[NOTE: This item expresses the views of the individual to whom the item is ascribed and does not necessarily reflect the position of the WRF as a whole.]

The Egyptian military’s crackdown on the supporters of overthrown president Morsi has drawn a pointed rebuke from the American government.  President Obama said on August 15, “The United States strongly condemns the steps that have been taken by Egypt’s interim government and security forces.   We deplore violence against citizens.”

Well, that’s fine.   Except that the violence the President should deplore is the violence the Muslim Brotherhood is inflicting on others.  The Muslim Brotherhood are the people the President is defending.  It’s Egypt’s Christians the Brotherhood is slaughtering.

Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood have repeatedly called for a “Day of Rage.” And they’re getting it. 

Word is that during August over a hundred churches and Christian buildings have been destroyed or burned.  Included are The Father Maximus churches, the St. George Church, the Good Shepherd’s Monastery where the nuns were attacked and burned, the Angel Michael Church and the St. George Coptic Orthodox church.  The list goes on.

But it’s not just buildings.  The Associated Press reports that by mid-August 638 people had been killed and 4000 injured.  Not all of those who suffer are Christians, but one thing is plain.  It’s not good to be a Christian in Egypt today.

By contrast, jump the ocean back to the United States.  A Muslim political advocacy group, the American Muslim Political Action Committee (AMPAC), is planning to hold a “Million Muslim March” on Washington, DC on September 7.  This is an organization the Huffington Post calls a “fringe group.”  They blame the 9-11 attacks on an American government plot.

Their main complaint is, “Muslim and Non Muslim alike were traumatized [on 9-11] but we as Muslims continue 12 years later to be victimized by being made the villains. To this day every media outlet and anti Islamic organization has committed slanderous and libel statements against us as Muslims and our religion of Islam.” (sic)

Aw, that makes me feel bad.  Why don’t you try being a Christian in Egypt or—pick your choice—any Muslim country, for that matter.

I’d like to say to these people, gently (seriously!), I pray you would give up your faith in your false god, and become a follower of Christ.  Then you might know what real suffering is like. The apostle Peter wrote to persecuted Christians, “Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you.as if some strange thing were happening to you.” (I Peter 4:12)  The apostle Paul wrote, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (I Timothy 3:12)

Suffering, yes.  But you would also know the overwhelming joy and comfort of being forgiven for your sins.  The apostle Paul wrote, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.  And yet…I found mercy.” (I Timothy 1:15-16) 

Why did Paul consider himself the number one sinner?  It wasn’t just a rhetorical flourish.  It was because, he said, “I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure; and tried to destroy it.” (Galatians 1:13)   

Forgiveness changes a person.  That’s why it’s not Christians burning Muslim mosques. 

Dr. Rick Perrin is Chairman of the Board of WRF and senior pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cherry Hill NJ.  He writes a weekly blog called ReTHINK which may be accessed at www.rethinkingnews.wordpress.com. He may be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..