[WillowTheWhisp]

My initial reaction to that is that the women were very silly indeed to "reward" muslim children with sweets for memorising Bible verses. As a Christian and member of an evangelising (not evangelical which is a denomination) church I strongly disapprove of any approach to children not in the presence of their parents. Even in this country that can lead to problems and conflict. When my daughter received phone calls from leaders of another church whom she'd met on a school camping trip and who tried then to entice her to join their church I was pretty miffed myself. When our missionaries have approached children on their own and tried to teach them anything or to get them to come to our church they've landed themselves in hot water. I know it happens when people get enthusiastic but any sensible adult should know better.

That doesn't mean I condone the reaction here which is WAY over the top and does seem as the article says to be using the situation as a political tool more than anything else. Tolerance in name only it would seem.

Why the heck do they want a separate Islamic state there when the population is majority muslim anyway? Are they really saying they would like to deport all non-muslims?

I don't know about anybody else but I found this last bit particularly disturbing:

# Christians helping in Aceh after the Boxing Day tsunami were asked to leave for “making Muslims uncomfortable”

Does that mean that if I see a drowning muslim I mustn't try to rescue them in case by doing so I make them feel uncomfortable? If the boot was on th other foot I would be grateful to whoever helped me. I bet they didn't ask them to take all the Christian donations with them when they left.

I think I'm getting quite cynical in my old age, but why on earth can't people just be thankful when others offer help, and agree to disagree on certain subjects but just get along with each other anyway?