From MCN: Evangelical Synod Calls for Establishing Democratic State in Egypt

on July 13, 2013
Copts participate in Egypt's anti-Muslim Brotherhood demonstrations. (Photo credit: MidEast Christian News)
Copts participate in Egypt’s anti-Muslim Brotherhood demonstrations.
(Photo credit: MidEast Christian News)

By Faith J. H. McDonnell (@Cuchulain09)

Our friends at MidEast Christian News report on the current situation for Christians in the Middle East. Especially now, when once again the Copts and other Christians of Egypt have thrown in their lot with all the other Egyptians who demanded the overthrow of the Muslim Brotherhood and of President Morsi, they have a right to expect to be treated equally in their own country. There have been alarming signs that this is not the way the new government of Egypt is thinking of heading — to put it mildly — with Christians being killed and word of a “way forward” in Egypt that seems as dependent on Sharia, if not more so, than the Morsi government.

But the Christians and others who believe in freedom of religion and secular democracy are not giving up. They are determined that this revolution will not be like the failed one of  Arab “Spring” which was so crushingly disappointing. Egypt’s Evangelical Synod is calling for a democratic state for the people of Egypt which would “respect their differences and protect their rights and freedoms.” Pray that Egypt does head down this path to freedom and equality for all:

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Cairo, 12 July /MCN/

Pastor Ekram Lamie, head of Egypt’s Evangelical Synod, said that while the church is not involved in politics, it does support Copts exercising their full rights by participating in political life. He added that Copts should act to achieve justice, dignity and progress for the country.

Lamie added that the Evangelical Church supports the Egyptian people in building a democratic state that would respect their differences and protect their rights and freedoms. He added that the church works to spread tolerance and peace between the different factions of the Egyptian people.

Lamie also said in a statement that Egypt witnessed a critical phase during the June 30 Revolution which restored the Egyptian identity and corrected the path of the January 25 Revolution. He added that the Evangelical Synod supports the Egyptian people during this critical period which will pave the way for building a democratic state that respects differences and diversity and protects rights and freedoms.

Lamie called on the Evangelical churches to adopt social and national reconciliation initiatives to spread the spirit of peace and tolerance among the different factions of the Egyptian community. He also called on churches, their institutions and individuals to support Egypt’s economy. Lamie urged all citizens to work to achieve development on economic, cultural and scientific levels.

He called on the different parties to renounce violence, adding that he prays to God to protect the country. It is important to mention that Egypt has experienced sporadic violence since the removal of Egypt’s former President Mohamed Morsi. Moreover, islamists organized large demonstrations to return Morsi to the power. The Copts also faced a significant number of attacks because of their participation in June 30 demonstrations.

(© 2013 MCN All Rights Reserved – MCN Subscription with Permission to Publish)

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