1800 year old church burned in Mosul! + Shrine of Jonah destroyed

[alhoon]

http://news.yahoo.com/isis-torches-1...194750912.html


And to think, Muslims consider Jesus one of their most important prophets.

Destroying a church that's nearly 2 millennia old isn't just a religious act of hate; they destroy history.
ISIS also expelled Christians, without a chance to pay the "Christian tax" that is allowed by Islam. I.e. they don't act just as savage fanatics, but they act as savage HYPOCRITE haters.


EDIT:
http://dailycaller.com/2014/07/24/is...biblical-site/

ISIS blew up a shrine dedicated to Jonah! Which was actually... a mosque since Jonah is worshiped by both Muslims and Christians.
Can someone please tell me why ISIS is blowing up -MUSLIM- holy places? Jonah is worshipped by Sunnis too.

[Roma_Victrix]

Charming behavior. Especially considering the usual method of dealing with churches in the past was to simply convert them into mosques. Nope, not this time. This is a clear statement of hatred. Welcome to the Islamic State of Smelly Barbarians! One is immediately reminded of the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan, dynamited by the Taliban in early 2001.

To be honest, though, one should be just as outraged when they bomb old medieval shrines and mosques belonging to Shia Islam. Sunni insurgents have been doing this more or less since the toppling of Saddam.

And I hate to call out the Islamic faith about this, since other faiths (Christian denominations included) in the past have committed crimes like this against those of other faiths, but it is the only religion today with adherents destroying the ancient cultural relics belonging to people of other faiths. Time for a little introspection, I think.

Of course, some random Muslim shopkeeper in Dearborn, Michigan doesn't have to answer that. I'm more or less aiming that comment at the Sunni Muslims who actively excuse ISIS or their behavior. *Cough, cough, Saudis, cough, cough.*

[tarvu]

And I hate to call out the Islamic faith about this, since other faiths (Christian denominations included) in the past have committed crimes like this against those of other faiths, but it is the only religion today with adherents destroying the ancient cultural relics belonging to people of other faiths. Time for a little introspection, I think.

That is only because fundamentalist Christians are restrained throughout most of the world and are not given the type of power that ISIS or the Taliban had over their societies which are now largely secular. In the powder keg that is the Middle East of course the situation for religious extremists is unique.

It doesn't really call for introspection about the Muslim faith, the average Muslim's faith has nothing to do with this kind of terrorism. There is plenty of interest among Christians for this kind of violence against other faiths, extremists within groups like Hutaree, the NLFT or Nagaland in India, Joseph Konee, or a dozen other groups in the US and Europe who would love to accomplish what ISIS has but simply can't because they lack the support needed.

Thank god they are the fringe, at least for now. But with violent reactionaries in places like Russia, Uganda, and others rallying people around their "Christian identity" there is no guarantee that we will not see large scale religious violence once again perpetrated by Christians in decades to come.

[alhoon]

They also destroy Shia mosques? Why? Can't they just convert them?

[hellheaven1987]

They also destroy Shia mosques? Why? Can't they just convert them?

The upkeep is too high.

[Roma_Victrix]

The upkeep is too high.

^ Here's an ISIS spokesperson in one of their latest press conferences held in Mosul.

That is only because fundamentalist Christians are restrained throughout most of the world and are not given the type of power that ISIS or the Taliban had over their societies which are now largely secular. In the powder keg that is the Middle East of course the situation for religious extremists is unique.

That's a fair statement.

It doesn't really call for introspection about the Muslim faith, the average Muslim's faith has nothing to do with this kind of terrorism. There is plenty of interest among Christians for this kind of violence against other faiths, extremists within groups like Hutaree, the NLFT or Nagaland in India, Joseph Konee, or a dozen other groups in the US and Europe who would love to accomplish what ISIS has but simply can't because they lack the support needed.

Thank god they are the fringe, at least for now. But with violent reactionaries in places like Russia, Uganda, and others rallying people around their "Christian identity" there is no garuntee that we will not see large scale religious violence once again participated by Christians in decades to come.

Herein lies the major difference though...ISIS isn't exactly on the fringe like these groups. ISIS is accepted by tribal leaders in huge swaths of northern Iraq and Syria. That should disturb just about anyone, if they are offered such a quick safe haven by their religious brethren.

As for Russia, they are annoyingly anti-Gay and some employers are outright discriminatory against non-Christians, but this is not tantamount to crucifying people in broad daylight, burning down their churches (and Shia mosques), and lying them in a shallow ditch to be machine-gunned to death. The worst I've heard is Uganda, where gay people are forced to go to prison for having homosexual intercourse...or sometimes are murdered by lawless mobs and thugs.

[tarvu]

^ Here's an ISIS spokesperson in one of their latest press conferences held in Mosul.



That's a fair statement.



Herein lies the major difference though...ISIS isn't exactly on the fringe like these groups. ISIS is accepted by tribal leaders in huge swaths of northern Iraq and Syria. That should disturb just about anyone, if they are offered such a quick safe haven by their religious brethren.

As for Russia, they are annoyingly anti-Gay and some employers are outright discriminatory against non-Christians, but this is not tantamount to crucifying people in broad daylight, burning down their churches (and Shia mosques), and lying them in a shallow ditch to be machine-gunned to death. The worst I've heard is Uganda, where gay people are forced to go to prison for having homosexual intercourse...or sometimes are murdered by lawless mobs and thugs.

Obviously ISIS has unique support, but that is due to the situation in Iraq and Syria.

If the United States was invaded, and occupied for years by the Socialist Muslims that Obama paved the way for (as he typically disregards the law regarding term limits and serves another ten). Leading to violent political, regional, and other sectarian conflicts which could then spill over into a rebellion against Lord of Nihilism's oppressive dictatorship in Quebec...

Then yeah I could totally see Christian nutjobs in the US forming such militant groups and carrying out violent attacks on other religions. Hell even without such fantasy we have the Klan still, and they certainly did this kind of thing (and still could).

[Roma_Victrix]

Obviously ISIS has unique support, but that is due to the situation in Iraq and Syria.

Right, the Sunnis have been marginalized by the Shia-dominated government in Baghdad led by Nouri al-Maliki. However, if many of them (not just the hardcore Baathist loyalists and extremists) think that ISIS is the answer, then there is a huge portion of the population there that is deluded beyond belief.

If the United States was invaded, and occupied for years by the Socialist Muslims that Obama paved the way for (as he typically disregards the law regarding term limits and serves another ten). Leading to violent political, regional, and other sectarian conflicts which could then spill over into a rebellion against Lord of Nihilism's oppressive dictatorship in Quebec...

Lord of Nihilism running an oppressive dictatorship over Quebec is something I could easily imagine.

Then yeah I could totally see Christian nutjobs in the US forming such militant groups and carrying out violent attacks on other religions. Hell even without such fantasy we have the Klan still, and they certainly did this kind of thing (and still could).

Yeah, but the Klan is just religious by default, and AFAIK don't heed any single Protestant denomination (I'm also fairly certain that Roman Catholics are not allowed to join). They're really just after the blacks (or African Americans if you will) and hate them the most, even more so than the Jews, who are the biggest target of their Neo-Nazi Aryan brethren. The KKK, although well-grounded at the turn of the 20th century, is a laughably small organization these days, as are American Neo-Nazis (whose political party has been officially defunct since the 1980s).

ISIS, on the other hand, is doing everything in the name of religion. They don't exactly have a racial component to their cause. They just care about which sect you belong to, which is sometimes determined by the tribe you belong to, since some tribes have been Shia or Sunni for centuries. They're all Arabs, though. Well, if you discount the minorities in Iraq. For instance, the Afro-Iraqis descended from the 9th-century Zanj Rebellion, although they are clustered in the southern half of Iraq if I'm not mistaken. The Kurds are stated enemies of ISIS, but they are also Sunni and aren't fighting over religious differences so much as nationalistic ones.

[IrishBlood]

They also destroy Shia mosques? Why? Can't they just convert them?

sends a message to the heritics!

[PointOfViewGun]

They also destroy Shia mosques? Why? Can't they just convert them?

ISIS Destroys Shiite Mosques And Shrines In Iraq, Dangerously Fracturing Country (PHOTOS)

The ISIS militant group is further advancing its extreme religious agenda by destroying Shiite mosques and Islamic shrines around the ancient Iraqi city of Mosul, which they captured last month. Al-Arabiya reported that the damage extends to at least four shrines to Sunni or Sufi figures, and six Shiite mosques in the northern province of Nineveh.

And I hate to call out the Islamic faith about this, since other faiths (Christian denominations included) in the past have committed crimes like this against those of other faiths, but it is the only religion today with adherents destroying the ancient cultural relics belonging to people of other faiths. Time for a little introspection, I think.

Nigerian Christians Attack Mosque: Can a Country Divided Stand?

A mosque and an Islamic school were set on fire in Benin City, Nigeria on Tuesday. Done during the chaos of the a nationwide strike, a mob of people attacked the religious institutions, killing one person and injuring another 10.

Uganda: Christians burn mosque in retaliation to attacks by suspected Muslim terrorists

A group of Christians in Uganda set fire to a mosque which they suspected was being used by Islamist extremist as a base to attack their church, leading to clashes that have seen more than 200 people fleeing their homes.

Tanzania police disperse Christians trying to burn mosque

Police in southern Tanzania used teargas Wednesday to disperse about 200 Christian rioters attempting to torch a mosque over an animal slaughtering conflict.

Missouri mosque destroyed in second fire in a month

A mosque in Joplin, Missouri, was burned to the ground early Monday, just over a month after an attempted arson at the Islamic center, officials said.

2 Religions Clashing in Ivory Coast

But after a popular revolt that began against a military dictator on Oct. 24 quickly degenerated into deadly political clashes, Christians attacked the Aisha Niangon Mosque, in this neighborhood, Yopougon. The walls surrounding the building are pockmarked with holes the assailants used as toeholds to clamber over. In the courtyard, the burned-out skeleton of the imam's car lay not too far from a palm tree that had also been set on fire.

UN reports on rights abuses in Central African Republic

The investigators also documented several attacks on places of worship, in which anti-Balaka forces burned mosques, killing and mutilating those inside.

Fire at Tenn. Mosque Building Site Ruled Arson

Federal officials are investigating a fire that started overnight at the site of a new Islamic center in a Nashville suburb.

Ben Goodwin of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department confirmed to CBS Affiliate WTVF that the fire, which burned construction equipment at the future site of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, is being ruled as arson.

West Bank Mosque Is Set Ablaze and Vandalized

A West Bank mosque was burned and vandalized early on Tuesday, with graffiti warning in Hebrew of a “war” over the impending evacuation of the small, disputed Jewish settlement of Ulpana.

I believe these are enough to counter your point?

[Roma_Victrix]

They should have drawn him with blonde hair and blue eyes. And replace doves with bald eagles.

This suggestion for the win.

I believe these are enough to counter your point?

Fair enough; these are recent enough, more so than black churches being bombed by the KKK in the 1960s. Most of this seems restricted to Africa, though, which has areas that are in near constant states of civil war, so it doesn't come as much of a big surprise. Political turmoil and general chaos are usually the key factors for things like this to occur in the first place. I hate to say it, but if Saddam was still in charge in Iraq, he'd be keeping his fellow Sunnis in line and wouldn't tolerate this monkey business for a second. Although a cruel and evil dictator who gassed his own people, he was really effective at cowing everyone into submission and to behave with some civility. So much for that in Iraq these days.

[PointOfViewGun]

Fair enough; these are recent enough, more so than black churches being bombed by the KKK in the 1960s. Most of this seems restricted to Africa, though, which has areas that are in near constant states of civil war, so it doesn't come as much of a big surprise. Political turmoil and general chaos are usually the key factors for things like this to occur in the first place. I hate to say it, but if Saddam was still in charge in Iraq, he'd be keeping his fellow Sunnis in line and wouldn't tolerate this monkey business for a second. Although a cruel and evil dictator who gassed his own people, he was really effective at cowing everyone into submission and to behave with some civility. So much for that in Iraq these days.

Mosque burned to the ground by arsonists (United Kingdom)

Ten fire crews were called to Cradley Heath Mosque and Islamic Centre in Plant Street, Cradley Heathe, near Dudley in the West Midlands, on Boxing Day.

But they could not save the mosque building, which was completely destroyed in the attack. It is the second time the hall has been targeted in recent years.


The Islamic education centre next door was also burned out during the attack at 10.15pm on Boxing Day. Fire crews said the fire was started deliberately and police are now investigating.

Stoke-on-Trent mosque arsonists jailed

Ex-soldier Simon Beech, 23, and Garreth Foster, 29, both from Stoke, were found guilty of setting fire to Hanley's Regent Road mosque on 3 December.

Burning of sanctuary stokes fears of Islamophobia in Spain

An arson attack over the Easter weekend on a Muslim sanctuary in the Spanish city of Ceuta marked another step in what some experts fear is a growing incidence of Islamophobia in the country.

At least four towns in the eastern region of Catalonia, however, have seen attacks on mosques and Muslim butchers, some with Molotov cocktails.

In the eastern town of Reus, police detained two car-loads of skinheads armed with Molotov cocktails as they headed towards the local mosque.

Mosque Torching Draws Kristallnacht Comparison By Polish Jews

The torching of a mosque in Gdansk, Poland has rocked the local community, particularly as the incident occurred weeks before the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht, or "The Night Of Broken Glass" which was a pogrom against Jews on November 9-10, 1938.

Une mosquée incendiée à Montbéliard

(Google Translated) A criminal incident has severely damaged the mosque Thursday Montbéliard (Doubs), a prefabricated building which was pushed against a trash burning, Has it learned from firefighters and Attorney Republic.

I could understand the cases in Africa as having at least active conflicts. Ones in Europe or USA are based on pure anti-Muslim sentiments.


Oh, it's not limited to Abrahamic religions...
Myanmar Struggles to Put Down Buddhist Attack on Muslims

Security forces on Wednesday struggled to bring peace to a northern city in Myanmar after Buddhist mobs set fire to a mosque, a Muslim school and shops, the latest outbreak of religious violence in Myanmar and a sign that radical strains of Buddhism may be spreading to a wider area of the country.

Anyways, the thread is about a historical Christian church being destroyed by ISIS. Let's just not make baseless comparisons to single out one group.

[alhoon]

Anyways, the thread is about a historical Christian church being destroyed by ISIS. Let's just not make baseless comparisons to single out one group.

That was not useless post DSL.
These attacks on Mosques have got NOTHING in the media I see, except a couple of references about CAR. I'm SHOCKED that it happens in Spain, UK and Missouri. I had no idea.

Considering there may be a semi-secret agenda to destroy the Kaaba,

[Spajjder]

They also destroy Shia mosques? Why? Can't they just convert them?

I think that it is probably a level 3 or 4 temple, therefore it has to much costs in food or something. They therefore want to revert the whole temple in to something else, like... barracks or slums (speaking in rome 2 terms)

btw.. amazing the church survived all other conflict in the area.. i thought the mongols burned everything down when they were there...?

[alhoon]

btw.. amazing the church survived all other conflict in the area.. i thought the mongols burned everything down when they were there...?

Ahem... I'm pretty sure the church didn't survive, but was rebuilt time and again. When I saw the church's photo being burned, it was way too modern. 1800 years ago, the churches were small, wooden structures. You know, in the spirit of "God doesn't want a huge house of worship, he wants us to love each other and spend money on charity instead of walls" etc.

I'm pretty sure the church was burned\damaged by Romans, Persians, Arabs, Mongols and Turks

[Mayer]

I for one would discount anything said by Adolf Hitler on the grounds it's Hitler saying it.

Hitlerphobia

Considering there may be a semi-secret agenda to destroy the Kaaba, if they ever get their hands on it, destroying any and all places of worship isn't a surprise for ISIS.

Fair enough, worship of a black box which was originally a pagan sanctuary is probably the silliest tradition of Islam.

[Heathen Hammer]

Hitlerphobia


Fair enough, worship of a black box which was originally a pagan sanctuary is probably the silliest tradition of Islam.

Islam altogether is nothing but a silly superstition, but that goes to all abrahamic sects that worship "javeh".

[Akhenaton]

Why are you surprised? What exactly did you expect ISIS to do? They are not shy about calling for a new caliphate with an extremely strict sharia law. There´s only little room for other religions in there.
I´m sad to say this but those Christians were perhaps the lucky ones, next time ISIS might kill them, just to make an example. Most of the churches will probably be burned, plundered and then turned into mosques. I shudder to think what ISIS will do with all the Babylonian and Assyrian sites. There are even more christians in Syria and the Lebanon who would are in great danger.

And to think bush called this sharade a crusade. Now the oldest christian community is getting viped out and middle east is flooded with so many fanatics, noone would have dared dream of in 2003. I hope the Oil & Revenge was ing worth it!

[alhoon]

Why are you surprised? What exactly did you expect ISIS to do? They are not shy about calling for a new caliphate with an extremely strict sharia law. There´s only little room for other religions in there.

I'm surprised because the Sharia Law offers protection to Christians and I believe it is contrary to destroying mosques whether they were operated by Shia or Sunni.

I shudder to think what ISIS will do with all the Babylonian and Assyrian sites.

Loot them and sell the artifacts. They've done it to some museums already.

[Request a new user name]

Why are you surprised? What exactly did you expect ISIS to do? They are not shy about calling for a new caliphate with an extremely strict sharia law. There´s only little room for other religions in there.
I´m sad to say this but those Christians were perhaps the lucky ones, next time ISIS might kill them, just to make an example. Most of the churches will probably be burned, plundered and then turned into mosques. I shudder to think what ISIS will do with all the Babylonian and Assyrian sites. There are even more christians in Syria and the Lebanon who would are in great danger.

And to think bush called this sharade a crusade. Now the oldest christian community is getting viped out and middle east is flooded with so many fanatics, noone would have dared dream of in 2003. I hope the Oil & Revenge was ing worth it!

Well its obvious then, support Assad and Hezbollah who are non-sectarian. Oh wait, they hate Israel, America must destroy them, never mind it opens the door for IS to invade Lebanon where LAF is largely useless. Because appeasing the idiot Israelis is our highest priority rather than supporting...

My brain hurts.