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Let us pray on Mount

We call upon our supporters to petition the government of Israel for change, and are inviting all who feel a connection to the place of the Holy Temple to join us as we ascend the Mount.

By Yitzchak Reuven, YNet News, March 12, 2010

Enshrined in Israeli law are two cardinal principles of democracy: freedom of access to places of worship, and the freedom of worship to practitioners of all religions. Successive Israeli governments have proudly and rightly cited Israel’s unflinching assurance of the freedom of worship for Muslims and Christians in the city of Jerusalem. This fact is presented in its case to maintain Jerusalem as a united city under Israeli sovereignty. Ironically, in the very heart of Jerusalem lies a parcel of real estate which has been granted de facto some sort of extra-legal, extraterritorial status, a veritable “wild West” where the rule of law does not exist and the most basic and inalienable democratic rights are not honored. This is the Temple Mount.

The facts on the ground are as such: The Muslim Waqf, controlled by the Palestinian Authority, has been granted absolute say over the administration of the Mount. Illegal destruction of archaeological remains of the first and second Holy Temples takes place on a daily basis, as does illegal construction. The Waqf’s unambiguous and oft-stated aim of this policy is the destruction of evidence of the Holy Temple and the transformation of the entire Temple Mount plateau into one massive Mosque, thus achieving exclusivity to the site for Muslims.

But no less pernicious is the manner in which non-Muslims are treated both atop the Mount and upon approaching it. And this discriminatory policy is enforced by the Israeli police. Non-Muslims are simply not allowed to carry with them a Bible or prayer book and are not allowed to pray. Jews who ascend the Mount, in accordance with Jewish law (first immersing in a ritual bath, and only treading on areas that are permissible according to halacha), are singled out and discriminated against in an abusive, humiliating and derogatory fashion. They are detained at the security booth, their identification cards are inspected (not the case for non-Jews), they are given oral instructions on what they cannot do, (stop in any one spot for more than a few minutes, pray, silently move their lips or sway their bodies. Jews are even warned not to cry, sing or close their eyes).

Furthermore, unlike any other group of human beings ascending the Mount (and thousands of tourists from around the world do so every day), Jews are not allowed to be on the Mount in gatherings of more than 10 or 20 at a time, and they are accompanied during the entire duration of their visit by police officers and a Waqf official to ensure that they do not violate the prohibitions. Needless to say, prayer books, the Tanach, tefillin or a tallit are strictly forbidden. Non-Jews (by and large, non-Israelis), who accompany Jewish visitors to the Mount (and many do so out of a desire to experience the Temple Mount from a Jewish perspective), are accorded the same shabby treatment.  Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by CNP Webmaster as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Middle East Report, Monotheistic Religions, Opinion, Recent Posts on March 11, 2010 - כ"ה אדר תש"ע at 10:53 pm

What you can do for Israel and for the Jewish people

We must pray for Jerusalem not because we want to prosper, but because we love that city, that Land, that People, and above all, the God of Israel who has set His Holy Name on that city. We pray that Jewish people around the world may stand firm for their God and for His Land and that those Jews who do not really know the God of Israel will soon come to know Him and return to Torah.

By David Rushton, Canada Free Press, February 14, 2010

First, may I say how thankful I am for the many readers that have made very positive comments about this short series of articles. They have more than made up for the two or three atheists and hate-mongers who tried to make themselves obnoxious (or maybe they were not even trying). Obviously, what I have written has been my own opinion backed up with facts, but I do realize others have a right to their opinion too.

As far as I know this will be the last in the series about Israel and the Jewish people. Of course if this generates comments that I am forced to answer, in the words of the Governor of California,  “I’ll be back.” I believe that the foregoing articles need and deserve a conclusion. We have shown that Israel has a right to the Land. We have even seen that the Koran backs this up. We have seen that anti-God Islam is the key to just about all terrorism and anti-Semitism in the world today. So the question is, “What can you do? What should you do to support Israel?”

First as a matter of recapitulation with a little added information let me emphasize the point that the Koran, bloodthirsty and hate filled as it is actually states that God gave the Land of Israel to the Jews (and not to the Arabs or Muslims). Here I quote three Koranic verses found in Suras 5, 7, and 17. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by CNP Webmaster as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Middle East Report, Monotheistic Religions, Opinion, Recent Posts on February 15, 2010 - א' אדר תש"ע at 12:20 pm

Terrorism & Security

Three Malaysia churches firebombed as ‘Allah’ use tension mounts

Three churches in Malaysia were firebombed early Friday as religious tension continues over a court decision that allows a Catholic publication to use the word ‘Allah’ for God, which Catholics claim is a long-standing practice.

By Tom A. Peter, Christian Science Monitor
posted January 8, 2010

Three churches in Malaysia were firebombed early Friday morning as its government works to quell religious tensions following a court ruling – and a subsequent government appeal – that allows the country’s Christians to use the term Allah to refer to God. Only one church was seriously damaged and no one was injured.

Mosques throughout the country also small organized protests during their Friday prayer services and there are reports of cars with Christian stickers having their windshields smashed.

The controversy began when The Herald, a Roman Catholic newspaper in Malaysia, challenged a ban against the periodical using Allah in the Malay-language section of their newspaper to refer to God in a Christian context. Though Allah has been incorporated into the Malay language to mean God and the Koran teaches (Surah 29:46) that Christians, Muslims, and Jews share the same God, many Malaysian Muslims contend that Allah only refers to God for Muslims. Many allege Christians are using Allah in an effort to convert Muslims to Christianity, reports The Times of London. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by CNP Webmaster as Christianity, Islam, Monotheistic Religions, News Articles, Recent Posts on January 8, 2010 - כ"ב טבת תש"ע at 10:00 am

Islamic Christianophobia

The world ignores the persecution of Christians in the Muslim world.

Editorial, Wall Street Journal Europe, January 7, 2010

Posted by CNP Webmaster as Christianity, Islam, Middle East, Monotheistic Religions, Opinion, Recent Posts on January 8, 2010 - כ"ב טבת תש"ע at 9:42 am

Religious leaders in Israel unite for a better future

Aside from recommendations regarding education and inter-communal cooperation, a general lament was voiced regarding how negative attitudes and incidents seem to enjoy widespread coverage and exposure as opposed to positive efforts to combat enmity and conflict. Indeed, this remarkable event itself received little or no coverage in the Israeli dailies. But for those of us who were present, it was an unforgettable scene.

by David Rosen, 24 December 2009

JERUSALEM – The scene was stunning. At the Druze shrine of Nebi Shueib, against the backdrop of a gleaming snow-capped Mount Hermon, the green mountains and blue sea of the Galilee, kaffiyed Muslim imams and ulema, moustachioed Druze sheikhs, black-hatted rabbis and Christian clergy in various colourful garb, mingled together in animated discussion.
This meeting, which took place earlier this week, was the third for the Council of Religious Leaders in Israel, an organisation established two years ago at a founding gathering hosted by the Chief of Rabbis of Israel at the headquarters of the Chief Rabbinate in Jerusalem. At that meeting, more than a hundred participants—including leaders from six different faiths and more than a dozen different denominations—signed a pledge for interfaith cooperation and mutual respect based upon a recognition of a common humanity flowing from the Faith in One Creator of All. The second meeting had been hosted in Kafr Kara by the Muslim community and focused on the role of religious leadership in combating violence in society. It was similarly attended by the highest official religious leadership and local political authorities.
However this third gathering hosted by Sheikh Muaffaq Tarif and the Druze community differed from the previous two. There were still the necessary formal speeches by the heads of the major faiths, but these were preceded by vibrant interactive workshops. The theme of “the role of religious leaders in times of crisis” was particularly relevant as there have been a number of violent incidents in towns and mixed villages in the Galilee in recent years—arguably the most notable of these having taken place in Acre last year.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by CNP Webmaster as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Middle East, Monotheistic Religions, News Articles, Recent Posts on December 25, 2009 - ח' טבת תש"ע at 9:42 am

Posted by CNP Webmaster as Christianity, Islam, Middle East, Monotheistic Religions, News Articles, Recent Posts on December 24, 2009 - ז' טבת תש"ע at 12:07 pm

Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories meets with Church leaders for Christmas

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 22 Dec 2009

During the holiday season, all the crossings into Bethlehem will be open 24 hours a day.

(Communicated by the Ministry of Defense, Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories)

The Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories, Maj. Gen. Eitan Dangot, and the Head of the Civil Administration in Judea, Brig. Gen. Yoav (Poly) Mordechai, met today (Tuesday) with Christian leaders, including church heads and Patriarchs, in honor of the upcoming Christmas holiday and offered them best wishes for the new calendar year. The two also updated the religious leaders about the coordination and preparations that have taken place ahead of the religious ceremonies that will mark the season.

Maj. Gen. Dangot and Brig. Gen. Moredchai met with the head of the Franciscan monastery, the Custodian of the Holy Lands, the Ambassador of the Vatican, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch, the Armenian Patriarch, and the Latin Patriarch to update them about the series of goodwill gestures for the Christian population of Judea and Samaria that have been approved by the Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff. Furthermore the Christian leaders were informed that more than 300 Christian Palestinians from the Gaza Strip will be allowed exit and thus celebrate the holiday traditionally in a manner that respects freedom of religious expression.

The Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories, Maj. Gen. Eitan Dangot, informed the church leaders about the readiness of Israeli security organizations for the upcoming holiday, which includes security coordination between the Israel Defense Forces, the Israel Police, the Border Police, the Bethlehem Municipality, and Palestinian security forces. Furthermore, it was emphasized that during the holiday season, all the crossings into Bethlehem will be open 24 hours a day. Additional staff from the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria will be present at to ensure easy passage for visitors. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by CNP Webmaster as Christianity, Judaism, Middle East, Monotheistic Religions, Recent Posts on December 23, 2009 - ו' טבת תש"ע at 9:44 am

IRAQ: Christian community faces new wave of violence

Photo: IRIN

Gates locked outside a Christian church in Basra (file photo)

BAGHDAD, 15 July 2009 (IRIN) – A new wave of violence targeting Iraq’s Christian community has raised questions about the safety of religious minorities amid concerns about Iraqi forces’ ability to maintain security after the 30 June withdrawal of US combat forces from cities to outlying bases.
On 12 July, there were five attacks on churches in Baghdad and one assassination in the north that left five dead and more than 20 injured, according to Iraqi Interior Ministry’s statements.
"These [systematic] attacks on that specific day mean that there are well-organized militant groups who are still active unleashing violence and terrorism against Iraqis in general and Christians specifically," Younadem Kana, a Christian Iraqi MP, told IRIN.
"Their aim is to send a message to the world that the situation is unstable and the Iraqi government is unable to maintain security after the withdrawal of the US troops," Kana said.
The worst among Sunday’s attacks was a car bomb exploding near a church in eastern Baghdad as worshippers were leaving Sunday mass, killing four and injuring 18, the Interior Ministry said. One Muslim was among the dead.
Two bombs targeted another church in western Baghdad with no casualties. Three other churches were also targeted and eight people were injured, according to the Interior Ministry. Aziz Rizqo Nisan, a senior local Christian official, was killed in Kirkuk, about 300km north of Baghdad.
Kana called on the government to offer protection in all places of worship and to increase its intelligence efforts to hunt down militant groups.
A German NGO dealing with vulnerable and threatened communities in Iraq said the attacks were a bid to drive the remaining Christian community out of the country.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by CNP Webmaster as Christianity, Islam, Middle East Report, Monotheistic Religions, News Articles on July 17, 2009 - כ"ה תמוז תשס"ט at 2:46 am

Revisiting New Testament: Was Jesus Just a Normal Human Being?

Tabor has proven that the foundations of Judaism, Christianity and Islam can be traced back to the great Abrahamic Faith, despite the different directions in which they all developed. His biblically-based expositions from the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings of the Hebrew Bible combine to present a stimulating viewpoint with a solid historical basis.

by Susan Wolf, Arutz Sheva, June 14, 2009

(IsraelNN.com) In sharp contrast to the popular belief that Jesus was the Christian deity and preached so during his lifetime, Professor James Tabor says that research clearly shows that Jesus was a normal human being and never claimed to be G-d.

“History clearly shows that Jesus was a Jewish human being, born through natural conception, and had a human father. It was only after his natural death that that the Christian religion emerged and Jesus became a god,” says Prof. Tabor, the Chair of the Department of Religious studies at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

Download the above mp3 file

Speaking on Israel National Radio’s Tovia Singer show, Tabor charges that Jesus was a Jew who hoped to redeem Israel but never claimed to be G-d.

According to Tabor, the entire chronology of the New Testament is contradictory at best. While Jesus died in 30 A.D., Paul of Tarsus only began to write twenty years later, in 50 A.D. Professor Tabor’s upcoming book on Paul will detail how there was no Christian following whatsoever before Paul. Even more contradictory, Paul refers to Jesus as the seed of David and not as a product of immaculate conception.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by CNP Webmaster as Christianity, Education, Judaism, Middle East, Monotheistic Religions, Recent Posts on June 14, 2009 - כ"ב סיון תשס"ט at 1:54 pm

Egyptian Copts to Obama: Reconciliation is a Two-Way Street

by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz, 01 June 09

(IsraelNN.com) Members of the Egyptian Coptic diaspora urged American President Barack Obama to remember the Middle East’s oppressed non-Muslim minorities during his upcoming trip to Cairo. Several members of the U.S. Congress echoed the Copts’ concerns. %ad%

President Obama is slated to deliver what has been billed as a groundbreaking speech of reconciliation between the West and the Muslim world at Cairo University on June 4, 2009. Christian Copts of California (CCC), an organization representing expatriate Egyptians of the ancient Coptic minority, has written an urgent letter to the American leader reminding him that "reconciliation cannot be separated from reciprocation. The Islamic World must not demand from us that which they are unwilling to retune to us and to extend to their own citizens of other religious. I hope you help them understand reconciliation is a two-way street."

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by CNP Webmaster as Christianity, Islam, Middle East Report, Monotheistic Religions, News Articles on June 1, 2009 - ט' סיון תשס"ט at 7:11 pm