January 29, 2003

hate crime

After the November 21 murder in Lebanon of American missionary Bonnie Penner Witherall, one would have been justified in expecting some sort of backlash. After all, officials are still trying to figure out whether she was killed out of general anti-American sentiment or if she was specifically targeted as a missionary—but in either case, the culprit is almost certainly a Muslim. As it turns out, the backlash continues to be not against extremist Muslims but evangelical Christians...

...But it wasn't only Lebanese Muslims who condemned Witherall's missionary work. Bishop George Kwaiter, acting archbishop for the local Roman Catholic diocese, complained, "She was in the habit of gathering the Muslim children of the quarter and preaching Christianity to them while dispensing food and toys and social assistance." He likened Witherall and her fellow missionaries to terrorists, saying they operate in "cells" under the guise of Christianity. "Even we wonder who is behind them, who brought them, and in whose name they operate," he told the Associated Press.

I don't know what to think, but this Christianity Today editorial once again demonstrates that the enemy can relax - we're doing a good enough job of destroying the church ourselves.

Posted by mike at January 29, 2003 07:27 PM
Comments

We are Bonnies parents, and no we can not believe that this statment came from the Church itself. That being true we have received many positive comments, literally from around the world. Our God is worthy.

Posted by: Ann and Al Penner on August 17, 2003 04:08 PM

Yes, He is. Admittedly, that's easier for me to say than you.

Blessings to you both.

Posted by: Mike on August 17, 2003 08:04 PM
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