The meaning of something is often determined by what precedes it and what follows it. It also is the case that good motives often have unintended negative consequences.

It recently has become popular to show footage of new Christians being baptized in Iraq. We are given the impression, since the baptizers are obviously Western Caucasians, that the gospel is somehow making its way to that predominantly Muslim land for the first time. The implication is that a new state of things has finally made all of this possible. Au contraire.

Preceding the recent invasion of Iraq and the toppling of Saddam Hussein, Iraq already had about 800,000 Christians. These were mostly members of the ancient Chaldean Catholic Church.

As Saddam held tyrannical sway over a secular state and would not countenance religious extremism, all religious expressions were protected equally -- including Christianity. Muslims and Christians lived side by side for generations in peace and calm, and churches existed all over Iraq, often tucked away in neighborhoods.

Before the 2003 invasion, I had an unusual experience. At the time, I was serving as the pastor of a congregation in St. Louis. By a strange twist of circumstance, I was invited to join other religious leaders in the community to extend hospitality to the visiting Chaldean Catholic bishop of (where else?) Baghdad.

In open and frank conversations, he shared his fears of what would most likely happen if the invasion proceeded, Saddam was toppled, and post-Saddam chaos ensued. Without justifying any of the former dictator's behavior or policies, this is what he said to us that day:

"If this happens, and Saddam is unseated, and forces occupy our land, the former animosities of the Muslim sects will explode, pandemonium will ensue, and radical foreign influences will flood into Iraq," he said. "What's worse for Christians, we will not only be unprotected, but we will be associated with the predominantly Christian invaders from the West. They will lump us together with them, even though we are Iraqis. And because of that, they will target us."

The good bishop's worst fears came true.

Christian places of business were targeted, churches were bombed, and Christians were forced to go underground. Hundreds of thousands of Christians with the means to do so fled the country, seeking asylum wherever it could be found.

Of course, many Iraqis were already in exile, fleeing political persecution of one kind or the other. But after the invasion, a massive exodus of the region's Christians occurred, contributing to the ongoing Christian departure from the Middle East.

An observation and a caution for us Christians from the West:

First, let us not delude ourselves -- the Christian faith is present in Iraq and has been for centuries. Let us put aside our grandiose notions. The proper relationship to brothers and sisters in this situation is a prayerful support of what they are enduring. In this case, it is important to not usurp, to not ride in as saviors, but rather to support them in their struggle.

Second, when well-meaning Christians from the West go about their evangelistic efforts and publicly baptize Iraqis, this only confirms the perception of a Christian alliance with the West. You are reinforcing a perception that leads to the targeting of Iraqi Christians in general.

It is much better to support the Chaldean Catholic Church and other indigenous churches that are already there. Let us keep our white faces and Western congregations out of it. Though it makes us feel like we are doing something important, we unintentionally harm those we wish to help.

The first moral of the story is that things are not always what they seem. The second is like unto it: The most well-intended actions can make things worse, and often do. It's good to know the difference.

By Tim Carson
www.star-telegram.com