Latest news with #WesternChristianity
Ya Libnan
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Did the Christian Conscience Die in Gaza, Op-Ed
'I don't know what you would call it other than mass starvation, and it's man-made, and that's very clear,' Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , Director-General of the World Health Organization told a virtual press conference from Geneva. By : Ya Libnan Editorial Board For generations, the Western world has proudly declared its commitment to Christian values—compassion, mercy, justice, and the sanctity of human life. These principles are preached in churches, taught in schools, and held up as the moral compass of society. But in the face of Gaza's unfolding humanitarian catastrophe, those values appear to have died. What we are witnessing in Gaza is not merely a conflict—it is a systematic destruction of an entire population. Over two million people, half of them children, are being starved, bombed, and displaced on their own land. Their homes have been reduced to ashes, their neighborhoods leveled, their schools and hospitals obliterated. Starvation has become a weapon of war. Families boil weeds to feed their children. Parents are gunned down while searching for food to keep their families alive. Human beings are dying—not just from bombs, but from hunger and thirst, right before the world's eyes. And as this hell unfolds, much of the Christian world remains silent—or worse, actively complicit . While Palestinians die of starvation, the West continues to flood Israel with weapons and ammunition, feeding the very machine responsible for this humanitarian catastrophe. It is not just inaction—it is participation. Here is the bitter truth: the moral failure of Western Christianity has become so grotesque, so absolute, that it makes ISIS look human by comparison . At least ISIS did not pretend to represent a higher moral standard. Today, those who proclaim the values of Christ are watching, even enabling, mass starvation and civilian slaughter—and calling it justified. Nearly every family in Gaza has been displaced, some multiple times. There is no refuge, no safe zone. Every place they flee to is eventually targeted. Entire generations have been erased, often in a single airstrike. Gaza is not just being destroyed—it is being erased. And through it all, Western pulpits grow more silent by the day. Where are the voices of Christian moral leadership? Where is the Vatican? Where are the bishops, the pastors, the priests who once marched for civil rights, stood up against apartheid, and denounced colonial wars? Gaza is calling. Will they answer? This is not just a political question—it is a spiritual reckoning . Christianity teaches us to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and comfort the afflicted . Yet today, those who claim to follow Christ remain unmoved as Gaza's people are starved , bombed, and left to die. The hypocrisy is staggering. Let us be clear: this is a test of Christian conscience. And so far, it is a test we are failing. Enough killing. Enough starvation. Enough complicity. If the Christian Church remains silent, it will share the shame of history. If it speaks out—clearly, bravely, and loudly—it might still help save lives and reclaim the moral authority it once held. It is time for churches around the world to rise—not in whispers, but in thunder. To demand an immediate end to the bombing, the blockade, and the genocide. To proclaim, without hesitation, that every human life matters —including Palestinian lives. Let the Christian conscience awaken—before it is buried alongside Gaza's children.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What's open Easter 2025? What to know about banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx in Florida
Sunday is Easter, one of the most important days of the year in the Christian faith and a happy day of chocolate for many others. The holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and for many people in the Christian faith, it follows a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, self-denial and giving known as Lent. Easter is on Sunday, April 20 this year. The date changes because it falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox (although Eastern and Western Christianity disagree over the computation). Some retail, restaurant and grocery store chains will be closed or have reduced hours on April 20, in celebration of the holiday. What about banks, post offices and shipping services? You may want to get your shipping and banking done by Saturday. Here's what you need to know this Easter weekend. United States Postal Service operations will proceed as normal on Sunday, April 20, the USPS confirmed in an emailed statement to USA TODAY. But residential and business mail will not be delivered, and USPS facilities will be closed for retail transactions, the same as every Sunday. However, Priority Mail Express is delivered 365 days a year, including on Sundays. Since Easter falls on a Sunday, banks that typically close on Sundays will also be closed on Easter Sunday as well. Most branches of Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC, Truist, JPMorgan Chase, and Citibank will be closed on April 20. Customers are encouraged to contact their local branch to confirm specific hours. Capital One told USA TODAY its branches and cafes will be operating at their normal scheduled hours on Good Friday and Easter. Customers can use the Capital One locator finder to find specific information for operating hours near them. UPS pickup and delivery services will not be available on Easter. UPS Store locations may be closed, according to the company's website. Check with your local store for specific hours of operation. However, if you have urgent shipping needs, UPS Express Critical service is available 365 days a year, according to the company's website. Call 1-800-714-8779 or visit for more information. You can find Florida UPS offices here. Most of FedEx's pickup and delivery services will not be available on Easter, according to the company's website. FedEx Office hours will also be modified, so it is best to check with your local store for their specific hours. FedEx has modified hours on Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19. FedEx Freight has modified service on Friday and is closed Saturday. FedEx offices are open both days. FedEx Custom Critical, however, is available 24/7, according to the company. You can find Florida FedEx office locations here. The Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange will be closed Friday, April 18, and reopen for normal hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday, April 21. The bond market closed early on Thursday at 2 p.m. ET and remained closed Friday, according to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association holiday schedule. It will reopen Monday at 8 a.m. ET. Markets were also closed Friday in London and EuroNext Paris but will be open Monday. Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo markets remained open. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Easter 2025: Hours for post offices, UPS and FedEx in Florida
