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{"id":7719,"date":"2016-12-11T23:19:42","date_gmt":"2016-12-12T03:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/daffeythoughts\/?p=7719"},"modified":"2016-12-12T07:37:14","modified_gmt":"2016-12-12T11:37:14","slug":"god-bless-egyptian-christians-killed-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/daffeythoughts\/2016\/12\/god-bless-egyptian-christians-killed-weekend.html","title":{"rendered":"God bless the Egyptian Christians who were killed this weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

The largest attack against the Christian minority in Egypt for some time has claimed the lives of at least 25 worshipers<\/a>. \u00a0None have claimed responsibility. \u00a0It\u2019s entirely possible, of course, that the attackers are not Muslim. \u00a0At this point, we don\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

But if not, then it would be a radical departure from the plight that Christians face in many areas of the Islamic world. \u00a0Not all face violence or physical attacks, at least anymore than anyone else in the world. \u00a0Some merely exist under conditions that make it clear they are at the mercy of a society that sees them as a minority.<\/p>\n

Sometimes the problems come in the form of intimidation, or harassment, or unbalanced fees or fines. \u00a0Sometimes it can be deliberate pressure and tactics used to make the free exercise of their faith difficult. \u00a0I\u2019ve relayed the story of some in my wife\u2019s Antiochian Orthodox Church who make Palm Sunday, rather than Easter, the big celebration of the year. \u00a0That\u2019s because in their parts of the Middle East, Muslim authorities\u00a0purposefully place\u00a0restrictions making Easter difficult to celebrate.<\/p>\n

Therefore, being resourceful, they moved their big day to the Sunday before. \u00a0Over here, they simply carry on the tradition. \u00a0It\u2019s like that in other places of course, not just the Middle East. \u00a0From Indonesia to North Africa, into Nigeria and even Secular Turkey, Christians live daily knowing that everything could change on a dime. \u00a0And that\u2019s the best of conditions.<\/p>\n

In others, as this sad instance suggests, the results can be far deadlier. \u00a0God bless those who risk their lives to keep the Faith. \u00a0Grant them peace and protection. \u00a0Mercy on those who struggle, and forgiveness for those who would attack Christ\u2019s Church. \u00a0Turn their hearts from evil and hate so that they, too, can enter into that Divine Fellowship. \u00a0And give strength and grace to those who have died or suffered unimaginable loss. \u00a0Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon them.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"