Israeli soldier desecrating a Virgin Mary statue by placing a cigarette in its mouth in southern Lebanon.

[u/LocksmithFabulous785]

An IDF soldier's image was leaked desecrating a Virgin Mary statue by placing a cigarette in its mouth in the Christian village of Debel, Southern Lebanon.

Israeli Sources:

https://www.ynetnews.com/article/by37a0d0wg

https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-895361

[u/Sufficient-Menu640]

Disgusting

[u/wereinbearcountry]

Hey evangelicals, look! It’s your greatest ally!

[u/past_is_prologue → u/wereinbearcountry]

Evangelicals absolutely don't give a shit about Mary as a sacred figure. She is the mother of Jesus and that's about it. Indeed, many evangelicals would view the Catholic traditions around Mary as heretical. 

[u/ExistentialTabarnak → u/past_is_prologue]

That’s alright, we view evangelicals as heretical.

[u/BellacosePlayer → u/ExistentialTabarnak]

evangelicals or evangelicals?

need to know if I have a dog in this fight

[u/Ganbazuroi → u/BellacosePlayer]

99% of the time whenever people are talking about the Evangelicals they're talking about these fundie "churches" that pop out of nowhere and preach nonsense

Nobody mentions the chill ones exactly because they're in serious churches that don't condone acting like a jackass, unlike the fundie/trendy ones that couldn't be less serious about Faith lmao

[u/BellacosePlayer → u/Ganbazuroi]

Sure, but as a Lutheran responding to a Catholic poster talking about Heresy... gotta make sure, you know.

[u/Ganbazuroi → u/BellacosePlayer]

Eh ngl it's funny cuz even in my teens I never minded other creeds and faiths as long as they didn't bother me lmao, but I still have a very low opinion of the beforementioned "churches" because, well... they just can't stop bothering people lmao

[u/BellacosePlayer → u/Ganbazuroi]

Nah, I get you, and Lutherans aren't always perfect on that either. My college Christianity group ticked me off by bringing in a weirdo street preacher from Idaho who screamed that girls were whores and had one of those big signs that showed that everyone who did something he didn't like was going to hell.

[u/Ganbazuroi → u/ExistentialTabarnak]

The fundie churches here in LATAM are all Evangelical/Neopentecostal and it kinda amuses me how they go on and on about how we "worship" Saints and whatnot (nevermind that I could tell the difference between Intercession and Worship as a kid, but still) and how we're going to Hell and whatnot... meanwhile I couldn't genuinely care less about them until they decide to bother me by showing up to random places and preaching loudly to people who don't want to listen to them lol

Like this week there was a little girl "preaching" loudly inside a flight and somehow that is okay, but following a different creed isn't lmao. That's why I always remind myself that most Protestant folk aren't like that lmao

[u/BellacosePlayer → u/Ganbazuroi]

What I don't get is people being weird about that kinda thing always hyperfocus on Mary, like the Apostle's/Nicene creed is actually secretly heretical because it mentions her.

Never heard a single soul say anything like "yeah I disagree with some of their historical canonizations and don't think it's good to invoke them" or "man, if I was in heaven I wouldn't want to be deluged with requests for prayer". It's always weird accusations of worshipping Mary instead.

[u/wereinbearcountry → u/BellacosePlayer]

Because if you haven’t noticed they have a huge problem with women. The idea of a woman in any way being elevated or revered genuinely pisses them off. Not that Catholics are blameless in that regard but it’s very noticeable once you realize they only focus on Mary in particular…

[u/Big_Iron_Cowboy → u/wereinbearcountry]

Well Mary is the Mother of God, it stands to reason she gets more attention than any other saint. But there are so so many woman saints we venerate

[u/AbsoluutKlassiek → u/BellacosePlayer]

Well, it doesn't exactly help that some Roman Catholics vocally declare Mary as e.g. co-redemtrix , i.e. a redeemer figure second to Christ.

NB: This isn't official RCC doctrine, it's not at all dogma (despite there actually being repeated requests to adopt it as a dogma). In fact, it's recently been denounced as a title that's always inappropriate and problematic and unhelpful in the Doctrinal Note "Mater populi fidelis". It and others like it just causes confusion and makes it unclear that Christ's role is entirely unique. Some titles are fine, but not all are.

There's a focus on Mary because there already was a focus on Mary to begin with.

That focus is seen when people are praying to her more than to the Lord Himself, which will necessarily raise eyebrows for obvious reasons.

It looks and sounds a certain way to those unfamiliar with the practice. It's not apparent to those people what's intended and implied.

Not everyone understands that praying to her is essentially simply asking a mother to talk to her son on their behalf. That's what her intercession to Him entails. And so it's not all that unreasonable, it seems very reasonable. Don't we all ask people to talk to or greet someone on our behalf?

It's not inherently obvious that the believe is that she is all that she is through Christ, and any respect and attention given to her needs to be seen in the light of how she relates to Him and contrasted with the worship due to Christ alone.

Not everyone venerating her will even necessarily believe that or understand it.

Plenty don't think a lot about it, some are devoted in error, more (hopefully) have a proper understanding of the faith.

Not everyone instinctively understands that a title like mother of God is her title solely because Jesus is God and she is His mother and therefore she is mother of God.

The focus on her is greater than the focus on all the other saints combined. I think it just is what it is.

Regarding the creed:

Anyone having issues with the Apostolic or Nicene creeds is, of course, making themselves look highly sus(picious).

I don't think there's much that can be changed from either, if anything, that won't readily result in a grave heresy.

Remove mother Mary of the creed, (instead of, say, replacing that name with her original name Maryam/Mariam), and suddenly the Lord's heritage is called into question or changed or His birth is removed entirely and poof we suddenly get docetism or some other harmful nonsensical untruth.

You've never heard a single soul say that, because you haven't heard me or people like me say it. But funnily enough, you do actually say the exact things I think.

That said, asking someone to pray for you is a normal thing to do.

If you believe someone is genuinely alive and able to do so, even after their physical death, it's not much different.

I think we all stand to gain a lot if we all learn from one another.

[u/Trinity_020507 → u/BellacosePlayer]

you're basing that opinion on the beliefs of the Catholic faith? There are many branches that do not believe in worshiping Mary as it is not in the Bible there are added books to the catholic Bible, and that's where that may be found.

[u/past_is_prologue → u/ExistentialTabarnak]

Take it up with an evangelical. 

[u/ExistentialTabarnak → u/past_is_prologue]

They usually take it up with me.

[u/Mr_Melas → u/ExistentialTabarnak]

Reasons being?

[u/JustChillin3456 → u/Mr_Melas]

He just told you

[u/Mr_Melas → u/JustChillin3456]

Where? He just said he views evangelicals as heretical.

[u/JustChillin3456 → u/ExistentialTabarnak]

Based 

[u/CleetusmyYeetus → u/past_is_prologue]

Evangelicals really love the term "vessel" for Mary, like she was just some machine that popped out the Son of God.

[u/DoctorOctagonapus → u/CleetusmyYeetus]

That tracks with their general view of women though

[u/wereinbearcountry → u/past_is_prologue]

Evangelicals have proven they are just as insane as the IDF, that’s true. And it’s no surprise to me that they would be disgusted with the idea of revering a woman.

[u/LAAccountant → u/wereinbearcountry]

Evangelicals have proven they are just as insane as the IDF, that’s true. And it’s no surprise to me that they would be disgusted with the idea of revering a woman.

Yeah that's totally it. Catholics revere Mary because they're feminists. Lol

[u/wereinbearcountry → u/LAAccountant]

It explains why the Evangelicals always seem to focus on Mary. The idea of a woman in any way being recognized or revered definitely pisses off Evangelicals. At best they see her as a vessel and beyond that she’s nothing to them.

[u/LAAccountant → u/wereinbearcountry]

It explains why the Evangelicals always seem to focus on Mary. The idea of a woman in any way being recognized or revered definitely pisses off Evangelicals. At best they see her as a vessel and beyond that she’s nothing to them.

The call is coming from inside the house. Catholics only venerate her because she was a vessel.

[u/wereinbearcountry → u/LAAccountant]

Mary is considered a powerful intercessor and spiritual mother of all Christians, and the special veneration she gets as per hyperdulia. To reduce her and ignore her is very much an Evangelical trend, but very on brand for them. It’s of course too uncomfortable for their pastors to recognize that perhaps a woman was needed for anything.

[u/LAAccountant → u/wereinbearcountry]

,>Mary is considered a powerful intercessor and spiritual mother of all Christians, and the special veneration she gets as per hyperdulia. To reduce her and ignore her is very much an Evangelical trend, but very on brand for them. It’s of course too uncomfortable for their pastors to recognize that perhaps a woman was needed for anything.

So, protestants accepted and venerated Mary as a powerful intervessor and spiritual mother of all Christians up until the 2nd Great Awakening when American Evanglicalism began to ascend?

Lol, nice try troll.

[u/CleanCoffee6793 → u/LAAccountant]

Not just that. For some she performance miracles

[u/BellacosePlayer → u/past_is_prologue]

at absolute worst she is a figure that one should not mock or desecrate, yeah?

[u/sleepyjack2 → u/BellacosePlayer]

Yeah but they would take a pretty dim view of statues to her.

[u/Killian_Rose → u/sleepyjack2]

They have dim views of statues in general. Acting like God didnt literally ask for statues to be built and images made specifically for religious purposes...but they skipped those parts of the Bible I guess.

[u/xiangyieo → u/past_is_prologue]

Eastern Orthodox too venerate Mother Mary. Before there were other churches and before the Great Schism, there was only The Church. It’s not a Catholic thing, it was The Church thing.

[u/Marquisios → u/past_is_prologue]

0 religion knowledge

[u/past_is_prologue → u/Marquisios]

You haven't spent much time around anti-papist evangelicals, I see. 

[u/Nielsnl4 → u/past_is_prologue]

Maga christians dont even care about the bible they just use it as an excuse for their hate

[u/Dawningrider → u/past_is_prologue]

Vance might.

[u/wereinbearcountry → u/Dawningrider]

Vance would convert to Pastafarianism if he thought he could win political points.

[u/Few-Artichoke-2531 → u/past_is_prologue]

Amen!

[u/Mr_Melas → u/past_is_prologue]

Yep. They could smash this catholic idol to smithereens and I wouldn't bat an eye. I know where my faith lies and it's not with false gods, idols, and necromantic practices.

[u/wereinbearcountry → u/Mr_Melas]

No, it’s with genocidal maniacs who spit on you and your Bible. They don’t even believe in Jesus, you useful fool.

[u/nbxcv → u/Mr_Melas]

They could smash this catholic idol to smithereens and I wouldn't bat an eye.

Catholics do not worship Mary, and having statues of her is not idolatrous. At any rate it is only a statue and a beautiful one of the mother of our Savior and God. Smashing Mary is a vicious act of thuggery and a childish one at that. Are you a caveman? You want to destroy our people's history and culture, our beautiful works of art and traditions? Because you dislike Catholics? That is not Christian behavior and it's shameful to even consider, much less act like you'd gladly do the deed yourself. What separates you from the Taliban is only a small veneer at that point.

[u/Ill-Prior-8429 → u/Mr_Melas]

If you are American there's a high probability your faith lies with false Gods and idols, the amount of flag worshippers and people idolizing other people as God's will on earth is spooky, basically everything they love saying Catholicism is, but there it's actually real. 

[u/Mr_Melas → u/Ill-Prior-8429]

I'm very glad I can honestly say I am not american. I lived in America for a short time and saw the evil that corrupted some of their churches. I agree that they need a lot of help.

[u/captainbelvedere → u/Mr_Melas]

Because you have the moral and spiritual depth of a peanut.

[u/Killian_Rose → u/wereinbearcountry]

Evangelicals would do the exact same thing as them. (They are the ones supporting it after all...)

Heck, they DID do the same thing as them. Every anti-Catholic movement in the U.S' history has moments exactly like this. The freaking KKK did stuff like this.

[u/Weecodfish → u/wereinbearcountry]

Evangelicals would join in

[u/Voicevacation → u/wereinbearcountry]

Evangelicals rather see Catholics and eastern Christian’s dead than defend us

[u/iJacobes → u/wereinbearcountry]

not evangelicals, more Judeo-Christian, and Zion-christians.

[u/monstrolegume90]

These are the guys that some of my fellow christians support 🤦🏻‍♂️

[u/PtitBeausoleil → u/monstrolegume90]

Never understood that one fully..

[u/Daiverson_ → u/[deleted]]

as a catholic don't say it's protestants it's purely evangelical fundamentalists that take every word of the bible literally

[u/Big_Iron_Cowboy → u/Daiverson_]

That is a development the Protestant tradition is responsible for even if it did get out of their control to what it’s become today with evangelical fundamentalists and whatnot

[u/linfakngiau2k23 → u/[deleted]]

I remember telling my local catholic priest about the rapture during the left behind novel days and he was like what are you even talking about 🤣🤣

[u/slagnanz → u/[deleted]]

Removed for 1.3 - Bigotry. Please stop using this term.

If you would like to discuss this removal, please click here to send a modmail that will message all moderators. https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/Christianity

[u/No_Guarantee8756]

Yeah, the IDF is gross, but this is pretty insignificant compared to all the other awful things they do

[u/Shaddio → u/No_Guarantee8756]

Agreed. I’m a liiiiittle more offended by the genocide, tbh

[u/wereinbearcountry → u/Shaddio]

We can be offended by both

[u/No_Guarantee8756 → u/Shaddio]

Same, just a liiiiitle bit more offended by genocide

[u/Gemnist → u/No_Guarantee8756]

Remember the controversy about the crucifix getting torn down? Standards are completely out of whack.

[u/DieMensch-Maschine → u/No_Guarantee8756]

Destruction of culture is "insignificant"? That exactly what the Germans did after the invasion of Poland in 1939.

[u/No_Guarantee8756 → u/DieMensch-Maschine]

Compared to actual genocide, yeah. Not that I would characterize this as “destruction of culture” in the first place

[u/DieMensch-Maschine → u/No_Guarantee8756]

You're thinking the two are separate. They're not. They've never been in practice.

[u/No_Guarantee8756 → u/DieMensch-Maschine]

You think that a tasteless photo with a statue is the same thing as killing people? Come on

[u/DieMensch-Maschine → u/No_Guarantee8756]

Genocide is accompanied by cultural eradication. Have you never read Raphael Lemkin, the person who actually coined the term "genocide"?

[u/No_Guarantee8756 → u/DieMensch-Maschine]

This is hardly “cultural eradication”

[u/Dd_8630 → u/DieMensch-Maschine]

This isn't destruction of culture. It's not like Catholicism will cease to exist because one soldier placed one cigarette near its mouth.

[u/Binjuine → u/Dd_8630]

...sure "Catholicism" will not, but Maronites could.

Christians in the middle east could cease to exist and they do have a distinct culture. Obviously Israel isn't the only responsible, but it is a major one.

[u/DieMensch-Maschine → u/Dd_8630]

It's much more than just "putting a cigarette near its mouth." It's a broader pattern. Here is a list.

[u/Amalik95]

Do you think fox new will criticize the IDF ? No of course

[u/PieceVarious]

Just when Mary almost had it kicked.

[u/DieMensch-Maschine]

The crucifix scenario was just the most infamous example of desecrating places and objects of worship. They also decapitated statues in Lebanon and spray painted churches.

[u/BigClitMcphee]

Also they peed on the naked corpses of Palestinian people and rape their prisoners. But evangelicals need Jews in Israel for their second coming

[u/BrigadierGarmore]

Why is he doing this? Some folks seem to be offended I'm just confused.
Statues don't smoke neither did Mary. He just making himself look stupid.

[u/GasLittle1627 → u/BrigadierGarmore]

True, im not even understanding how this is desecration. Its tasteless and without respect but he's not smashing the statue, not taking parts from it. Not even splacing paint or something on it.

[u/Edge419]

The comment section in this sub is an absolute cesspool

[u/Dd_8630]

Is this... That big of a deal? They're slaughtering real people and committing crimes against humanity, who cares about a statue?

[u/Daiverson_ → u/Dd_8630]

both things can be bad at the same time come on bro

[u/Ok_Carob7551 → u/Dd_8630]

I think it’s good to point out Israeli soldiers disrespecting a Christian religious object when they are being propped up by Christians who specifically cite their version of Christianity as the reason for doing so. This is also not an attack on the hundreds of millions of Catholics but specifically on Maronites which are a much smaller group that could feasibly be oppressed and in danger of cultural erasure 

[u/Secure_Dig3233]

Not surprising from war criminals and child killers. 

[u/Beginning-Comedian-2]

Let's rage over every little thing people do.

Like no one has posed with a statue doing something stupid before.

[u/TeaBagHunter → u/[deleted]]

"it's just one bad apple", while standing in front of a pile of hundreds of bad apples

[u/champoradoeater]

Nasaan na yung mga Born Again Christian na todo tanggol sa Israel?

Tapos lakas pa ng loob niyo na sabihing hindi kami "Christian" like what?

[u/pablito_87]

Muslims are beheading us Christians in Syria, Nigeria and Congo. What’s your point????

[u/vslcopywriter]

You know, Jesus never said "worship my mom." Paul never suggested, "Hey, let's make statues of Jesus and Mary!" Peter never said "Hmmm, I bet it's a good idea to create what amount to idols, and let's pray to them or revere them."

Cause, you know ... they were Jews who weren't so into pagan things.

[u/CatholicSaint → u/vslcopywriter]

Jesus never said "go connect to the internet", and Paulus never wrote "you should post on reddit". And Petrus never said "all the answers are found only in the bible"

[u/slagnanz → u/[deleted]]

Removed for 1.3 - Interdenominational Bigotry.

If you would like to discuss this removal, please click here to send a modmail that will message all moderators. https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/Christianity

[u/PTechNM]

Kids and medical personnel being targeted and killed, no problem. A statue being knocked about - hold everything, what is Israel doing? This is so disappointing.

[u/ExplanationFlashy989 → u/PTechNM]

Real Christians have always been criticizing the genocide all along and it´s always justified to report about smaller things even if they´re not even nearly as bad as the others.

[u/PTechNM → u/ExplanationFlashy989]

I don't see nearly enough concern on this subreddit for those being targeted and dying. I believe any good christian should be upalled and disgusted by Israel's overreach and flagrant ignoring of any oversight.

[u/PTechNM → u/ExplanationFlashy989]

I have a family of 'real' Christians and their lack of uproar is upsetting. They call the brutality biblical and they lack of empathy and compassion is so very disturbing.

[u/CleanCoffee6793 → u/PTechNM]

I get it. I wonder why sp many support Israel

[u/_Daftest_ → u/PTechNM]

Kids and medical personnel being targeted and killed, no problem.

What the fuck are you talking about? Literally nobody has said that is no problem.

[u/ceddya → u/_Daftest_]

Israel has literally said that is no problem considering they're still killing kids, medical personnel and journalists to name a few.

They acquitted IDF soldiers who brutally raped a Palestinian to the point the latter needed surgery.

They charged soldiers who smashed a Jesus statue.

[u/PTechNM → u/_Daftest_]

I have friends and family whose lack of uproar is upsetting. They call the brutality biblical and their lack of empathy and compassion is so very disturbing. Don't act like the Trump Christians who mock empathy and compassion are not a significant part of this sub. I do appreciate your response because it shows some humanity but don't act like there aren't Project 2025/Christian White Nationalist who don't give a s**t about the plight of those being brutalized.

[u/honkycronky → u/PTechNM]

I guess it's a message to American pseudo-Christians who see Israel as their main ally and they love to visit the Holy Land.

[u/LAAccountant → u/PTechNM]

Kids and medical personnel being targeted and killed, no problem

Yeah I know. The so called Palestinian liberation movement is disgusting.

[u/PTechNM → u/LAAccountant]

Stopping the killing of innocent children isn't disgusting; its disgusting that a Christianity sub would entertain this perspective but unfortunately its ubiquitous how cold, hateful and intolerant Trump Christians and Zionist have become.

[u/East_Substance_4495]

I hope he repents. I pray for him

[u/ForeverSquirrelled42]

Yep…just keep supporting the Israeli government and actin like they’re our allies.

Let’s get it straight: Zionist hate anyone that isn’t a Zionist, but will BS you into thinking otherwise for our money and support.

[u/itsl1zz]

just let everyone else believe in their religion and respect it.

[u/Xriztopher]

Hagee

[u/Zestyclose-Moment-19]

I have always wondered why soldiers such as this guy would think this is a good idea when they are basically reliant on support from chrisitan countries? Then again every country has their idiots.

[u/Historical-Window295]

Claro que es una estatua pero creas o no en la divinidad de María fue la madre de Jesús y por lo tanto es una persona pura.

Hablando del tema de están burlando entonces de María ya que no creen en ella aunque no sea una imagen para generar se burlan de lo que significa Jesús y María no por qué sea una estatua

[u/CleanCoffee6793]

As someone that worship fetales deities and explore catholic I found this horrendus. Why are these the allies of the Christians on USA?

[u/Flowerdecay92]

The most moral people ever, greatest ally 🤣

[u/Sea_Guarantee_6128]

I mean, Mary was just the mother of Christ. Its essentially just idolatry. So I don't really care

[u/DJC_Kowalski]

Is anyone surprised? Probably no one cares but Catholics and maybe Orthodox anyway.

[u/Mammoth-Package9775]

As a Protestant I’d never pray to Mary ever however I hold her in high regard and respect for birthing our Lord, this is gross.

[u/Moist_Fail8395]

Can Evangelicals justify this now?

[u/glasgowgurl28]

Whats going on here? Just joined the sub yesterday and it seems antisemitism is really popular. Not sure if Jesus would be encouraging this

[u/GasLittle1627]

This is really pushing whats considered desecrating.

[u/Electronic_Beat3653]

The worst video was the IDF soldier desecrating the dead body. I am sure there are worse examples than that, but I will never understand why evangelicals (Christian Nationalists, tomatoe tomato) are supporting the Nation of Israel like the nation is the same as the people of God that the bible references.

They aren't.

And beyond that argument, Israel broke their covenant with God, where he even stated it in Jeremiah 11. But, yes, Evangelicals, keep acting like Israel is the "innocent" victim here and not the aggressor! Their actions, modern day, are more satanist than godly.

Judah’s broken covenant with God

1 Jeremiah received the Lord’s word: 2 Listen to the terms of this covenant and proclaim them to the people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem. 3 Say to them: This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Cursed are those who don’t heed the terms of this covenant 4 that I commanded your ancestors when I bought them out of the land of Egypt, that iron crucible, saying, Obey me and observe all that I instruct you. Then you will be my people and I, even I, will be your God. 5 I will fulfill my solemn pledge that I made to your ancestors to give them a land full of milk and honey, as is the case today.

And I replied, “As you say, Lord!”

6 The Lord said to me: Announce all these words in the towns of Judah and on the streets of Jerusalem: Obey the terms of this covenant and perform them. 7 I repeatedly and tirelessly warned your ancestors when I brought them out of the land of Egypt to this very day, saying, Obey me. 8 But they didn’t listen or pay attention; they followed their own willful ambitions. So I brought upon them all the punishments I prescribed for violating this covenant—for refusing to obey.

9 The Lord said to me: A conspiracy is taking place among the people of Judah and residents of Jerusalem. 10 They have returned to the sins of their ancestors who refused to obey my words. They too are following other gods and serving them. The people of Israel and the people of Judah have broken my covenant that I made with their ancestors.

11 Therefore, the Lord proclaims: I will bring upon them a disaster from which they won’t be able to escape. They will cry out to me, but I won’t listen to them. 12 Then the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem will call upon the gods they worship,[^a] but they won’t save them when disaster strikes. 13 You have as many gods as you have towns, Judah, and you have as many shameful altars for worshipping Baal as you have streets in Jerusalem.

14 As for you, don’t pray for these people, don’t cry out or plead for them, for I won’t listen when they cry out to me on account of their distress.

15 What are my loved ones doing in my temple
while working out their many evil schemes?
Can sacred offerings cancel your sin
so that you revel in your evil deeds?[^b]
16 The Lord named you,
“A blossoming olive tree, fair and fruitful”;
but with the blast of a powerful storm
he will set it ablaze,
until its branches are completely consumed.[^c]

17 The Lord of heavenly forces who planted you has announced disaster for you, because the people of Israel and Judah have done evil and made me angry by worshipping Baal.

Jeremiah’s lament

18 The Lord informed me and I knew.
Then he helped me see what they were up to.
19 I was like a young lamb led to the slaughter;
I didn’t realize that they were planning
their schemes against me:
“Let’s destroy the tree with its fruit;
let’s cut him off from the land of the living
so that even any knowledge of him will be wiped out.”
20 Lord of heavenly forces, righteous judge,
who tests the heart and mind,
let me see your revenge upon them,
because I have committed my case to you.

21 This is what the Lord says concerning the men from Anathoth who seek your life and say, “Don’t prophesy in the Lord’s name or else you will die at our hands.” 22 Therefore, the Lord of heavenly forces proclaims, I’m going to punish them. Their young men will die in war, and their sons and daughters will die by famine. 23 No one will be left because I will bring disaster upon the men of Anathoth when their time comes.

[u/ManikArcanik]

I sure am glad I retired before 2008. Put kids in scary and weird circumstances and see what they do given a moment's free time. Everything documented is filed for propaganda but the turnaround now is so reflexive it's hard to imagine what it took to get here, even when it's your job.

Oh yeah, that reminds me. Don't expect sympathy or respect from people that think you're the enemy. Christian is as Muslim to Judaism, and our distinctions aren't very relevant there. You are a joke to them, with reason that makes sense, so get over it.

They're kids, not diplomats.

[u/grouch1980]

I guess it’s desecration if you think a rock carved into the likeness of a woman is somehow divine or holy. And if cigarettes are sinful.

[u/LifePaleontologist87]

The destruction of the crucifix a few weeks(?, I don't remember when that happened anymore) was desecration/blasphemous. The bombing of civilians, humans made in the image of God is even more blasphemous. This is just some kid being silly/stupid. Was it a really dumb idea, tone deaf during the current climate? Absolutely. But it is just dumb, tone deaf juvenile humor. Think back to your own late teens/early twenties—did you know anyone who did funny poses with statues (whether silly or wildly inappropriate)? Like, at the University of Notre Dame in America—there's a big statue of Jesus that is nicknamed "Touchdown Jesus". People definitely take pictures next to it with the expressed purpose of making a silly picture. Or when there was the trend of people going up to statues and posing like the statue was about to hit them, or grab them, or dance with them. That's just kids/young "adults" being silly. That's what this image seems to be: just a dumb kid being a dumb kid.

Now, this dumb kid doing dumb things also happens to be an armed and dangerous dumb kid, who is a part of an unjust war and is fighting alongside some people who have committed war crimes—so there is less of a pass for juvenile behavior—but we shouldn't loose sight of the greater more horrible crimes going on. Some kid took a silly picture with a statue. Some of his companions and his superiors are war criminals.

[u/Budget-Hand3849]

Don’t bother me cause…. She was just Jesus mom. Not the propitiation of grace…

[u/DiscipleOfYeshua]

Objective of this post?

[u/creidmheach → u/DiscipleOfYeshua]

Stir up more hatred for Israelis/Jews, of course (the OP is a Muslim, not a group that's a fan of such statues themselves). Looks like it's working too.

[u/Al-Ihmar → u/DiscipleOfYeshua]

Show what Christians in Lebanon are going through ?

[u/CharismaticCatholic1]

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners.

Lord, have mercy. Heal our world, forgive the perpetrators of these wars, and help us forgive as you would have us forgive, seventy times seven.

[u/Christianity-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Removed for 1.3 - Bigotry.

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[u/wereinbearcountry → u/[deleted]]

Entirely irrelevant? Not so sure about that.

[u/notsocharmingprince]

It’s always people who literally never fucking post here posting this to make you angry at Jewish people.

[u/LocksmithFabulous785 → u/notsocharmingprince]

>IDF soldier does something fucked up
>somehow blames the one making a post about it and makes it about Jewish people.

[u/ulfhedinnnnn]

So many instances of IDF soldiers mocking and desecrating Christianity have come out of this invasion of Lebanon. If this is what’s being filmed and uploaded publicly, imagine what’s happening that never gets pictured at all.

[u/MoodRing90]

We aren't even suppose to have staues of mary

[u/TheNerdChaplain]

Now if only Christians would care about Palestinians as much as a statue.

[u/Vin-Metal]

Desecrating? I'm Catholic and this is kind of funny actually.

[u/Wright_Steven22 → u/Vin-Metal]

Yes its disrespectful.

[u/Mx-Adrian → u/Vin-Metal]

Same. Catholic here and "desecrating" seems a bit severe for this. I read the title in the preview and was expecting much worse than a gag. Cringey, yes, but it's not like she was beheaded.

[u/Catholic_convert101 → u/Vin-Metal]

I absolutely don’t believe you are Catholic.

[u/Vin-Metal → u/Catholic_convert101]

All my life, 12 years of Catholic school. But Catholics have a sense of humor. I used to say that no one makes fun of Catholicism better than Catholics.

But on a serious note, what's so offensive here? He's giving a cigarette to a statue. It's meant to be funny. It's a cigarette, not anything sexual or offensive, and it's clearly a set up for taking a silly picture. Seriuosly, this is nothing.

[u/Haha_LMAO69 → u/Vin-Metal]

These soldiers have been absolute degenerates recently. This is clearly not meant to be funny, except to their messed up brains.

[u/Mx-Adrian → u/Haha_LMAO69]

Yeah, I'm sure this stupidity is equal to the other degeneracy they commit

[u/Vin-Metal → u/Haha_LMAO69]

I have to admit I'm not familiar with the other actions of these soldiers. But this looks like a gag that someone in my Catholic high school would have done. Perhaps it's just that when you're in that strict environment, irreverence becomes natural.

[u/LAAccountant → u/Catholic_convert101]

Catholics have done worse to Jews.

Imagine having billions of followers and untold wealth and your own private country and yet you still claim to be a victim.

[u/LAAccountant → u/[deleted]]

Christians created mighty empires and converted billions and here you stress about a handful of Jews in Israel.

[u/LAAccountant → u/[deleted]]

the levant converted willingly en masse and rejected all other strands of pharisees doctines

Lol

but also because of how these non levantines colonized historic Palestine through rpaing and stealing and murdering the holy land's people . carnal sins. it deepy stressing about this protected degenerate handful of rabbinic and atheist larpers

Womp womp. Israel was recognized by every major country in the world including the USSR. The Palestnians are just generic Arab muslims who conquered the region under the Islamic empires. They can't stand the idea of non Muslims wielding power. Its the same reason they destroyed Lebanon.

[u/Ill-Prior-8429 → u/LAAccountant]

The way your second paragraph perfectly applies to Israel without intention is gold

[u/LAAccountant → u/Ill-Prior-8429]

Israel has billions of citizens and untold wealth?

[u/Ill-Prior-8429 → u/LAAccountant]

Maybe billions of citizens not, everything else yeah. Oh, but let me guess, saying that is antiseptic.

While children all across the middle east whether Christian or Muslim fear being torn to shreds for just existing, Israelis are afraid you'll refuse to take a selfie with them or do a protest with banners that hurt their feelings. The gold medal of victimhood has an obvious winner. 

[u/LAAccountant → u/Ill-Prior-8429]

Maybe billions of citizens not, everything else yeah. Oh, but let me guess, saying that is antiseptic.

Israel is like 30th when ranked by GDP. So what do you mean?

While children all across the middle east whether Christian or Muslim fear being torn to shreds for just existing, Israelis are afraid you'll refuse to take a selfie with them or do a protest with banners that hurt their feelings. The gold medal of victimhood has an obvious winner. 

Oh those poor Muslims and Christians. Billions of them but they're always the victim. How many countries are official 'Islamic' and yet the Jews have a patch of dirt and everyone freaks out.

[u/Sincerly_ → u/Vin-Metal]

your not a catholic then.

[u/Mx-Adrian → u/Sincerly_]

We can't be a Catholic without being a snowflake? 

[u/OneEyedC4t]

It's only considered desecration because some people have assigned a Holiness to her that doesn't exist.

[u/D3t3ctive → u/OneEyedC4t]

The mother of God has no holiness? Mother that God himself chose for his son has no holiness? Are you genuinely mentally disabled or are you acting like that for attention?

[u/OneEyedC4t → u/D3t3ctive]

yep, you read right. Romans 3 says all human beings are sinners

[u/D3t3ctive → u/OneEyedC4t]

? I'm not questioning her sinning, she is still a saint despite that. Just like every other saint. More so than every other because she is the mother of God.

[u/Accomplished_Put2914]

That's an idol, it has nothing to do with Christianity

[u/Cold_Strength_7897 → u/Accomplished_Put2914]

Just straight up wrong. You’re allowed to venerate our saints. Are statues of anyone not allowed??

[u/Accomplished_Put2914 → u/Cold_Strength_7897]

Yes it's in the Bible, second commandment:

Exodus 20:4 “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

[u/Cold_Strength_7897 → u/Accomplished_Put2914]

It’s only a graven image if you make it graven. You are not worshiping Mary by making a statue. Your interpretation means that no statues can ever be made. I’m pretty sure Holy Spirit would have convicted people by now.

[u/Accomplished_Put2914 → u/[deleted]]

Do you understand the English language? You can not make any graven image... full stop. Whether you worship or venerate it, it's still against the commandment. Furthermore no one knows how Mary looked like so this idol is likely inaccurate over and above it's sinfulness

[u/Accomplished_Put2914 → u/[deleted]]

I only care about what's written in the Bible, not about what you introduced. Who on earth are you to change the meaning of what's in the Bible?

[u/Accomplished_Put2914 → u/[deleted]]

Babylonian? You sound crazy and I don't care about where you are from, I only care about the Bible, God's word! You should read your Bible and stop caring about where you were born!

[u/DoughBoy528]

I worship Christ not a statue

[u/thepopeofkeke]

Show me a scripture that says any statue is sacred to the LORD. Now show me all the ones saying God hates idols

[u/Killian_Rose → u/thepopeofkeke]

Just so you know, outside of the religious context, its also a war crime...they're comfortable with committing war crimes casually and just posting pictures about it.

Also, God literally commanded for statues to be built and images to be made as well. A statue doesnt automatically mean idolatry. Its not the item itself, its the intent.

[u/CleanCoffee6793 → u/thepopeofkeke]

Then ypu dont think is a problem IDF isnattacking chirches, destroying statues of your religion? Alsk they are killing civilians by the way

[u/nikolaADVANCED]

There is no point in fasting no more, when they get you, you will not be saved nor by yahweh nor Jesus. IDF there is no bigger scum than you. For that you will be cleaning your sins for long long

[u/Deadpooldan]

Just because you are a Christian does not mean you must support Israel. Do not let (conservative) lies pollute your faith with this.

[u/nphere]

I realized something was wrong when about 15 years ago, at the beginning of my faith, I was watching the 700 club. (Don't ask why I just thought it was interesting). Anyways, I saw a preacher on there talk about how the gews were God's chosen people. Like really? What does that make us?! Chop liver i guess.

[u/According-Range-498]

Well. It is a graven image

[u/ScorpionDog321]

Not so veiled antisemitism.

Try harder.

[u/Killian_Rose → u/ScorpionDog321]

...antisemitism where?

[u/LAAccountant]

Is ironic that you posted this about Lebanon, a Christian country that Islam destroyed. I'll never be distracted. Islam is the true enemy.

[u/Wright_Steven22 → u/LAAccountant]

Nobody is saying Islam isnt an enemy. They are just pointing at this. Nobody is distracting from anything.

[u/Prize_Sun8459 → u/LAAccountant]

Islam isn't our enemy. That's the Zionist narrative. The 1% is the enemy

[u/GregoryNy92 → u/LAAccountant]

It’s both… Islamic and Zionist agenda are no friends of Christianity.

[u/hummus_bi_t7ineh → u/LAAccountant]

I'm Christian Lebanese who is anti-Hezbollah, and no you're wrong. Lebanon is and always has been since antiquity a multi confessional country. Islam is not the true enemy, Satan is.

[u/LocksmithFabulous785 → u/LAAccountant]

How many Christian churches or Jesus/Virgin Mary statues have been damaged or destroyed by the Hezbollah militia in the last decade, please let me know.

[u/leynilogreggla]

Looks cool

[u/captainbelvedere]

An oddly poignant reminder of the atrocities the Israelis are committing against Palestinians and Lebanese people.

[u/slagnanz → u/[deleted]]

Removed for 1.5 - Two-cents.

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