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Subscribe to RSSFour foreigners have been arrested in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on suspicion of being Christian missionaries and printing books about Christianity, a security official said on Saturday.
"They were arrested on Tuesday at a publishing house where they were printing thousands of books that called for conversion to Christianity," security official Hussein Bin Hmeid said.
"Proselytizing is forbidden in Libya. We are a 100 percent Muslim country and this kind of action affects our national security."
Hmeid said the government-affiliated security apparatus called the Preventative Security, for which he is a spokesman, had arrested an Egyptian, a South African, a Korean and a Swede who was travelling on a U.S. passport.
"We are still holding interrogations and will hand them over to the Libyan intelligence authorities in a couple of days," Hmeid said, without giving further details.
The Preventative Security apparatus is a parallel security body created during the 2011 war that ousted leader Moammar Gadhafi and made up of several rebel brigades that fought in the conflict.
Libya's central government has yet to impose its authority on a myriad of armed groups that have yet to lay down their arms, and with skeletal national security forces, often relies on them for security.
Reporting by Hadeel Al-Shalchi; Editing by Alison Williams
Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.
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Far be it for me to defend any religion ...but isn't that what they all do " Proselytize " recruiting the masses into a flock they call their sheep...
Religion is not merely the opium of the masses, it's the cyanide.
--Tom Robbins
No, they don't. When was the last time you were asked, do you know Buddha loves you? Or a 7am invasion spreading the good word of Moses?
Awesome.
While you people are arguing, I nominate these four for the 2013 Darvin Awards.
This is BS, I thought Islam was a peaceful and tolerant religion....oh wait my mistake.
Oh So Christian thought just because you got rid of these leaders we were going to abandon our way of life..yeah right..think again. We don't want you religion we have our own. If you can show us that your work maybe we will think about it. But right now..homosexuals are kicking your butts. Convert them..oh you did already..they get married in churches.
Christoph! Muhammad! Stop fighting, children! You're both equally horrible, okay? <<rolls eyes in exasperation>>
Cool idea, Danny! "God, the Sit-Com", like "Father Knows Best" except that when he grounds the 'boys' for squabbling, He does so for centuries at a time. . .
How's everyone liking that Arab Spring now? Welcome to the true face of Islam with Zero Tolerance and injustice for all. Oh, and you there, woman! Put that hijab back on, and put the car keys down! Great job Obama. Next time you want to back some revolutionaries, perhaps you should ask for what do they stand? Hey, do you think they'll give him another Nobel Peace Prize if the infidels are executed? Kind of makes one wonder about Syria now. Perhaps it would be prudent to actually look at what Assad is all about before jumping on the "Revolutionary" bandwagon again Mr. President.
To..jly"""
Well so much for the bush doctrine from the PNAC's white paper of bringing democracy to the Middle East through military might and American Global Leadership
that sure worked huh...
33 women serve on their ruling body. If you want to talk about countries that treat women poorly how about our dear ally Saudi Arabia.
I'm sorry, Michael, that you get so little respect here. But what you say makes good sense to me at least. TYVM. . .
There's no doubt that it's wrong for any government calling itself a democracy to allow absolutely no religious proselytization in any form, but be sure to put this in the proper perspective rather than allowing Christians to convince you that this is "just another example of the persecution that even American Christians suffer every day." There are Christians who insist that in all circumstances where they are arrested for, as they put it, "trying to spread their beliefs," it automatically qualifies as "persecution." This is, of course, ridiculous.
For instance, we live in a residential edition with "no soliciting" signs posted at all entrances. We as a community do not want people going door to door bothering us. Rather than respecting this, there have often been Christians going door to door using us against our stated will as objects on which to practice their religion so that they get to feel like good little Christian sheep. Security has been called and the offenders ejected, but not before they shout, red-faced and trembling, "Persecutors!" Some of these ejected Christians have even filed lawsuits (which have, of course, failed). The worst instance was a local church that had been warned about soliciting in our edition several times. The most recent (and, thankfully, final) instance was when they were going from yard to yard talking with children from our edition and getting our children to fill out information cards with their names, phone numbers, and other personal information. With the very widespread institutionalized problem of pedophilia in Christian churches and organizations, we were, as you can imagine, horrified. We called the police and they were arrested, and guess what---we're all monstrous persecutors who are going to hell. The children were terrified.
The moral: Be sure to take instances of Christians (or any religionists) being arrested for how they choose to spread their beliefs on a case by case basis before accepting the claim of "persecution," and remember that throughout the totality of Christian history, it was the Christians who persecuted others far more often than the other way around. Keep it in perspective.
Not sure I agree with the last part of your statement Danny 100%, but great post overall. Historically, all religions went through particularly violent pasts. What matters is who in the past 50 or so years has been out there blowing up buildings, blowing up hotels and discos, blowing up buses, stoning women to death for being raped, honor killings, the wanton slaughter of those not Muslim or who dare to speak out against what they do, the cutting off the heads journalists and students (go Google Nick Berg and watch the video if you can), the hijacking of aircraft and ships, and on, and on, and on. And they get away with it, because we choose to sit back and not condemn it for what it is.
"...but great post overall."
Thanks! ;)
"Not sure I agree with the last part of your statement Danny 100%... What matters is who in the past 50 or so years has been out there blowing up buildings, blowing up hotels and discos, blowing up buses, stoning women to death for being raped, honor killings, the wanton slaughter of those not Muslim or who dare to speak out against what they do..."
Well, it's important to consider two things before coming to that conclusion:
1) Islam is about 700 years younger than Christianity. No truly fair comparison can be made between Christianity and Islam in terms of the crimes against humanity you cite above unless you take that into account. So what matters to a comparison between Christianity and Islam is not who in the past 50 or so years has been doing these things, but whether Christianity was doing these things when it was as old as Islam is now. What was Christianity doing in the 13th through 15th centuries?---pretty much perpetrating the crimes against humanity that you describe above.
2) Consider also that, although we have succeeded in the United States in curtailing much of the power which Christianity once abused against society, we are also insulated because of this and don't always have a clear view of the atrocities that still occur elsewhere in the world today because of Christian beliefs. Just off the top of my head, look at the push for the passage of laws in Uganda which codify Christian biblical belief---for instance, the death penalty for homosexuality. ("If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." --Leviticus 20:13) The Ugandan goverment has made clear that these laws are indeed based upon Christian biblical principles. American Christian churches and organizations, as well as some in the U.S. Congress, have worked to foster this practice of codifying Christian biblical belief into Ugandan law, for instance U.S. Representative Joe Pitts. Christianity still kills, even today. We mustn't let our cushy American life blind us to that fact.
Why is it always a "Let's go back to Bush" thing with you hardline party people. Same thing with the R's. It's like their guys can do no wrong. If we all don't snap out of this mindset (and we won't, pendulum has already swung too far to come back, we're just too polarized now), we're going to be in for a world of hurt. And in response to Mr. Amunaka, you can't justify the F*ups of today by pointing to the stupidity of the past. Everywhere unfettered Islam is allowed to exist, the lunatics always seem to rise to prominence (mostly because of their willingness to kill those in opposition), and women, minorities, and people of other faiths end up suffering. Fact.
That's a fine kick in the head from our Muslim er, friends! Maybe we need to round up a few Muslim's around Dearborn and arrest them for proselytizing Islam. That would sure set the Islamic world on fire and those damn infidels will all have to be killed right here in our own country. Sorry, I just don't consider them apart of this country. They are from somewhere else just living here and taking advantage of us. They don't even try to assimilate.
Well unless you are native American..you need to get the hell out of my country.
"Well unless you are native American..you need to get the hell out of my country."
Thank you, Jones!!!! Well said.
(And, take your man-made, dogmatic christian religion, with you. Earth religions spoken here.)
jackbooted thugs, these muslims. preachers of hate and intolerance. the enemy of my enemy can still be my enemy. meet the new boss, same as the old boss. but enough of the platitudes, hold them accountable for such crimes. drones see all.
Dumb all over, yes we are, dumb all over, near and far, dumb all over, black 'n white, people, we is not wrapped tight
Nerds on the left, nerds on the right
Religious fanatics on the air every night, saying the bible tells the story and makes the details sound real gory about what to do if the geeks over there don't believe in the book we got over here
You can't run a race without no feet
And pretty soon there won't be no street for dummies to jog on or doggies to dog on
Religious fanatics can make it be all gone
I mean it won't blow up and disappear, it'll just look ugly for a thousand years
You can't run a country by a book of religion
Not by a heap or a lump or a smidgeon of foolish rules of ancient date, designed to make you all feel great while you fold, spindle and mutilate those unbelievers from a neighboring state
Love will conquer the muslim world. Just need a bigger machete.
You know, the only organized religion I have ever read about or studied that actively sends members out with the sole purpose of recruiting new members is Christianity? I wonder why that is? I have never seen or heard of a Muslim, Jew, Budhist, Wiccan, or Satanist attempt to recruit someone into their faith. The accept all who wish to enter their religion, don't get me wrong. However, they just don't go around telling people they need to convert. They especially don't go to foreign countries with a state religion and attempt to convert others. Did these people even check the laws of the country they were going to? If so, they went there with the intention of breaking the law? and they did not expect to get in trouble? If they did not know the law of the country they were going to, they obviously knew the majority religion is Islam - were they too stupid to realize there could be repercussions for their actions? Why is it that Christians seem to believe they should be above any and all laws..except, of course, those they deem worthy of being followed?
The only ones who seem to be above the law are the politicians.....
China is the same deal, only the Christians go over there and break the law by preaching to them.
They want to be persecuted. Then they can be just like Jesus.
How exactly does being a Christian threaten the Muslim's national security ? LOL !
these Muslims are a sick bunch of freaks as usual . they should be a government of 100% NO religion at all.
So you want Muslims to be a nation of homos also?
Chritianity has destroyed so many beautiful and unique cultures. Just finished watching the move "Hawaii", man I hate those missionaries. So many cultures condemned and lost in the name of conversion.
You are perhaps one of the most ignorant posters that I have ever read. Maybe you watched "Hawaii" too many times or something I am not sure but you really don't have a lot of factual examples to back up your statement.
Say for example the Native Americans in our country; they were conquered for their land and Christianity had nothing to do with it - it was a US government decision.
Or what about certain African tribes that Christians sent missionaries to? Well they practiced all sorts of "black magic, voodo and superstitious beliefs" before Christianity "destroyed their culture." Their "unique cultures" often involved eating outsiders (cannibalism), sacrificing their own people to pagan gods and unceasing war against their neighbors. After Christianity, all of these practices stopped and we see real prosperity in the Christian regions of Africa (though they still have struggles). So the adoption of Christianity stopped them from eating each other and making war - OMG the horror that Christianity brought.
I could go on and on but with few exceptions Christianity has greatly improved the lives of any culture it has touched and the exceptions involve Christians who really did not represent Christ as they should have and were not true followers of Christ.
We could talk about the horrible changes that Mother Theresa brought to the Indian culture in Calcutta and other examples of the tremendous good that Christianity ha done but that would just embarrass you all the more.
Oh yeah they did a great job, Rwanda - Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001) And they chased each other down with machetes.
Mind if i borrow those rose color glasses?
You are right, OP. The missionaries ruined the Hawaiian culture. As they did the American Indian with their catholic schools. As they did the ancient Druids and Celts by cutting off the heads of the tribe leaders if they didn't convert, (4500 men in all according to the history channel). As they want to now. They claim every other religion such an abomination, the followers will never see the face of G*D. Really rather disgusting.
John Raymond: you let Hollywood tell you history? Interesting.
FL1064282----If you have traveled around the world, you would know this from observation, that John Raymond is correct. Other cultures have lost their customs, identity, beautiful spitiual practices and uniqueness due to missionaries. What is the point of visiting other countries and cultures if they are being forced to be just like us? Why travel to another part of the world, just to see us? Thank God, the elders of many indigenous and historical cultures are trying to bring back and preserve what was sacred and what europeans tried to strip away. Otherwise, all this beauty would go the way of the dinosaurs, only to be observed in museums, (thanks to arrogant missionaries & evangelicals). And, it is your own bias and lack of education/ignorance about religions/cultures, their foundation & roots and what they emcompass, that leads you to think that there is something "wrong" with Voudon, Santeria, "pagan" (Earth/Goddess-based religions), anything other than christianity. It is your hatred and ignorance that leads you to think that they have improved via forced christianity. History is being lost via missionaries trying to "save" people who do not believe as they do. Utter arrogance! And, if you were truly educated, headhunters/cannibalism was only among a few sects. Just like some of the "barbaric" practices of many european "christians". Read a book. Travel. Get an education.
The Arab Spring was not a move toward a free society rather it's a shift toward a theocracy and it threatens to create an Islamic state that stretches from Morocco to the Phillippines--a state that's run by people who will imprison or kill us for saying or even believing things they disagree with and forget about gay rights. These are the most intolerant people in the world. Gays have the right to be taken to the nearest soccer field where a few of their neighbors will throw rocks at them until they're dead. Hillary and President Obama really got the Arab Spring wrong and now the rest of us need to wake up before it's too late.
Why is it the Christians are always crying prosecution. This country does not even have a constitution yet, did you future glasses allow you to see how it will turn out. You seem to think that Obama and Hillary started the Arab spring, the people in these countries did. Because they felt oppressed and if the new government does the same they will again, look at Egypt. You must be a Christian because you seem to think you have the right to tell these people how to live in their own country. They have not threatened us so how is it any of our business.
They're being jailed simply for telling the story of Christ Jesus.
If you're atheist/agnostic, it's like telling the story of Winnie the Pooh.
And it's 'persecution', Mike.
Islam is hardly what anyone would consider 'tolerant' of Christianity. This action in Libya illustrates that point.
CK-- They do not have the right to go over there and force their story of "christ Jesus". The operative word is "force". Yes, they should be jailed and get whatever is coming to them for being so arrogant as to think that they can go anywhere and into any culture and force people to hear their story. It is not persecution. It isn't their country to do that. christians are not "tolerant" of Islam if they think that they can push their beliefs upon other belief systems. It is none of their business! Stay home! And, no I am not an atheist/agnostic. I just don't believe in man-made organized religions that evolved from hatred and war. I believe in "God's religion", which is none of these organized dogmatic religions. I support peaceful religions, Earth spiritualities, Goddess-based spiritualities that were predominant before males took over in attempt to suppress the feminine spiritualities, i.e. peaceful spiritualities, in the guise of control. And, thus fighting & wars- in the name of religion.
The message of loving thy neighbor as taught by Christ..
IS DANGEROUS. Can't have that now..
You can "have that now". Just keep it to yourself and stop forcing it upon others.
What a shame, after Obama wholeheartedly backed the "Arab spring" we are seeing that he is once again proving to be the most inept incompetent president in history (beating out Jimmy Carter).
We see clearly that Libya is not a Democracy in any true reality. We see that it is an Islamic stronghold for extremists that won't even allow someone to tell their people about Christianity. We see that this "threatens their national security."
We cannot pretend to think that Libya will in any manner be a ally to the United States and they will probably be a breeding ground for future terrorists like Afghanistan.
Based on what them jailing 4 Christians, WE ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN NATION. They don't even have a constitution yet. But if they do decide that they don't want Christianity spread it will be their right.
I feel bad for all you none believers...Jesus Christ is in fact our savior. And 1 day you will all see this. Theres not 1 thing anyone can say to change my mind. YES they did break the law, not going to argue that. Nor am i going to try to change anyones mind. That is what the bible tells us to do is spread the word of God. But instead as evil as it sounds id rather watch all you non-believers,murderers,same sex partners ect...be thrown into hell. End times are happening now, just pick up a bible and read/understand what it talks about in the days to come. Have fun!
You poor sap. I was once like you. Ignorant, sanctimonious, better than everyone. Look around you. Members of your church are the same as everyone else, they just cover their actions with the blanket of "forgiveness" or "god isn't done with me yet". I remember a christian offering to "dub" a music tape for me once. She said "I'm ok with that". Since when is stealing OK? And who gave her the right to be ok about the stealing? Open your eyes and look around. I did and I'm so glad I got out of that foolishness.
JesusRulesAll---Oh, how "christ-like" of you. (These types of comments are what is driving people away from your beliefs. This right here. This is why. Hypocrisy, intolerance, hatred, narrow-mindedness. ) And, guess what? The Muslims believe that you can be "saved" through Allah and the Koran. Why are you right and they are wrong? Only christians believe in "end times, the rapture", etc. That is a christian belief, only. And, that does not make it correct. It is only ONE opinion, in the grand scheme of things.
If you think G*D is within you, then act like it! Because right now you just sound like a self-impressed child. Baby Christians should keep their thoughts to themselves. When you mature in Christ, then you'll have earned the right to comment. Believe me, your post will be 100% different from what it is now.
Obama has to much Islam roots-why he Ok'd same sex- a true christian can't Ok it-Gods word is truth and God said if you can't stand up for my word then I wont stand up for you- so Obama sold his soul to satan for Gay votes- as did Biden also- we as a country will pay for that--- why he wont say anything to any country when christians are arrested even countries that begged us for help and we did yet look what happened there and still happening-But through out all christians lives we face arrest-beatings-told not to put stores in chicago from a Gay governemt person because a christian spoke his beliefs---here in america we as christians have lost our rights to athiest -gays-islam---all have more rights than us even though we we formed as one nation under God- athiest Gays have told Obama and Biden and other Gays in Office that we are one nation under satan not God- and they follow the votes--May God have Mercy on thiersouls-STAND UP AMERICA FOR GOD---------------------
You do know Muslims don't like gay people either right? The only right Christians have ever lost in this country is the right to force others to live by their beliefs. Given the opportunity the Christians would gladly throw all atheist, Muslims and gays in jail. Don't believe me look at the post right above yours, how about that mosque near the WTC, Or the pastor in Florida that burns their book just for fun. And lets not forget Westboro Baptist Church.
Yes he said gay marriage is ok, Because you have no right to force others to live by your beliefs. You come here to cry about the Muslims and in the same comment cry because you can't do what they are doing.
But you are special because it is your religion, and yours is the right one. They say the same exact thing over there.
So busy looking for the answer on why people become atheist and turn their back on Christianity. Its not science, the gays or the government, Its people like you.
@Michael
Everyone has the right to choose life or death. There really are no excuses as to why ''people become atheist and turn their back on Christianity"
No one can make you do anything as reasons are just poor excuses. Be real..can we stand before a righteous God and tell Him that it was someone else's fault for rejecting Truth ? Not in the end..not in the end.
God doesn't like ugly. And, that is why people are beginning to oppose christianity. God loves everyone- gay, straight, Muslim, christians, Buddhist, Hindus, Voudonists, Goddess worshipers, Black, white, yellow, purple---everyone. And, when you so-called christians get that, then this will be a better world. And, I guarantee you this- God is not happy with a lot of so-called christian behaviors. Those behaviors are so un-christ-like and so un-God-like. Listen to yourselves speak, and then you will see why so many are turning against you. (And, no, I am not gay, athest, etc. I am just an open-minded spiritual person who wonders why christians do not respect others that do not have their beliefs.)
Maybe people SHOULD be arrested for spreading lies...
Now we should arrest each and every muslim in the United States and kick their racist asses back to a soley muslim nation.
"Proselytizing is forbidden in Libya. We are a 100 percent Muslim country and this kind of action affects our national security."
should we tell the lybians
we are a democratic society so get the fu ck out???
so for this not to happen
leave your muslim bull@!$%# in lybia
because we are a free country and not a dictatorship or idiotic extremists
you remember that when your beating your wife
you will serve jail time in america because its not a sport to hurt others like in lybia
to KEITH BIODROWSKI-"leave your muslim bull@!$%# in Lybia?????
Well, Libyans say "leave% your christian bull@!$%# in the U.S. And, "get the fu ck out of our country". Works both ways, don't you think, KEITH?
There are plenty here who, given half a chance, would turn this country into a Christian only nation and would love to create laws to lock up Muslims. And they would certainly claim it was for "national security."
Yes, Garrick S. And, they would also do it in the name of christianity because "bible says-------"
FEMA camps for non-Christians. The evangelists are drooling over the very thought.