Sometimes the best intentions are not enough. In this case the best intentions may not have been best at all. Recently, a group of four volunteers from the group “Christian Peacemaker Teams” were taken hostage by militant Islamic terrorists in Iraq. This is a sad situation when you consider the facts. While many in the world condone the inexcusable actions of these evil men you would think that most Christian groups would abhor such violence. You would be right, most do. However, there is one group of Christians that have been squarely on the side of these hate mongers. That group would be the Christian Peacemaker Teams. No, that is not a typo, the same group that has been in Iraq since 2002, and has members being held hostage. To understand the true folly and sadness of this situation you need not look very far.

The Christian Peacemaker Teams, are a group based on the belief that Jesus taught us to be peacemakers and that it is their mission to “get in the way” of whatever wrong they feel are being committed. Here are a few glaring examples from their website located at www.cpt.org.

"A Baghdad-based presence since October 2002. Team members accompanied the Iraqi people through the U.S.-led 2003 war and continue during the post-war occupation to expose abusive acts by U.S. Armed Forces and support Iraqis committed to nonviolent resistance." "A continuing presence in the Hebron District (West Bank) since June 1995. Team members stand with Palestinians and Israeli peace groups engaged in nonviolent opposition to Israeli military occupation, collective punishment, settler harassment, home demolitions and land confiscation."

It doesn’t take a scholar to see where these folk’s principles lie. It is always admirable to try to use peaceful means before violence. In a perfect world that works and all is well. However, the evil that lurks in the hearts of terrorists negates any chances of such tranquility. I am in no way attempting to criticize the religious convictions of this group. That is their right and I duly appreciate that. However, I will criticize their judgment and lack of common sense. I am not sure if this group was betrayed by the terrorists who are holding them, or manipulated by them. Either way four persons are now being held and threatened by the same people whom they support. Make no mistake about it; this group is an ally to groups who are opposing the United States in Iraq.

Many persons and groups oppose the war. That is their right and is what is being fought for. With that being said, placing yourself in an alliance with men to whom life is disposable is not a good idea. It is my understanding that infidels are to be treated in one of a couple of ways. One is conversion, yet another is death. At what point does the CPT understand that they are nonviolently helping a group based on violence. At this point with four lives in the balance I still doubt they comprehend that. The violence that they seek to stop they are now a victim of. But not at the hand of the evil American army they oppose but at the hands of those they buttress. While the CPT may not think that it’s aiding terror it truly is, by placing itself in the way of the destruction of that terror, it is saving it.

The most sad and profound fact is that four people will probably be killed, unnecessarily and needlessly. If that happens this group will send four more to take their place. The idea that ending the war and promoting peace by the Americans would be fine. However that peace would be one sided and never exist. The true violence of this war is from the Jihadists and Saddamists. Boiled down it goes like this, Islamic fundamentalists hate Non Islamic as well as some Islamic persons. They hate Christians and it is their sworn desire to exterminate them. Even the one’s who are helping to get their message out.

© copyright 2005 glwhite op/eds

Gavin White is a freelance conservative OP/ED writer. He tackles subjects from current events to today's newsmakers.

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