Uzbekistan's Christians Face Escalating Persecution, VOM Reportsby Allie Martin
January 4, 2007
(AgapePress) - - An official with Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) says Christians living in one former Soviet bloc country are facing increasing persecution. According to the ministry, Christians in Uzbekistan house churches are choosing to meet in groups of five people or less to avoid being arrested, imprisoned, deported, or fined by the government.
Todd Nettleton is a spokesman for VOM, which ministers to and advocates for Christians around the world who face religious persecution and oppression. He says there are several reasons for the harsh treatment of members of the Christian faith in Uzbekistan, one being that many of the country's leaders were part of hard-line communist regimes led by the former Soviet Union.
"Many of the leadership there were raised on the communist doctrine of distrusting all religion," Nettleton explains. "Literally they distrust Christianity, and they also distrust Islam," he says; "however, the people there are primarily Muslims."
Therefore, the VOM official notes, a strong Muslim influence also plays a part in the anti-Christian persecution in Uzbekistan. "The Christians really are kind of caught in the middle between old line communist domination of religion and between Muslims in the country, including some who are becoming more radicalized," he says.
Recently, Nettleton points out, state television in Uzbekistan broadcast a program titled "Hypocrites," which attacked Christians throughout the country. Also, he notes, VOM has learned that the Uzbekistani government has been expelling missionaries, people working with non-governmental organizations, and even local Christians.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
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