Atheists & Agnostics

This is a rough transcript, but you'll get the idea. It's dated but still relevant.

Posted January 2008.

They are talking about holy war. They see themselves as martyrs. For them, other religions are heresy. You will probably think it’s about radical Islamists. No, this time we are talking about radical Christians.

There are several millions of these fanatic fundamentalists in the U.S.A. Thanks to them, George Bush became the president. But the actifities of these Christian fanatics aren’t limited just to the U.S. They want to convert the whole world to Christianity.

A sudden chance is given to them, with the start of the war in Iraq. Just after the occupation, came the missionaries. And while people get killed every day they are trying to convert Muslims to Christianity. In most cases secretly, but with permission of US government.

John Goetz i Volker Steinhoff about Christian holy war:

It seems unnoticeable from the outside, but this is a new-built church. Iraq Christians during liturgy. Among them there are American missionaries. The church is their base. From here, they are planning to convert the Iraq to Christianity.

Tom White has dyed his hair:
Tom White: “We disguise ourselves as tourists. I have these glasses, I dye my hair black, false beard, etc. In the next room we have several tons of Christian literature. We have given away tons of thousands of these colorful Bibles in Iraq. Bible for Children, The Life of Jesus, etc. Gospel booklets with mainly the scripture with the life of Jesus.

“We Christians are always in war.”

The man with children bibles is a chief of a million-dollar-worth organization called “Voice of the Martyrs.” The martyrs are Christians who have died in a holy war for their religion for “God’s aggressive love.”

The war is a material struggle. The Iraqis are to be converted to Christianity with the help of propaganda and humanitarian help.

Interviewer: “Some Muslims become very angry. In an Islamic country, a person who converts to Christianity is a subject to be killed. Wouldn’t that mean that your activities can lead to people dying?”

Tom White: “Our activities can lead to people dying. We are aware of that. But to spend the eternity in heaven and not in hell – seems like a good deal. It is a good deal, a good decision even if it results in a physical punishment here on Earth.”

The martyrs aren’t the only missionaries in Iraq. The internet is full of propaganda videos. Christian fundamentalists have come here with the support of the American military. The things that are forbidden in other Arabian countries have been allowed here by the American generals. Missionary work American holy war in Iraq finds disapproval. These politically motivated missionaries support the tensions and hostility. Radical Christians as disguised humanitarians want to convert Iraq. But the cover isn’t always helpful. It’s often seen missionaries being killed. Such is the case with these radical Baptists. Their organization, The Southern Baptist Convention, sends the biggest number of missionaries to Iraq.

The Imams are scared. If Christianity gets settled here then it will continue to be the case in the whole Middle East. Right now the most important place is Iraq. The Southern Baptist Convention supports G. Bush’s war and he is grateful for their work.

G.W. Bush: “You represent more than 16 million Baptists in the whole country and many other missionaries far from home. And all of you are feeling invited to spread the word of God and proclaim the Kingdom of God.”

The President of the United States, George Bush himself, has spoken about the Christian war. There is a rising number of right-oriented fundamentalists seated on highest positions who see all of this as a holy war against Islam. One of them is positioned in the Pentagon, and coordinates the search for Osama bin Laden – General William Boyken. When he is not busy with hunting Islamists, he loves to attend Baptist meetings.

General Boyken: “It’s not about Osama bin Laden. The enemy lies in the spiritual Realm.”

And then the general has said something that was documented only on audio tape. For Muslims, this was a huge provocation.

General Boyken: “I knew that my god was bigger than his. I knew that my god was a real god and his was an idol.”

This major fight against Islamists has spread his convictions in this Baptist church.

Church member: “This community fell in love with General William Boyken. He has risked his life in the army. We love our military.”

The members of this church have the same opinions on the war in Iraq as the general himself.

Church member: “It’s a religious war. They don’t hate us. They hate our god.”

Church member: “They are believing in a lie. If you go back to the Old Testament … there have been a lot of false gods like their Allah, but that stays a lie and that’s what the prophets say.”

Mass in the city of Broken Arrow, Midwest -- Hundreds of people who are a part of this Baptist church. There are over 40,000 churches like this one in America. All of these churches belong to The Southern Baptist Convention.

“Our president needs you. Our military needs you.”

These people will be sent on a journey. Over 5000 of them are positioned in various placed of the world. This group is going to Mexico. But they would also like to go to Iraq.

“I am willing to die. I would go to Iraq, even if it meant my death.”

“We have to defeat them. They want to kill us. They have killed 3000 of our people.”

“All Iraqis should be converted. All of the Middle East, as a matter of fact. It’s a spiritual war. We want them to come to Christ. We are fighting the forces of darkness.”

A backup for Iraq including new volunteers doesn’t seem to be a problem. Over 16 million Americans belong to The Southern Baptist Convention. And one of them who wants to be elected again, the president of the U.S.A.

GWB: “Freedom is not America’s gift to the world, it’s God’s gift to every man and woman who lives in this world.”

Good times are ahead for the holy war. There are numerous challenges awaiting them next week -- the Iraqi Government. But then missionary work will be more difficult. But that is motivating for these American holy fighters.

“Conflict is a natural part of the Christian life.”

“Politics and religion are being joined here. That reminds me of Al-Qaida.”