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It has now been more than a month since 276 girls were kidnapped from their
secondary school in Nigeria by members of Boko Haram, a violent Islamist
terrorist group that has been fighting in that African nation to overthrow its
government and establish an Islamist state ruled by sharia (Islamic
law). Dozens of the girls escaped during the April 14 abduction, but the group
is still holding well over 200 of them, plus another 11 girls it since captured
from a Nigerian village.Many of the girls taken are Christians, and most of those are members of the Ekklesia Yanua a Nigeria (the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria). Others are members of other Christian denominations, and some are Muslims. Boko Haram, whose actual name is "Party of the People of Tradition for Proselytism and Jihad," has since announced that all the girls have converted to Islam. Presumably, their captors gave them no choice.
In a released video, a leader of the terrorist group said the kidnappings were retaliation for Nigerian security forces nabbing the wives and children of group members. He said the captured girls would begin new lives as slaves. There is speculation that some may be farmed out as wives to group members.
Members of Boko Haram, which loosely translates as "Western education is sin" or "Non-Islamic education is sin," view non-Islamic education -- and almost any education of females -- as a threat to the way of life they seek to impose on Nigeria.
In a statement released in February, the leader of Boko Haram said, "We ... are fighting Christians wherever we meet them and those who believe in democracy, those who pursue Western education wherever we meet them. By Allah, we will kill whoever practices Democracy. ... All these infidels we are the ones killing them. We enjoy shedding their blood. The Koran must be supreme, we must establish Islam in this country; ... we will henceforth destroy any schools wherever we see them."
The group is responsible for more than 4,000 deaths so far in 2014, including hundreds of children, according to the Nigeria Security Tracker at the Council on Foreign Relations. While the current attack on a school involved kidnapping girls, in other attacks on schools, Boko Haram members have slaughtered boys. The publicity surrounding the kidnapping of the girls may make it appear that Boko Haram is particularly anti-female, but more broadly, the group is anti-Western education.
After the kidnapping, Boko Haram announced that the young women should not have been in school and should have been getting married instead.
The members of Boko Haram are not mainstream Muslims. In fact, they reportedly do not interact with the local Muslim population and have carried out assassinations in the past of anyone who criticizes their group, including Muslim clerics.
On Monday, the Boko Haram leader said he would release the girls in exchange for Boko Haram prisoners held by the Nigerian government. It's not clear yet whether that will happen.
Several countries, including the United States, have offered Nigeria assistance in locating the captives.
This is a developing story. Check the news for updates.
More on this story can be found at these links:
Timeline: Nigeria Schoolgirls Abduction. CBC News
Boko Haram: Why Terror Group Kidnaps Schoolgirls, and What Happens Next. CNN
What Gives Boko Haram Its Strength. CNN
What Prophet Muhammad Would Say to Boko Haram. Fox News
'We Enjoy Shedding Blood' -- Boko Haram Threatens .... Daily Post (Nigeria)
Michiana Ties to Kidnapped Nigerian Schoolgirls. WNDU
Boko Haram. Wikipedia
The Big Questions
1. Are there any circumstances when your deep religious conviction gives you the right to deprive someone else of their right of self-determination and force them to do your will? If so, when? If not, why not? Has there ever been a time when you felt your beliefs trumped someone else's position? Discuss how your answer applies to current controversies in American society.
2. When have you perceived secular education as a threat to faith? What are the strengths and weaknesses of faith unsupported by education?
3. How do you think about Christians who have concluded that faithfulness to God compels them to kill abortion doctors? When have you felt rage about the beliefs or actions of others, even if you didn't respond violently?
4. Is zeal a necessary component of the Christian life? If so, how should zeal for your Christian faith be demonstrated in your life? If not, why not?
5. How can we discern when our own beliefs and practices represent positive religious zeal and when they have crossed the line and become harmful to others (i.e., fanaticism)? What is the difference between your zeal and someone else's fanaticism?
6. The abduction of the schoolgirls has been well-publicized, with a resulting rise in sympathy and a justified urge to do something to help. Why might the publicity and response be so much greater for the kidnapped girls than it was for the similar number of boy students murdered by Boko Haram?
Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope
Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion:
John 16:2
They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. (For context, read 16:1-4.)
Acts 7:57-58
But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him ... (For context, read 7:51-60.)
Acts 9:1-2
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. (For context, read 9:1-20.)
In several places, the Bible talks about or alludes to zealousness or passion in faith, which can be defined as "enthusiastic devotion to God and Christ, and tireless work toward furthering the faith." But the Bible distinguishes between good and evil zeal.
The three passages above are examples of evil zeal. The John 16 verse is part of the warning Jesus gave his disciples of the persecution that was to come. Note that those who would kill them would do so out of religious zeal, thinking "they are offering worship to God."
The Acts 7 verses describe the action of certain Jews who became enraged at the preaching of Stephen, and then stoned him because they heard his words as an attack on their faith.
The Acts 9 verses describe the pre-conversion Saul/Paul, who thought he was doing a good thing for the synagogues by arresting Christians. In Philippians 3:6, Paul even sets his zeal as persecutor of the church and his "righteousness under the law" side by side, as if to say they were one and the same thing.
Questions: What do you think caused these people to conclude that their actions were righteous? Does one have to have a certain personality type to carry one's faith to the point of doing violence toward others? Is there anything that can stop religious extremism? What are the main differences, if any, between "religious" extremism and other forms of extremism (e.g., naziism, Red Brigades)?
Romans 12:11
Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. (For context, read 12:9-21.)
In Romans 12, Paul speaks about the kind of zeal that is truly righteous, and in the context verses, he spells out what he means: "Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. ... Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ..."
That kind of zeal is a blessing.
Questions: What is the difference between zealously blessing those who persecute you and doing it halfheartedly? How might a guest perceive your hospitality if you offer it only because "it's the Christian thing to do"?
Hebrews 6:10-12
For God ... will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (For context, read 6:9-12.)
Here the writer of Hebrews urges Christians to retain the right kind of zeal. He doesn't use that word per se, but he warns them not to "become sluggish," which can be an indication of lacking zeal. Still, the writer is not calling for extremism as we define that today.
Questions: When have you experienced a feeling of spiritual sluggishness? What, if anything, have you done to rouse yourself? What message for yourself do you hear in this text?
Genesis 16:3, 6
Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her slave-girl, and gave her to her husband Abram as a wife. ... Abram said to Sarai, "Your slave-girl is in your power; do to her as you please." Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she ran away from her. (For context, read 16:1-6.)
Boko Haram at one point stated that the kidnapped girls would be sold in the market, and there has been speculation that they would be sold specifically for the purpose of sex trafficking. With that in mind, the story of Hagar perhaps applies.
When Sarai was unable to bear a child, she offered her Egyptian slave-girl to her husband as a wife in order to have a child by her. (At a later date, the wives of her grandson Jacob, Leah and Rachel, did the same with their slave-women Zilpah and Bilhah.) When Hagar became pregnant, she "looked with contempt on her mistress" (v. 4). Sarai complained to Abram and treated Hagar so harshly that Hagar ran away.
While we sometimes assume that it is usually males who exploit females, this passage demonstrates that enslaving and abusing others occurs in other kinds of relationships, including females against females, although in this case, with the cooperation of a man in a patriarchal society that condoned slavery to begin with.
Questions: Were Hagar, Zilpah and Bilhah in effect victims of sexual exploitation? Why do you think the experiences of these women are included in the Bible? What would you say if you could take a time machine back to Abram's time and address the patriarch about his practices that seem to amount to sexual abuse? Are you willing to confront people about language and attitudes that constitute verbal violence toward women?
Luke 10:38-39
Now as they went on their way, [Jesus] entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. (For context, read 10:38-42.)
By the custom of that society, Mary, as a female, had no business sitting at the feet of a visiting man and listening, yet Jesus approves of her place there. In some societies today, women are likewise excluded from the main action of life.
There are several examples in which Jesus ignores the restrictions imposed by his society that privilege men over women. He treats Mary as a disciple in this text, and converses with a Samaritan woman in the gospel of John, for instance.
Questions: How do you think Jesus would look upon the education of girls around the world today? Why? Ought it to be a goal in our churches to support such efforts?
For Further Discussion
1. Respond to this, from TWW team member Frank Ramirez, who is a Church of the Brethren pastor. He tells us that "the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, whose school was attacked, was originally founded by missionaries but is now an autonomous church. Church leaders have been killed and homes and churches destroyed by groups like Boko Haram. Church leaders (I'm not using any names because of possibility of reprisals) continue to encourage members to respond with love and not violence. One bishop told us last year at the Brethren World Assembly in Ohio that when some young men from his church burned down a mosque, he sent them back to rebuild it. It is also worth noting that Islamic terrorists have killed more Muslims than any other people they've killed."
2. Do you allow yourself to be in situations where the majority of people present have beliefs different from yours? Are you willing to listen to someone else's viewpoint? What are the limits to your tolerance of another's viewpoints?
3. When does one person's faith or beliefs cross a line beyond which what they do is indefensible? Give examples.
4. Read Judges 11:30-40. Is this an example of zeal gone too far? Why or why not?
Responding to the News
Below are the names of the schoolgirls known to be kidnapped in the school raid by Boko Haram. Suggest that your church pick a few girls from this list each day and pray for them until they are returned home.
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Deborah Abge Christian Awa Abge Hauwa Yirma Asabe Manu Mwa Malam Pogu Patiant Dzakwa Saraya Mal. Stover Mary Dauda Gloria Mainta Hanatu Ishaku Gloria Dama Tabitha Pogu Maifa Dama Ruth Kollo Esther Usman Awa James Anthonia Yahonna Kume Mutah Aisha Ezekial Nguba Buba Kwanta Simon Kummai Aboku Esther Markus Hana Stephen Rifkatu Amos Rebecca Mallum Blessing Abana Ladi Wadai Tabitha Hyelampa Ruth Ngladar Safiya Abdu Na'omi Yahonna Salomi Titus Rhoda John Rebecca Kabu |
Christy Yahi Rebecca Luka Laraba John Saratu Markus Mary Usman Debora Yahonna Naomi Zakaria HanatuMusa Hauwa Tella Juliana Yakubu Suzana Yakubu Saraya Paul Jummai Paul Mary Sule Jummai John Yanke Shittima Muli Waligam Fatima Tabji Eli Joseph Saratu Emmanuel Deborah Peter Rahila Bitrus Luggwa Sanda Kauna Lalai Lydia Emmar Laraba Maman Hauwa Isuwa Confort Habila HauwaAbdu Hauwa Balti Yana Joshua Laraba Paul Saraya Amos Glory Yaga Na'omi Bitrus Godiya Bitrus |
Awa Bitrus Na'omi Luka Maryamu Lawan Tabitha Silas Mary Yahona Ladi Joel Rejoice Sanki Luggwa Samuel Comfort Amos Saraya Samuel Sicker Abdul Talata Daniel Rejoice Musa Deborah Abari Salomi Pogu Mary Amor Ruth Joshua Esther John Esther Ayuba Maryamu Yakubu Zara Ishaku Maryamu Wavi Lydia Habila Laraba Yahonna Na'omi Bitrus Rahila Yahanna Ruth Lawan Ladi Paul Mary Paul Esther Joshua Helen Musa Margret Watsai Deborah Jafaru Filo Dauda Febi Haruna Ruth Ishaku |
Racheal Nkeki Rifkatu Soloman Mairarna Yahaya Saratu Dauda Jinkai Yama Margret Shettima Yana Yidau Grace Paul AminaAli Palmata Musa Awagana Musa Pindar Nuhu Yana Pogu Saraya Musa Hauwa Joseph Hauwa Kwakwi Hauwa Musa Maryarnu Musa Maimuna Usman Rebeca Joseph Liyatu Habitu Rifkatu Yakubu Naomi Philimon Deborah Abbas Ladi Ibrahim Asabe Ali Maryamu Bularna Ruth Amos Mary Ali Abigail Bukar Deborah Amos Saraya Yanga Kauna Luka Christiana Bitrus Yana Bukar Hauwa Peter |
Hadiza Yakubu Lydia Simon Ruth Bitrus Mary Yakubu Lugwa Mutah Muwa Daniel Hanatu Nuhu Monica Enoch Margret Yama Doeas Yakubu Rhoda Peter Rifkatu Galang Saratu Ayuba Naomi Adamu Hauwa lshaya Rahap Ibrahim Deborah Soloman Hauwa Mutah Hauwa Takai Serah Samuel Aishatu Musa Aishatu Grema Hauwa Nkeki Hamsatu Abubakar Mairama Abubakar Hauwa Wule Ihyi Abdu Hasana Adamu Rakiya Kwamtah Halima Gamba Aisha Lawan Kabu Malla Yayi Abana Falta Lawan Kwadugu Manu |
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