One of the problems with Christianity is that it got kidnapped by the Romans and became a European religion. Judaism and Islam remain Middle Eastern religions and have an emphasis on welcoming the stranger.
Many Christian sects seem to have lost that concept. They claim to love their neighbors, but have a very narrow definition of who their neighbors are.
Before I get jumped, there are also Zealots and Fundamentalist Muslims who also have a limited concept of neighbor.
A few years ago (before the pandemic), a fellow on a train in Denmark asked me for directions, and we go into a conversation.
He was a Syrian on his way to a job interview. He had had a business in Syria, until it was destroyed by a bombing raid.
He escaped Syria on one of those untrustworthy boats, which in his case sank. Most of those on that boat drowned, but he was able to tread water for 6 hours — with a 4-year-old child in his arms (he did not say that it was his child), — until he was rescued.
With global warming the number of refugees is going to increase exponentially. The wealthier nations need to convene to develop a compassionate strategy to handle what will be a huge multitude of desperate people. I believe this will be the greatest issue facing the next generation. If not, the world may descend into war and strife.
I find the American treatment of the Central American refugees to be particularly cruel. We like to conveniently ignore the fact that we interfered with the government and installed dictators since the late 19th century continuing up to reagan’s attempt to overthrow the elected Nicaraguan government. We owe them big time. Haiti is even worse; Woodrow Wilson stole 1 Billion dollars from the country, intentionally to impoverish a black nation. I billion in 1900 dollars is worth over 32 billion dollars in today’s $$. Were it not for Woodrow Wilson, Haiti would be in a much better position than it is now. Thanks WoodyHis racism was KKK-worthy.
FreyjaRN Premium Member over 2 years ago
Amen.
dflak over 2 years ago
One of the problems with Christianity is that it got kidnapped by the Romans and became a European religion. Judaism and Islam remain Middle Eastern religions and have an emphasis on welcoming the stranger.
Many Christian sects seem to have lost that concept. They claim to love their neighbors, but have a very narrow definition of who their neighbors are.
Before I get jumped, there are also Zealots and Fundamentalist Muslims who also have a limited concept of neighbor.
MuddyUSA Premium Member over 2 years ago
@dflak – Say Muslims like the Taliban????
Out of the Past over 2 years ago
Learn a lot of interesting things here. Never heard the Amal story anywhere else, and I get around.
gammaguy over 2 years ago
Walking?
A few years ago (before the pandemic), a fellow on a train in Denmark asked me for directions, and we go into a conversation.
He was a Syrian on his way to a job interview. He had had a business in Syria, until it was destroyed by a bombing raid.
He escaped Syria on one of those untrustworthy boats, which in his case sank. Most of those on that boat drowned, but he was able to tread water for 6 hours — with a 4-year-old child in his arms (he did not say that it was his child), — until he was rescued.
Walking?
oakie817 over 2 years ago
amen
Jim Kerner over 2 years ago
Uh, oh. I don’t like who I see in the back round. :-(
MCProfessor over 2 years ago
With global warming the number of refugees is going to increase exponentially. The wealthier nations need to convene to develop a compassionate strategy to handle what will be a huge multitude of desperate people. I believe this will be the greatest issue facing the next generation. If not, the world may descend into war and strife.
banjoAhhh! over 2 years ago
I find the American treatment of the Central American refugees to be particularly cruel. We like to conveniently ignore the fact that we interfered with the government and installed dictators since the late 19th century continuing up to reagan’s attempt to overthrow the elected Nicaraguan government. We owe them big time. Haiti is even worse; Woodrow Wilson stole 1 Billion dollars from the country, intentionally to impoverish a black nation. I billion in 1900 dollars is worth over 32 billion dollars in today’s $$. Were it not for Woodrow Wilson, Haiti would be in a much better position than it is now. Thanks WoodyHis racism was KKK-worthy.