39 Comments

• BrianO | Apr 09, 2012, 01:49 PM EDT

  Seano why do you get so worked up, as an atheist as long as you are fine that's all that matters. As an atheist the short life span the human animal has should be spent in self interest. Sit back enjoy and know there is nothing more.

• seanomelb | Mar 29, 2012, 06:54 PM EDT

  I take no responsibility for the death of Jesus and he most probably would be on the side of the Palestinians. It's difficult to tell an oppressed people when they may be wrong, as any means used to fight the oppressor is justifiable.

• BishopSean | Mar 29, 2012, 10:06 AM EDT

  Hi, Seán. You and I are responsible by reason of our sins for Jesus' death which he voluntarily accepted to save us & offer us eternal life. This is the real message. Jews and Palestinians are no more responsible for Jesus' death, freely accepted, than are you and I. Both Jews and Palestinians and all muslims, all of us, need Jesus Christ. One can love Palestinians and Muslims while not buying into their flawed propaganda. When Israelis and Jews are wrong, I tell them so. Do you tell Palestinians when they are wrong? Best.

• seanomelb | Mar 28, 2012, 07:00 PM EDT

  He was a good humanist and a Jew, no Christian values there.Bishop you amuse me how you go off message. You know!! the murder of the descendants of Jesus by the Jews as the were complicit in the murder of the man himself.At least you condone the murder of the Palestinian descendants of Jesus by your silence.

• BishopSean | Mar 28, 2012, 09:48 AM EDT

  Hi, Seán. Jesus never opressed anyone; instead, he voluntarily offered his life in atonement for our sins and provided us with the truths we need for personal, family and societal salvation. Personal salvation, redemption and eternal life are far greater than any human-made utopia, in my view. Best regards.

• seanomelb | Mar 27, 2012, 06:30 PM EDT

  I certainly do Bishop Sean as were catholics in the north. All religions seem to love oppressing each others faith ergo I am an atheist.My approach to the Palestinian cause is not about religion it's about the treatment by a oppressive regime in Israel of their fellow human beings, their neighbors.

• BishopSean | Mar 26, 2012, 09:00 PM EDT

  Hi again, Seán. Does your concern for fairness for Palestinian Muslims also extend to indigenous Christians and Jews and other minorities in the Land and also throughout the Middle East? Surely you recognize at least they are victims and not perpetrators.

• seanomelb | Mar 26, 2012, 06:54 PM EDT

  If protecting the Palestinian homeland from thievery is terrorism count me in.

• BishopSean | Mar 26, 2012, 06:49 PM EDT

  Hi, Ciaradexy. Thanks for writing. I cannot agree that Israelis have no right to live in Israel, either historically or legally. With regard to the flotilla, even people who advised against it (e.g. Hilary Clinton) agree that Israel has legal rights to maintain naval blockage due to state of armed conflict Hamas conducts and while continues using Gaza for purposes of attacking Israel. From Day One after being peacefully handed Gaza, they started shelling Israel. There were other ships stopped in other ports headed to Gaza with heavy armaments of North Korean and Chinese origin. With regard to the flotilla incident, international news services show most clearly that IDF soldiers while boarding (rappelling down) to inspect vessel were attacked first by alleged peaceniks and responded with non-lethal force until IDF needed to save themselves. Some main organizers of this flotilla have history of terrorism, such as radical Turkish IHH who support Hamas, Al Qaeda and global jihad. Why did these supposed “peace activists” defy conditions set by international community and Quartet? Israel does not block aid going to Gaza but insists it go via Israeli port and be inspected first to sort out war materials. This was cynical use of humanitarian platform to send message of hate and implement violence. Best regards.

• ciaradexy | Mar 26, 2012, 12:28 PM EDT

  Im from Dublin and Im 35. This isnt a dating site. i have a boyfriend thanks! BishopSean, Israel killed humanitarian volunteers when they opened fire on a flotilla which was bringing medical supplies and food to the palestinian people. Israel continues to block people entering Gaza and continues to block aid getting to the Palestinian people. Israel is illegally occupying land that does not belong to them. How can you justify this? How can you hide behind your bible when war crimes are being carried out under your nose? I think its YOU who only sees what you wish to see and youre blind to whats actually happening in the world.

• michaelcollins | Mar 26, 2012, 10:46 AM EDT

  ciaradexy........were abouts are you from and how old are you?

• BishopSean | Mar 26, 2012, 10:38 AM EDT

  Hi again, Seán. There are thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Israel allows representatives of Red Cross etc. to inspect them regularly. Israeli law prohibits arbitrary arrest of citizens, defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty and have the right to writs of habeas corpus and other procedural safeguards. Israel holds no political prisoners and maintains an independent judiciary. Some prisoners, particularly Arabs suspected of involvement in terrorism, were interrogated using severe methods that have been criticized as excessive. Israel's Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in 1999 prohibiting the use of a variety of abusive practices. No Arab has ever been given the death penalty, even after the most heinous acts of terrorism. They have right to prayers, religious sessions, regular family visits, physical activity, 10 TV channels. Compare with Galid Shalit--none of the above "in keeping with Muslim rules." Regards.

• BishopSean | Mar 26, 2012, 10:25 AM EDT

  Thanks for kind words, BrianO. This is a good blogside and makes us question all our assumptions, which is important. Due to space limitations we must be short, but this is good too, to help us crystallize. Slán.

• BishopSean | Mar 26, 2012, 10:23 AM EDT

  Hi, Seán. Thanks for continuing the dialogue. Hi, Seán. Just for starters, I would urge you to read UNDERSTANDING THE ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT:WHAT THE HEADLINES HAVEN’T TOLD YOU by Michael Rydelnik. I assume you’ve read the BIBLE and the KORAN. APPOINTMENT IN JERUSALEM by Lydia and Derek Prince. TERRORISM, JIHAD AND THE BIBLE by John MacArthur. INSIDE ISLAM; EXPOSING AND REACHING THE WORLD OF ISLAM by Reza F. Safa; ISLAM AND TERRORISM: What the Quran really teaches about Christianity, violence and the goals of the Islamic Jihad by Mark A. Gabriel. ISRAEL IN CRISIS: WHAT LIES AHEAD by David Dolan and THE END OF DAYS by D. Dolan. Richard Goldstone on “Israel and the Apartheid Slander.” ONCE AN ARAFAT MAN by Tass Saada. Dolan is former CBS broadcast Journalist; Gabriel is former professor of Islamic History at Al-Azhar University, Cairo. Safa is former radical Shiite muslim. Saada was “the butcher,” sniper and personal driver of Yassar Arafat. Derek Prince (RIP) was Oxford and Cambridge scholar. This is very partial of course. God bless!

• BrianO | Mar 26, 2012, 10:06 AM EDT

  BishopSean It's nice to read logical rational thought. It takes a while for some peoples eyes to see what they do not wish to see. France is on the edge of becoming a muslim state, not a state of Frenchmen who are muslim.There is a difference.

• vincem13 | Mar 26, 2012, 04:33 AM EDT

  I notice the educationist asked for silence for the vicious killer- not for the innocent eight-year old girl he shot through the head. There is no justification for the murder of the innocent. I believe the education employee in question (I respect the title of "teacher" and refuse to apply it to her) has every right to her silent moments- so long as she experiences them at home, permanently.

• seanomelb | Mar 25, 2012, 07:12 PM EDT

  There's none so blind as those who do not wish to see. You have not quoted and sources to prove the contrary. I believe you know what I say to be true and you deliberately ignore the truth to justify your right wing Christian views. Using the bible to justify modern events is hardly credible.I suppose the thousands of men,women,and children (hostages) held illegally in prison camps in Israel is figment of the united nations collective minds or the murder of Palestinians also documented are lies.Your hypocrisy overwhelms me.

• BishopSean | Mar 25, 2012, 05:24 PM EDT

  Hi, Ciara. The Book is not great because it is old--it is old because it is great. It gives us the highest moral standard of all and it gives us a hope and a future. Please do re-read it as an adult. About the End of the World, it is not given to us to know the day or the hour, said Jesus; we have to understand the signs of the times and be always prepared. Also, Ciara, do read critically both sides of this controversy and you will see that the Israelis have had a 3,500 year unbroken history in the land; sometimes majority, sometimes minority. Going back to the times of 19th Century visitor and commentator Mark Twain, there were few people there; Jewish scholars and non-sedentary Bedouin nomads, mainly. Re: Ian Paisley comment, one only has to have a look at the Bible to disprove this alleged statement. If true, he is not the only one to misquote the Bible. Do read it for yourself, as well as impartial historians of the Middle East who analyze both sides of the controversy. Blessings.

• ciaradexy | Mar 25, 2012, 04:20 PM EDT

  Well Bishop, I live in Ireland not the UK or USA so your mad rules dont hold much water with me. Wasnt the world to end a couple of times in the past few years according to Christians? Hmm, that panned out well. Anyway, thats not the issue. DO NOT occupy someone elses land and be shocked by the consequences just because an old book allows it. So according to Ian paisley, God chose his people to occupy the North of Ireland. he also said this was in the bible and they were the 'chosen'. Whats your view on that?

• BishopSean | Mar 25, 2012, 12:57 PM EDT

  Hi, Ciaradexy. "The Bible as work of fiction" was all the rage a century or more ago in the German liberal school of thought, followed by some theologians in the UK and USA. Their objections have been laid to rest. In addition to having solid history in the Bible, independently verified, there are many hundreds of Predictive Prophecies. Even in the life of Jesus, some 300 predictive prophecies came true. Some predictions will not happen until the End Times, but no predictive prophecy has evern been disproved. Mere coincidence, would you say? The US soldier who committed that atrocity was not acting under orders, nor did he get accolades from his fellow-soldiers or superiors. He is facing trial with a potential death sentence, should be be found mentally fit. If not, he will be in the "back-wards" of mental hospitals for the duration. Radical muslims, however, applaud what Mohamed did because they are fellow-victims of the same hate indoctrination. Regards.

• MCCOLGAN1492 | Mar 25, 2012, 10:05 AM EDT

  Easy on the Bible, without that "work of fiction", beleave all hell would break loose over here. Know I for one, would knock off a few banks and maybe take out some Insurance Company lawyers. As to lunatics killing babies, that is where i happen to agree with an armed citizenry. A Weapon in the right hands puts a quick stop to a madmans rampage.....

• ciaradexy | Mar 25, 2012, 08:57 AM EDT

  Bishop, the bible is a work of fiction written over 2000 years ago. Do not apply this logic to Israel. Ian paisley once said that God had chosen his people to take over the North of Ireland. This is cr@p. Sean is right, the crusades are over. An American soldier killed 17 civilians in 2 attacks recently. I bet youre ok with that. Collateral damage and all.

• BishopSean | Mar 25, 2012, 06:43 AM EDT

  Hi, Seán. Now please quote your sources so we can have a dispassionate review of these charges. Regards.

• seanomelb | Mar 25, 2012, 12:55 AM EDT

  the murder of children by the IDF are collateral damage!! how disingenuous of you I suppose the burning to death of women and children by phosphorous bombs is also a rumour or the bombing of peoples homes or the Warsaw styled Nazi ghettos on the west bank are they too collateral damage or are you just a mean spirited Christian fundamentalist bigot.

• BishopSean | Mar 24, 2012, 10:26 PM EDT

  Hi, Seán Og.I cannot say I'm surprised with your reaction, of course. However, I have yet to know what are your sources for declaring the IDF murder innocent children. Even in outright military actions, according to Col. Kemp, the IDF tries to avoid civilian collatoral damages. Quite different from intentionally shooting them, as Mohamed did--and he did this not out of mental illness but rather out of an well-indoctrinated mindset, according to journalists who were in telephone communications with him. Please cite your sources, Seán, and we will study them together. Slán.

• seanomelb | Mar 24, 2012, 07:01 PM EDT

  Unfortunately Al Qaida and terrorism have become generic words and are used to instill fear and demonise people. A crime was committed in France and the perpetrator paid with his life. North Africans are treated as 2nd. class citizens and he most likely acted alone.It may be a simple case of murder or a cry from a disenfranchised man who knows!! after all it is an election year in France and right wing sarko is a well known bigot.Ciara and SeamusMor are correct in their analysis, The terrorist IDF murder innocent children it is a stated fact but that does not condone what happened in France and no one has said so. BishopSean needs to take his red crossed banner and sword and bury them with his crusader hate and bigotry and take his little army of bigots on this site with him.

• BishopSean | Mar 24, 2012, 04:54 PM EDT

  Hi, Ciaradexy. I wish to respectfully disagree with your statement that Israel is an occuping force on someone else's land both from the stantpoint of history and of the Bible. Re: the Bible, it states God Himself holds ownership of this land and has sworn to give it in perpetuity to the family of Abraham through Jacob (Israel). In many verses, the Bible warns Jews they would be exiled more than once for their disobedience but always with God's promise of being finally restored to this Land--permanently, never to be exiled again. (See Amos 9:14-15):"And I will bring back the captivity of my people Israel, and they shall build the ruined cities and inhabit them....And I will plant them upon their own land and they shall no more be uprooted from the Land which I have given them, says the Lord your God." God kept all his promises re: what would happen to those who attack Israel. One promise not yet completed: Damascus will disappear in the course of one night. Who might attack? There is a large war brewing now between Shia and Sunni Muslims. We do Muslims no favor in going along with their war against Israel.

• BishopSean | Mar 24, 2012, 04:34 PM EDT

  Islam denies the deity, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Islam produces in its adherents a religious spirit that results in bloodshed and violence. Islam does not offer forgiveness for sins, assurance of eternal life or fellowship with God. Muslims must earn salvation by having done more good works than sins; a virtual impossibility. The only Muslims who can be certain of salvation are those who die as martyrs. Islam controls its followers through fear. 23 year old Mohamed Merah was a victim--as were the 9-11 attackers--in the sense that Islam with its hate indoctrination is the culprit. Why is the Western free press so silent about hate indoctination when done by Muslims?

• ciaradexy | Mar 24, 2012, 03:30 PM EDT

  rpm, 'Israel defends itself'? Israel is an occupying force in Palestine! They are on someone elses land and refuse to hold dialogue with the people who own the land! The US backs this illegal occupation! Hypocrites! Back to the article in hand, rest in peace little kiddies. I dont care what your gripe is, you DO NOT murder children.

• Tooreenagrena | Mar 24, 2012, 02:49 PM EDT

  Liberty is a french dame

• borefield | Mar 24, 2012, 02:19 PM EDT

  SeamusMor, I hope you are an old man. How you can justify a hater nut job for what he did to innocent children , defies all logic.

• borefield | Mar 24, 2012, 01:33 PM EDT

  I am glad the teacher is suspended, hopefully will be fired. This was so very sad. I wonder if that teacher has a child or a little sister and realize that these crazy people could do the same to a member of their family. I was in Germany last year and got a first hand view of what Hitler did and, yes, he had many supporters. If we don't stop these radical Muslims it can and will happen here. We need the left wing radicals out of our Government.

• BippyBellito | Mar 24, 2012, 12:55 PM EDT

  Interesting. Am I the only one who noticed a striking resemblance between Mahamad Merah and Obama. He could have been Obama's son.

• pilib04 | Mar 24, 2012, 12:40 PM EDT

  Ok Niall, how does this article fit?

• PattyMM | Mar 24, 2012, 10:50 AM EDT

  You don't know what you are talking about colkelley...This American lefty thinks she should be fired. You are getting your news in the wrong places.

• irishpjk | Mar 24, 2012, 10:37 AM EDT

  The French are a big part of the world problem, and canot not be trusted to do the right thing. Don't forget some of them supported Hitler, and many of them still hate the American liberators. Nuf said.

• SeamusMor | Mar 24, 2012, 10:20 AM EDT

  The Israelis have killed many more children than Al Qaeda.

• Murph46 | Mar 24, 2012, 10:10 AM EDT

  Right on colkelley I always thought the French nuts till our current admin.stance of SELLING guns to terrorists (but we can't use the term terrorist)!!!

• colkelley | Mar 24, 2012, 09:45 AM EDT

  American lefties will defend her right of free speech - since they have done away with the word "terrorist" and invented the term "man created disasters" to define mass murder by terrorists.