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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#1364074
It wasn't very serious, we just had to send in warriors with shields and clubs to beat these irrational nuts off each other.
1/7/2012 4:36:12 AM
#1364100
SpukiKitty
These bozos are a disgrace! You're at the alledged BIRTHPLACE of the most important guy in your religion....one who taught beautiful things about charity & love....a place most sacred....a place of peace, meditation, reverance, solace, beauty & prayer....and you brawl like the cast of "West Side Story"! And to top it all off YOU'RE SUPPOSED "MEN OF GOD"...PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE THE MOST INCLINED TO TREAT THE PLACE WITH REVERENCE! Can't these bozos COOPERATE & SHARE?! Can't they both OWN THE PLACE EQUALLY?! Sharing & Joint Ownership, very simple to comprehend concepts, is alien to them! Same hold true for the Holyland, itself. Why is it so hard to have Israelis & Palenstinians own & run things equally?!!! GAH! THE STOOOOOOOPPPPIDDD!!! IT BUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!
1/7/2012 8:54:08 AM
#1364270
Agahnim
Uh... WTF?
1/7/2012 4:27:46 PM
#1364406
This reminds me a bit like that fighting scene (between the Judean People's Front and People's Front of Judea) in Life of Brian.
SPLITTERS!
1/8/2012 6:30:39 AM
#1364458
pretty puppy
"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.
Bwahhhhhh, hah ha hah ha hahahhahahhahahahhahahahahahahah!!!!!!!
*catches breath and wipes tears*
Bwahhahahahahahhahahahahahha
At least it is trivial though, and I have heard about them fighting before. I even saw a video once I believe, a straight up brawl with several dozen involved, and ya'll, they were in their priestly regalia.
1/8/2012 9:06:19 AM
#1365303
Selkie
I was writing "Please tell me someone got video of the broom battle".
They did. Where's the popcorn?
1/11/2012 12:21:44 PM
#1365637
Shadoboy
Not really fundie, but amusing as heck.
1/12/2012 11:11:32 PM
#1369291
Amadaun
Oh my oh my! Geeking out to one thousand! This mirrors institutionalized clerical practices in medieval Spain vis-a-vis the Jewish quarters during Lent! Squeeee.
Only instead it's Christian branches marking out territory. With brooms. I actually find this old-fashioned form of violent self-expression vaguely heart-warming. Modern weaponry and culture has raised the stakes of violent confrontation so much there's usually no place for the kind of brawl that used to be normal. Guess this is the kind of place you should expect still to see it.
1/27/2012 2:12:07 AM
#1369292
Amadaun
Oh my oh my! Geeking out to one thousand! This mirrors institutionalized clerical practices in medieval Spain vis-a-vis the Jewish quarters during Lent! Squeeee.
Only instead it's Christian branches marking out territory. With brooms. I actually find this old-fashioned form of violent self-expression vaguely heart-warming. Modern weaponry and culture has raised the stakes of violent confrontation so much there's usually no place for the kind of brawl that used to be normal. Guess this is the kind of place you should expect still to see it.
1/27/2012 2:14:43 AM
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