Battleangel

There are few things a dislike more than proselytizing religions. And religious groups doing relief work. Not that it is novel in any way. But times are changing and we need to leave those dark ages behind us. It is imperative that relief organizations have liberal, neutral and secular values at heart and that is a far cry from the vultures that are flocking disaster sites around the world trying to scope out vulnerable people and increase their sphere of influence. By they Christians or Scientologists.

Australian - TENSIONS between fundamentalist Muslims and Western aid workers have begun to erupt in Aceh as the tsunami-devastated Indonesian province slowly recovers.

Islamic activists have claimed that aid workers are secretly attempting to convert Muslims to Christianity, pointing particularly to World Vision, Aceh Relief, the International Catholic Mission and Church World Service.

And Western women have been sent threatening text messages, warning them not to be seen on the beach in swimming costumes, “or else”.

Rumours swirl in Aceh of conversions from Islam to Christianity, of plans to undermine Islam with largesse from Christian charities and of a secret Christian agenda of seemingly innocuous aid organisations.