RELIGION TODAY

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Religion Today Summaries - Oct. 27, 2008
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

    * Episcopal Legal Bills Result in Deficit
    * Pakistan: Girl's Account Re-Opens Custody Fight
    * India: Bomb Blast Kills 17 in Unstable State
    * 'Fireproof' Passes $20 Million Mark





Episcopal Legal Bills Result in Deficit

Religion News Service reports that the Episcopal Church has spent nearly $2 million on legal expenses this year, more than four times its budgeted amount, and will run a deficit of $2.5 million in 2009, according to the church's news service. The denomination's Executive Council, meeting in Helena, Mont., this week (Oct. 20-24), budgeted $450,000 for legal expenses in 2008 but spent $1.97 million, according to Episcopal News Service. The well-heeled denomination is engaged in a number of costly legal battles with conservatives who've left the Episcopal Church but seek to retain parish property. Also, the stock market decline has decreased the value of the Episcopal Church's endowment funds by 30 percent, said church treasurer Kurt Barnes.

Pakistan: Girl's Account Re-Opens Custody Fight

Compass Direct News reports that lawyers for two underage Christian sisters who were kidnapped plan to renew a custody fight for the older girl, a 13-year-old allegedly coerced into marrying her captor, based on new statements from her 10-year-old sister that they were raped and forced to convert to Islam. The plans come after the court last month allowed 13-year-old Saba Masih to decide whether to return to her parents or remain with her husband. Amjad Ali married Saba Masih shortly after the girls were kidnapped on June 26. In the Sept. 9 ruling the court ordered the return of her 10-year-old sister, Aneela Masih, to her parents. According to Aneela, the pistol-toting captors threatened the girls with death and told them their parents would also be killed if the sisters did not do everything asked of them.

India: Bomb Blast Kills 17 in Unstable State

ASSIST News Service reports that a terror strike in the state capital of the north eastern India state of Manipur on Tuesday left 17 dead and 30 injured, creating panic and added havoc in the trouble-torn state. State President of All India Christian Council (AICC), Manipur, Rev. N. Nipamcha, condemned the terror strike. "Terror has no place among the civil society, terror will bring no solution to the decades-old problems of the state," Rev. Nipamcha said. Meanwhile, Dr. John Dayal, General Secretary of the AICC, says that after losing their homes -- more than 4,300 log huts, mud and brick houses have been burned down -- the 50,000 Christians of Kandhamal in Orissa are hiding in forests for two months or living as refugees in government and NGO camps across the state. They risk losing their precious crops of the world famous aromatic turmeric and ginger to marauding neighbors urhed to violence by Hindutva hordes.

'Fireproof' Passes $20 Million Mark

The Christian Post reports that the Christian marriage film "Fireproof" has hit $20 million in its four weeks in theatres, grossing 40 times as much as the movie cost to make. "We are thrilled with Fireproof's astonishing reception and grateful that audiences all over America are raving about this entertaining and inspirational film," said Meyer Gottlieb, president of "Fireproof" distributor Samuel Goldwyn Films, in a released statement. Director Alex Kendrick said positive feedback has continually keeps coming to Sherwood Pictures, the movie-making ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church, which launched Sherwood Pictures after a 2002 Barna Group survey revealed how movies have become one of the leading influencers in American society while churches have lost much of their influence. "We know we have a lot of growing to do as filmmakers, but we will always look for the 'God' idea that inspires and motivates people," Kendrick stated.

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Religion Today Summaries - Oct. 28, 2008
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

    * Christian Prisoners Will Get Church at Pakistan Jail
    * U.S. Condemns Beating of China Pastor's Sons
    * New U.K. Leader Commissioned to Lead Anti-Poverty Movement
    * 'Fireproof' Passes $20 Million Mark




Christian Prisoners Will Get Church at Pakistan Jail

ASSIST News Service reports that concerted efforts by the Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan (SLMP) aimed at seeking approval of a church at the premises of Adiala Jail in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi, near the capital of Pakistan, have been rewarded by the jail authorities. "God has granted us place for a Church at district Jail Adiala, Rawalpindi," said Sohail Johnson, the Chief Coordinator of the Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan. The jail's supervisor gave approval in August. Currently, only 2 out of 32 prisons in Punjab province have churches. Johnson said he considers this approval the "greatest success" of the ministry, but they have also won remission for Christian prisoners on the basis of completion of Bible study courses. Pakistan has the second largest Islamic population in the world.

U.S. Condemns Beating of China Pastor's Sons

Baptist Press reports that the brutal beating Oct. 16 of "Pastor Bike" Zhang Mingxuan's two sons by public security officials in China has drawn U.S. attention. State Department spokesman Robert Wood released a statement Oct. 23 that specifically highlighted the "continuing official harassment of Pastor Zhang, ... including his arbitrary detention and the forced relocation of his family." The State Department called on the Chinese government to release Zhang immediately, permit his family members to return home, condemn the violent acts committed against his sons and bring the individuals responsible for the persecution to justice. On Oct. 10, police sealed the door of the house church where Zhang Mingxuan preaches and blocked it with two truckloads of garbage, even though the government just weeks earlier had given the church permission to meet.

New U.K. Leader Commissioned to Lead Anti-Poverty Movement

The Christian Post reports that the World Evangelical Alliance General Assembly is moving forward with the Micah Challenge, commissioning U.K. leader Joel Edwards as the new international director. The Micah Challenge is dedicating to pressuring governments throughout the world toward eliminating extreme global poverty through the Millenium Development Goals. "I feel very privileged to accept this new role," said Edwards. "As Christians, we have a responsibility to deepen our commitment to the poor, to walk with the poor, to serve the poor. But we also have a responsibility to hold governments to account to the promises they have made," he added. "Jesus said the poor you will always have with you. The longevity of poverty is always going to confront us. But as Christians we have an amazing responsibility to bring not only optimism but hope into fairly difficult situations," he said.

Church in Bangalore Creates Needed Defense

Mission News Network reports that churches in India are adjusting to the tense atmosphere with ready defenses, trying to ensure that Sunday worship is uninterrupted by mobs. "Just a few weeks ago," says Tom Dudenhofer of Audio Scripture Ministries, "[a church in Bangalore] told the women and the children that they needed to go and sit near the front of the church. And then all the men were supposed to take up standing positions at all the doorways and all the entrances to the church." According to Dudenhofer, the men were only a warning, and did not take offensive action. Meanwhile, the church continues to seek opportunities to grow the Gospel in India. Encouraging and growth-stimulating radio ministries such as ASM are especially important because of low-literacy among local populations. ASM hopes to build a radio building in Bangalore soon.

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Religion Today Summaries - Oct. 29, 2008
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

    * Episcopal Diocese Approves Commission to Support Gays
    * Islamic Mlitants Hiding in Philippines' South
    * Poll: 1 of 2 Americans Praying for Finances, Jobs
    * Schullers Part Ways for TV's 'Hour of Power'



Episcopal Diocese Approves Commission to Support Gays

The Christian Post reports that the California diocese of San Joaquin has approved a new "equality commission" to support homosexuals following its annual convention, continuing actions that contributed to a conservative breakaway group's reasons for leaving the diocese in 2007. The new commission was created to "support, engage and affirm marginalized communities within the diocese, according to The Episcopal News Service," which were identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons among others. The commission continues in the vein of the national Episcopal Church, which ordained openly gay bishop Gene Robinson in 2003. The breakaway groups of San Joaquin and Pittsburgh have since left the national church and joined the more conservative Anglican Southern Cone in South America.

Islamic Militants Hiding in Philippines' South

Mission News Network reports that the southern of island of Mindanao in the Philippines harbors nearly 60 Islamic militants fleeing from Indonesia and Malaysia, according to intelligence reports. According to one report, the militants include two key suspects in the 2002 Bali bombings. The radical Muslim group Abu Sayyaf is providing for these radical guests. Church leaders in the Philippines worry that this pocket will increase sectarian violence against Christians, who are already severely persecuted. Many pastors already must overcome poverty and lack of training as they attempt to evangelize, although groups such as Christian Resources International is hosting pastors' conferences in the country to help.

Poll: 1 of 2 Americans Praying for Finances, Jobs

According to an online post by Guideposts.com, one in two Americans is praying for financial relief or a new job, highlighting the impact of a slack economy. The Christian Post reports that 32 percent of respondents answered "financial relief," with 15 percent praying over new jobs as their most pressing prayer concern, the Christian Post reported. "The level of concern that people have for their finances, jobs, retirement accounts, and relief from money problems is starkly evident by how prominent it is in their prayers," observed Anne Simpkinson, online managing editor at Guideposts.

Schullers Part Ways for TV's 'Hour of Power'

Religion News Service reports that on upcoming broadcasts of the "Hour of Power" from the glistening Crystal Cathedral in Southern California, the face that will appear in the pulpit won't always be that of Robert A. Schuller, the son of founder Robert H. Schuller. The elder Schuller, 82, announced Sunday (Oct. 26) that differences between them about the future of the ministry have led to a decision to expand the platform of the broadcast. "It is no secret to any of you that my son, Robert, and I have been struggling as we each have different ideas as to the direction and the vision for this ministry as we move into the future," the elder Schuller wrote in an announcement made at a church meeting Saturday and posted on its Web site the next day. The younger Schuller is still senior pastor of the local church, but will no longer be the only preacher on the "Hour of Power."

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Religion Today Summaries - Oct. 30, 2008
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

    * Pakistan Earthquake Kills 150; 15,000 Homeless
    * Algeria: Christians Acquitted in Blasphemy Case
    * Mexico: Pastor Still Held for Ransom
    * Devastation Strikes Honduras Again




Pakistan Earthquake Kills 150; 15,000 Homeless

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit rural parts of southwestern Pakistan before dawn Wednesday, the Christian Post reports. First reports indicated that at least 150 were killed ant 15,000 left homeless, and death toll is expect to grow in Baluchistan, a remote area adjacent Afghanistan. In Ziarat, the hardest-hit region, hundreds of houses were destroyed, some buried under a landslide. "There is great destruction. Not a single house is intact," Mayor Dilawar Kakar told Express News television. "I would like to appeal to the whole world for help. We need food, we need medicine. People need warm clothes, blankets because it is cold here," Kakar said. Thousands of tents, blankets and food packages have been given out, and neighboring hospitals are overflowing, officials said. Officials are also working to clear blocked roads to allow greater humanitarian efforts inside the rural areas.

Algeria: Christians Acquitted in Blasphemy Case

Compass Direct News reports that a court in northwestern Algeria today acquitted three Christians charged with blaspheming Islam and threatening a member of their congregation who re-converted to Islam. The acquittal was announced in a court at Ain El-Turck, 15 kilometers (nine miles) west of the coastal city of Oran. The defendants believe the judge's decision to acquit was due to the spurious evidence used against them. The acquittal also comes as part of a larger trend of the Algerian government bowing to negative international media attention and government condemnations of such cases, they said. Defendant Youssef Ourahmane said that as a result, a recent government crackdown against evangelical Christians has eased off in recent months. "I think the pressure on them has been strong, such as condemnations from the U.S. and foreign ministries from France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Spain. This pressure from outside has embarrassed the Algerian government very much."

Mexico: Pastor Still Held for Ransom

Baptist Press reports that although more than a week has passed since San Diego pastor Manuel Jesus Tec was kidnapped Oct. 21 in Tijuana, and his family still has not talked with or heard from him. Originally, the kidnappers demanded a $1-million ransom for Tec's release, but in two calls Monday night, Oct. 27, the kidnappers lowered that figure to $500,000 and subsequently to $200,000. "Last night, we also heard a recording of his voice saying he was OK, and he asked us to do all that the kidnappers told us to do because his life was at risk," Tec's 30-year-old son Johnny said Oct. 28. "We are totally hopeful and faith-filled," Johnny Tec said. Tec was abducted after crossing the border from San Diego around 5 a.m. The family say they have no idea why he was targeted for kidnapping.

Devastation Strikes Honduras Again

Mission News Network reports that more than 270,000 people in Honduras have been forced to flee their homes again due widespread flooding and mudslides caused by unusually heaving rains. The flooding has devastated vulnerable areas and destroyed bean and maize crops. The country was just finishing rebuilding from Hurricane Mitch in 1998. "We've got people on the ground there now who are helping us become more specific in what the needs are," said Myles Fish with International Aid. The organization also responded to Mitch. "Our first attempts will be with healthcare supplies, some food, and we're sending our water filters down because we've heard that many of the water systems have been broken." Many in Honduras were already struggling to make ends meet before their harvest was destroyed.

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Religion Today Summaries - Oct. 31, 2008
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

    * Pakistan: Death Toll Keeps Rising
    * Methodist Church: Zimbabwe Crisis Headed for 'Catastrophe'
    * Lawyers, Churches Debate Tax-Exempt Status Minus Prop 8
    * India: State Gov Considers Violence 'Normal'





Pakistan: Death Toll Keeps Rising

CNN reports that at least 215 are confirmed dead after a 6.4 magnitude quake hit southwestern regions of Pakistan pre-dawn Wednesday. Hundred of mud houses are still buried under landslides, hiding unknown casualties. Between 10,000 and 15,000 lost their homes in the quake, and others fear to return home lest their houses collapse. The quake's destruction was limited by its epicenter, located in a remote area of Balochistan province. Mission News Network reports that a partner with Christian Reformed World Relief has begun its assessment, and hopes to send preliminary relief today. The region is subject to regular attacks by Al Qaeda and Taliban, however, forcing agencies to operate through groups already in the area instead of donating their own manpower. "There are some villages completely destroyed. There is a lot of destruction," said the province's Deputy Director of Public Safety Mohammad Ali.

Methodist Church: Zimbabwe Crisis Headed for 'Catastrophe'

According to Britain's Methodist Church, a series of harvest failures combined with economic and political instability may worsen Zimbabwe's humanitarian crisis, the Christian Post reports. The power-sharing agreement between political rivals Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai froze in September, further weakening the country. Meanwhile, the country is undergoing the worst drough in a decade. "This is a time when people should be planting for the following year, but the economy is devastated and seeds and fertilizer are in short supply," said Roy Crowder, a Methodist partnership coordinator with special responsibility for Africa. "The Zimbabwe Council of Churches has done nothing," Methodist Bishop Levee Kadenge of the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance was quoted as saying by Ecumenical News International. "The churches should have been speaking without fear of favor, just speaking on behalf of suffering masses of Zimbabwe. Their absenteeism is so pronounced."

Lawyers, Churches Debate Tax-Exempt Status Minus Prop 8

San Diego Union Tribute reports that although some California churches worry that they may lose their tax-exempt status if Proposition 8 fails, 59 California law professors Wednesday said that fear is insubstantial. The ballot measure would ban same-sex marriage in California, and churches fear they may be forced to officiate gay weddings or lose their tax-exempt status if it fails. The law professors emphasized that the state constiution protects churches from such a fate. Supporters of Proposition 8, however, say the threat is not just to their right to refuse, but in how they may use their property as well. Churches point to New Jersey, where a church lost part of its tax-exempt status for refusing to rent a publicly used pavilion for a same-sex commitment ceremony.

India: State Gov Considers Violence 'Normal'

ASSIST News reports that according to a member of a fact-finding team visiting Orissa state, anti-Christian violence is considered normal by the state government there. "Anti-Christian violence is informed by Orissa Government as normal on pretext that there is no Christian, Christian home and church left in Christian villages of Kandhamal district of Orissa that Hindu militants could killed or burned or vandalized," Dr. Ms. Shiamala Baby, gender activist and Director of Forward, based in Tamil Nadu, and one of fact-finding team members, told the All India Christian Council (AICC). "We found the refugees in relief camps refusing to return back to their villages for the fear of any possible attack or forced to convert to Hindu," says Ms. Shiamala. Meanwhile, at least 64 were killed in a series of bombings in the state of Assam, as violence continues to spill into neighboring states.

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Religion Today Summaries - Nov. 3, 2008
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

    * Conn., Canadian Diocese Move toward Same-Sex Blessings
    * India: Faithful Mourn Death of Priest Attacked in Orissa
    * Global Evangelical Assembly Commits to Engage World
    * Azerbaijan: Church Leader on Trial for False Charges





Conn., Canadian Diocese Move toward Same-Sex Blessings

Religion News Service reports that Episcopalians in Connecticut and two Anglican dioceses in Canada are pushing for more latitude in blessing same-sex couples, despite widespread opposition in the worldwide Anglican Communion to gay and lesbian relationships. On Saturday (Oct. 25), delegates at the annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut voted 174 to 123 to ask Bishop Andrew Smith to allow clergy to officiate at same-sex marriages. The vote came two weeks after Connecticut's Supreme Court said it's unconstitutional to prevent gays and lesbians from marrying. Smith said he and his advisers will study the matter. Meanwhile, Connecticut priests are allowed to give blessings during same-sex unions under a 2006 policy. On Friday, Bishop Barry Clarke of the Anglican Church of Canada announced plans to draft rites of blessing in the Diocese of Montreal for gay and lesbian couples who have already married under Canadian civil law.

India: Faithful Mourn Death of Priest Attacked in Orissa

Compass Direct News reports that more than 3,000 people today attended the funeral in Bhubaneswar, Orissa of a Catholic priest who died on Tuesday (Oct. 28 ) from injuries sustained in anti-Christian violence that began in August. Father Bernard Digal died in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, after an operation to remove a blood clot that developed in his brain due to a head injury from Hindu extremists attacking him on Aug. 25-26 in Kandhamal district, Orissa state. He was 46. "He was smashed like a pulp," Raphael Cheenath, archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, told Compass. "Because of the hate campaign of the [Hindu extremist] Sangh Parivar, the attackers lost their humanity and they became devils. Human beings can't do what they have done." Fr. Digal was visiting Sankarakhole parish when violence flared after Maoists killed Hindu leader Laxmanananda Saraswati and his disciples on Aug. 23.

Global Evangelical Assembly Commits to Engage World

The World Evangelical Alliance concluded their first general assembly in six years with a resolve to spread the Gospel through action as well as words, the Christian Post reported. The 500 participants of the WEA General Assembly in Thailand also passed six major resolutions, on issues related to religious liberty, peace-making, the global financial crisis, HIV/AIDS, poverty, and creation care. "We commit ourselves to listen with understanding to our children, youth, women, and the most marginalized -- especially people living HIV -- so that we can work together for a healthy and safe future which will enable all people to live in the abundant life Jesus promised," expressed one resolution calling evangelicals to action in the fight against HIV/AIDS. "With brokenness we admit that as Evangelical Christians we have allowed stigmatization and discrimination to characterize our relationships with people living with HIV," it continued. "We repent of these sinful attitudes and commit to ensuring that they are changed."

Azerbaijan: Church Leader on Trial for False Charges

International Christian Concern confirms that Pastor Hamid Shabanov was due back in court Friday in Azerbaijan, Mission News Network reports, facing false charges of illegal weapon possession. His family and lawyer, however, say his detention is illegal and that none of his representatives know what the indictment is. Authorities arrested Shabanov in June after a raid, and confiscated Bibles and Christian books. Fellow-pastor Zaur Balaev was freed from prison in March but is still being hounded by the government. Azerbaijani law does not require churches to be registered, but churches such as Shabanov's have been randomly closed or destroyed for not being registered.

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Religion Today Summaries - Nov. 4, 2008
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

    * Eritrean Christian Killed in Military Camp
    * Illinois Diocese to Vote on Secession
    * Haiti Still Digging Out from Harsh Storm Season
    * Thousands Gather for Election Prayer Vigil






Eritrean Christian Killed in Military Camp

Christians suffering in Eritrean military camps face an often untold plight. According to persecution.org, at least 2,000 Christians have been transferred to prison camps in the small country since authorities cracked down on unofficial denominations in 2002, many held in metal shipping containers and all without charges. One Christian succumbed to malaria in military detention facility after authorities reportedly refused preventative medicines. Teklesenbet Gebreab Kiflom, 36, was buried "in secret" in the Wi'a area. Open Doors in the Netherlands reports that 65 believers, including 14 women, were detained one by one last week, and presumably transferred to a new military camp known as Mitire. The government officially recognizes the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church, but even these churches report tensions.

Illinois Diocese to Vote on Secession

Religion News Service reports that the Episcopal bishop of Quincy, Ill., who was poised to lead his small diocese to secede from the Episcopal Church next week, abruptly announced his retirement, effective Nov. 1, due to ill health. Bishop Keith Ackerman has been one of the most conservative leaders in the increasingly liberal U.S. church. His diocese is one of three that does not ordain women clergy, and he spoke out forcefully against the 2003 election of the openly gay bishop of New Hampshire. Ackerman's diocese of 24 churches and about 1,800 members is scheduled to vote Nov. 7-8 on whether to formally leave the Episcopal Church and align itself with the more conservative Argentina-based Anglican Province of the Southern Cone.

Haiti Still Digging Out from Harsh Storm Season

Mission News Network reports that the already struggling country of Haiti is only beginning to recover from a series of four tropical storms and hurricanes this year. The storms left nearly a million people homeless, and many are still without permanent shelter or food and water supplies. Jonathon Wiles with Living Water International says, "They do have clean water but not nearly enough for the people who are there now. We're going into those areas to repair wells that were either broken down before the hurricane, or were broken down during the hurricane, and restoring the water supply so that people can have clean water." The country had already been hit by the global food crisis, and some of the poorest regions at resorted to eating "clay cakes" to stifle their hunger.

Thousands Gather for Election Prayer Vigil

The Christian Post reports that more than 30,000 Christians spent their Saturday fasting and praying in California, participating in a corporate prayer of repentance in TheCall California. "We come rending our hearts and garments," said Lou Engle, founder of TheCall. "We come as one body -- the body of Christ -- one voice crying out for mercy, God." The prayers offered by leaders throughout the day focused on politics, yes, but also on personal sins and struggles. About a fifth of the prayers offered were for the sanctity of marriage, which Proposition 8 in California supports. Along with measures in Florida and Arizona, the ballot measure would ban gay marriages in the state.

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Religion Today Summaries - Nov. 5, 2008
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

    * Aid Groups Struggle to Reach Victims in Congo Conflict
    * Mexic Kidnapped Pastor Released after 11 Days
    * Church Leaders under Fire in Columbia
    * Orissa Violence is 'Religious Genocide,' Says Ministry




Aid Groups Struggle to Reach Victims in Congo Conflict

Christian Post reports that more than 250 million people have been displaced in recent conflicts between rebel and government forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and aid groups are still fighting to reach them through the fighting. Many groups had to evacuate when fighting reached the provincial capital of Goma. The 17,000 U.N. peace keeping troops have no authority to keep the "catastrophic" humanitarian toll down, according to U.K.-based Christian charity Tearfund. The conflict is so heightened that many people are avoiding venturing outside. "Both sides are accused of disregarding the rights and safety of civilians and humanitarian access must be a priority," said David Bainbridge, Tearfund's disaster management director. Tearfund as well as World Vision are developing plans to reach those caught in the conflict with food, medical supplies, clean water and blankets.

Mexico Kidnapped Pastor Released after 11 Days

ASSIST News Service reports that Pastor Manual Jesus Tec has finally been released after being kidnapped and tortured after he crossed the border into Mexico. According to his son Johnny Tec, 30, the elder Tec, 59, was found by police in Tijuana on October 31. Tec said that his father was kept bound and gagged during the entire ordeal, was deprived of food and water, and was repeatedly beaten with barbed wire. Kidnappers initially demanded $1 million in ransom, but slowly lowered their demands, which the family finally met. Pastor Tec related that he had been driven to the drop-off point in the back of a pick-up truck that was also carrying buckets of gravel and sand. He said that his kidnappers dumped him on the ground, covered him loosely with the sand and gravel, then shot at him with what sounded like automatic weapons. He remembered praying while the bullets hit around him, but none of them struck him.

Church Leaders under Fire in Columbia

Compass Direct News reports that Christians in Colombia are anxious to learn the fate of pastor William Reyes, missing since Sept. 25, even as three other pastors have gone missing in the past month. Reyes, a minister of the Light and Truth Inter-American Church and member of the Fraternity of Evangelical Pastors of Maicao (FRAMEN, Fraternidad de Ministros Evangélicos de Maicao), left a meeting in Valledupar, Cesar, at 10 a.m. that morning heading home to Maicao, La Guajira. He never arrived. Family members and fellow ministers fear that Reyes may have been murdered by illegal armed groups operating in northern Colombia. Since March of this year, FRAMEN has received repeated threats from both the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and right-wing paramilitary units. In the past month three other Christian pastors were reportedly killed in separate incidents across the country. At press time investigators were traveling to verify the identities of the victims and circumstances of the killings.

Orissa Violence is 'Religious Genocide,' Says Ministry

The Christian Post reports that one Christian leader in India has called the unceasing violence against Christians a "religious genocide" with no signs of stopping. "This has been a religious genocide according to the U-N definition of genocide, where persistently and systematically it is planned and not stopped," maintains Ramesh Landge, founder and director of Cooperative Outreach of India (COI), according to Mission Network News. Landge has been working to help displaced Christians in Orissa state through Partners International. According to CP, more than 50,000 Christians have been displaced. Only about 30,000 have found refuge in relief camps, as many are still hiding in the jungles out of fear. "There has been a lot of intimidation. There has been a lot of persecution. People have not been able to go back [to their homes]," Landge said. "If they do go back, the Hindu fundamentalists parties want them to reconvert."

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Religion Today Summaries - Nov. 6, 2008
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

    * Ministry Readies Response in Congo
    * U.S. Christians Mark Some Election Day Victories
    * Burma: Six Month Later, Cyclone Survivors Still Hurting
    * Somalia: Militants Step up Fear Campaign




Ministry Readies Response in Congo

Mission News Network reports that aid workers are rushing aid to thousands displaced by rebel and government conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and praying a cease-fire holds while they do so. Aid workers and residents were forced to flee locations in North Kivu last month as rebel forces launched an offensive in the region, and many residents are stil without food supplies and clean water. Sam Vinton with Grace Ministries International says, "At the moment, everything has sort of stopped. They were 20 kilometers from Goma.  There's negotiations taking place where I'm sure our country and others are trying to talk to these people, as far as what's happening.  It's still at a standstill, and I have heard nothing new except that people are very nervous in the city of Goma."

U.S. Christians Mark Some Election Day Victories

The Christian Post reports that American Christians had several reasons to celebrate after Election Day, as three states approved measures banning same-sex marriages, including Florida and Arizona. In California, Proposition 8 passed narrowly, overturning gay marriage for the first time in a state that had previously allowed it. San Francisco's ballot measure to legalize prostitution failed. In Colorado, the "personhood" amendment - which would define fetuses as a person from the moment of conception - also failed. Matthew Staver, founder of the Liberty Council for defense of traditional families and life, said the passage of traditional marriage amendments was a "bright star on an otherwise dismal night."

Burma: Six Month Later, Cyclone Survivors Still Hurting

Mizzima online reports that more than a million people are still struggling to recover from Cyclone Nargis, which struck Burma (also known as Myanmar) six months ago. Relief efforts have been hampered by the military junta in power, which has confiscated land, forced relocations, and even forced labor. While demanding farmers make a harvest or relinquish their fields, the junta has offered no help as food shortages become increasingly common. The junta has also reportedly jailed native first-responders, including doctors and business people. "Human rights concerns have been largely ignored by international aid agencies as they respond to the disaster" in an effort to reach people, according to Benjamin Zawacki, an Amnesty International researcher. Now, the violations continue to rise.

Somalia: Militants Step up Fear Campaign

Mission News Network reports that a 25-year-old convert from Islam to Christianity was beheaded in Manyafulka village after militant Sunni Muslims accused him of apostasy. According to MNN, less than one percent of Somalia is Christian, although the number of converts are growing. Several have been publicly executed and convicted in mock trials. Militants videotaped the beheading of 25-year-old Mansuur Mohammed, then circulated the video in an effort to intimidate those contemplating converting from Islam to Christianity.

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Religion Today Summaries - Nov. 7, 2008
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

    * Iraq: Christians Granted One Seat ahead of Elections
    * Pope Congratulates Obama on `Historic' Election
    * Azerbaijani Pastor Released Until End of Trial
    * China: Beijing Rights Defense Lawyers Fired





Iraq: Christians Granted One Seat ahead of Elections

The Christian Post reports that the Iraqi parliament has slightly amended its choice to remove a quota of minority seats on provincial councils, but the move may be a token more than anything. Only one seat out of the 440 available has been withheld for Christians, far below the 12 recommended by the United Nations, on the councils of Basra, Baghdad, and Nineveh. The bill carving the one spot passed the mostly Shiite Muslim-led parliament by 106 out of the 150 legislators present. The bill provided several seats for the minority Yazidis, a non-Muslim Kurdish community, and Sabean and Shabak communities, both of which are a synthesis of Islam with other faith influences. The bill now goes to the national presidency council for final approval. More than 13,000 Christian fled the city of Mosul in the Ninevah region in October, following 12 murders in two weeks along with numerous death threats.

Pope Congratulates Obama on `Historic' Election

Religion News Service reports that while Barack Obama may not have been the Catholic hierarchy's favored candidate in the U.S. presidential race because of his support for abortion rights, the Vatican on Wednesday (Nov. 5) hailed his election as a "choice that unites." Pope Benedict XVI congratulated the president-elect on the "historic occasion" of his election. In a telegram sent to Obama via the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, Mary Ann Glendon, Benedict assured Obama of his prayers that God would assist him in his "high responsibilities in service to the nation and to the international community" and "sustain you and the beloved American people in your efforts, together with all men and women of good will, to build a world of peace, solidarity and justice."

Azerbaijani Pastor Released Until End of Trial

Mission News Network reports that 52-year-old Pastor Hamid Shabanov was released yesterday while his trial continues, ending his four-month ordeal. Shabanov was arrested when authorities searched his home in June, where they found an illegal pistol. Shabanov's congregation and family say the gun was planted during the search. Shabanov's unregistered church has been bullied the government because its unregistered status, though the government itself is blocking attempts to gain legal registration. "If Pastor Shabanov is actually convicted on this charge, he could spend up to three years in prison. This is really troubling how evangelical churches in Azerbaijan are undergoing this kind of pressure," Slavic Gospel Association's Joel Griffith said. Azerbaijan is a mostly Muslim country.

China: Beijing Rights Defense Lawyers Fired

ASSIST News Service reports with China Aid Association (CAA) that on October 30, Christian Attorney Li Subin was told he was fired from the Beijing Yitong Law Firm because he and 35 other Beijing lawyers signed an open letter in August calling for direct election of the leaders of the Beijing Lawyers Association [equivalent to Bar Association]. About five to seven other lawyers have also been dismissed or forced to leave their respected law firms for the same reason. In an e-mail news release to ANS, CAA explains the director of the firm who is also a Christian, Attorney Li Jingsong, was pressured by officials who indicated his law firm's inspection might not be passed by the Bureau of Justice. CAA reported that despite the increased pressure on lawyers who have signed the letter, according to the organization Human Rights in China, the number of lawyers in support of the letter has grown to 82.

[nChrist]

Religion Today Summaries - Nov. 10, 2008
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

    * Brazil Churches Conduct Massive Outreach
    * Activist Killing Sparks Fresh Attacks on Indian Christians
    * Dobson, Land Pledge to Continue Fight on Social Issues
    * Gays, Mormons Clash Outside L.A. Temple





Brazil Churches Conduct Massive Outreach

My Hope Brazil launched one of the largest evangelism efforts ever Thursday through Saturday, joining forces with thousands of Brazilian church to sponsor prime time television specials, according to a press release by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, of which My Hope Brazil is a part. The Thursday evening special featured Brazilian soccer superstar Kaká sharing his testimony of hope and faith in Jesus Christ, reaching millions of Brazilians. More than 48,000 churches participated by inviting neighbors, relatives, and friends to view the programs, and more than 850,000 homes participated by following the disciple Matthew's example of inviting others in to hear Jesus. Translated messages from Billy and Franklin Graham also featured during the programs.

Activist Killing Sparks Fresh Attacks on Indian Christians

The Christian Post reports that the second killing of a senior Hindu radical by suspected Maoists has unleashed another wave of violence against Christians in the state of Orissa. Dhanu Pradhani, 40, was killed Wednesday. "There was no major violence in the district since Sept. 30. The Wednesday murder has, however, renewed tension," a district administration official said. At that time, more than 50,000 people were fled into the jungle and at least 300 churches were burnt. Many who fled have yet to return. As in the first murder, although Maoists are suspected to be responsible for the killing, Christians have been accused of perpetrating it.

Dobson, Land Pledge to Continue Fight on Social Issues

While several Christian leaders have congratulated Obama on a historic victory, they have no intentions of relenting on social issues, according to the Christian Post. "I'm not grieving over Barack Obama's victory, but over the loss of things that I've fought for, for 35 years," said Focus on the Family's Dr. James Dobson, noting Obama's stance on abortion and gay marriage. According to RNS, Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission said, "Where we agree, such as standing against genocide in Darfur and protecting basic human rights around the world, we're going to support him," said Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of Obama. "On issues on which we disagree, we'll do our best to persuade him." RNS also quoted Richard Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals, who voiced hope in uniting over shared concerns. Nonetheless, "pro-life Catholics and pro-life evangelicals aren't going anywhere," he said.

Gays, Mormons Clash Outside L.A. Temple

Religion News Service reports that Mormons and gay activists clashed over same-sex marriage on Thursday (Nov. 6) at the Mormon temple in Los Angeles in a skirmish that attracted about 1,000 protesters angry at the passage of California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage. Two were arrested, and several are under investigation for possible hate crimes. "The majority of the donations that came to the Yes on 8 campaign came from members of the Mormon church," said Lori Jean, executive officer of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, at a press conference. Atkinson said 40 percent of the funding in support of the measure came from Mormons but he added, "The church hasn't given money to the campaign. These were individual members."

[nChrist]

Religion Today Summaries - Nov. 11, 2008
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

    * Ill. Diocese Becomes Third to Leave Episcopal Church
    * Pakistan: 'Blasphemer' Released after Six Months
    * China: Gov't Church Reaches Out to House Churches
    * Pope to Muslims: Religious Persecution Unacceptable





Ill. Diocese Becomes Third to Leave Episcopal Church

The Associated Press reports that on Saturday the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy, Ill., became the third American diocese to break with the national church, following in the footsteps of two other orthodox dioceses, San Joaquin in California and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. "This decision was not made lightly," said the Rev. John Spencer, a diocesan spokesman. "We have talked and prayed about this for a very long time." Yet the controversy over authority, homosexuality in the church, and traditional orthodoxy continues, as a fourth diocese - Fort Worth, Texas - will vote on secession this weekend. The three seceding diocese have realigned with the more conservative Anglican Province of the Southern Cone in South America. The departing dioceses have already cost the national church millions in property battles, causing a denominational deficit in 2008.

Pakistan: 'Blasphemer' Released after Six Months

ASSIST News reports that a Pakistani court has acquitted a homeopathic doctor who was accused of passing derogatory remarks against the beard of Prophet Muhammad in May this year. Dr. Robin was released from district Jail Gujranwala on November 4. Robin said the court exonerated him of the blasphemy accusation after Muhammad Rafique, the complainant told the Additional Sessions Judge, Sardar Ahmad Maken that "he had got a blasphemy case registered against me over a misunderstanding." Robin profoundly thanked the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) office for their efforts in Dr. Robin's acquittal. Pakistan's blasphemy laws were implemented in the country in 1986, allowing extremist elements to make life even difficult for Pakistani minorities, who think they are already facing discrimination.

China: Gov't Church Reaches Out to House Churches

The Christian Post reports that government-approved churches in China have stated their intent to support unregistered house churches, many of which face persecution from the government. "For those house churches without registration, we will try our best to be with them, to recognize them and to help them, so long as they have an orthodox faith, don't stray from the truth and don't follow heretics," said elder Fu Xianwei, chairperson of the national Three-Self Patriotic Movement to some 200 Hong Kong church leaders late last month, according to Ecumenical News International. According to Fu, a lack of pastors in China has led to theological misunderstandings and false teaching. Much of China's estimated 100 million Christians attend house churches to escape government headship.

Pope to Muslims: Religious Persecution Unacceptable

Pope Benedict XVI minced no words in a summit with Catholic and Muslim leaders, the Christian Post reports, as the head of the Catholic Church proclaimed the right to freedom of religion. "The discrimination and violence which even today religious people experience throughout the world and the often violent persecutions to which they are subject, represent unacceptable and unjustifiable acts, all the more grave and deplorable when they are carried out in the name of God" the pontiff said, according to BBC. The pope had apologized earlier in the three-day meeting for remarks he made in a 2006 speech that called Islam a religion of violence and oppression. The official theme of the historic meeting between Catholics and Muslims was "Love of God, Love of Neighbor."

[nChrist]

Religion Today Summaries - Nov. 12, 2008
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

    * Eritrea: Persecution Ignored Internationally
    * China: Legal Wheels Turn Slowly for Arrested Christian
    * Haiti: School Collapse Mirrors National Instability
    * Study: Poor Planning Impedes Small Church Progress





Eritrea: Persecution Ignored Internationally

Mission News Network reports that Eritrean Christians have yet to garner international concern in spite of heavy persecution. More than 2,000 Christians have been arrested, although the government denies any religious discrimination or arrests. "Because Eritrea is such a small country and because of other things going on in the world, it tends to fly below the radar," says Todd Nettleton of Voice of the Martyrs. "There hasn't been the public outcry. There haven't been other countries calling on the Eritrean leader to let the Christians go... That's a frustrating thing for those of us who do know about what's going on and do understand that 2000 of our brothers and sisters are in prison. We would like more people to speak out on their behalf."

China: Legal Wheels Turn Slowly for Arrested Christian

Compass Direct News reports that Chinese officials have yet to declare a new court date for Alimjan Yimit, a Christian house church leader and ethnic Uyghur in China's northwest province of Xinjiang detained since his arrest on Jan. 12. Alimjan's name appears as Alimujiang Yimiti in Chinese documents. State prosecutors in mid-October returned Alimjan's case to a Xinjiang court for consideration, China Aid Association (CAA) reported. Sources told Compass that further legal action is expected imminently. Charges against Alimjan include "inciting secessionist sentiment to split the country" and "collecting and selling intelligence for overseas organizations," CAA reported in June. Once a Muslim, Alimjan converted to Christianity more than 10 years ago and became active in the growing Uyghur church. Friends said they believe his faith is the real reason for his arrest. Officials have threatened to hand down a sentence ranging from as much as six years in prison to execution.

Haiti: School Collapse Mirrors National Instability

ASSIST News Service reports that hope is fading for survivors of a school building collapse, and the event serves as a reminder of Haiti's overall political and economic instability. College La Promesse (The Promise College) collapsed Friday, killing at least 90 students and adults and severely injuring more than 150 others. Haiti's President Rene Preval has made several visits to the disaster site. He blamed constant government turnover and a lack of respect for the law for the deadly collapse. "There is a code already, but they don't follow it. What we need is political stability," Preval told The Associated Press. The school's owner and builder, Protestant preacher Fortin Augustin, was arrested late Saturday on charges of involuntary manslaughter. More than a fifth of Haiti's nine million people live in ramshackle slums, go to churches, and attend schools similar to the one that collapsed.

Study: Poor Planning Impedes Small Church Progress

The Christian Post reports that pastors of small churches have no problem identifying needs and problems in their communities, but 67 percent say they don't understand why progress toward solutions is so slow. A new study by LifeWay research found that only 29 percent of small church pastors strongly agreed that they had a clear plan to transform their churches into what God wanted them to be. "The effectiveness of local church ministry often is jeopardized by poor organization," diagnosed Scott McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Research. "Understanding God's calling and the context of the church is important, but leadership requires knowing where you are, knowing where you need to go and knowing how to get there. Most pastors of small churches actively pursue the first two, but many struggle with the third."

[nChrist]

Religion Today Summaries - Nov. 13, 2008
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.

In today's edition:

    * Pakistan: Christian Colony Faces House Razing Order
    * Atheists Launch Ads on D.C. Buses
    * Catholics Bishops Vow to Confront Obama on Abortion
    * Bible Translator Receives $50M Donation





Pakistan: Christian Colony Faces House Razing Order

The Christian Post reports that a Christian community in Pakistan is under orders to vacate their homes within 48 hours so that the community can be razed to make way for a road expansion project. The government has not offered the 48 families any compensation for their removal, in violation of the country's eminent domain law. "We will never allow the administration to demolish our homes, since the local government does not treat us as equal citizens, and we are not provided the basic civic facilities as well," said Mansha Bhagat, 67, the chairman of Pakistan Masih Itehad (Pakistan Christian Unity) to Washington-based International Christian Concern. Families received the initial notice from the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) on Oct. 28, 2008.

Atheists Launch Ads on D.C. Buses

Religion News Service reports that a new holiday ad from the American Humanist Association (AHA) declaring "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake" will be featured on buses in Washington, D.C., beginning Nov. 18. "We are declaring loudly and clearly an important part of the humanist ethical message," said Fred Edwords, director of communications for AHA. "All of us can have moral values as a natural result of who we are as a species and who we have become as a civilization." Other organizations have been running similar campaigns in other cities. Jan Meshon, president and founder of FreeThoughtAction, has helped launch billboard ads in New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Kansas City, Mo., with several on the way in Denver and Colorado Springs.

Catholics Bishops Vow to Confront Obama on Abortion

The Associated Press reports that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Tuesday said that they will view the new presidential administration's passage of no-limits abortion rights "an attack on the church." Many present on Tuesday condemned the Catholic theologians and politicians who showed their support for Obama in spite of his abortion stance. "I cannot have a vice president-elect coming to Scranton to say he's learned his values there when those values are utterly against the teachings of the Catholic Church," Martino said. The Obama-Biden press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Diocese of Kansas City in Kansas said of such politicians, "They cannot call themselves Catholic when they violate such a core belief as the dignity of the unborn."

Bible Translator Receives $50M Donation

Wycliffe USA, a Bible translating organization, received an anonymous gift of $50 million this week, marking the largest donation in the ministry's history. According to a press release, the funds will be used to accelerate the rate of scripture translation and bring language development and - in most cases - first-time literacy to more than 200 million people by 2025. Using cutting-edge translation techniques developed by Wycliffe personnel, the Last Languages Campaign will accelerate the pace of language development and Bible translation for the world's remaining language groups from 125 years to 17 years. According to Wycliffe, one in five adults worldwide is illiterate, and more than one-third of the world's language groups have no Bible translation program underway.

[nChrist]

Christians Please Read!

Brothers and Sisters,

I just finished posting some new articles in this thread that only represent a little over 15 days. I was behind because of not having a computer. I also read other Christian news and try to listen to fairly accurate television news that I can find. SO, I want to make some comments, and you can form your own opinions. First, I'm talking about a BRIEF period of time, and please keep this in mind. I would also ask you to read the Christian News posted on this forum that we know is accurate.

I think we are witnessing an explosion and rapid escalation of:

Christian Persecution

EVIL AND IMMORALITY OF ALL KINDS

CHAOS OF ALL KINDS

Escalating FAILURES of all kinds of SYSTEMS - Government and Private

HUMAN SUFFERING OF ALL KINDS

RUMORS OF WAR IN POWDER KEGS THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST

OPEN TALKS OF GLOBAL SYSTEMS OF VARIOUS KINDS

GOVERNMENTS DOING INSANE AND IRRESPONSIBLE THINGS

Brothers and Sisters, these are just my beginning thoughts, and I really don't think that I've overstated anything. The things above appear to be obvious and increasing even in this part of the world. In fact, many of these thoughts are directly related to what's happening in this part of the world right now! Couple with this what has already happened in other parts of the world - ALSO in a short period of time. If things continue at this pace, what will things look like next week or NEXT MONTH?

ARE THESE SIGNS OF THINGS TO COME THAT WE CAN ALL READ ABOUT IN THE HOLY BIBLE? I don't know, but things are beginning to look more like Bible Prophecy every day. You decide! I will bluntly state that it's far past time for all Christians to pray AND PAY ATTENTION!

Love In Christ,
Tom

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable GIFT, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour Forever!