Chavez kicks out "Jesus freaks"

[Amusing Scrotum]

From BBC News....


Originally posted by Chavez deadline for US preachers
The Venezuelan government has given a Christian missionary group from the US until Sunday to leave the country.

President Hugo Chavez has repeatedly called for the expulsion of the New Tribes Mission, saying they are American imperialists.

He has called them spies of the CIA and colonialists.

Most of the 160 evangelical preachers and their families have already gone back to the US, after he asked them to leave last October.

Only 30 New Tribes missionaries are still in Venezuela.

For the past 60 years, the New Tribes Mission, which has its world headquarters in Florida, has been trying to convert indigenous groups in Venezuela to Christianity.

It is a non-denominational Christian society which says it is only funded by private individuals, not by the US government.

Indigenous groups

The missionaries live and work in the remotest areas of the country, including the Amazon rainforest.

Their goal is find tribes untouched by so-called "civilisation" in order to convert them to Christianity.

So far New Tribes representatives have been preaching to 12 different indigenous groups here in Venezuela.

The group says in return for agreeing to adopt the Christian faith, the indigenous people receive basic health care and literacy classes.

But a spokesman for New Tribes has told the BBC all the missionaries have left the tribal areas to comply with the Venezuelan government's demands.

However this may not be enough for Venezuela's Interior Ministry, which has called for the missionaries to leave Venezuela altogether.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4705740.stm

Yay! :D

[More Fire for the People]

Unusual, seeing as Chavez himself is a Christian. Seems like he's trying to enforce his version of Christianity on the people.

[Red Heretic]

Diego, bullshit. American missionary groups seek to spread the influence of American imperialism. It has nothing to do with Chavez being some sort of "religious bigot."

Perhaps you agree with the conquistadoras coming in to Latin America, raping the people Latin American women, and forcing the people of Latin America to Christianity?

Or maybe you thought the crusades were good?

What about forcing Christianity of the people of Iraq and Afghanistan? Do you think that's a good thing?

It is imperialism under the thin vail of religion.

[More Fire for the People]

It's a "non-denominational Christian society", it's not as if they were forcing the natives to eat cheeseburgers and vote Republican. Chávez is a Roman Catholic — What religion were the conquistadoras? the crusades?

Chávez may be doing this out of respect for indigenous beliefs, but one must still remain skeptical of his motives as we must be skeptical of any leaders motives.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Chavez is a "Jesus freak". Listen (http://www.freepeoplesmovement.org/chavez.mp3) to the speech he delivered in New York last fall, he invokes Christ's name more times than a priest.

The premise is that many of these "missionaries" are actually working for the U.S. gov. That's why they've been booted.

[MexAmLeft]

Chavez isnt a marxist so why keep bringing up this religious angle, I dont mind somebody believing in Christ its believing in the catholic church that bothers me.As far as i know he is not aligned with the church in venezuela.

[bolshevik butcher]

Yes, he is a moderate christian, but he is pro gay and womens rights and it doesnt seem to stop him form ebing a socialist.

As for this i agree with red heretic( :unsure: ;) :o ), these people are clearly on a mission for U$ influence in Latin America.

[fernando]

Well its partly good that the missionaries are out, these tribes are not dependent on the Venezuelan government or these missionaries to survive, they should be allowed to live their own lives in their own way in their land. Now hope that the Venezuelan government doesnt go storming in there confiscating the land for its own profit (or the profit of Venezuela)

[Amusing Scrotum]

Originally posted by Red Heretic+--> (Red Heretic)It has nothing to do with Chavez being some sort of "religious bigot."[/b]

"Nothing"? ....that's a pretty bold statement and whilst the reason you offer seems the more likely, I wouldn't discount this explanation completely.


Originally posted by Red [email protected]
What about forcing Christianity of the people of Iraq and Afghanistan?

Huh? :huh:


CompaneroDeLibertad
Chavez is a "Jesus freak".

Yeah, it's a pity. :(

Anyway, I liked the story because he was booting out the pious - for whatever reason - and that is always a good thing! :D

[Tekun]

The fact that Chavez is a Christian or a "jesus freak" has nothing to do with America's perpetual aggression against Venezuela, in their attempt to overthrow his leftist gov

In the past, missionaries have been used to infiltrate and spy on foreign governments for America
And this is a preemptive move by Chavez, no matter what religion they are affilitated with

What I am appalled and at the same time confused is this:

The group says in return for agreeing to adopt the Christian faith, the indigenous people receive basic health care and literacy classes.

At first glance, its seems that the missionaries are offering them basic health care and literacy classes if they adopt Christianity, which I am disgusted by bkuz as non-Christians they are undeserving of these basic human services? <_<
Typical of the religious

Yet, I am somewhat confused bkuz Venezuela has a high literacy rate, I hope these ppl are part of the 1% that Venezuela claims is still illiterate
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2004/588/588p18.htm