Baghdad hostage situation ends with at least 37 Iraqi Christians killed

"BAGHDAD (AFP) – Seven security force members and 37 Christians were killed when US and Iraqi forces stormed a Baghdad cathedral to free dozens of hostages, an official said Monday, as anAl-Qaeda group claimed the attack.

Among those killed in the Sunday night hostage drama were five women, seven children and two priests, an interior ministry official and witnesses said. Ten women, eight children and a priest were among the wounded.

"The latest toll is that 37 of the hostages were killed and 56 wounded," the official said, adding that seven security force members were killed and 15 wounded. He did not specify if any Americans were among the dead.

Five attackers were killed and eight arrested, he said, adding there had been more than 100 worshippers at the Sayidat al-Nejat Catholic cathedral in central Baghdad when the hostage-takers stormed in.

The gunmen had attacked during evening mass after killing two guards at the nearby headquarters of the Baghdad stock exchange."

(The link was too long. Just look at the Middle East section of Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/world/middle-east)

Not such a great way to end the month. It hasn't been as bad of a month for Iraq as last October, when a double suicide car bombing killed over 150 people. But I suspect that there will be more of these kind of attacks in the future. My sympathy goes out to all Iraqi Christians, who live in one of the most difficult and hostile worlds for them.

On a very marginal side note, no Americans have otherwise died in hostile combat this month. Maybe that's part of the reason I'm hearing relatively little about this attack :|.

"BAGHDAD (AFP) – Seven security force members and 37 Christians were killed when US and Iraqi forces stormed a Baghdad cathedral to free dozens of hostages, an official said Monday, as anAl-Qaeda group claimed the attack.

Among those killed in the Sunday night hostage drama were five women, seven children and two priests, an interior ministry official and witnesses said. Ten women, eight children and a priest were among the wounded.

"The latest toll is that 37 of the hostages were killed and 56 wounded," the official said, adding that seven security force members were killed and 15 wounded. He did not specify if any Americans were among the dead.

Five attackers were killed and eight arrested, he said, adding there had been more than 100 worshippers at the Sayidat al-Nejat Catholic cathedral in central Baghdad when the hostage-takers stormed in.

The gunmen had attacked during evening mass after killing two guards at the nearby headquarters of the Baghdad stock exchange."

(The link was too long. Just look at the Middle East section of Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/world/middle-east)

Not such a great way to end the month. It hasn't been as bad of a month for Iraq as last October, when a double suicide car bombing killed over 150 people. But I suspect that there will be more of these kind of attacks in the future. My sympathy goes out to all Iraqi Christians, who live in one of the most difficult and hostile worlds for them.

jetpower3

[QUOTE="jetpower3"]

"BAGHDAD (AFP) – Seven security force members and 37 Christians were killed when US and Iraqi forces stormed a Baghdad cathedral to free dozens of hostages, an official said Monday, as anAl-Qaeda group claimed the attack.

Among those killed in the Sunday night hostage drama were five women, seven children and two priests, an interior ministry official and witnesses said. Ten women, eight children and a priest were among the wounded.

"The latest toll is that 37 of the hostages were killed and 56 wounded," the official said, adding that seven security force members were killed and 15 wounded. He did not specify if any Americans were among the dead.

Five attackers were killed and eight arrested, he said, adding there had been more than 100 worshippers at the Sayidat al-Nejat Catholic cathedral in central Baghdad when the hostage-takers stormed in.

The gunmen had attacked during evening mass after killing two guards at the nearby headquarters of the Baghdad stock exchange."

(The link was too long. Just look at the Middle East section of Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/world/middle-east)

Not such a great way to end the month. It hasn't been as bad of a month for Iraq as last October, when a double suicide car bombing killed over 150 people. But I suspect that there will be more of these kind of attacks in the future. My sympathy goes out to all Iraqi Christians, who live in one of the most difficult and hostile worlds for them.

SaudiFury

I don't deny it. But perhaps more than any other major group in Iraq, Iraqi Christians have been targeted and sidelined in the midst of the fighting between the different sects of Islam. They are in a sense, being slowly exterminated. And this situation is a definite example of that process. No matter who prevails in this terrible war, it will be Muslims that reign supreme in this country. But what of the Iraqi Christians, I can't say.

[QUOTE="SaudiFury"][QUOTE="jetpower3"]

"BAGHDAD (AFP) – Seven security force members and 37 Christians were killed when US and Iraqi forces stormed a Baghdad cathedral to free dozens of hostages, an official said Monday, as anAl-Qaeda group claimed the attack.

Among those killed in the Sunday night hostage drama were five women, seven children and two priests, an interior ministry official and witnesses said. Ten women, eight children and a priest were among the wounded.

"The latest toll is that 37 of the hostages were killed and 56 wounded," the official said, adding that seven security force members were killed and 15 wounded. He did not specify if any Americans were among the dead.

Five attackers were killed and eight arrested, he said, adding there had been more than 100 worshippers at the Sayidat al-Nejat Catholic cathedral in central Baghdad when the hostage-takers stormed in.

The gunmen had attacked during evening mass after killing two guards at the nearby headquarters of the Baghdad stock exchange."

(The link was too long. Just look at the Middle East section of Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/world/middle-east)

Not such a great way to end the month. It hasn't been as bad of a month for Iraq as last October, when a double suicide car bombing killed over 150 people. But I suspect that there will be more of these kind of attacks in the future. My sympathy goes out to all Iraqi Christians, who live in one of the most difficult and hostile worlds for them.

jetpower3

I don't deny it. But perhaps more than any other major group in Iraq, Iraqi Christians have been targeted and sidelined in the midst of the fighting between the different sects of Islam. They are in a sense, being slowly exterminated. And this situation is a definite example of that process. No matter who prevails in this terrible war, it will be Muslims that reign supreme in this country. But what of the Iraqi Christians, I can't say.

Tragic.

More innocent lives lost to the machinations of the rapacious CIA, of which Al Qaeda is but a fabrication.

:(

[QUOTE="SaudiFury"][QUOTE="jetpower3"]

"BAGHDAD (AFP) – Seven security force members and 37 Christians were killed when US and Iraqi forces stormed a Baghdad cathedral to free dozens of hostages, an official said Monday, as anAl-Qaeda group claimed the attack.

Among those killed in the Sunday night hostage drama were five women, seven children and two priests, an interior ministry official and witnesses said. Ten women, eight children and a priest were among the wounded.

"The latest toll is that 37 of the hostages were killed and 56 wounded," the official said, adding that seven security force members were killed and 15 wounded. He did not specify if any Americans were among the dead.

Five attackers were killed and eight arrested, he said, adding there had been more than 100 worshippers at the Sayidat al-Nejat Catholic cathedral in central Baghdad when the hostage-takers stormed in.

The gunmen had attacked during evening mass after killing two guards at the nearby headquarters of the Baghdad stock exchange."

(The link was too long. Just look at the Middle East section of Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/world/middle-east)

Not such a great way to end the month. It hasn't been as bad of a month for Iraq as last October, when a double suicide car bombing killed over 150 people. But I suspect that there will be more of these kind of attacks in the future. My sympathy goes out to all Iraqi Christians, who live in one of the most difficult and hostile worlds for them.

jetpower3

I don't deny it. But perhaps more than any other major group in Iraq, Iraqi Christians have been targeted and sidelined in the midst of the fighting between the different sects of Islam. They are in a sense, being slowly exterminated. And this situation is a definite example of that process. No matter who prevails in this terrible war, it will be Muslims that reign supreme in this country. But what of the Iraqi Christians, I can't say.

[QUOTE="jetpower3"]

[QUOTE="SaudiFury"] and what of the Iraq Muslims? a 150 people killed by terrorists for whatever reason be it to kill that one American, or because the bomber wanted to hit a certain sects neighborhood. still sad to see that the hostage situation did not end any better, but don't forget that other Iraqi's - including Muslims - are giving their lives to defend their fellow countrymen, regardless of their faith or ethnic group.sosodat

I don't deny it. But perhaps more than any other major group in Iraq, Iraqi Christians have been targeted and sidelined in the midst of the fighting between the different sects of Islam. They are in a sense, being slowly exterminated. And this situation is a definite example of that process. No matter who prevails in this terrible war, it will be Muslims that reign supreme in this country. But what of the Iraqi Christians, I can't say.

Where do you draw the line between politics and religion? Many times you can't. It works both ways. The Iraqi insurgency specifically targets Iraqi Christians, while the government has much bigger fish to fry than to protect minorities, especially given the fluid sectarian situation. You may point out that the minority Sunnis used to reign supreme in Iraq, but now it's the majority Shia' population. It's still Islam. Perhaps "reign Supreme" is not the best way to put it, but it is part of my belief that religion can be used as a sort of tool by which the majority can suppress or overlook the needs of the minorities. It happens all the time.

Update: Apparently it's now over 50 ISF and civilians dead:

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LDE6A00B7.htm

That's bad, why can't people be peaceful.

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

ColdP1zza

The Bible has many accounts of apostles being killed in such a brutal manner. Yes, I can't think of an explanation for why such an event occured to them, but all I can say is, being a christian/believer in some other religion is not all sugars and rainbows, and the other disasters that are happening around us in recent times, we can't just pin the blame on God and say "Oh, he just doesn't care about us". I too would love to know the reason behind these events, but alas, we can't know everything.

[QUOTE="ColdP1zza"]

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

ForceFreeze

The Bible has many accounts of apostles being killed in such a brutal manner. Yes, I can't think of an explanation for why such an event occured to them, but all I can say is, being a christian/believer in some other religion is not all sugars and rainbows, and the other disasters that are happening around us in recent times, we can't just pin the blame on God and say "Oh, he just doesn't care about us". I too would love to know the reason behind these events, but alas, we can't know everything.

Okay, but weren't those apostles martyrs? Anyways just because we don't know the answer for 100% doesn't make it right to ignore the only logical answer.

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

ColdP1zza

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

ColdP1zza

I agree with the other poster - keep religion out of this - if you want to debate about God, open up a new thread. Your comment is not well thought-out anyway.

This is sad news indeed :(

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

ColdP1zza

No muslims love al qaida , I assure you , half people in my country are muslims , and they hate them .FMAB_GTO

[QUOTE="FMAB_GTO"]No muslims love al qaida , I assure you , half people in my country are muslims , and they hate them .-Y2J-

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

ColdP1zza

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

ColdP1zza

I've noticed that people with no knowledge of Christianity , always assume that God is some sort of puppet master, that controls people's actions. It's actually the exact opposite. The Bible clearly states that each individual has to CHOOSE what they will do.

As far as this latest atrocity - most of these murders never even get reported . Muslims murdered 550 people in Africa lately - mostly women and babies. They chopped up the babies and putb the body parts in a pile - MSNBC, CNN didn't bother reporting it. 5000 people a year are murdered in Islamic "honor killings" - that never gets reported either. Saddam Hussein used to pay suicide bomber families 25,000 dollars, for every Jewish child they killed - that never made it into the news either.

[QUOTE="ForceFreeze"]

[QUOTE="ColdP1zza"]

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

ColdP1zza

The Bible has many accounts of apostles being killed in such a brutal manner. Yes, I can't think of an explanation for why such an event occured to them, but all I can say is, being a christian/believer in some other religion is not all sugars and rainbows, and the other disasters that are happening around us in recent times, we can't just pin the blame on God and say "Oh, he just doesn't care about us". I too would love to know the reason behind these events, but alas, we can't know everything.

Okay, but weren't those apostles martyrs? Anyways just because we don't know the answer for 100% doesn't make it right to ignore the only logical answer.

That doesnt mean that the apostles wanted to be killed. And how is that the "only logical answer"?

Aren't they worshiping the same God?wstfld

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

ColdP1zza

We are not puppets. We have free will.

Okay, but weren't those apostles martyrs? Anyways just because we don't know the answer for 100% doesn't make it right to ignore the only logical answer.

ColdP1zza

It's the ONLY logical answer in your opinion. Chrisitians are just as educated as non-believers.

Anyways, this is not the thread for such discussions. Very sad news.

I think ColdP1zza ran away :lol:.FMAB_GTO

I think ColdP1zza went to bed because your post is at 5 am...

[QUOTE="ColdP1zza"]

[QUOTE="ForceFreeze"]

The Bible has many accounts of apostles being killed in such a brutal manner. Yes, I can't think of an explanation for why such an event occured to them, but all I can say is, being a christian/believer in some other religion is not all sugars and rainbows, and the other disasters that are happening around us in recent times, we can't just pin the blame on God and say "Oh, he just doesn't care about us". I too would love to know the reason behind these events, but alas, we can't know everything.

gaming25

Okay, but weren't those apostles martyrs? Anyways just because we don't know the answer for 100% doesn't make it right to ignore the only logical answer.

That doesnt mean that the apostles wanted to be killed. And how is that the "only logical answer"?

Well then provide an alternative.

[QUOTE="wstfld"]Aren't they worshiping the same God?sonicare

Yes, but their ways of doing so differ quite a bit.

[QUOTE="ColdP1zza"]

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

GTbiking4life

I agree with the other poster - keep religion out of this - if you want to debate about God, open up a new thread. Your comment is not well thought-out anyway.

How so? Its easy to say someone is wrong, but your gonna need some examples/reasons to back it up.

[QUOTE="GTbiking4life"]

[QUOTE="ColdP1zza"]

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

ColdP1zza

I agree with the other poster - keep religion out of this - if you want to debate about God, open up a new thread. Your comment is not well thought-out anyway.

How so? Its easy to say someone is wrong, but your gonna need some examples/reasons to back it up.

Why bring religion into this?

[QUOTE="ColdP1zza"]

[QUOTE="GTbiking4life"]

I agree with the other poster - keep religion out of this - if you want to debate about God, open up a new thread. Your comment is not well thought-out anyway.

GTbiking4life

How so? Its easy to say someone is wrong, but your gonna need some examples/reasons to back it up.

Why bring religion into this?

Yeah thats what I thought...And I think I'll just stop now although I don't think I'm going to make a thread about it, because nobody will take it even a bit seriously. People will just try to work around the topic, say who cares, or make jokes.

[QUOTE="GTbiking4life"]

[QUOTE="ColdP1zza"]

How so? Its easy to say someone is wrong, but your gonna need some examples/reasons to back it up.

ColdP1zza

Why bring religion into this?

Yeah thats what I thought...And I think I'll just stop now although I don't think I'm going to make a thread about it, because nobody will take it even a bit seriously. People will just try to work around the topic, say who cares, or make jokes.

:roll:

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

ColdP1zza

Aren't they worshiping the same God?wstfld

[QUOTE="wstfld"]Aren't they worshiping the same God?mattbbpl

[QUOTE="mattbbpl"][QUOTE="wstfld"]Aren't they worshiping the same God?alexside1

[QUOTE="gaming25"]

[QUOTE="ColdP1zza"]

Okay, but weren't those apostles martyrs? Anyways just because we don't know the answer for 100% doesn't make it right to ignore the only logical answer.

That doesnt mean that the apostles wanted to be killed. And how is that the "only logical answer"?

Well then provide an alternative.

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

ColdP1zza

[QUOTE="ColdP1zza"]

So just curious, where was god when they were killed? Was that his plan for them? To be killed by terrorists? How is this justified in terms of their religion? Its a terrible thing that has happened but it just seems to me like god doesn't care about people at all, or maybe he did know about this (since he is all knowing/seeing right) but he enjoys watching people suffer or just doesn't really care about the people he "loves".

chaplainDMK

*sigh* I can only wonder how successful we would have been in Afghanistan if we left Saddam alone :(

I hate al qaeda so much. Why can't they just be peaceful and stop ******* killing everybody because they are different. How the hell did they get this brainwashed?

its sad

did most of the casualties come from crossfire

I've felt thus way for years now, but I hae to say it again...all this over a God that cannot be proven?

I understand religion, dont get me wrong...the feelings one has for a supernatural being.

but to kill one, let alone dozens, of people over a hunch that there is a god?!

It just baffles my mind. People need to keep rel igion to t hemselves. No more organized religion, if any at all. Religion is dated, useless, and has no point any more. Humanity has surpassed the need for religion.