Comments on: Some reflections on the Croat-Serb Conflict

By: Gordon@shoeshelves

Gordon@shoeshelves — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:48:36 +0000

To see, in person, the bullet holes in such beautiful old historic churches and buildings causes my heart to sink. Now, instead of symbols of man’s devotion to God and civilization, they’ve become symbols of man’s inhumanity to man.
.-= Gordon@shoeshelves´s last blog ..Shoe Shelf =-.

By: Ricky

Ricky — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:18:23 +0000

“But in general, Eastern Europe is still highly religious (as opposed to Western Europe)”. Not totally true as the Czech Republic is remarkably secular!

By: Jacob@Rome City

Jacob@Rome City — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:08:07 +0000

Croatia is indeed a beautiful country. It’s a hidden treasure of historical buildings and landmarks. I was surprised as well to see such a strong catholicism in Croatia. But in general, Eastern Europe is still highly religious (as opposed to Western Europe).

By: JethroPotts@recessedtoiletpaperholder

JethroPotts@recessedtoiletpaperholder — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:42:12 +0000

This is one sad reminder that humanity apparently hasn’t learned much in the last 1,000 years. When the “Us verses Them” mentality goes to the extreme of killing others because “they are not one of Us” and the killing is accepted by their religion as “Just”…then we have NOT evolved! Very Sad.
.-= JethroPotts@recessedtoiletpaperholder´s last blog ..Solid Wood Recessed Toilet Paper Holder/Magazine Rack =-.

By: Non-Military Bootcamp

Non-Military Bootcamp — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:18:19 +0000

I can’t help but agree with Elaine’s point. I too am seeing countries divided by religion a lot more now than say 10 years ago. Its certainly a more heated discussion and such now too.

Great post and certainly something that has made me think.

By: Ricky

Ricky — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:02:59 +0000

James.

Please forgive my maths – you are quite correct!

By: James@Robert Hosken

James@Robert Hosken — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:00:55 +0000

Thanks for your interesting blog! You wrote, “the division between West and East that took place in the history of the Christian Church more than a thousand years ago. The division between Rome and Constantinople, between Roman Catholic and Orthodox….” Actually, it was just *under* a thousand years ago, in AD 1054. It’s just a small detail.
My wife and I have spent over 20 years ministering in Central and East Europe, including 17 years living in Russia. We now provide remote computer assistance to elderly, disabled and churches at a 33% discount. Maybe we can be of help to you.

By: Elaine Cullen

Elaine Cullen — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:14:37 +0000

Thank you for this post. It shows that not only ethnicity but religion is being used as a means to tear countries apart, and a pattern that I am seeing worldwide – with the exact same thing occurring elsewhere in very similar ways.

By: Minnie

Minnie — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:15:49 +0000

Fascinating post, Ricky. I remember noticing at the time of the conflict how the various ethnic groups were also marked out and/or divided by religion. Yes, I agree, the entire Christian church should be about reconciliation with and acceptance of (not merely ‘tolerance’) of others. In France, there’ve been several wars of religion from the 12th century ‘Albigensian Crusade’ against the cathars in the Languedoc. It was launched by the King of France, whose remit didn’t then extend to the south, with the support of the Pope. Then came conflicts between Catholic and Protestant in the 16th-17th centuries. Henri IV put a (temporary) end to one phase with the Edict of Nantes, effectively protecting Protestants. When this was revoked (by Louis XIV in 1685), all hell broke loose again (with many Protestants fleeing to England – very good for England as they were almost entirely highly-skilled artisans!). In all these instances, the temporal ruler was the instigator for good or ill – not the church. Whoops, sorry: this is turning into a post! Apologies, Ricky; my excuse is that the original question’s such an interesting one.