Churches set ablaze by mob in Pakistan

[unclepercy]

And so it continues....it's getting harder and harder not to lump.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - A mob set ablaze three churches, a convent and a priest's house in Pakistan's central Punjab province on Saturday, according to police and clergy.

Some 1,500 people took part in the attack at Sangla Hill, around 70 km west of Lahore, Catholic Archbishop Lawrence Saldanaha told a news conference.

"The attack seems to be planned and organised as the attackers were brought to the site on buses," the archbishop said, citing reports from witnesses.

The outbreak of anti-Christian violence appeared to have been sparked by unsubstantiated accusations that a local Christian had desecrated the Koran, he said.

He said the church's own initial investigation suggested the accusations were motivated by a dispute over money.

Akram Gill, a Christian legislator, said the dispute was due to a gambling debt owed by two Muslims to a Christian.

"They refused to pay the money and created this nuisance," Gill said, adding that "fundamentalist elements" were fuelling anti-Christian feelings.

Around 200 Christian families have fled their homes in Sangla Hill, according to civil rights officials from the National Commission of Justice and Peace.

A police official said around 40 people had been arrested, and order had been restored in the town.

Christians account for less than three percent of Pakistan's 150 million, mainly Muslim, population.

http://in.today.reuters.com/news/ne...223727Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-223255-1.xml

Uncle

 

[Jo Canadian]

Violence follows 'Koran burning'
By Shahid Malik
BBC News, Lahore


Police in the Pakistani province of Punjab have arrested 90 people after protests against an alleged desecration of the Koran.

Police officials say the unrest began after rumours spread that a Christian man had set fire to a library containing copies of the Koran.

The crowd set fire to two churches, two school buildings and some houses.


The incidents took place in Sangla Hill, more than 100km from Lahore, but there are no reports of any injuries.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4431588.stm

 

[Hard-Luck Henry]

Religious intolerance is indeed a terrible thing. But just so people don't get the impression that it's an exclusively muslim trait, I thought I'd like to cite the following incident. From Texas.

Man Sentenced for Attempted Firebombing of West Texas Islamic Center

A Texas man has been sentenced to 14 years and three months in prison for attempting to firebomb the Islamic Center of El Paso.

Last September, Antonio Flores, 58, from the Lower Valley area of El Paso, placed a jar filled with gasoline and a lit fuse near a gas meter on the center’s property and threw a similar device into the center’s back yard where children were playing.

 

[unclepercy]

Religious intolerance is indeed a terrible thing. But just so people don't get the impression that it's an exclusively muslim trait, I thought I'd like to cite the following incident. From Texas.

Man Sentenced for Attempted Firebombing of West Texas Islamic Center

A Texas man has been sentenced to 14 years and three months in prison for attempting to firebomb the Islamic Center of El Paso.

Last September, Antonio Flores, 58, from the Lower Valley area of El Paso, placed a jar filled with gasoline and a lit fuse near a gas meter on the center’s property and threw a similar device into the center’s back yard where children were playing.

Well, duh. One Mexican vs. 1,500 Muslims. Hardly a fair comparison.

Uncle

 

[Reverend Blair]

Well, duh. One Mexican vs. 1,500 Muslims. Hardly a fair comparison.

Not a Mexican, an American. A Texas man, according to the report. The US has a long history of such violence...the burning of black churches springs to mind. So does the religious fervour that leads anti-choice activists to murder doctors. Christian fundamentalism in action.

Of course the attacks on Christian churches happened in Pakistan...Amerika's close friend and ally. A military dictatorship known for its human rights abuses and intolerance.

Birds of a feather and all that...

 

[unclepercy]

Well, duh. One Mexican vs. 1,500 Muslims. Hardly a fair comparison.

Not a Mexican, an American. A Texas man, according to the report. The US has a long history of such violence...the burning of black churches springs to mind. So does the religious fervour that leads anti-choice activists to murder doctors. Christian fundamentalism in action.

Of course the attacks on Christian churches happened in Pakistan...Amerika's close friend and ally. A military dictatorship known for its human rights abuses and intolerance.

Birds of a feather and all that...

Who do you think is next? I am hearing Ireland. It's speculation of course. Just internet talk. But the Irish are saying pretty much what Bush said, "Bring it on." Remember, this is on forums, not news articles.

Uncle