a christian in egypt

[Danzig]

wow. boy am i glad i don't live in egypt!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43031751...deastn_africa/


but read to the end....perhaps a good ending from a bad beginning...

'And the military and transitional civilian government moved to address some of the policies that Christians say relegate them to second-class status in Egypt. Among them are restrictions on where Christians can build churches, in place even though they make up an estimated 10 percent of Egypt's population of 80 million. Most of them are Copts.

On Wednesday, the government formed a National Justice Committee that has 30 days to draw up a law for the building of places of worship with the same rules for Muslims and Christians. The committee will also look into reopening nearly 50 churches shut down under Mubarak's rule for reasons seen by Christians as discriminatory.

The government also promised a law banning sectarian incitement and protests in front of mosques or churches and the committee will look into handling all issues relating to conversions.

Christian activist-lawyer Amir Ramzy called the moves "a happy surprise" for Christians.

"These demands have been there forever and no government felt the urge to meet them. In 30 days, we will have what we have been asking for for 30 years," he said. "These were the seeds of sectarian tensions and this is the right way to uproot them."'

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Danzig

wow. boy am i glad i don't live in egypt!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43031751...deastn_africa/


but read to the end....perhaps a good ending from a bad beginning...

'And the military and transitional civilian government moved to address some of the policies that Christians say relegate them to second-class status in Egypt. Among them are restrictions on where Christians can build churches, in place even though they make up an estimated 10 percent of Egypt's population of 80 million. Most of them are Copts.

On Wednesday, the government formed a National Justice Committee that has 30 days to draw up a law for the building of places of worship with the same rules for Muslims and Christians. The committee will also look into reopening nearly 50 churches shut down under Mubarak's rule for reasons seen by Christians as discriminatory.

The government also promised a law banning sectarian incitement and protests in front of mosques or churches and the committee will look into handling all issues relating to conversions.

Christian activist-lawyer Amir Ramzy called the moves "a happy surprise" for Christians.

"These demands have been there forever and no government felt the urge to meet them. In 30 days, we will have what we have been asking for for 30 years," he said. "These were the seeds of sectarian tensions and this is the right way to uproot them."'

Hopefully the responsible parties will follow through, this could be a model for the entire region....somewhere at the bottom of the ocean the remains of OBL are turning over in his watery grave!

[dellinger63]

From Egyptnews.com today,

"While secular Egyptian movements had intended to mobilize millions of Egyptians on Friday in order to support national unity and condemn attacks on Christians in Egypt, Islamist forces succeeded in turning the protest in support of what is referred to as the "Third Palestinian Intifada".

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

From Egyptnews.com today,

"While secular Egyptian movements had intended to mobilize millions of Egyptians on Friday in order to support national unity and condemn attacks on Christians in Egypt, Islamist forces succeeded in turning the protest in support of what is referred to as the "Third Palestinian Intifada".

A long road....hatred shows it's ugly head once more, not quite sure if this is anti-Israel or anti-christian or both.

[dellinger63]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

A long road....hatred shows it's ugly head once more, not quite sure if this is anti-Israel or anti-christian or both.

IMO the muslim women in that part of the world will bring about change eventually. We should be making that as easy as possible for them. I don't think even the most radical muslim/christian man will demand his 'right to beat his wives or kill his daughters'. I think a lot of women in the mideast/africa, who are abused don't consider it abuse but the norm.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

IMO the muslim women in that part of the world will bring about change eventually. We should be making that as easy as possible for them. I don't think even the most radical muslim/christian man will demand his 'right to beat his wives or kill his daughters'. I think a lot of women in the mideast/africa, who are abused don't consider it abuse but the norm.

Not sure how we do that...we can speak out against violence toward women and support equal rights but how much pressure can we really apply? In cultures where women are treated like possessions, it will be extremely difficult for them to assert themselves and gain the political power necessary to affect change, and as you say, many women don't see their treatment as abuse but "just the way things are".

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

IMO the muslim women in that part of the world will bring about change eventually. We should be making that as easy as possible for them. I don't think even the most radical muslim/christian man will demand his 'right to beat his wives or kill his daughters'. I think a lot of women in the mideast/africa, who are abused don't consider it abuse but the norm.

dell, you wre actually one of the reasons i posted the article above. that article should teach you that it isn't just muslim women who are abused. it's all women in those regions, regardless of religion. no woman should have to change religions to get a divorce. no woman should be forced to marry against her will. no woman should be kidnapped by the members of a religion for the sole purpose of convincing her that her attempt to convert is 'wrong', and they are showing her the way back to her true religion.

yet, once again, you try to force the discussion back to muslims only.

you posted an article the other day about rapes in africa. you said in your title 'catholics acting muslim'. maybe it's people acting like animals-or maybe, much as you don't like it, it's catholics acting like what they are-which isn't exactly being catholic. your bias is blinding you to the facts-and in many cases the facts are that people will use any way to keep power, to hold other segments of the population down...in some cases, they use religion as their reason. and that holds true in egypt with every group, every religion.


i agree with somer, egypt can continue to be the leading example. if this case helps broaden minds and push more people in the right direction, that will be fantastic.

people who refuse to see the entire picture are no help at all, regardless of their particular religion.

true freedom is when people can decide for themselves, with no pressure from anyone.

egypt has been one of the more open countries in that region for centuries religion-wise. they still have a ways to go, but they are moving in the right direction. more freedom for women is another huge step. hopefully it will also prod other countries there to change.

[Danzig]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43037255...laying-brides/



absolutely disgusting.

[dellinger63]

Originally Posted by Danzig

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43037255...laying-brides/



absolutely disgusting.

I've heard of cases where the mother has assisted the father but never involved alone. At least India is talking serious punishment, Pakistan mourns the ahole with the bad honor.

BTW I do know of a case in NC where a bride from India set fire to a hotel room using gasoline while her new hubby was in the shower. He lived and she was tried for attempted murder. At her trial she testified thru interpreter that she was trapped, felt going to her father/family was not an option and after the 4rth consecutive morning of being sodomized she acted. She ended up with a 12 year sentence and then was sued by the groom's father for damage to the hotel room he owned. When she gets out she could be a very powerful voice.