Recently, there have been new reports of attacks against Christians within the Muslim world. The latest one was in Lahore, Pakistan. Christians have been also killed by the hundreds in Nigeria.
In Egypt, Coptic (Christians) have been, repressed, persecuted and killed for decades. Now, things are worse than ever with the new Islamist government.
Christians have not been allowed to live or preach in places like the United Arab Emirates. You can get executed for having a Bible in Saudi Arabia or Iran.
Why is it big news when Jews, Muslims or others are killed, but when a whole Christian community is slaughtered nobody cares?
Is it because nobody wants to offend oil-producing countries like Saudi Arabia or the Emirates or because Christianity is not "trendy" anymore?
In the West, at least, it seems public opinion has swayed far away from religion and anybody who believes in Jesus and the Bible is viewed as an "ignorant" or "extremist." So much for an open, free and tolerant society, I guess.
The media has been part of this game for years. Christianity is about the only group or religion we can mock and ridicule without consequences or fear of a backlash.
Cartoons against Christianity are published every day in newspapers around the world. Columnists write disrespectfully and mock evangelists, Catholics and almost any other Christian denomination without impunity.
Do you remember what happened last time somebody drew a cartoon mocking Islam? It was eight years ago in Denmark. Canadian mainstream media refused to print the infamous Danish cartoons.
Muslims around the world rioted. Islamic countries demanded an apology from the Danish government. Ironically, most of these countries do not allow other religions to be practised in their lands.
Imagine what would happen if I rumble against the Jews or Hindi. I bet human rights
organizations would be demanding an apology and perhaps even my resignation.
However, writing negatively about Christians is socially acceptable.
Where are the Christian organizations to
defend their religion when defamed? Further, where are these organizations when thousands of Christians are killed in other countries for no other reason of their religion?
The United Church of Canada has concentrated its efforts in "fighting" for Palestinians and First Nation rights, ignoring the plight of Christians around the world.
One would think that Christians' first priority would be, well, Christians. But for some bizarre reason, the opposite is true.
Christians need a real safeguard in the world, so they can freely and safely practice their
religion in any part of the world without fear.
But as long as we feel apathetic towards Christianity, this will never happen. Christianity's success during the last 2,000 years was not an accident. It happened because real Christian values embrace all human necessities: Humility, empathy, helping each other and treating others as you would like to be treated. Remember the golden rule?
We have to admit that in the past, in many cases, kings and dictators used Christianity to manipulate masses to achieve selfish goals.
However, that does not justify today's jihad against Christianity by the Islamic world, the media and others.
Some Christian organizations have lost their values and their will.
Jesus' lessons are invaluable and essential for our future. It is imperative all Christians fight for and continue His legacy.
As a Jew, I challenge all Christians to stand up for your people, for your beliefs and values.
Salomon Rayek is a Kelowna resident and former executive editor of the Jewish Tribune. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .