimate or dominant expression of Christianity in the country. This engine is comparable to the other engines that are related to religious expressions: It is characterized by a combination of subtle pressure and outright violence, although in practice the balance is often towards non-violence.
Outright violence can, however, happen as the Ethiopian Orthodox anti-reformist movement in Ethiopia has been showing for several years now against Christians in their own churches who want to reform the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
The scope of this ‘ecclesiastical movement’ is national, especially when the denomination involved has narrow ties with the State.
5. Communist and post-communist oppression
This engine describes the situation where Christians are being persecuted and churches controlled by a state system that derives from Communist values. Key for controlling churches is a rigid system of state registration and monitoring. This system may still be in use in countries after the fall of Communism, as is the case in Central Asia. Although the engine relies on a combination of pressure and violence, the violence is often not particularly visible because the system’s hold on the church is complete and tight.
An example is President Berdymukhamedov’s authoritarian government in Turkmenistan, where no religious activities beyond state-run and state-controlled institutions are allowed.
However, extreme cases such as North Korea with its concentration camps do show a high prevalence of violence against Christians.
The scope of this ideological movement is national, tough in the past it was global.
6. Secular intolerance
This engine describes the situation where Christian faith is being forced out of the public domain, if possible even out of the hearts of people. Its drivers seek to transform societies into the mold of a new, radically secularist ethic. This new ethic is (partly) related to a radically new sexual agenda, with norms and values about sexuality, marriage and related issues that are alien to, and resisted by the Christian worldview. When Christian individuals or institutions try to resist this new ethic, they are opposed by (i) non-discrimination legislation, (ii) attacks on parental rights in the area of education, (iii) the censorship of the Cross and other religious symbols from the public square, (iv) the use of various manifestations of “hate” speech laws to limit the freedom of expression, and (v) Church registration laws. Most of this is not violent, although arrests of pastors and lay people have happened.
An example of this engine is compulsory sexual education based on gender ideology (including LGBTI insights) in nursery and primary schools in some countries and the serious threat against parents who want to withdraw their young children from these lessons.
The scope of this ‘secularist movement’ is global.
7. Dictatorial paranoia
This engine describes the persecution situation where an authoritarian government at different levels of society, assisted by social stakeholder groups, does all it can to maintain power. There is no special focus on realizing an ideological vision; it seems lust for power and the benefits it brings with it are decisive. The dynamics of this engine is comparable to Communist and post-Communist oppression: although the engine relies on a combination of pressure and violence, often the threat of violence is sufficient to force the non-state controlled Church underground.
Example: The government of Eritrea has been controlling the Church in Eritrea more and more. It began by reacting very strongly against the new Christian communities (e.g. imprisoning Christians in shipping containers), but has continued by putting increasing pressure on the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (e.g. through curtailing the clergy).
The scope of this engine is national.
8. Organized corruption and crime
This engine describes the persecution situation where groups or individuals are creating a climate of impunity, anarchy and corruption as a means for self-enrichment. It has two main ‘branches’: (i) corruption within state structures and (ii) corruption of society by organized crime. This engine expresses itself through a combination of systematic pressure caused by fear for violent repercussions in case of non-compliance, and by such violence.
Corruption from within: Princes in Saudi Arabia are often free to do what they want. The country is theirs. The trade-off is giving radical Islamic forces a high level of influence both within and outside the country. The negative effect of this on Christians worldwide is enormous through the spread of Wahhabism (a very radical strand of Islam) in moderate Muslim countries.
Organized crime: In Latin American countries such as Colombia and Mexico criminal groups (drugs, human trafficking etc.) use violence to keep the Church under control, especially at the level of the local community. At the national level the interests of these groups are served by co-opting politicians and the security apparatus of the state.
The scope of this engine is global.
….
CRUSADER says
…
LIST OF DRIVERS OF PERSECUTION
The term “drivers of persecution (engines)” is used to describe people and/or groups causing hostilities towards Christians in a particular country. WWR uses 12 drivers in its documents:
1. Government officials at any level from local to national
E.g. teachers, police, local officials, presidents, Kim Jong Un
2. Ethnic group leaders
E.g. tribal chiefs
3. Non-Christian religious leaders at any level from local to national
E.g. imams, rabbis, senior Buddhist monks
4. Christian religious leaders at any level from local to national
E.g. popes, patriarchs, bishops, priests, pastors
5. Violent religious leaders
E.g. Boko Haram (Nigeria), Hamas (Palestinian Territories), Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and the Sinhala Ravaya (SR) (both in Sri Lanka)
6. Ideological pressure groups
E.g. LBTGI rights groups, Abortion Rights UK, National Secular Society
7. Normal citizens (people from the general public), including mobs
E.g. students, neighbors, shopkeepers, mobs
8. Extended family
E.g. one’s direct family members or the wider circle of kinsmen
9. Political parties at any level from local to national
E.g. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India, AKP in Turkey
10. Revolutionaries or paramilitary groups
E.g. FARC
11. Organized crime cartels or networks
E.g. There are several cartels in Latin America, Italy and other parts of the world.
12. Multilateral organizations (e.g. UN/OIC) and embassies
E.g. UN organizations pushing for compulsory sex education programs contrary to Christian values, OIC pushing for Islamization of the African continent.
OpenDoorsUSA.org
gravenimage says
Robert Spencer in FrontPage: The Sri Lanka Jihad Massacre and the Decline of the West
…………………..
Too much of the West is sunk in denial over the threat of Islam–this endangers us all.
na says
In Switzerland there are lot of LTTE terrorists from south India and Srilanka they have association with churches. Many of them are willing to convert to Islam to carry suicide attacks.
Recently a Swiss imam said “Tree of life is nuclear plants. Kuffars life is going to end up with either nuclear plant or a jihad attack.”.
These fools are targeting innocent ordinary people(monkeys),slaves they have no influence or role in their society. If you are working for others means you are a professional beggar.Right?
But If they kill all the influential and high IQ’ed people then the earth will populate with monkeys. So high ranking people will have more control.
CRUSADER says
Sounds like “Atlas Shrugged” from Ayn Rand.
Trouble says
The problem in Britain is a few decades ago they agreed to “ respect” Islam. Respect and not only has a different meaning in western psyche and completely different meaning in an islamic totalitarian ideology. This respect clause naively was attached in return for oil business.
This agreement was taken advantage of slowly leading to what was seen in Britain in recent times – shamefully rejecting real Christian and other persecuted minority religion refugees in favour of muslims, heck even terrorists that hate Britain have been allowed back and supported with legal aid and complimentary bikkies and a nice strong cuppa tea.
Game over in Britain, will European countries learn this lesson before it’s too late ? Judging by the present gargoyles ruling Europe- No.
CRUSADER says
Game is never over.
“Never, never, never give up!”
— Churchill
Upul says
Mr. Spencer correctly identified and reported that the culprits are non other than Islamic terrorist, long before BBC report. BBC as it does in the Rohinja case tried till the last moment to put the blame on Buddhist in Sri Lanka. Specifically the BBC reporter in Sri Lanka is a Mulim and he tried to distract the focus to Buddhist by citing a recent minor incident happen at a Christian church in a Buddhist area. BBC’s policy has been to always corner the Buddhist wherever in the world. This time their shameless efforts were not successful due to people like Mr.Spencer and CNN that came up with the fact behind these crimes against humanity. We are grateful to Mr. Spencer and the team for your yeoman service to the whole world.
the hermit says
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3823706/European-human-rights-chiefs-orders-British-press-NOT-reveal-terrorists-Muslims.
So the EU wants to protect muslims…whilst they kill us….
Or Else! says
Obama’s tweet: “The attacks on tourists and Easter worshippers in Sri Lanka are an attack on humanity.”
Hillary Clinton used the same “leftist” spin: “I’m praying for everyone affected by today’s horrific attacks on Easter worshippers and travelers in Sri Lanka.”
You’d almost think the Left sent out a memo.
Easter worshippers? Devoid of substance.
Or Else! says
And they’re having a field day with Trump’s mistweet about “millions” dying in the blasts.
Yay for the Left…more grist for their Hate Trump mill….new, lame comedy bits and SNL skits…
Brenda Buruma says
Hillary also referred to the victims as Easter worshippers. Funny how she’s so quick to respond to worldly events but as yet, has made no comment on the released Mueller Report
aDhimmiSaysWhat? says
A bit off topic: Over 300 killed, ISIS claims responsibility today. I went to MSNBC’s website, and found nothing. Just 1 headline (down towards the very bottom of the page, at that). And that headline was simply a series of photos with captions. NOTHING about the actual bombing itself. Nothing about the perpetrators, nothing about the motivation behind the killings. That was earlier in the day. I checked again 10 minutes ago, and ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Christchurch massacre: biggest story of the year. Dead Christians at the hand of Islamic terrorists: nothing to see here folks! The hypocrisy and favoritism is simply amazing. The MSM has created a protected class of people. MSNBC has made it very clear: Muslim lives matter more than non-Muslim lives. So MSNBC? Don’t be so cowardly about it! Just come out and say it!