Orthodox Christians vs. Muslims round 3785. Blog #6

Macedonian Islamic leaders have recently criticized their own government's current policies on religious "division." They have argued that these particular policies are extremely discriminatory. And due to these policies they say that eight people have been left wounded. The cry for all this to cease is due the country's "promotion of Orthodox Christianity as the state religion at the expense of Islam." Which Muslim leaders say has gone on for several years. Because of the current (although this has gone on for years) religious division ethnic Albanians went head-to-head with a large number of Macedonians in Skopje, due to a recent dispute over the structure of a new Church being development in the foundation of a 13th Century church. The Muslim Albanians object to rebuilding of the church. And argue that instead of a church, a mosque should be built on the site.

Since both Christianity and Islam came into existence there has been many conflicts and disputes between the two. And while both preach about peace and tolerance towards other, we may, and most likely will never see the two seeing eye-to-eye on things. Unfortunately that's just the world of Religion and Politics. However on this particular case, I would have to side with the Orthodox Christians. Mainly because their history is so rich (that's not to say the Muslims history is not). The Orthodox Christians, especially in that particular part of the world, Greece, Albanian, Macedonian, were under control and enslaved by Ottoman Empire, which was an Islamic regime, for over 200 years. During that time they were forced to convert to Islam or killed. Many monasteries, churches, priests, etc were killed or destroyed because of this. However a majority of the Orthodox Christians continued to practice their religion through secrecy.

So when you fast forward to today, if you don't understand the history you assume that "oh it's simply over the building of church, instead of mosque. Big deal!" Well it is a big deal after you know the details. So to make a long story short, yes I believe that the church should be build at the site.


http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5it1x6WbuLqI_dBVQ2HjQW95XKYnQ?docId=5986004