It's a shame that Christians would act this way...
, but to me it seems even more of a shame that the responsible bishops aren't dealing effectively with this problem.
For one thing, while it is certainly inappropriate to upbraid one's own people publicly, a public apology is still in order due to the public offense.
Then, in private, would it not be appropriate for a bishop to say something like this:
OK, let's get this straight--under NO circumstances does any of us lift a finger against any of them. Our whole purpose is to bear witness to Christ, GOT IT? If you get injured, it's in witness to Christ; if you get killed, it's in witness to Christ. If you cannot do this, I'll just have to see if I can find someone who can, because if you do everything else right and fail in this--you've failed. We're in an environment here where our actions are visible to many non-Christians, who delight in seeing these shenanigans which help to confirm in their minds that they're right and we're wrong--is that what you want to do? Because if it is, I'd rather be them than you on Judgment Day.
Perhaps it's because of my military background, but this seems to make sense to me.
Peace,
Deacon Richard
