“Fight against those do not believe in Allah or the last day, and do not forbid what Allah and his messenger have forbidden, and do not follow the religion of truth, even if they are among the people of the book, until they pay the jizya with willing submission and feel themselves subdued.” (Qur’an 9:29)
An update on this story. “Islamic extremists claim responsibility for church bombing in Congo that killed 14, wounded 63 others,” Associated Press, January 16, 2023:
Islamic extremists claimed responsibility for a bombing of a church in eastern Congo as authorities said Monday that the toll from Sunday’s attack had risen to at least 14 dead.
The Islamic State group and its Aamaq news outlet issued statements saying that its militants had planted an explosive device inside the Pentecostal church in Kasindi and detonated it while people were praying.
“Let the Congolese forces know that their continued attacks on the Mujahideen will only bring them more failure and losses,” the group said in its statement.
The extremists claimed the bomb killed 20 Christians. Congolese authorities put the toll Monday at 14 dead and at least 63 wounded….
Fighters with the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel organization which is believed to have links to the the Islamic State group, have carried out several attacks in Kasindi, which is located on the border with Uganda.
Troops from Uganda’s army have deployed to eastern Congo to try to stem the violence, but the attacks have increased and spread. ADF attacks since April have killed at least 370 civilians and involved the abduction of several hundred more, a report by the United Nations last month said.
Samer says
If the series of killing and persecution of Christians in Africa and the rest of the world continues without stopping, then Christians have one of the following two options: Either they abandon their humanity and convert to Islam, and this is a bad choice that no person who respects his mind and conscience will accept; Or they adopt a doctrine that does not call for blessing and loving the enemies who persecute and kill them, as is the case with Christianity, but calls for fighting enemies and not submitting to them and blessing them, if they want to save themselves and save human civilization.
James Lincoln says
Samer,
At least the Christians that I have served in with the military make a distinction between killing and murdering. Cold Case Christianity gives a good synopsis regarding this distinction:
“But the Scripture delineates a distinction between killing and murdering. “You shall not kill” is actually not a command found in the Ten Commandments. The command from scripture in the original language actually says “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). The Hebrew word for “murder” literally means “the intentional, premeditated killing of another person with malice.””
https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-difference-between-killing-and-murdering/
Samer says
thanks for your reply. What solution do you propose for Christians who are being persecuted and killed by Muslims in African countries, Asian countries and the Middle East? Do you suggest that they take up arms and defend themselves, or continue a policy of forgiving and blessing their enemies and oppressors?
James Lincoln says
Samer,
The persecuted Christians should take up arms and defend themselves.
If they do not have access to them, they should be covertly supplied by Western countries.
gravenimage says
Samer–with all respect–Christians have often defended themselves over the centuries. The claim that Christians cannot do so is mistaken.
Then, many Christians in Africa face the additional problem that their nation is actually largely *pro Jihad*, as in Nigeria, or else is such a chaotic basket case that no organized national resistance is really possible, as in Congo.
gravenimage says
DR Congo: Islamic State claims responsibility for jihad massacre at church that killed 14 people and wounded 63
………………………………….
More horrifying Jihad in Africa–and this is rarely reported in the West. At least this story was covered by the Associated Press.
Gurek says
No, they are not extremists. They are Muslims and they follow Islam which is an evil religion. It’s simple as that. All of the media outlets along the world are too scared to say the truth. Shame on so-called Christian leaders for kowtowing to Islam and Muslims.
Gurek says
No, they are not extremists. They are Muslims and they follow Islam which is an evil religion. It’s simple as that. All of the media outlets along the world are too scared to say the truth. Shame on so-called Christian leaders for kowtowing to Islam and Muslims.
Violet says
Well said!
Violet says
Colonialism is far preferable than what’s happening in Africa today.