In the last decade, there have been more than ten thousand deaths related to riots and slayings of a religious nature. Many of these have been Muslims killing Christians, as we have seen in many articles posted in the West. The headlines are clear: "500 Christans killed by Muslims in Nigeria" or today's headline: "Muslim Radicals Kill 150 in Nigeria, Goal Sharia"
What these headlines completely neglect is that Christians are also killing Muslims in Nigeria. This isn't a one-sided attack from one religious group to another. This is what we call war.
To label this as "persecution of Christians" is misguided. Yes, innocents are being killed, as they do in all wars. And this is a crime against all humanity. But innocents of both Muslim and Christian beliefs are being killed by both Muslims and Christians. And it is both the Muslims who are trying to control the law and Christians, in opposition to their religious and political enemies.
This isn't persecution, it is prejudice. It is two sides refusing to listen to each other.
And worst, this is a large population, calling themselves "Christian" yet being very un-Christlike. We need to pray for these Christians. Not that they escape persecution, but that they learn to love their enemies.
Sources:
Schleitheim, "Christians Killing Muslims"
Religious News Summary, Crosswalk, Nov. 9, 2011
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