Iraq and the Abrahamic Religions of the Book

What is now called Iraq was the site and source of the Abrahamic tradition which is claimed by the world’s three major religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Until very recent times adherents of these three faiths conducted their religious observances and worshiped peacefully in Iraq.

For example one of the oldest Christian churches began in Iraq and remains there to this day. It dates back to the time of Christ and is called the Chaldean church. That religious denomination still uses Aramaic which is the language that Jesus spoke. The Chaldean church in the early 20th century became affiliated with Rome but maintains its own identity. Other Christian denominations have benefitted Iraq in building and maintaining educational and health institutions which serve the entire population. Traditionally, the foremost university in Iraq was founded by the Jesuits. Its graduates have provided leadership in all sectors of Iraqi society.

Terrorists, under the guise of Islam are now seeking to drive out all Christians from Iraq. A most recent example, extremists using force, including murder, disrupted worship on October 31st in a Chaldean cathedral in Baghdad. Several worshipers were killed including two of the priests conducting the service.
Whatever the excuse used by the terrorists for this outrage it must be condemned by representatives of all faiths.
It must be noted that many Mosques and Islamic worshippers have suffered similar destruction and murder during worship by terrorists mis-using Islam.
All violence must be condemned especially when it is used to drive people from their homeland.
The AAIC (Akron Area Inter Faith Council) condemns this pseudo religio-ethnic purification in Iraq. We call upon people of faith to condemn the perpetrators of this violence.These terrorists must be seen and labeled as violators of the religion of Islam.
We must not allow the image of the religion of Peace to be soiled by political fanatics of death.

Manger Jesus versus Love in Action Jesus

Manger Jesus versus Love in Action Jesus

Rev. Dr Yvette Flunder is a popular UCC preacher who comes from a strong Evangelical tradition. She observes that there are two kinds of churches. One emphasizes personal salvation and the other kind emphasizes a strong ministry of social justice issues,i.e. reaching out to those most in need. She wishes that the two sides could be “homogenized” into one congregation.

The Bath church Mission Board is impressed with the fact that our congregation does represent a combination of both a deep personal, spiritual religious experience and also the need to relate to those in need i.e. justice for those marginalized economically, socially and by circumstances beyond their control.

The baby Jesus lying in a manger attracts us to a warm and dramatic personal relationship with the Lord. God Incarnate demonstrating God’s infinite love for each of us. But the Gospel Jesus went on to live and preach challenges us to relate to others most in need.

As the Mission Board reviews the many, many activities of “reaching out” by members of this church we celebrate the fact that our congregation represents the ideal combination. A “homogenization” of a strong evangelical personal closeness to Jesus with an active outreach to those less fortunate.

The evidence is there in our manifold mission projects made possible by so many in our congregation who are motivated by their personal commitment to Jesus. Those who are signing up to work amongst the devastation in Haiti in January are the most recent examples of Bath Christians living out their deep personal commitment to God by serving those most in need.

Praise God! and God Bless and keep you safe on this “mission” We will pray for you and support you.

The Bath Mission Board.

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