Lord's Resistance Army: Rise of Christian Terror

[Enhancer]

LRA and Joseph Kony: Birth of Modern Christian Terrorism

The International Criminal Court in Hague recently issued arrest warrant for Joseph Kony and many of his cohorts on charges of killing, raping and robbing civilians and kidnapping children to use as fighters or slaves

Just think of Joseph Kony as a christian version of Osama Bin Laden, only with a well trained and mechanized army of some 200,000 that happens to control more than half of Uganda, and happen to be on a militant quest to baptize Africa. Did I mention this guy is batshit crazy yet maintains the support of many western governments? Or that his movement and similar ones in the region were funded by American churchgoers and christian clergy during the 1980s? It probably still is. I am looking at you, Des Moines, Iowa.

I think the word "christian" in the paragraph above is probably the reason name Joseph Kony is so obscure.

Here is some info on Joseph Kony from Wikipedia:

"Joseph Kony is the primary leader of a guerilla paramilitary group called the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), engaged in a violent campaign to establish a theocratic government in Uganda purportedly based on the Bible and the Ten Commandments. A high-school dropout, he made his first appearance in January of 1987, at age 26. His group was one of many millenarian groups that sprang up in Acholiland in the wake of the wildly popular Holy Spirit Movement of Alice Auma. The primary spirit said to be channeled at this time was Juma Oris, formerly a government minister under President Idi Amin who at the time was leading the rebel West Nile Bank Front in the northwestern Uganda."

"Kony claims to be a spirit medium. One of his assertions is that one of his mentors is the spirit of a Chinese general. He is also known to be a practicing polygamist."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Kony

Since the rebellion began in the 1980s, some 30,000 children have been abducted to work as child soldiers and porters, or to serve as “wives” of rebels and bear their children. These numbers have soared, with 10,000 children abducted in the past 18 months alone.
»www.un.org/events/tenstories/story.asp..

UNICEF estimates that the LRA abducted approximately 12,000 children since June 2002, in addition to the estimated 18,000 abducted between 1986 and 2002.
»www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/..

They kidnap children as young as 7 or 8, and use them either for combat or sex depending on gender. Up to 30,000 children have disappeared so far. This is one of the primary reasons International Criminal Court wants LRA members arrested.

A quote from ICC website: "On 13 October 2005, Pre-Trial Chamber II unsealed the warrants of arrest for five senior leaders of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) for Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes committed in Uganda since July 2002."

Crimes committed by Joseph Kony easily surpass anything Osama and his "affiliates" have done or have been accused of doing, yet his name is relatively obscure in the western world. His "Lord's Resistance Army" is a rather large and sophisticated force that primarily consists of psychotic and illiterate Christians bent on continent-wide genocide of all undesirables. Based on numbers and casualty statistics, if Osama lived two hundred years he could not commit more atrocities in scale and horror Joseph Kony has already committed. Yet his name is simply not known among the western enlightened and reformed masses.

It's worth pointing out that LRA is not the only christian terrorist armed force in the region, and sure as heck not the only one on the planet. Southern Sudanese terrorist militias are one example. Much like the situation in Liberia, many armed factions, tribes, and christian terrorist organizations (CTOs) are engaged in fighting, and sometimes end up fighting each other.

[elehhhhna]

1. " one of his mentors is the spirit of a Chinese general." Jeb's SHANG,

I presume?

[SteppingRazor]

2. Ahem. That's Chang.

Please. Get your ancient, invincible conservative warriors straight! :evilgrin:

[GrpCaptMandrake]

5. And all this time

I thought Jebbie was idolizing the Christopher Plummer Klingon character from "The Undiscovered Country!"

:dunce:

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Could be shades of the Taiping Rebellion

Probably the biggest civil war the world has ever seen.

In the Taiping rebellion alone, which lasted for twenty years, almost twenty to thirty million died as a direct result of the conflict.
...
Hung Hsiu-ch'üan was the son of a poor farmer near Canton. He was a promising young student, but repeatedly failed the civil service examination in Canton. After one such failure, he overheard a Christian missionary speaking and brought home several Christian treatises. The next year he again failed the exam and, according to some historians, had a nervous breakdown. Whatever happened, Hung had several visions in which an old man told him that people had stopped worshipping him and were worshipping demons; in another, the man appointed him as a slayer of demons. Hung believed that the man in the visions was God the Father and that a younger, middle aged man that visited him in visions was Jesus Christ, his Elder Brother. He himself was the Younger Brother and had been sent by God to earth in order to eradicate demons and demon worship.

Hung, however, did nothing with these visions until seven years later when he began to study with Issachar J. Roberts, a Southern Baptist minister who taught him everything he would know about Christianity. With the Christianity of Roberts, Hung, some relatives, and some followers formed a new religious sect, the God Worshippers, that dedicated itself to the destruction of idols in the region around Canton.

The movement attracted followers for a variety of reasons. Western historians argue that the famines of the 1840's inspired the Chinese to join various movements that were successfully feeding and taking care of themselves. Chinese historians stress the anti-Manchu rhetoric of Hung's early movement. While the God Worshippers were dedicated to the destruction of idols and the stamping out of demon worship, it's clear that they felt that the Manchu rulers were the primary propagators of demon worship. In Hung's early philosophy, he seems to have arrived at the conclusion that the overthrow of the Manchus would help bring in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

The movement, however, did not become open revolt until the government started to harass the God Worshippers systematically. Combined with his belief that the Kingdom of Heaven would be established on the ruins of the Manchu government, the God Worshippers were also militantly organized to destroy and eliminate demon worship. In the late 1840's, Hung reorganized his movement into a military organization. He and other leaders systematically began to build up a treasury (all believers had to give their property to the movement), consolidate forces, and lay up a store of weapons. In December of 1850, Hung was attacked by government forces and, since he had spent so much time preparing for war, he successfuly turned back the attack. In 1851, Hung declared that a new kingdom had been established, the Kingdom of Heavenly Peace; he himself was the Heavenly King and the era of the Taiping, or "Great Peace," had begun.

http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/CHING/TAIPING.HTM

Southern Baptists, don't you love 'em?

[Enhancer]

7. We do not need to look to history. This is happening now.

We do not need to look to history. This is happening now. Kony, LRA and the rest are very uncomfortable topics for many. Extremely taboo for the rest. Many are simply unable to cope, especially if it conflicts with their core beliefs.

[The Magistrate]

8. The Problem With Your Presentation, Sir

Is that it is quite clear that a great many of the beliefs evidenced by this creature and his movement do not sit easily with Christianity as generally contrued. Spirit mediumship and the like are beyoind the bounds of the Christian cultus. This thing is clearly a syncretism amalgamating existing shamanistic beliefs and a very thin verneer of Christian phraseology, and as such, can hardly be charged against Christianity itself.

[Enhancer]

11. That is christianity in a nutshell.

Missionaries doing extremely poor job (Subjective maybe? What would be considered a good job?), and tending to insert pieces of their personal beliefs and lore did what it did, and quite well. It was really about dogmatic split between Roman Catholic and the Orthodox churches and their race to convert the world to their brand of Christianity. Regardless, they are all in fact Christian as is Joseph Kony, and as are all the other CTOs in the region. CTOs that continue to pillage, rape and commit atrocities on tremendous scale. Yet their deeds are rarely if ever reported.

When was the last time you heard LRA, Kony, or any of the CTOs being discussed on major American television network, or European one for that matter? Being discussed for any earnest length of time? Personally, I never heard anything on American networks. European? I watch BBC nightly. Rarely miss it. In the last few years or so, that I can recall, I do not remember hearing Kony's name but twice. Once recently when the ICC arrest warrants were announced, and I think once earlier this year (April-May?). Yet LRA's crimes, if body counts are of any consequence, far exceed crimes committed by practically all of the other more popular groups put together.

[The Magistrate]

13. The Reason That You Do Not Hear Much About It, Sir

Is, put bluntly, that these crimes take place in a backwater, that has no strategic or economic value to the rest of the world, and in which beastliness of sundry varieties has long been accepted as a matter of course by casual observers. This is a ghastly unfairness, but it is the state of affairs that pertains.

This particular blend has no connection with the split between Roman and Greek Catholicism, nor even anything to do with the Catholic and Protestant divide. It is simply an instance of people seeking ideas that will further their own power, by providing a supply of people mentally equipped to obey and be unafraid of death in the cause.

[Enhancer]

14. Egotism? I don't think so.

You say "has no strategic or economic value to the rest of the world". That is not exactly correct. While central and eastern Africa is no Saudi Arabia when it comes to mineral riches, nations in the region do posses rich mineral deposits including diamonds, gold, and uranium to name a few. Strategic? Proximity to Middle East (one hour flight time from Kampala to Mecca), and the religious composition of the region do make it strategically and tactically important to certain political movements for obvious reasons.

Regardless, that doesn't stop western press from reporting various conflicts from Sri Lanka to the jungles of Philippines. Where is the profit in reporting Sri Lankan conflict, or the relatively unheard conflict in Nepal? In fact, both Nepal and Sri Lanka are perfect examples. Both are very isolated nations, one an island, other a nation located in mountain ranges of Himalayas. In fact, both of these nations lack any "strategic or economic value to the rest of the world", at least when compared to central and eastern Africa. Yet both conflict are relatively well covered in western press, especially European, when compared to LRA and troubles in Uganda. Aren't there juicer conflicts to be covered, including the obvious ones, from the standpoint of journalism, and ultimately profit? Who are the perpetrators and who are the victims? Is it really profit and egotism?

I want to clarify, geographic location of the nations named above is only important in the way it relates to their ethnic and/or religious make-up and significance it has when it comes to western media.

[nemo137]

18. I've seen one or two stories, spaced months apart, from Sri Lanka

and Nepal.

I see a ridiculously small amount of Africa coverage in the American media as it is.

I somehow doubt there is a massive Christian conspiracy to keep the LRA out of the papers. It's a problem with U.S. news coverage.

[BanzaiBonnie]

3. Does that mean that anyone who contributes money

to this insane, international criminal might be brought up on charges of supporting terrorism?

[rkc3]

4. You are only a terrorist if you are a non-christian.

At least that's what I learned while watching Fox.

[ButterflyBlood]

9. yes

LRA is classified as a terrorist organization by the US State Deapartment.

[ButterflyBlood]

10. LRA does NOT have the support of many western governments

As stated above, it is classified as a terrorist organization by the US. I would be interested in knowing which western governments support LRA as you claim. LRA's primary source of support all these years has not been any western nation or American churchgoers, but rather Sudan. Sudan and Uganda have for a long time fought essentially a war by proxy, with Uganda supporting rebel groups in southern Sudan, and Sudan retaliating by supporting LRA and other rebel groups in Uganda, even if the religion is different from Sudan's Islamist government.

Not even the most crazy of western fundies would support Kony, largely because his claims actually go against fundie beliefs, channeling spirits of the dead and the type of shamanism he engages in is considered essentially consorting with the devil to them.

[Enhancer]

12. LRA, SPLA, and the rest.

When the war broke out in Sudan between the North (government) and South (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army - a CTO) in 1983, the SPLM/A(CTO) received support from Uganda and was armed and trained by the Ugandan government. As a counter-strategy, the Sudanese government supported reactionary elements within Ugandan government by promising them the sky if they topple the Ugandan government, which later in turn destabilized and forced Uganda to in a way, tend to its own affairs. From this chaos LRA as well as many other CTOs were born. Although, their predecessors in some form or another existed since the 1960s. Ugandan relations with Sudan have improved by leaps and bounds, as the recent joint military operation "Iron Fist" demonstrated.

LRA bases of operation that were established in Sudan, were in fact established on SPLA territory in Eastern Equatoria with explicit permission of SPLA commanders. This territory was not under control of Khartoum, but SPLA. SPLA(CTO) aided another CTO from Uganda (LRA) by giving it safe haven where Ugandan military could not reach it. This did not work out as planned. Ugandan military, with permission from Khartoum wiped these camps out in 2001-2002, greatly reducing LRA presence in south Sudan.

Ugandan officials in the past claimed it was the French, Soviets, and the Sudanese who were funding the LRA. There is no proof for any of these claims of course.

Also, you will notice that all of the works and information out there pertaining to Sundanese support of LRA comes from few specific sources. First would be, Thomas Ofcansky, a former State Department employee and current employee of US Defense Intelligence Agency. Take that any way you will. He has written many papers and reports which are largely based on "anonymous intelligence sources" as well as on testimonies of members of certain specific Ugandan ethnic, political, and religious groups. Which brings us to the second most popular source of such claims, and that would be various Ugandan opposition groups. Specifically, various para-military christian minority groups in central and northern Uganda. As well as many other similar groups.

Sudanese did encourage various political opposition groups within Uganda, including local communists, but there is no proof of actual material aid to any of them, beyond promises of recognition.

Just during the last 15 years the US supplied over $200+ million in arms and training to central and a eastern African nations, with foreknowledge that large chunk of those arms would end up in hands of terrorist organizations like LRA or SPLA. In addition US passed the “Sudan Peace Act“ in 2002, which was used deviously by US government in funding SPLA, directly. SPLA of course being a well known terrorist para-military force.

Many North American, European, or otherwise Christian “humanitarian” groups funded and continue to fund LRA, SPLA and other Ugandan and southern Sudanese CTOs directly. Ever heard of Disciples of Christ with their SPLA/LRA fundraisers, or Canada's Crossroads Christian Ministries?

As for the single most important sign of western backing for LRA? They are not getting bombed into oblivion even though the scope of their crimes exceeds crimes committed by all similar and more popular groups put together.

[catbert836]

15. This happens anywhere

that people think they speak on behalf of god, and what that higher power wants is up to them to carry out. It's called religious insanity. Remember, when god is on your side, you can't be wrong. It's a very powerful position to be in.

[Enhancer]

16. No. It doesn't exactly happen anywhere. Quite obviously.

[catbert836]

17. Read my full response, please.

n/t