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No Innocents

Reader comment on item: Bethlehem Christians Speak Out

Submitted by k.edmiston (United States), Oct 3, 2011 at 12:59

Just yesterday I met some Bethlehem Christians who were selling carved olive wood outside my church to support their ministry in Bethlehem. To be honest, I hadn't really been aware of the situation of Arab Christians in PA controlled regions. The young people I met were very lovely people. Although they said nothing overtly political, and would not reply too directly to some of my questions, I must say I got the impression they believed their suffering was more the result of the wall and other Israeli policies than from Muslim persecution. I looked into it today, and lo, not surprising, all the articles and comments split between two groups, those who blame Israel, and those who demonize Muslims. My point here is not to take one or the other of these positions. My point is to say: the question is not, who is guilty, but-who is really innocent? In my view, nobody involved is completely innocent. Whenever we hear leaders use absolute statements like "always" and "never", (as in "we ALWAYS wanted peace, they NEVER wanted peace") and then claim to be ready to "negotiate", how can we believe they are serious? When leaders claim to want peace but refuse to change the behaviour or actions that are preventing peace, how can we believe them? Please show me how either side is more "virtuous" than the other. From what I can see, BOTH sides are guilty of persecution, racism, prejudice, hatred, violence, unforgiveness, torture, war crimes, and terrorism. BOTH. Until both sides grow up and take responsibility for their wrongdoing, nothing is going to change for Israel or the Palestinians. Peace begins when we admit to our own crimes, and stop projecting them onto the other.

Submitting....

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

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Reader comments (9) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
No Innocents [287 words]k.edmistonOct 3, 2011 12:59189812
21st. Century realities vs. canonical expectations [47 words]David W. LincolnMay 28, 2007 16:0195041
Not afraid to speak [165 words]Rebecca MouldsMay 28, 2007 14:3795028
Bethlehem Christians [58 words]Irwin KlineMay 28, 2007 11:0095014
Monopoly is an old game in the Middle East [324 words]DavidMay 28, 2007 08:0795003
What happened to the times of Arafat?.... [66 words]M.D'SouzaMay 29, 2007 17:1195003
Bethlehem Christians have reported being terrorized and there has been an exodus of Christians therefrom [98 words]DavidMay 30, 2007 00:1495003
Sacred sites? [18 words]Eli KayeMay 28, 2007 03:3694994
And We Should Be Surprised By This? [82 words]Richard BMay 27, 2007 22:0694973

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Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

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