Quote# 85497
Scuffles have broken out between rival groups of Greek Orthodox and Armenian clerics in a turf war at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.
Bemused tourists looked on as about 100 priests fought with brooms while cleaning the church in preparation for Orthodox Christmas, on 7 January.
Palestinian police armed with batons and shields broke up the clashes.
Groups of priests have clashed before in the church, built on the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born.
"It was a trivial problem that... occurs every year," Bethlehem police Lt-Col Khaled al-Tamimi told Reuters.
"No one was arrested because all those involved were men of God," he said.
Nobody was seriously injured in the scuffles, according to the police.
Previous clashes between the denominations which share the administration of the church have been sparked by perceived encroachments on one group's territory by another.
Priests in Bethlehem,
BBC News 59 Comments [1/6/2012 4:11:13 AM]
Fundie Index: 32
Submitted By: Elliott
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#1363738
Prager
"No one was arrested because all those involved were men of God,"
If anything, that is a perfect reason to lock them up in an asylum to the wantonly deranged.
1/6/2012 4:20:36 AM
#1363746
Nerikull
They were fighting with brooms? What, did someone call shenanigans?
(+20 points if you get that)
1/6/2012 5:23:18 AM
#1363748
Funny, but I voted meh.
1/6/2012 5:30:26 AM
#1363751
They were men of God?. Not for the other cheeck stuff, obviously.
1/6/2012 5:35:03 AM
#1363752
Zimmer
If two religions can settle their differences with brooms instead of guns, I'm satisfied.
1/6/2012 5:35:15 AM
#1363754
Dr.Shrinker
At least this time the priests were attacking each other and not each others parishioners.
1/6/2012 5:39:47 AM
#1363755
Kinderklein
Encroachment od territory = a ladder had been placed partially on the "wrong side".
1/6/2012 5:40:55 AM
#1363778
Doubting Thomas
"No one was arrested because all those involved were men of God," he said.
How nice. A get out of jail free card. If anything, being a "man of God" and involved in a fight should automatically land you in jail, because as a "man of God" you're supposed to be held to higher standards. But maybe they're just men of the Old Testament God who constantly fought & slaughtered people.
1/6/2012 7:08:21 AM
#1363784
Noneofyourbusiness
That's really pathetic. The priestly equivalent of football hooligans. Someone break out the Jesus!Facepalm.
1/6/2012 7:30:01 AM
#1363786
Raised by Horses
1/6/2012 7:32:41 AM
#1363789
Brendan Rizzo
Wait, so priests are above the law now? There is truly no hope for that area.
Seriously, why must any one Christian group own the Church of the Nativity? If it's one of the holiest sites in Christianity, that means, logically, that it should be open to all Christians. Can't they just cooperate, or at least have a rotating schedule, for crying out loud?!
1/6/2012 7:38:51 AM
#1363796
Horsefeathers
"'No one was arrested because all those involved were men of God,' he said."
And?
"Previous clashes between the denominations which share the administration of the church have been sparked by perceived encroachments on one group's territory by another."
If you were really "men of God" then you'd know what you're supposed to do. Read your Old Testament. There's fairly detailed instructions about invading territory held by heathens, wiping them out, and claiming it for your own.
1/6/2012 7:56:22 AM
#1363801
Blue_J
If I remember correctly, this has become sort of a tradition at the Church of the Nativity.
1/6/2012 8:04:15 AM
#1363810
navelgazer
*points & laughs*
Next time add cartoon sound effects and wacky musice.
1/6/2012 8:17:17 AM
#1363831
Comrade Potatovich
Holy turfwars, Batman!
1/6/2012 8:40:52 AM
#1363847
\m/>_<\m/
at first i was lol...
then i read it again...
and i lolled :-D
1/6/2012 8:54:41 AM
#1363854
Big Jilm
Now that's some youtube vids we need to see.
1/6/2012 8:58:19 AM
#1363870
Aw shit boys, get your crucifixes out. The Southside Baptists be stepping up on our turf.
1/6/2012 9:15:19 AM
#1363872
breakerslion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNxCvDYpmxE
1/6/2012 9:16:25 AM
#1363878
Osiris
Jesus died so men of his faith would fight each other to the death every year with brooms in the town of his birth over what day he was born. And that makes baby Jesus cry.
1/6/2012 9:21:24 AM
#1363891
And if they´re not men of God they´re not extended the same courtesy?. Talk about justice.
1/6/2012 9:36:12 AM
#1363908
BlackMageJ
Repeat, I've definitely seen this one bef... oh, it happened again. And there's video footage this time! Hooray!
http://www.fstdt.net/QuoteComment.aspx?QID=32945
(Let's do the time warp again)
1/6/2012 10:03:01 AM
#1363909
Stonespiral
I about died laughing when I saw some of the footage of this one the news. Idiots obviously have no concept of how to treat a sacred space.
1/6/2012 10:04:31 AM
#1363910
Berny
Were they taking turns "Turning the other cheek?"
1/6/2012 10:05:58 AM
#1363919
Comrade Potatovich
Here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shFA_H8e11E
1/6/2012 10:39:34 AM
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