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CHRISTIANITY
UNDER ATTACK
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| Christians Ordered to Renounce Their Faith in Laos -- 2004-04-26 | VIENTIANE, LAOS --- Approximately 35 Christian families in the village of Nam Thuam, Nambak District, Luang Prabang Province, Laos, have been ordered to renounce their Christian faith by district government officials.
Background
Laos, a country slightly larger than Utah, is one of the few remaining official Communist states.
The world’s third-largest illicit opium producer, Laos is a country with primitive infrastructure; it has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP.
It is also a country where Christians face severe persecution.
Christians Ordered to Renounce Faith
In March, 2004, Nambak District officials ordered Christians in the village of Nam Thuam to reject their faith or face consequences. Upon refusing, district officials sent government agents to Nam Thuam to live in the homes of Christians until they forsake their faith.
Some 35 agents are currently in Nam Thuam--one agent per Christian household--living with Christian families. The Christian households must pay for all expenses of each agent until they renounce their faith.
“There are government agents living with Christian families right now,” said Bounpheng, 38, a Christian leader from Luang Prabang Province.
“Christians are getting tired…” Bounpheng told Christian Freedom International, “The Christians have to pay for all the expenses of the agent living with them like food, clothing, drinks, whatever they want. The agents say ‘We will stay with you until you renounce your faith.’ No one has renounced their faith; the government agents still stay with the Christians. The agents will not allow the Christians to worship together. The Christians are getting tired. You cannot pray or read the Bible in front of other people, just secretly.”
According to Bounpheng and other Laotian Christians, the agents will stay in the homes of Christians until they renounce their faith or move away from the village. “They don’t want any Christians in the village,” said Bounpheng.
There are approximately 35 Christian families in a village of approximately 300 families. There is no church in Nam Thuam, just house churches.
Renounce Faith or Face Arrest
In the village of Thong Sa Vang, Phinh District, Savannakhet Province, all Christians have been asked to renounce their faith or face arrest.
Christian Freedom International interviewed Bounnhane, 68, a Christian leader from Thong Sa Vang who fled to Vientiane because he refused to give up his Christian faith.
“If I return to Thong Sa Vang I will be killed or arrested I cannot go back. I will not renounce my faith,” said Bounnhane. My family said “don’t come back, you will be killed.”
Bibles have been confiscated in Thong Sa Vang. “Police take everything from Christians. The Bible is called an illegal document,” said Bounnhane.
Trumped Up Charges
Bounnhane has been arrested two times for his faith on trumped up charges and served several years in prison.
Bounnhane was accused of working with Western workers to overthrow the government and attending “secret meetings.” In reality he attended Sunday worship services with Westerners in attendance. Bounnhane said, “When I was arrested the authorities asked me, ‘Were there any police at your meetings?’ No. ‘It was an illegal secret meeting then.’”
Outside Pressure Works
In Savannakhet Province some 20 churches are routinely forced to close their doors and are confiscated by the government.
“Whenever the U.S. government or outside pressure comes the churches are reopened, but as soon as the pressure stops the churches are forced to close again,” said Bounnhane.
In 1998 Nan District government asked villagers in Pha Tong Lom to stop being Christians. “All of us Christians were asked to attend a seminar in a Buddhist temple, said Bounpheng. “We were told that the government is for development, not your religion.
Bounpheng said, “We were told, ‘your religion has passed away like the old government. Your old government didn’t do anything. Do you want to go back to that?’”
According Bounpheng, “After a week-long seminar they gave everyone in the village a paper to sign to renounce our faith, but no one would sign. Then they forced each person to sign by pointing a loaded gun at us.”
Bounpheng said, “Even though we sign the paper, we continue to worship and still believe in Jesus. We renounce from being a Christian but we still believe in Jesus.”
This angered authorities so they confiscated Bibles, shut down churches, and arrested Bounpheng. However, outside demands made a major difference. According to Bounpheng, “In 2002 we are free to worship again. The prime minister announced this because he got a lot of pressure from other countries, like the United States. Since 2002 there is still some persecution in my village, but not like before.”
Christians Sentenced to Forced Labor
Christians in Laos are routinely arrested and placed in forced labor camps to work in rice fields. Sometimes all Christians in a village are arrested at the same time and are forced to work in the rice fields for four to five months without pay.
“They have so many ways to accuse you if you are a Christian. They will plant a gun in your house and say you are trying to overthrow the government. They are very clever,” said. Bounnhane, “I have to always protect myself to make sure nothing is planted in my house.”
Christians Suffer Disproportionately
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) has an estimated population of only 5.2 million. Approximately 65 percent of the population follows Theravada Buddhism. Followers of animism, the second largest religion, are estimated at 30 percent of the population.
Christians constitute barely 2 percent of the population, but Christianity is growing rapidly throughout the country and the government is concerned.
Christian Freedom International Demands
Christian Freedom International is demanding that the Vientiane government order Nambak District officials to leave the homes of Christian families in the village of Nam Thuam.
Christian Freedom International urges the U.S. government and others to speak up for Christians in Laos and to urge the Vientiane government to put an end to the forced renunciations of Christians, confiscations of churches and Christian homes, and Christian literature including Bibles.
Christian Freedom International urges the immediate release of all prisoners of religious conscience, including Bounchanh and Nhot, Oudonxy Province, who have been in prison for more than 15 years for their Christian activities.
**Story courtesy of Christian Freedom International
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| | | Pastor arrested, church building destroyed in Zhejiang, China -- 2004-04-26 | A 100-year-old building that housed an unregistered Chinese house church was badly damaged on March 11, then completely destroyed March 31. The church was located in Dong Gang Xi village, Beilun District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province. This congregation included about 300 members, and had existed for the past 20 years. Liu Fuen, 50, pastored the church throughout its history.
The pastor’s home, which is where church meetings were held, had already been declared the site of “illegal religious meetings” when members of the congregation met on March 8 to do some work on the building in order to make it better suited for church meetings.
Three days later, 300 Public Security Bureau (PSB), paramilitary police and government workers converged on the building, badly damaging it during a half-hour rampage. The group was led by Wang Tao, the Director of the Religious Affairs Bureau (RAB) for Beilun District. Seeing the destruction, four neighbors who were not Christians complained to Wang, saying, “How can you arbitrarily destroy someone’s house?”
Wang ordered the four neighbors—Mu Jingou, Li Youfu, Li Liangfang and Zhang Weilong—arrested and held on Administrative Detention for 15 days.
Christians at the church were able to repair some of the damage to the house, and continued meeting in the building until March 31. On that day, Wang led a group that arrived at the church in 28 different vehicles. Four PSB officers entered the building and evicted 10 Christians who were praying inside. Then, police and other officials completely destroyed the building, leaving only piles of rubble. Officials hung posters on surrounding buildings announcing that this was the site of illegal religious activity and was being destroyed for that reason. A loudspeaker also announced that message as the destruction went on.
Pastor Liu Fuen went into hiding after his home was destroyed, but was arrested April 9 by six PSB officers at the home of his youngest son, Liu Yongsheng.
Police were not done harassing this church. The congregation gathered for Easter Sunday services at the home of Liu Mingliang, Pastor Liu’s oldest son. PSB officers again raided the service, arresting Mingliang and breaking up the service. The raiding officers were led by Hu Xinyu, head of the so-called Political Protection Division of the district PSB.
The family has been given “Criminal Detention” paperwork for both Pastor Liu and for Liu Mingliang. While Administrative Detention signifies 15 days of incarceration, a “criminal detention” will last an indefinite period of time.
“China’s government wants to control the church,” said Todd Nettleton, a spokesman for The Voice of the Martyrs. “These are not troublemakers or criminals, they are simply Christian believers who gather to worship God and learn more about Him.”
The Voice of the Martyrs encourages Christians around the world to protest to the Chinese embassy on behalf of these persecuted Christians. Letters can be addressed to:
Ambassador Yang Jiechi
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008
Tel:(202) 328-2500
Fax:(202) 588-0032
Director of Religious Affairs: (202) 328-2512
**Story courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs
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| | | TERROR GROUP THREATENS TO KILL IRAQI CHRISTIANS -- 2004-04-26 | As the death toll among United States troops serving in Iraq rapidly approaches 700, one of the Islamic rebel groups "currently terrorizing" Falluja has urged the United Nations to stop the American siege of the town or the group will attack and kill local Iraqi Christians, a human rights group has learned.
Barnabas Fund said in a statement monitored by ASSIST News Service (ANS) on Tuesday April 20 that the threats came from 'Saraya wal Mujahideen' (Brigades and Mujahideen) in the form of a fax to Dubai-based Arab television channel Al Arabiya.
They have "threatened to destroy churches, assassinate or kidnap priests, and target local Christians," it said. The threats to local Christians come amid the seizure of foreign nationals. Seven South Korean Christian missionaries were kidnapped on 8 April, but have since been released.
HOSTAGES
In recent weeks, some 40 hostages from 12 countries have been seized in Iraq, many if them are still being held, while at least one Italian hostage has been killed by those holding him.
The latest threat could not come at a worse time for the U.S. as it and Iraq's multinational peacekeeping force scramble to regroup Monday after Spain's announcement that it would pull out its 1,300 troops.
Albania, which is seeking NATO membership, has pledged to send more soldiers and increase its symbolic force of 71 in Mosul, the ANS Central Europe Bureau in Budapest monitored. But American officials are bracing for further withdrawals, The Associated Press news agency reported.
**Story courtesy of Assist News Service
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| | | Attacks by Militant Hindus Increasing (India) -- 2004-02-15 | Several reports in the past week indicate an increasing militancy by
Hindu activists against Christians in India. In response, Christians are
calling on the government for help. In the state of Madhya Pradesh,
Protestant and Catholic groups have joined together in calling for the
government to intervene in stopping attacks that are occurring at
"regular intervals." According to a February 10 report in Asia News,
militant Hindu groups are conducting anti-Christian rallies that incite
hatred against Christians, resulting in attacks against schools,
vehicles and churches, burning of effigies, as well as threats against
Christians.
In the state of Goa, thirty percent of the population is Catholic.
Hindu groups, however, have been campaigning to take over several old
Portuguese churches, claiming they were built on the ruins of Hindu
temples. According to a report from Compass Direct, a stone claimed to
be a part of a Hindu idol was recently discovered in the compound of the
Catholic bishop's palace.
According to a February 5 report by Charisma News Service, several
churches in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh states have also been attacked in
recent weeks. Six local evangelists were also assaulted in Orissa
State. Their lives were spared only because onlookers intervened. The
men required hospitalization for their injuries.
A delegation of American congressmen recently visited India to better
understand the situation facing religious minorities in India.
According to a February 5 report by Baptist Press, the congressmen
expressed shock at the violence facing Christians and Muslims at the
hands of militant Hindu groups. Representative Joseph Pitts promised
that their report would be brought to the attention of the U.S.
administration in formulating U.S. policy toward India.
Pray that the government of India would be willing to intervene in
preventing further threats and violence by militant elements in Hindu
society. Pray for peace and strength for Christians facing these
ordeals.
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| | | Sharia Law to be Implemented Despite Turmoil (Nigeria) -- 2004-02-15 | The governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has reiterated that
nothing will stop the full implementation of Sharia law in the state of
Kano in northern Nigeria, despite pressure from within the state as well
as outside pressure. This announcement came at a time when parts of
northern Nigeria were in turmoil from a militant Islamic group
attempting to establish an Taliban-like Islamic nation in the
north-eastern state of Yobe. The government says that the uprising
which began on December 30 has been quelled. At least two police
officers and six militants were killed and many were arrested as they
attempted to flee to neighboring Niger. More than ten thousand people
have fled their homes in fear. Also this week, Nigerian President
Olusegun Obasanjo joined Christian and Muslim leaders in calling for
peace and religious harmony in Nigeria.
Pray that there might be peace in Nigeria and that attempts to institute
Islamic law will fail. Pray that states such as Kano will revoke Sharia
law, so that there might be full equality for all people in Nigeria.
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| | | Short Term Improvement; Long Term Risk (Indonesia) -- 2004-02-15 | A report released on February 3 by the International Crisis Group (ICG)
suggests that, while there has been some progress in the battle against
militant Islamic groups in Indonesia, there remains an "under
appreciated longer term security risk," particularly with the rise of a
new group, "Mujahidin KOMPAK."
In the wake of violent attacks in the Central Sulawesi province and the
bombing of a night club in Bali, eighteen members of Jemaah Islamiyah
have been made arrested. ICG reports that Jemaah Islamiyah remains
active, though their activities are presently focused primarily on
religious indoctrination. Mujahidin KOMPAK comes from members of Jemaah
Islamiyah who are looking for more aggressive action. ICG describes
Mujahidin KOMPAK as "leaner, meaner, and quicker." It is believed that
Mujahidin KOMPAK is responsible for a series of recent attacks against
Christians and that they have been trained in militant camps in the
Philippines and Afghanistan. In January, security forces discovered
more than forty bombs, along with handmade guns and ammunition. It is
believed these weapons were to be used in a series of attacks on
Christians in Central Sulawesi. The full report from International
Crisis Group is available at
http://www.crisisweb.org/home/getfile.cfm?id=1086&type=pdf.
Pray that the violence that had dominated the Central Sulawesi region of
Indonesia will not flare up again. Pray that God will thwart
recruitment efforts by the Mujahidin KOMPAK. Pray for inner peace for
Christians in Indonesia in the midst of uncertainty.
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| | | Intimidation Used to Stop Services (Sri Lanka) -- 2004-02-15 | In response to the violence facing Christians in recent months, the Sri
Lankan authorities have set up local peace committees involving the
local police, Buddhist monks and Christian clergy. The purpose of these
committees is to peacefully resolve issues to prevent further violence.
However, according to a report received on February 2 from the
Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (EASL), it is becoming common for
Christian clergy to be verbally abused and threatened during these
meetings. During the meetings, police have ordered churches to stop
meeting unless they are registered with the government, even though
registration is not required by law. Christians were told that they
could not meet in homes for prayer unless they are residents of the
home, despite constitutional guarantees to the contrary. As a result of
these threats, some of the pastors have stopped all services.
In the past couple of weeks, the intensity of attacks against churches
has been slowing, though sporadic acts of violence are continuing. The
January 28 Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on a Catholic church
attacked in the village of Mattegoda (see
http://www.persecution.net/news/srilanka22.html). In their latest
report on persecution, the EASL reported three additional incidents
between January 25 and 29.
On January 25, a pastor in Mathugama was bound, blindfolded and
assaulted when four men broke into his house at night. That same
evening, in Makola, the Bethany Church was stoned and the roof damaged.
In Homagama, a pastor who has been under police protection since
December was threatened with death if he did not leave the town. Two
men walked into his house, while a police constable was present, and
threatened him at knife-point.
Pray that Sri Lankan Christians will have the legal protection afforded
them under the law. Pray for strength and continued endurance in the
face of the pressure and dangers facing the Church in Sri Lanka.
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| | | Arrests Made in Attack on Relief Agency (Sri Lanka) -- 2004-02-15 | Nine men, including three Buddhist monks, have been arrested following a
mob attack on February 9 on the World Vision office in Kebethigollawa,
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. According to the National Christian
Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, a mob of over a dozen men stormed the
building, throwing gasoline bombs at the facility.
Arrests for religiously motivated crimes against Christians have been
rare in Sri Lanka. However, the President and Prime Minister have both
called for action to prevent a continuation of the violence seen in
recent months.
Join in thanking God that the authorities appear to be taking action to
prevent this violence. Pray that this will be a deterrent against
further attacks. Pray that those responsible for these attacks will see
the love of Christ in the lives of Christians around them and seek that
peace and love for themselves.
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| | | Vilification Trial Resumes (Australia) -- 2004-02-15 | The trial of two pastors charged with "Religious Vilification" in
Victoria State, Australia resumes on February 12, after recessing on
December 19, 2003. When the trial resumes, witnesses for the defense
will be heard. A summary of the case go to this point is available at
http://www.persecution.net/news/australia_trial.pdf.
We encourage you to pray for Daniel Scot and Danny Nalliah, that the
truth will be told and that the judge will dismiss the charges against
them.
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