Iraqi Christians Flee Persecution

In this article from the New York Times dated today, October 17th, reaffirms a stark conclusion that the war in Iraq has done little to establish any sort of religious freedom from persecution for Iraqi Christians.

Though the Christian faith in Iraq dates back to the first century, and the land of modern Iraq is steeped in biblical significance dating back to the first pages of the Christian Scriptures, as many as 100,000 Christians have been forced to flee for their safety in the last 3 and one-half years. At least under the former regime, they had some safety. That safety diminishes daily under the present system and due to the unwillingness of American forces, let alone the Iraqi's, to protect this minority.

Recent statements by the Pope regarding Islam have inflamed the situation making many of the 600,000 to 800,000 remaining Christians unable to even work to provide for themselves. Many are trying to escape the country.

Though it remains to be seen if the War in Iraq will wipe out terrorism from the world, it seems to have been very effective in wiping out Christianity from one of it's most ancient homelands.

May the Lord be with those who remain and energize their brothers and sisters in Christ in the rest of the world to come to their aid and not leave the task to secular governments whose wills in this matter are weak to say the least.

Ministries serving Iraq despite the troubles are:

Classical School of the Medes

Sisters in Service

Posted by Rev. Chuck Huckaby - Mission Lawrence