VOA标准英语2014--Concern Over Attacks on Middle East Christians Grows in Washington
时间：2018-12-16 作者：英语课 分类：VOA标准英语2014年(四月)
Concern Over Attacks on Middle East Christians 2 Grows in Washington
Human rights groups say attacks against Christians in the Middle East have multiplied in the aftermath of the Arab Spring and are triggering an exodus 3 from the region. And Christian 1 activists 4 in the U.S. say President Barack Obama is not doing enough to prevent it.
Last year, the bloody 5 crackdown on a Muslim Brotherhood 6 protest camp in Cairo drew international condemnation 7.
But less attention was paid to the many Egyptian churches that were attacked in the days that followed.
In Iraq, Christians number about a third of the pre-U.S. invasion population - and there are fears the same will happen in Syria, where a group of nuns 8 was recently kidnapped and released.
Congress has held hearings on “the persecution 9 of Christians” and one looking at Egypt was chaired by Representative Christopher Smith:
“We are witnessing grievous violence and other forms of intimidation 10 directed against religious and political minorities, particularly the Copts and other Christians about which our government and the media have said far too little," said Smith.
At the National Prayer Breakfast in February, President Barack Obama’s speech was about religious freedom abroad.
“No society can truly succeed unless it guarantees the rights of all its peoples, including religious minorities, whether they’re Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan, or Baha’i in Iran, or Coptic Christians in Egypt," said President Obama.
“We were really encouraged because at the prayer breakfast, he came out with a very strong statement. Very encouraging. But you look at the followup to that and there hasn’t been any," said Jeff King.
Lobbyist Jeff King says Christians are persecuted 11 around the world and President Obama should act.
“He’s very vocal 12 on the subject of the persecution of the gay community," he said.
But King says the president did not even bring up discrimination against Christians in his meeting with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, where churches are banned.
U.S. foreign policy already prioritizes minority rights, says former Mideast envoy 13 Dennis Ross. But he says the plight 14 of Christians might need a special focus.
“If there’s concern it hasn’t been addressed enough, that in itself suggests maybe it should be addressed more," said Ross.
But activists concede it’s hard to press the issue because in the West, Christians are not widely seen as a vulnerable minority.
- They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
- His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。
- Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
- His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。
- The medical system is facing collapse because of an exodus of doctors.由于医生大批离去，医疗系统面临崩溃。
- Man's great challenge at this moment is to prevent his exodus from this planet.人在当前所遇到的最大挑战，就是要防止人从这个星球上消失。
- His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
- Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- He got a bloody nose in the fight.他在打斗中被打得鼻子流血。
- He is a bloody fool.他是一个十足的笨蛋。
- They broke up the brotherhood.他们断绝了兄弟关系。
- They live and work together in complete equality and brotherhood.他们完全平等和兄弟般地在一起生活和工作。
- There was widespread condemnation of the invasion. 那次侵略遭到了人们普遍的谴责。
- The jury's condemnation was a shock to the suspect. 陪审团宣告有罪使嫌疑犯大为震惊。
- Ah Q had always had the greatest contempt for such people as little nuns. 小尼姑之流是阿Q本来视如草芥的。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
- Nuns are under vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. 修女须立誓保持清贫、贞洁、顺从。 来自辞典例句
- He had fled from France at the time of the persecution. 他在大迫害时期逃离了法国。
- Their persecution only serves to arouse the opposition of the people. 他们的迫害只激起人民对他们的反抗。
- The Opposition alleged voter intimidation by the army.反对党声称投票者受到军方的恐吓。
- The gang silenced witnesses by intimidation.恶帮用恐吓的手段使得证人不敢说话。
- Throughout history, people have been persecuted for their religious beliefs. 人们因宗教信仰而受迫害的情况贯穿了整个历史。
- Members of these sects are ruthlessly persecuted and suppressed. 这些教派的成员遭到了残酷的迫害和镇压。
- The tongue is a vocal organ.舌头是一个发音器官。
- Public opinion at last became vocal.终于舆论哗然。