US Missionaries gunned down in Iraq

[Showtime]

Was this a random act or was it because they are Americans or cuz they were missionaries? Give some cowardly, ignorant people guns..
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http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/03/16/missionaries/index.html
CNN) -- Baptist missionaries Carrie and David McDonnall had been married less than a year before they decided to help Iraqis rebuild from the destruction of the war.

While the Texas couple was laying the foundation of their marriage, they were helping Iraqis by distributing food, organizing relief projects, performing odd jobs or renovating schools.

Colleagues said they knew they they were doing a dangerous job in a dangerous part of the world.

-jel

[Cantacuzene]

Personally, I wouldn't want to be a missionary there, or anywhere else for that matter. I hate to say it, but I'm sure the Iraqis have had enough of americans telling them whats good for them. Add religion to that and you can imagine the troubles.

[Apex]

It happens. You count the cost beforehand and then go do it.

Good article.

[johnnymk]

I am beginning to believe Iraq is America's new Vietnam.

Many Americans will eventually wonder what we accomplished by fighting there. I hope that doesn't happen, though.

[cheapie]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene
Personally, I wouldn't want to be a missionary there, or anywhere else for that matter. I hate to say it, but I'm sure the Iraqis have had enough of americans telling them whats good for them. Add religion to that and you can imagine the troubles.


they weren't telling them what's good for them. they were
by distributing food, organizing relief projects, performing odd jobs or renovating schools

[blueindian]

Originally posted by cheapie



they weren't telling them what's good for them. they were

cheapie, please don't tell me you think they were doing these things without also talking about jesus in an attempt to spread christianity?

not that i think that's a cause to shoot them btw.

[cheapie]

Originally posted by blueindian


cheapie, please don't tell me you think they were doing these things without also talking about jesus in an attempt to spread christianity?

not that i think that's a cause to shoot them btw.


i'm not sure what your point is. they were there trying to help feed the people and rebuild their schools and got shot. they weren't on a street corner w/a megaphone ragging on islam.

[Bires]

Originally posted by blueindian
cheapie, please don't tell me you think they were doing these things without also talking about jesus in an attempt to spread christianity?

Some of the best missionaries in human history have been the quietest; most focused on service, and least talkative.

Mother Theresa worked long hours (before sunrise, and after dusk) to serve orphans and widows in India. She didn't preach, she just served. And, because of her work and the work of the church that sent her, millions of lives were touched and the political landscape of southern Asia changed.

So, please don't assume all missionaries are shouting streetcorner preachers. The most common missionary, which happens to be the most effective missionary, is a servant. :)

[eSDee]

Good post Bires. These people were trying to do what they felt was right. It is a tragedy that they were gunned down.

[blueindian]

Originally posted by cheapie



i'm not sure what your point is. they were there trying to help feed the people and rebuild their schools and got shot. they weren't on a street corner w/a megaphone ragging on islam.

well, it appeared to me that you tried to make a point that they were not "telling people what was good for them". my point is that i've never heard of a missionary who did not spread the word of whatever religion they were a missionary for..hence they would be telling people what's good for them. this is not to say they couldn't be doing other things, like rebuilding schools, while spreading religion.

basically, regardless of what good they are going there is certainly going to be a section of the population that will veiw them as "ragging on islam", which goes back to canta's original point that he wouldnt' want to be there doing what they were doing.

[cheapie]

most of the missionaries i know that go on missions trips, and i prolly know 50+ that have done so in the last few years, go and work on a project, feed people, give medicine & clothing, etc. when people come up to them and ask what they are doing, i'm sure they tell them about jesus.

if it weren't for christians doing this sort of work, many parts of the globe would be in far worse shape than they already are. i'm sure you and canta aren't cracking on them, but you can't seperate the good work they are doing from the religion that makes them want to do it.

[Cantacuzene]

I don't doubt they were doing good works, but I think we both know the reaction if dozens of Muslim imams started doing missionary work in the Bible-belt here in the States.

[cheapie]

actually i don't know what the reaction would be. we have muslim churches or whatever all over. i don't recall them ever being wasted when out working in the community. and i'm sure you aren't saying that would necessarily happen. but honestly, there are a lot of muslims around here and none of us christians are giving them crap.

[Apex]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene
I don't doubt they were doing good works, but I think we both know the reaction if dozens of Muslim imams started doing missionary work in the Bible-belt here in the States.

Christians do not approach people in Muslim countries. They'll only take about Jesus if asked.

If dozens of Muslims gave out free food, water, and clothing in the Bible-belt, and did not talk about Islam unless asked, I sort of doubt they'd be gunned down. Maybe it's just me?

[Cantacuzene]

I'm not suggesting they would get gunned down, but I could easily see some 'good old boys' beating up some 'towel heads' if their preaching got too high profile in their community. I really think you guys are underestimating the amount of racism here.

[kimchicowboy]

well, it's not only the foreign christians getting gunned down. i hear stories (i dunno how true they are) of iraqi christians getting shot at while they try to get to church on sundays.

[Bires]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene
I'm not suggesting they would get gunned down, but I could easily see some 'good old boys' beating up some 'towel heads' if their preaching got too high profile in their community. I really think you guys are underestimating the amount of racism here.

Nothing is more American than self persecution...

[yippiekiyeh]

Someone has the compassion to help others. It's because of their religion. It is a burden that is placed on their hearts. I'm sure if they knew that they might die doing this, they still would have gone anyway. The burden to serve is greater than the life here on earth.

Again not everyone gets this burden on their hearts, some do, some don't. I can only admire people that have to courage to do something like this.

[ShawnLee]

Missionaries know the risk, they have to. Besides, not everyone in the country is uber-fundamentalist Muslim. I know a couple of missionaries who went in right after major combat stopped last year, and each said that most weren't too Muslim, just nominally. Some were open to converting just because the pressure wasn't on them to be anymore. I'm not saying anything about the others or the strengths of their faiths, but that was the situation I heard last year.

Of course, this could be because it was a medical mission, and that the teams were sent from Korea, and not American, but yeah.