What would you do?

Question

I was reading an article on the Rwandan Genocide about a Roman Catholic priest who abandoned his congragation after his attempts to save them from the hutu militia failed. They ordered him to leave or else he would be killed. He 'blessed' his church and left them to die. Now more Rwandan's are turning to Islam because of the shameful role christianity played during the genocide. My question is who would do what the priest did? Honestly, God knows I don't know what I'd have done. I understand his fear, I mean who can't. But sitting here right now I really don't know what I'd have done and I just had to ask someone. How many people would be willing to risk their lives for others (especially if u claim christianity and in a genocide)

My problem is that I like to tell myself the truth, if there's one thing I try not to do is to deceive myself so I don't want to say Oh..ofcourse I'll stand by my congregations side and help them. I mean they were butchering people, the aim of the hutu was to eradicate a whole HUMAN tribe like they were a disease or something. I don'tunderstand that kind of hatred and cruelty. I seriously understand the man's fear but at the same time I also do not see myself actually leaving them as scared as I would be but u nevr know until ur really in such a positon do u??.
I found the article on Wikipedia..Rwandan Genocide. It leads you to an article titled Islam in Rwanda I think

Answer 1

"If he stayed, he would become a martyr and it would strenghten their faith if he was killed."

Exactly what he said praise the Lord!!

Answer 2

By being a priest in that area he had a responsibility to his congregation. That's why you become a priest, or at least why you should become a priest. If you don't want to risk being put in that position you should stay a regular citizen. That's why I'll never take a position in a church like that. (not that I could b/c I'm a chick but you get the point.) I can't say I blame them for turning to Islam over it. It's a horrible situation and to be abandoned like that would make anybody think twice about their religion. They still believe in God but realize that certain men have failed them. I'm sure God will still understand that.

Answer 3

Rwanda Genocide was a sad period for many people around the world.

For Islam, to die a martyr would feel like nothing more than a ant's bite. Unfortunately, the priest had more interest living with the guilt that caused the death of many. I don't blame him for leaving them as he was not taught NOT to fear death, but fear God instead.

Answer 4

I think the priest showed cowardice. I also think he did the smart thing. I think its more important to look at why muslims and Catholics are fighting for Africa and other poor parts of the world. Well sorry to offend people but hopeless and uneducated people make great subjects. Its a fact that educated societies move away from religion. It does not surprise me that any religion including Christianity and islam could cause genocided. Just like it doesnt surprise me that muslims are responsible of genocide in darfur. Thats why its called blind faith. Its sad people care more about killing for religion then feeding there people.

Answer 5

If I was serving in Rwanda, or anywhere in the world and God called me to die as a martyr. I can honestly say that I would die for my faith in Christ.

I don't think I could have made that choice a few years ago, but I currently am fighting cancer (I'm 22) and I have seen how powerful God is in my life. I am a "living" sacrifice because I am getting to allow God's powerful love to work through me. Living as a sacrifice is hard work, especially during chemotherapy. I am not afraid to die with God at my side, and I would not abandon my brothers and sisters in Christ.

I say these things with the hope that I would not allow fear to erode the love and power that God has placed in me, but I do not dare to claim it is beyond my nature to look out for my own skin.

I choose Christ.

Answer 6

If he stayed, he would become a martyr and it would strenghten their faith if he was killed. But he cared more about his own life than that of others and so the result is people felt Islam was a better way to go because Christianity abandoned them.

As a Muslim, I have no problems with people turning to Islam and becoming Muslims. But I think the priest would have given more to the cause by staying. But I admit, coming face to face with death is no desirable position.

Answer 7

A preist shoul be matured in God before He leads a congragation. He was not ready for a church. They are hirelings. They do it for money. A preist should be willing to perish for those people. People should not be willing to go to hell just because liars go to church. We must save our own soul by trusting in God.

Answer 8

i would like to say that i would do the honorable thing. all the disciples said they would not forsake Jesus and yet they did. it's said but that's human nature. there are Christians in Iraq spreading the "good news". there are many Christian martyrs who are killed because they won't deny Christ. www.persecution.com is a great site of people who are in jail for being Christians and they won't convert. so don't let the actions of one priest make you feel like we are all like that.

Answer 9

To blame Jesus for the failure of Christians to act right is beneath contempt. People are not perfected yet, That still belongs to Jesus. To turn to Isalm is in itself shameful. Islam has only hurt people since its inception 1400 years ago.

I Cr 13;8a
11-19-6

Answer 10

not being sarcastic or anything, but I'm curious as to where you got that information. I'd like to read the article.