Iraqi Bishop: Evangelicals in Iraq Making The Religious Situation Worse

This is actually a common problem in many regions. Evangelicals who go on mission trips tend to be sensationalistic and divisive. They cause a lot of problems, the kind which generate hostility, not only towards themselves, but to all Christians. As a result, Native Christians, who previously had a good standing in their society, find their livelihood, and their very lives, put at risk. In India, many of the conflicts between Hindus and Christians stem from evangelical missionaries encouraging vandalism to Hindu temples. It should not be too surprising that in Iraq, since it is now “opened up” to American missionaries, they are adding to the instability to the region. Thankfully, as Chaldean Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni has pointed out, many Muslims are working to help protect the native Christians, and are trying to encourage them to stay. Hopefully such positive action will encourage Christians not to lump all Muslims together.