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Commentary

What Mitsotakis Has Wrought !

Controversy in Greece continues over the legalization of gay marriage. At least three bishops have excommunicated politicians who voted to legalize gay marriage. The President of Greece and other politicians have been disinvited from the celebration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy later this month.

The bishops are within their rights to deny communion to anyone whom they feel should not receive. This is not understood by Greek politicians who reveal how out of touch they really are with Orthodoxy and Hellenism. They are so infatuated with Europe and western culture they have forgotten about Greece’s spiritual and cultural roots.

Syriza leader Kasselakis and his American friend have suggested that a problem with the new law is the fact that it does not address trans rights. So, the Prime Minister has opened up a Pandora’s box which will not so easily be closed. The trans movement with its beliefs in pregnant men and advocacy for mutilating children is going to follow gay marriage.

In fairness, gay people have rights. Hate crimes and discrimination in work or housing should be prosecuted. Individuals, gay or straight should be permitted to leave their propery and health care benefits to whomever they like. But, marriage can never be anything other than a union between man and woman.

Greece has many problems. The rise of organized crime is one problem. The large number of migrants in Greece remains a problem. The biggest problem however are the continued threats of Turkey to invade the islands.

Turkey has established influence in the Russo- Ukrainian war as a mediator. Greece has played no part in a mediation between two Orthodox countries largely because Greek officials are so thoroughly westernized they have a limited knowledge of Orthodoxy. Are they even aware that the Greeks converted Russia and Ukraine to Christianity one thousand years ago?

The Church’s fight here is both spiritual and political. They are fighting first and foremost for the gospel and the faith. Secondly, they are fighting for the sovereignty and independence of Greece against western imperialism. At a time when Greece needs unity, Mitsotakis has divided Greeks.

The passage of the gay marriage law is proving to be disastrous and divisive. Mitsotakis deserves to be removed as Prime Minister. The worst leader Greece has had since Costas Simitis.

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books

Christians Of The Middle East


Book Review

The Vanishing

By

Janine Di Giovanni

Public Affairs. 2021

“The Vanishing” is an excellent journalistic account about the plight of Christians in the Middle East. The book examines the plight of Christians in Iraq, Gaza, Syria, and Egypt. This is excellent journalism with great interviews of Christians in all of the above mentioned countries.

There is also a great deal of historical background and an examination of the differing views on authoritarian regimes such as Syria and Iraq. Christians interviewed in these countries were overwhelmingly pro regime and condemned western efforts to overthrow those governments. An examination was undertaken to examine the undemocratic nature of these regimes.

Undemocratic as they are, they are tolerant of Christianity and the author made it clear why Christians support these governments. This is a very good survey and examination about the plight of middle eastern Christians.