http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/ Tue, 22 May 2012 21:47:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/comment-page-1/#comment-54378 House of Chosun » Blog Archive » Bibles buried in the backyard Wed, 19 Sep 2007 22:16:34 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/#comment-54378 [...]   If Son still lives, he sits on death row in Pyongyang for spreading his faith.  You will recall that I previously wrote about him here, and told you how you can join in a campaign to save his life.  Newsweek estimates that there are between 20,000 and 100,000 underground Christians in North Korea. You can’t bring Christianity to such a place on a shiny bus. It takes resourcefulness, guile, courage, and determination to pull something like this off. This kind: Missionaries say Christians often keep their Bibles buried in the backyard, wrapped in vinyl. Preachers based in China sometimes conduct services by mobile phone. In five to 10 minutes the pastor reads Bible passages and prays for the sick and needy. Services are kept short; the regime uses GPS trackers to locate the phones.  [Newsweek, Christian Caryl and B.J. Lee] [...] [...]   If Son still lives, he sits on death row in Pyongyang for spreading his faith.  You will recall that I previously wrote about him here, and told you how you can join in a campaign to save his life.  Newsweek estimates that there are between 20,000 and 100,000 underground Christians in North Korea. You can’t bring Christianity to such a place on a shiny bus. It takes resourcefulness, guile, courage, and determination to pull something like this off. This kind: Missionaries say Christians often keep their Bibles buried in the backyard, wrapped in vinyl. Preachers based in China sometimes conduct services by mobile phone. In five to 10 minutes the pastor reads Bible passages and prays for the sick and needy. Services are kept short; the regime uses GPS trackers to locate the phones.  [Newsweek, Christian Caryl and B.J. Lee] [...]

]]> http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/comment-page-1/#comment-53231 OneFreeKorea » The Shooting Starts Before the Whimpering Ends Wed, 05 Sep 2007 11:52:17 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/#comment-53231 [...] We have a little more clarity about one issue I had wondered about:  it seems the hostages’ medical qualifications were somewhere between dubious and fictitious.  Another weight added to the “cost” side of the scale.  (Were they also missionaries?  I don’t really care.  I care about the humanitarian value their mission added.  Not diminishing the sincere humanitarian motives behind missionary work itself, Afghanistan is a deperately poor and backward place.  Spirituality isn’t the kind of aid the Afghan people need most or are prepared to accept at this particular instant.) [...] [...] We have a little more clarity about one issue I had wondered about:  it seems the hostages’ medical qualifications were somewhere between dubious and fictitious.  Another weight added to the “cost” side of the scale.  (Were they also missionaries?  I don’t really care.  I care about the humanitarian value their mission added.  Not diminishing the sincere humanitarian motives behind missionary work itself, Afghanistan is a deperately poor and backward place.  Spirituality isn’t the kind of aid the Afghan people need most or are prepared to accept at this particular instant.) [...]

]]> http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/comment-page-1/#comment-52832 OneFreeKorea » Ransom Is Material Support for Terror Sat, 01 Sep 2007 15:57:16 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/#comment-52832 [...] Can there be much doubt that the agreement included yet another “huge ransom,” or that the man under the table, as usual, was South Korea’s anti-American President Roh Moo Hyun? [...] [...] Can there be much doubt that the agreement included yet another “huge ransom,” or that the man under the table, as usual, was South Korea’s anti-American President Roh Moo Hyun? [...]

]]> http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/comment-page-1/#comment-52748 OneFreeKorea » A Death in the Alliance Fri, 31 Aug 2007 12:14:47 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/#comment-52748 [...] Can there be much doubt that the agreement included yet another “huge ransom,” or that the man under the table, as usual, was South Korea’s anti-American President Roh Moo Hyun?  Can we be more specific?  Sadly, yes. Observers have said that the possibility of a ransom deal was high, in the form of Seoul providing financial support to local tribes supporting the Taliban.  [Joongang Ilbo]  [...] [...] Can there be much doubt that the agreement included yet another “huge ransom,” or that the man under the table, as usual, was South Korea’s anti-American President Roh Moo Hyun?  Can we be more specific?  Sadly, yes. Observers have said that the possibility of a ransom deal was high, in the form of Seoul providing financial support to local tribes supporting the Taliban.  [Joongang Ilbo]  [...]

]]> http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/comment-page-1/#comment-52577 OneFreeKorea » A Death in the Alliance Wed, 29 Aug 2007 03:39:58 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/#comment-52577 [...] Can there be much doubt that the agreement was yet another “huge ransom,” or that the man under the table, once again, was South Korea’s anti-American President Roh Moo Hyun?  Do you suppose he at least paid the right terrorists this time?  I am almost speechless, but not quite. But as we know, South Korea has become accomplished at giving material support to America’s enemies lately.  More here, here, and here. [...] [...] Can there be much doubt that the agreement was yet another “huge ransom,” or that the man under the table, once again, was South Korea’s anti-American President Roh Moo Hyun?  Do you suppose he at least paid the right terrorists this time?  I am almost speechless, but not quite. But as we know, South Korea has become accomplished at giving material support to America’s enemies lately.  More here, here, and here. [...]

]]> http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/comment-page-1/#comment-51826 THE MIDNIGHT SUN » Blog Archive » PSYCHOLOGY OF SERIAL HOSTAGE TAKERS Sun, 19 Aug 2007 10:16:10 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/#comment-51826 [...] SOURCES: here and here. [...] [...] SOURCES: here and here. [...]

]]> http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/comment-page-1/#comment-51765 Aurora Fri, 17 Aug 2007 23:09:24 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/#comment-51765 What an excellent blog you have here. I'm certainly blogrolling you. This is by far the best analysis I've read of the S. Korean hostage crisis and while I understand some of your more negative appraisals of the missionaries' actions, I want to add my anecdotal impression. I'm an English teacher and I had a S. Korean student in my class a couple of weeks ago. His father is a devout Christian but he is still finding his way. He's a real thinker. He explained to me the rationale of the actions of these missionaries. He talked about the history of the Christianizing of S. Korea right back to its very earliest days, of those European missionaries who were killed by one of the old dynasties who were threatened by what they perceived as a danger to their power. He talked about the tradition of bold and courageous Christianity which has ensued from that and in the light of that, how this team believed that 'every place on which your foot shall tread, God has given it to you.' And believing that, they set off for the most dangerous corner of the planet to 'set their foot on it' for their faith. Many of us criticize the war and yet, we acknowledge the threat the Islamists are to the whole world. No other solutions have been put forward yet. Maybe, just maybe, the actions of these young missionaries, so full of faith and courage, may yet reap results. Yes, there are negatives, but I don't think we can always see the eternal results of an action in the short-term. I for one am waiting to see the final outcome. I know this may sound illogical, but a lot of life can't be explained in simple terms. What an excellent blog you have here. I’m certainly blogrolling you. This is by far the best analysis I’ve read of the S. Korean hostage crisis and while I understand some of your more negative appraisals of the missionaries’ actions, I want to add my anecdotal impression. I’m an English teacher and I had a S. Korean student in my class a couple of weeks ago. His father is a devout Christian but he is still finding his way. He’s a real thinker. He explained to me the rationale of the actions of these missionaries. He talked about the history of the Christianizing of S. Korea right back to its very earliest days, of those European missionaries who were killed by one of the old dynasties who were threatened by what they perceived as a danger to their power. He talked about the tradition of bold and courageous Christianity which has ensued from that and in the light of that, how this team believed that ‘every place on which your foot shall tread, God has given it to you.’ And believing that, they set off for the most dangerous corner of the planet to ‘set their foot on it’ for their faith. Many of us criticize the war and yet, we acknowledge the threat the Islamists are to the whole world. No other solutions have been put forward yet. Maybe, just maybe, the actions of these young missionaries, so full of faith and courage, may yet reap results. Yes, there are negatives, but I don’t think we can always see the eternal results of an action in the short-term. I for one am waiting to see the final outcome.
I know this may sound illogical, but a lot of life can’t be explained in simple terms.

]]> http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/comment-page-1/#comment-51593 North Korea Blog » Valor, and The Better Part of It Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:47:49 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/#comment-51593 [...] Read more of this story… [...] [...] Read more of this story… [...]

]]> http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/comment-page-1/#comment-51574 watchingfromLA Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:48:25 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/#comment-51574 Thank you for the small 'o'. And I do understand the 'uh oh'.... Thank you for the small ‘o’. And I do understand the ‘uh oh’….

]]> http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/comment-page-1/#comment-51573 Joshua Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:43:34 +0000 http://freekorea.us/2007/08/13/valor-and-the-better-part-of-it-how-misguided-christian-missionaries-and-their-liberal-government-joined-forces-to-boost-a-medieval-islamic-death-cult/#comment-51573 Uh oh. An objectivist. Uh oh. An objectivist.

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