persecuted church

[totallylovedbygod]

"I never realized what a great privilege it is to be able to use the voice for Christ until I was deprived of it." ~ Adoniram Judson (1788-1850) Served as a missionary in Myanmar

PAKISTAN: Rape Cases Demonstrate Legal Inequality for Christians​ Sources: International Christian Concern, Morning Star News​ Girls in Pakistan. Photo: Flickr / European Union (cc) ​ ​ Christians in Pakistan frequently face discrimination when having to deal with matters relating to governmental and/or legal concerns. Two recently occurring sexual assault cases demonstrate the ways in which believers often encounter unjust treatment from the authorities because of their faith. (To review other reports addressing the suffering of our Pakistani brothers and sisters in Christ, go to our country profile.) In late October, a six-year-old girl was raped at a private school in Lahore. When she returned from school, her family noticed blood stains on her clothing, as well as bruises on her body. When the parents asked their child what happened, she told them about the sexual assault, identifying the school's security guard, Husnain, as her attacker. The parents met with the school principal who told them that the girl had merely fallen, resulting in her injuries. When they shared the truth about what had actually occurred, according to their young daughter's explanation, the principal threatened that they would encounter problems if they sought any legal action. Despite the threats, the parents took their little girl to a local hospital for treatment and filed a complaint with the police. Husnain has since been arrested and, at the time of publishing this report, was being investigated. The parents believe that Husnain didn't hesitate to attack their daughter because of their family's Christian faith. As members of a minority group in Pakistan, those who practise Christianity generally receive unfair treatment, and thus tend to be financially poor and lack influence within their communities. As a result, believers are frequently perceived as easy targets by their persecutors, who usually face little to no risk of consequential legal implications. In a separate incident, an 18-year-old Catholic woman was raped at gunpoint on November 7th in the Kot Ranjeet Singh area of Punjab Province. While returning home from work, Imaan Khurrum had been abducted and taken to an abandoned brick kiln where she was beaten and raped. Imaan's mother believes that her daughter was targeted because of their Christian family's impoverished state. While the incident was reported to the police, and Imaan could identify her attacker, no proper action has been taken by the authorities. According to the young woman's uncle, the police initially took two of the assailant's relatives into custody but then released them after receiving a bribe. Adding to Imaan's heartbreaking situation, relatives of the accused have been pressuring her family to withdraw their police report. Meanwhile, the lawyer of the victimized teen is calling on the government to ensure that justice is served, and that protection is provided for Imaan and her family. In the wake of these two devastating incidents, please pray for the physical and emotional healing of the two young victims. Throughout the healing process, may they tangibly sense the strengthening presence and peace of "the Father of mercies and God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3). Pray that the Lord's divine compassion, protection and support will supernaturally sustain them and their families as they await justice. In the meantime, may appropriate action be taken against those who are responsible for committing these horrific assaults – ultimately leading to greatly needed cultural and legislative changes to Pakistan's laws so they will apply equally to all citizens, regardless of their faith or social status. CHINA: Coordinated Church Raids Continue Throughout China​ Source: ChinaAid​ Christian worshippers in China. Photo: ChinaAid ​ ​ Recent incidents of police action against churches in China demonstrate the ongoing persecution of believers throughout this Communist nation. These raids are only the latest to occur amid the government's intensifying crackdown on Christianity. To learn more about the governmental opposition experienced by Christians in China, go to our country report. On November 10th, the Putian Puguang Church in Fujian was stormed by police during the believers' Sunday worship service. As a result of the raid, three pastors – along with three other staff members – were taken into custody and detained at the local police station. A week prior to this incident, churches in several parts of the country were simultaneously raided by national security personnel. Several house churches in Nanjing were attacked and, in one particular case, a pastor and seven other Christians were detained. The police warned the church members that because their meeting place has not been officially registered with the Communist government, it's illegal. In Changsha, Hunan Province, several house churches were also raided on November 3rd. The largest of these congregations, the Grace Light Church, has been subjected to weekly interruptions by police for refusing to join the government-recognized Three-Self Patriotic Movement. Although members of the Grace Light Church presently meet in five different locations throughout the city, a substantial number of officers stormed the church's various locations simultaneously. On behalf of the many believers in China who are encountering ongoing harassment from the government, pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to comfort, sustain and refresh their weary souls while they patiently endure opposition. As a result, may they increase in spiritual fervour and strength, providing them the empowerment to not only respond in a Christ-like manner, but also faithfully proclaim the Gospel message throughout their communities so multitudes more will personally acknowledge Jesus as their Saviour. MYANMAR: Restrictions Imposed on Churches in Rakhine State​ Sources: Myanmar Pressphoto Agency, International Christian Concern, VOM Australia​ A church in Myanmar. Photo: Wikipedia / Nina R (cc) ​ ​ As the nation of Myanmar continues to suffer political upheaval, the ruling party is being bombarded with ongoing opposition from rebel groups in various areas of the country. Today, while much of Rakhine State has been seized by the Arakan Army, the government's military junta still maintains control of some areas. In the state capital of Sittwe, which remains under governmental control, new restrictions were recently imposed upon Christians. In September, police ordered the members of a church in Sittwe to remove a cross they had recently installed on the roof of their building. In addition, Christians in the city were forced to submit a list of church attendees and obtain authorization from the police prior to holding worship services, even though they had previously received official permits from the authorities. The opposition against Christians is not only being perpetrated by official governing forces. In the town of Kyauktaw, the Arakan Army detained five local pastors this past June. As they see their religious freedoms gradually eroding, believers throughout the region are becoming increasingly concerned about their ability to worship freely. More information on the persecution of Christians in Myanmar is available at our country report. Pray that our Christian brothers and sisters in Myanmar will be granted wisdom from on high as they face tighter restrictions on their worship activities amid the country's ongoing civil war. Despite the challenges they need to overcome, may these believers find ways to effectively minister God's love, hope and peace to others in their communities. Pray that as they faithfully reach out, even those who are opposed to the Gospel will eagerly respond with contrite hearts to the stirring of the Holy Spirit, leading them to repentance and eternal salvation through the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

 

[stevevw]

Christain persecution is increasing all over the world. Its spreading and not reducing. Its reaching genocidal levels in the nations that have already been persecuting Christains.

But now its spreading to the western world according to reports where secularism has increased and ideologies has replaced Christainity. We have seen the beginnings of this with the descrimination against the church and individuals for simply holding a belief we have held for millenia and which most people know is primarily a good thing for society such as the charity work that has been done for centuries.

But now its no longer tolerated as a belief to hold as it conflicts with the new secular ideology. This was kept at bay since the revolutions of the 60's which set society on a course to eliminate God from the public square.

Well its suceeded and now we are seeing the results. I think from around 2000 or post 2000 we really seen the secular ideology kick in and start to dominate. Maybe that was a psychological turning point. I don't know. But from then we began to see PC and Cancel culture and from then on its been a fast transition into a world without God in the public square.

So I think we have perhaps moved into a new era of belief and thinking without God from the one many people today grew up with. Some say this is a good thing. I think the idea of being inclusive is a good thing and the church has been guilty of its own persecution.

But things have now come full circle I think where secular ideologues have become the new dogma and persecutors. As a reaction to the church they have become everything bad that the church became.

But now theres now moral or reality basis. Its completely self created in the image of man and not God and it seems telling that its coming down to a spiritual battle against Christains. Not because of what the church has done because even the ideologues agree that Christains are more than the church. Its actually a battle against God. Against Christ and as an extension the truth and reality.

That is where we are at. Thats how high the stakes are. We have gone full circle and are now at the point where the world hates Christ. We know this because as the ideologues said 'the personal is the political'. Politics has polarised and become a life or death situation.

Its like in the time of Christ and when the church was persecuted in the early days. People had to hide their belief or otherwise persecuted. But it grew. Christ was accepted at first and the diciples were having a good time together then gradually things became harder and they were gaining attention and started to be persecuted until eventually, well we know the stories.

I think the same again until Christs coming. I don't think its localised anymore. The forces of evil are mobilising and converging. Its more a world issue now. The world has become smaller with tech and our problems are with each other and on each others door steps. The public and private are no longer seperated and its a battle over the truth and reality itself.

 

[totallylovedbygod]

thanks