2 Christian aid groups suspended in Afghanistan for proselytizing; death threats ensue

[Bluebear]

For Buddha's sake, folks...can't we all get along?

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KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan authorities suspended two Christian foreign aid groups on suspicion of proselytizing in the strictly Islamic nation and said a follow-up investigation would include whether other groups were trying to convert Muslims.

U.S.-based Church World Service and Norwegian Church Aid will not be allowed to operate while the allegations, aired Sunday on Afghan television, are investigated, said Mohammad Hashim Mayar, the deputy director of the Afghan government office that oversees nongovernment organizations...

Proselytizing is illegal in Afghanistan, as it is in many Muslim countries. It is a hot-button issue for many Afghans sensitive to the influence of the scores of foreign aid groups operating in the country to help it recover from decades of war.

The television report, which interviewed local police saying they had heard rumors of the charities' proselytizing, triggered a demonstration by several hundred students at Kabul University on Monday.

The group shouted death threats toward foreigners who seek to convert Muslims and demanded the government expel anyone who tried, said Mohammad Najib, a professor at the school who witnessed the protest.

The group blocked the road outside the university's main gate for more than an hour before the demonstrators moved off peacefully, Najib said. Police stood by but did not intervene.

Church World Service is a cooperative ministry of more than 30 Protestant and Orthodox denominations in the United States and works in more than 80 countries. It is headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jdOWVCqFHG7JX7qgh1fGOv_fhwAgD9G26UO80

[mitchtv]

1. Good riddance

Send them packing.

[walldude]

2. Jeeze.. so who do I side with here?

The loonies who think that they can demand which spooky omnipotent dude in the sky you can worship? Or the loonies who go there and try to convince them otherwise?

Can we just get the fuck out of there now? And take anyone who wants to come along with us. Please.

[troubledamerican]

3. Jesus World Order

[madrchsod]

4. sounds like the Taliban want to get rid of these two agencies..

both agencies have been in Afghanistan for over 30 yrs. neither agency proselytizes.

the truth is to inconvenient for the taliban and others

[Bluebear]

5. 'neither agency proselytizes' - - how do you know that? Just curious