Saturday, December 29, 2007

On the Fifth Day...

I interrupt the latest instalment of our 12 Days saga to report on the latest violence in the Middle East.

Rival priests brawl inside Bethlehem church (what better way to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace - at his birthplace?)

Groups of Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests attacked each other with brooms and stones inside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The church houses the site believed by most Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus. The incident occurred during an annual cleaning ceremony which precedes the Armenian and Orthodox Christmas in January.

The altercation seems to have been the result of a long-standing feud between the two rival gangs who, along with the Roman Catholic gang, run the turf contained inside the Basilica under a truce between the three groups. The unholy, er, uneasy alliance allows the three hostile factions dominion over their own church turf however encroachment into a rival gang's church territory is not taken lightly and retribution is often swift and violent.

Palestinian police separated the groups and restored order. Associated Press photographers were ordered out of the church but not before capturing the events leading to the incident on the following video.



We now return you to our previously scheduled blog post.
-------------------------
December 29, 1972


Dearest John: What a surprise!!! Today the postman delivered five golden rings - one for every finger! You're just impossible, but I love it. Frankly, all those birds squawking were beginning to get on my nerves.



All my love, Agnes

8 comments:

Malach the Merciless said...

Gotta love fights over Religion

BBC said...

I find it interesting that those that can tolerate others religions think that everyone should be able to.

But mankind has been proving for thousands of years that isn't going to happen because factions in those religions are always going to be causing problems and warring, it's an insanity in them.

The way to a more peaceful planet is to trash all religions and be part of the spirit only.

I don't suppose that is going to happen either, so welcome to endless war.

I intend on watching a lot of it from a beach or on a mountain.

Hungry Mother said...

"One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them" and 2 for eBay.

Kitty said...

"Today the postman delivered five golden rings - one for every finger!"
Oh dear! Poor Agnes has a problem. She either has five fingers on one hand (no thumb? Extra finger and regulation thumb?) or is missing a total of 3 fingers from her hands! I'm starting to understand why John might feel she needs cheering up.
x

Mike said...

Perhaps someone should send the rings to the religious "leaders."

Malicious Intent said...

More have died in the name of religion (which is supposed to be about peace, enlightenment, and just being nice to each other damnit!) Insane world we live in. What can we do about it other than spread acceptance through one kind act at a time. Somehow though, I feel like we are on the loosing end.

Tequila Mockingbird said...

priests brawling isnt hot. malach had a story up about a bunch of girls fighting. now THAT is hot.

Bruce, a work in progress said...

True Mal. Very true.

BBC, maybe someday. But not in our lifetime (at least, not this one).

HM, LOL! I love the one's for Ebay. Thanks for reminding me, I've been wanting to have a LOTR marathon movie day. Hmm.

Kitty, higher math! You're makin' my head hurt.

Mike I think the only ring the religious leaders need is a boxing ring.

MI, thanks for dropping in. I make light of this sort of thing but I assure you it's to hold a light on it in the hopes of getting people to see how fucking ridiculous it is. That and to keep me from losing my mind. I have kids and the direction we're all heading fills me with fear for them. But you're right I often do feel like I'm preaching to the choir but all we can do is all we can do. That and to keep at it. Thanks.

TM, what can I say hon? You never let me down. I'll check it out.