RELIGION TODAY

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Calif. Court Ruling May Impact Church Property Fights
Daniel Burke


January 8, 2008

(RNS) -- The Episcopal Church claimed a major legal victory Monday (Jan. 5) when California's Supreme Court ruled that breakaway parishes do not have the right to keep church property if they secede from the national denomination.

And while the decision technically applies to only one church in one state -- St. James Church in Newport Beach, Calif. -- Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said the high court's "unequivocal reasoning applies generally through the Episcopal Church."

"We are hopeful that this decision will help bring remaining property litigation in California and elsewhere to a speedy conclusion," she said.

Episcopal leaders also hope that Monday's ruling will chill enthusiasm for a new, rival church in North America for dissident conservatives that was launched in early December.

Dozens of conservative parishes -- and four dioceses, including one in California -- have left the Episcopal Church since the ordination of an openly gay man as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.

The denomination holds that local parish property is held in trust for regional dioceses and the national church. On Monday, California's Supreme Court agreed.

"When it disaffiliated from the general church," St. James "did not have the right to take the church property with it," wrote Supreme Court Justice Ming Chin for the seven-member court.

The court's ruling should have an immediate impact on the denomination's legal battle with the Fresno-based Diocese of San Joaquin, which seceded from the Episcopal Church in 2007 and aims to keep more than 30 church properties in its possession.

Chin wrote that "we granted review primarily to decide how the secular courts of this state should resolve disputes over church property."

A statement from St. James signaled that "the battle is far from over" and lawyers are considering a possible appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Two other breakaway parishes, All Saints in Long Beach and St.

David's in North Hollywood, had put their property claims on hold and are also affected by the decision at St. James.

The ruling may ripple across church and state lines as well, according to legal scholars, bolstering denominations locked in similar battles, such as the United Methodist Church and Presbyterian Church (USA), both of which filed briefs supporting the Episcopal Church, and warning conservatives to take heed before seceding.

"If I were in litigation in another state I would certainly point to this and say, 'Hey, this is what another state's Supreme Court said,'" said Robert W. Tuttle, a church-state expert at the George Washington University Law School.

Tuttle and others cautioned, however, that these kinds of property decisions tend to turn on facts specific to the case at hand.

The Rev. Peter Frank, spokesman for the Anglican Church in North America, the conservative rival province that was launched in December, said he doesn't expect Monday's rulings to staunch the conservative exodus.

"People that have made the choice to be mainstream Anglicans are unlikely to be sued back into a group they disagree with just because a panel of judges tells them they don't actually own the candlesticks on the altar," Frank said.

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Thinker, Theologian, Father: Richard Neuhaus Remembered
Katherine Britton


January 8, 2009

Father Richard John Neuhaus, the founder of First Things journal and a constant advocate for thoughtful conservatism, died this morning from complications in his battle with cancer. He was 72.

Neuhaus' humble position as a priest in the Catholic Church belied his influence as a Christian thinker, theologian and public voice. Through his platform at First Things, Neuhaus commentated eloquently on matters both secular and sacred, and always about the church's response to such matters.

He may best be remembered for his part in bringing unity between those on both sides of Reformation theology and institution. A former Lutheran minister who converted to Catholicism, Neuhaus allied himself with Charles Colson in 1990 to co-found "Evangelicals and Catholics Together," and co-authored the document by the same name. As the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) wrote, Neuhaus hoped to foster ecumenical dialogue between Protestant evangelicals and conservative Catholics outside of official talks between church institutions.

Neuhaus worked to cross institutionalized boundaries personally, and he remained a close advisor to President George W. Bush on social issues such as abortion, stem-cell research, and traditional marriage.

Time magazine recognized Neuhaus' transcending position by including the Catholic priest in its 2005 list of America's most influential evangelicals. As Time reported then, President Bush gave Neuhaus credit for helping him "articulate these [religious] things" that affected his policy. The priest also wrote for or advised a handful of conservative think thanks, including the Institute on Religion & Democracy.

Although he spoke mainly from his pen, the news media often relied on Father Neuhaus' intellect and opinion when religious controversy arose.

Dallas Morning News reporter Jeffrey Weiss remembered him by saying, "There can scarcely be a religion reporter who has worked over the past several decades who hasn't had occasion to talk to the Rev. Richard John Neuhaus once or thrice. He was smart, quotable and available -- an irresistible combination."

For many, Neuhaus' greatest contribution lies tucked inside the pages of First Things. Neuhaus maintained his constant integration of faith into nuanced articles until the end, with a style that spun scriptural themes into broader, applied language.

"[religious] inspired countless Christians by his theological and spiritual writings and personal example," Neuhaus' friend and Catholic writer George Weigel said, NCR reported. "He had the rare ability of letting his own high intellectual and literary energy level energize others, which means that his thought is likely to have an impact on the U.S. religious scene for a long time to come."

[nChrist]

Religion Today Summaries - Jan. 6, 2009
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

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

In today's edition:

    * Palestinian Christians Demonstrate for Justice
    * Jailed Missionaries Seek Presidential Pardon in Gambia
    * Islamists Attack Two Churches in Pakistan
    * Malaysia: Officials Ban Malay Section of Catholic Newspaper

Palestinian Christians Demonstrate for Justice

Palestine News Network (PNN) reports that Christians on the other side of the Gaza Strip protested Israel's military action on Sunday. In Beit Sahour, east of Bethlehem, demonstrators marched and "chanted against the Israeli occupation and the massacre on Gaza, the year and a half siege and the ongoing closure." Father Issa of the Greek Orthodox Church in Beit Sahour spoke at a protest rally. "We reject the exploitation by Israel of some of the internal arguments to launch a war on the Strip. In the last few days we have seen the number children who are being killed in Gaza rise," he said. Meanwhile, Israeli Security Cabinet Minister Isaac Herzog told CNN that Israel is trying to avoid civilian casualties, but faces complications when Hamas mingles with civilians in apartments, houses, schools and stores. "Part of the circumstances are that in certain neighborhoods, when we are trying to find out where the launchers are, the missiles are, there are pains and there are difficult moments."

Jailed Missionaries Seek Presidential Pardon in Gambia

The Christian Post reports that a British missionary couple is seeking pardon from the president of Gambia, hoping for mercy instead of one year of hard labor. David and Fiona Fulton were sentenced Dec. 24 for allegedly distributing "seditious" reports about the Gambian government via a series of round-robin e-mails. The Fultons had been working in Gambia for 12 years before the incident, which was allegedly connected to their mission work. "It was not our intention to excite hatred, dissatisfaction and contempt to the President, or government of the Gambia," the Fultons expressed in their letter. "We humbly apologize totally and unreservedly." The couple promised that, if released, they will leave for Britain and not return without the government's permission.

Islamists Attack Two Churches in Pakistan

ASSIST News Service reports that Islamist fundamentalists in the Pakistani city of Karachi in the province of Sindh attacked two churches on the eve of New Year. Unidentified militants forcibly entered in Christ Awami Church located in Rasool Shah Colony and told congregants to stop worshiping in the church. When congregants resisted, the militants desecrated Bibles, a cross on the wall, as well as hymn books, besides smashing windows and a door of the church. Islamists also attacked a protestant church in Zia colony in Karachi. They broke church's door and windows and also threw garbage into the church. Police promised stern action against the culprits, but so far have only lodged an information report.

Malaysia: Officials Ban Malay Section of Catholic Newspaper

Compass Direct News reports that Malaysia's Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered the Catholic weekly Herald to cease publishing its Malay-language section pending the outcome of a court case over the newspaper's right to use the Arabic word "Allah" for God. The ministry also included two other conditions: The newspaper can be sold only in churches, and it must be printed clearly on the cover that it is meant for Christians only. The conditions were included in the renewal notice of the weekly's annual printing license issued by the government. Father Lawrence Andrew, editor of the Herald, told Compass that the letter did not specify consequences if the newspaper does not comply with the conditions. Earlier, Fr. Andrew reportedly said the ban was "unacceptable" and urged the government to "let the court decide" and not "jump the gun."

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

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

In today's edition:

    * China: Three Sentenced to 'Re-education Through Labor'
    * Some Christians Welcome Atheist Ads on Buses
    * Bangladesh: Muslims Threaten Pastor for Evangelizing
    * Episcopal Church Wins Cali. Property Dispute


China: Three Sentenced to 'Re-education Through Labor'

ASSIST News Service reports that some of the 50 Chinese Christians arrested in a house church raid Dec. 3 will pay a heavy price for their church membership. More than a dozen PSB officials burst in the church in Zhoukou township of Taikang county, Henan Province, and confiscated multiple items, including a television. The officials also seized 22 copies of a textbook designed for teaching evangelism to children and notes for a series of evangelism lessons. About 20 Christians were sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention and a 1,000 yuan fine ($150 USD). They were accused of being a "Shouter evil cult." Three of the group, Tang Houyong, Shu Wenxiang and Xie Zhenqi, received a one-year sentence of re-education through labor for "illegal proselytizing" and attending an "illegal gathering."

Some Christians Welcome Atheist Ads on Buses

The Christian Post reports that an atheist group's ad campaign hit London buses yesterday, but some Christians aren't worried about the ads. The think tank Theos believes the ads - which read, "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life" - will only encourage people to consider their faith. "Telling someone 'there's probably no God' is a bit like telling them that they've probably remembered to lock their front door. It creates the doubt that they might not have done so," said Theos Director Paul Woolley. Mike Elms, a fellow of The Marketing Society and former chief executive of ad agencies Ogilvy & Mather and Tempus/CIA, agreed. "[A]theists are challenging us to make that choice one way or another. The atheist campaign opens the door toward a very public debate on the existence and nature of God."

Bangladesh: Muslims Threaten Pastor for Evangelizing

Compass Direct News reports that the torture and harassment that a Christian pastor in Meherpur district has faced for more than a year loomed anew last month. Jhontu Biswas, 31, said 4,000 residents of Fulbaria town, 270 kilometers (168 miles) west of Dhaka, accused him of "misleading" Muslims by distributing Christian booklets. They confronted him en masse on Dec. 9 as they gathered for the Islamic Eid al-Adha festival of sacrifice. Biswas denied the accusations against him, and the Muslims threatened to harm him and other converts to Christianity if a new government came to power following Dec. 29 elections, he said. Fortunately for Biswas, the left-leaning Awami League-led Grand Alliance won a landslide victory in the election, and it does not include Islamic fundamentalist parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami.

Episcopal Church Wins Cali. Property Dispute

The Associated Press reports that the Episcopal Church's rules on property ownership supersede the names on seceding church property deeds, according to the California Supreme Court on Monday. Episcopal Church rules dictate that individual parishes own their property "only as long as they remained part of the bigger church," the AP said. St. James Church in Newport Beach, All Saints Church in Long Beach and St. David's Church in North Hollywood left the national church in 2004, and argue the national church had not contributed financially to their parishes for half a century. The Los Angeles Diocese's bishop, the Rt. Rev. Jon Bruno, said he hoped the decision would bring some closure to both sides. "I'm a Christian and I believe there is always the possibility of reconciliation," Bruno said. "It has been devastating for both sides."

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Religion Today Summaries - Jan. 8, 2009
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

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

In today's edition:

    * Palestinian Christians and Children Caught in the Middle
    * Israel Pauses Gaza Attack to Allow Aid
    * Christian School Sued for Expelling Lesbian Students
    * Group Lists Top 10 Christian Bashing Moments in U.S.


Palestinian Christians and Children Caught in the Middle

A Christian church leader in Gaza says children and Christians face threats from both sides in the Israeli/Hamas conflict. "The children wake up several times in the middle of the night, crying or even screaming from fear and memories that come back to their minds... They have seen bodies lying on the streets that used to be their playground," the leader said. Meanwhile, the Hamas-controlled government has allowed few people to leave. Many of Gaza's estimated 2,500 Christians were refused permits to leave Gaza to celebrate Christmas with family and friends. They feel trapped, said Open Doors USA President/CEO Carl Moeller. "They're not part of Hamas. They're not radical Islamic terrorists. And, they're not Israelis. So the Israelis see them as Palestinians, and the Palestinian terrorists see them as Christians who are not part of their Islamic movement. It's a tough place to be," Moeller said.

Israel Pauses Gaza Attack to Allow Aid

The New York Times reports that Israel and Hamas both agreed to halt fighting for three hours Wednesday to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. United Nations officials have warned that a humanitarian crisis is growing in the area, where many are without power and running water as the fighting enters into its 13th day. Israeli officials said they will continue to keep a three-hour lull every other afternoon to allow Gaza's residents to "seek medical help, buy food and receive humanitarian supplies." About 660 people in Gaza have been killed; about a quarter of these were civilians, according to UN estimates. Israel faults Hamas for civilian casualties, as the terrorist organization mingles its offices, rocket locations, and members with the general population.

Christian School Sued for Expelling Lesbian Students

OneNewsNow reports that a Christian high school in California faces more time in the courtroom after it expelled two students for "lesbian conduct." According to Christian Legal Society (CLS) attorney Timothy Tracey, who is defending California Lutheran High School before the California Court of Appeals, the lawsuit threatens religious freedom for private schools. The students' parents "sued the school for sexual orientation discrimination under the California Unruh Act, which is the California public accommodations law, which prohibits sexual orientation discrimination," Tracey said. He continued, "The thrust of the case is whether or not a private, religious school like California Lutheran can expel students for failing to abide by their Christian code of conduct." The school has won the case in lower court, but the parents are appealing.

Group Lists Top 10 Christian Bashing Moments in U.S.

The Christian Post reports that the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission (CADC) has released in Top Ten list of 2008's "most egregious acts of Christian Bashing in America." The CADC ranked the assault of Proposition 8 supporters by radical homosexuals as number one, following by attacks on vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin for her faith. Bill Maher made the list twice, first with his film "Religulous" and then with his mockery of Pope Benedict XVI and the Church's sexual abuse scandals. "It is time for the Christian bashing to stop and for Christians to no longer be treated like second-class citizens," said Dr. Gary Cass, Chairman and CEO of CADC, in a statement. "Anti-Christian bigotry is real and growing. Those who engage in it should be exposed and called to account."

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Religion Today Summaries - Jan. 9, 2009
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

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

In today's edition:

    * Indian Supreme Court Orders Protection of Christians
    * Gaza Pastor Updates from War Zone
    * Egypt: Citizen Wins Rare Legal Victory with ID Card
    * Religious Schools Fail to Prepare Clergy for Sexuality Issues

Indian Supreme Court Orders Protection of Christians

Religion News Service reports that India's Supreme Court has told the state government of Orissa that it will not "tolerate persecution of religious minorities" and if the state government cannot protect Christians, "then quit office." A three-judge panel of the Supreme Court issued the warning Monday (Jan. 5) following a petition filed by Roman Catholic Archbishop Raphael Cheenath, who requested protection for his flock in Orissa and compensation for church properties that have been damaged in the ongoing violence. Such rulings by judges of Indian courts may not always have the force of law, but they carry considerable weight and often influence the future actions of lawmakers and government officials. Approximately 500 people, largely Christians, have been killed in the violence since August, with tens of thousands more displaced.

Gaza Pastor Updates from War Zone

Baptist Press reports that no Christians in Gaza have been injured despite living in hard-hit areas, a Baptist pastor there reported late in the afternoon Jan. 6. Christianity Today, meanwhile, has reported three Christians have died since the hostilities began in Gaza Dec. 27 but Baptist Press has not yet independently confirmed the circumstances of those deaths. Lack of food, water and electricity is a major concern for the population, the Baptist pastor said. Israel tentatively welcomed a proposal Jan. 7 from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and French President Nicolas Sarkozy calling for a Gaza cease-fire to allow aid to reach Palestinian civilians, the Associated Press reported, and Israel will continue its discussions with Egypt and France about how to achieve an extended cease-fire.

Egypt: Citizen Wins Rare Legal Victory with ID Card

Compass Direct News reports that an Egyptian convert to Christianity who spent 31 years officially identified as a Muslim has won a rare legal victory to be officially registered in his "new" faith. An Alexandrian administrative court awarded Fathi Labib Yousef the right to register as a Christian at a Dec. 20 hearing in the Mediterranean coastal city. Yousef, in his early 60s, was raised Coptic but converted to Islam in 1974 in order to divorce his Christian wife. He reverted to Christianity in 2005. The victory, however, may only be temporary. His attorney, Joseph Malak, said other Egyptian Christians have won the right to return to Christianity only to see government officials stop its implementation. "The stumbling block is the police or civil registry office could refuse to carry it out on paper," he said.

Religious Schools Fail to Prepare Clergy for Sexuality Issues

A new study of 36 prominent seminaries and rabbinical schools shows that future pastors are largely left to decide sexuality issues on their own, as most degree requirements do not include any sexuality-based course. The Christian Post reports that the study was conducted by Union Theological Seminary in New York and the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing. The study measured content in curriculum, institutional commitment to sexuality and gender equity, and advocacy and support for sexuality-related issues. "With so many congregations embroiled in controversy over sexual orientation issues, or struggling to address teenage sexuality, or concerned about sexual abuse, there is an urgent need for ordained clergy who understand the connections between religion and sexuality," said the Rev. Debra W. Haffner, director of the multi-faith Religious Institute.

[nChrist]

Thinker, Theologian, Father: Richard Neuhaus Remembered
Katherine Britton


January 8, 2009

Father Richard John Neuhaus, the founder of First Things journal and a constant advocate for thoughtful conservatism, died this morning from complications in his battle with cancer. He was 72.

Neuhaus' humble position as a priest in the Catholic Church belied his influence as a Christian thinker, theologian and public voice. Through his platform at First Things, Neuhaus commentated eloquently on matters both secular and sacred, and always about the church's response to such matters.

He may best be remembered for his part in bringing unity between those on both sides of Reformation theology and institution. A former Lutheran minister who converted to Catholicism, Neuhaus allied himself with Charles Colson in 1990 to co-found "Evangelicals and Catholics Together," and co-authored the document by the same name. As the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) wrote, Neuhaus hoped to foster ecumenical dialogue between Protestant evangelicals and conservative Catholics outside of official talks between church institutions.

Neuhaus worked to cross institutionalized boundaries personally, and he remained a close advisor to President George W. Bush on social issues such as abortion, stem-cell research, and traditional marriage.

Time magazine recognized Neuhaus' transcending position by including the Catholic priest in its 2005 list of America's most influential evangelicals. As Time reported then, President Bush gave Neuhaus credit for helping him "articulate these [religious] things" that affected his policy. The priest also wrote for or advised a handful of conservative think thanks, including the Institute on Religion & Democracy.

Although he spoke mainly from his pen, the news media often relied on Father Neuhaus' intellect and opinion when religious controversy arose.

Dallas Morning News reporter Jeffrey Weiss remembered him by saying, "There can scarcely be a religion reporter who has worked over the past several decades who hasn't had occasion to talk to the Rev. Richard John Neuhaus once or thrice. He was smart, quotable and available -- an irresistible combination."

For many, Neuhaus' greatest contribution lies tucked inside the pages of First Things. Neuhaus maintained his constant integration of faith into nuanced articles until the end, with a style that spun scriptural themes into broader, applied language.

"[religious] inspired countless Christians by his theological and spiritual writings and personal example," Neuhaus' friend and Catholic writer George Weigel said, NCR reported. "He had the rare ability of letting his own high intellectual and literary energy level energize others, which means that his thought is likely to have an impact on the U.S. religious scene for a long time to come."

[nChrist]

Religion Today Summaries - Jan. 9, 2009
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

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

In today's edition:

    * Indian Supreme Court Orders Protection of Christians
    * Gaza Pastor Updates from War Zone
    * Egypt: Citizen Wins Rare Legal Victory with ID Card
    * Religious Schools Fail to Prepare Clergy for Sexuality Issues


Indian Supreme Court Orders Protection of Christians

Religion News Service reports that India's Supreme Court has told the state government of Orissa that it will not "tolerate persecution of religious minorities" and if the state government cannot protect Christians, "then quit office." A three-judge panel of the Supreme Court issued the warning Monday (Jan. 5) following a petition filed by Roman Catholic Archbishop Raphael Cheenath, who requested protection for his flock in Orissa and compensation for church properties that have been damaged in the ongoing violence. Such rulings by judges of Indian courts may not always have the force of law, but they carry considerable weight and often influence the future actions of lawmakers and government officials. Approximately 500 people, largely Christians, have been killed in the violence since August, with tens of thousands more displaced.

Gaza Pastor Updates from War Zone

Baptist Press reports that no Christians in Gaza have been injured despite living in hard-hit areas, a Baptist pastor there reported late in the afternoon Jan. 6. Christianity Today, meanwhile, has reported three Christians have died since the hostilities began in Gaza Dec. 27 but Baptist Press has not yet independently confirmed the circumstances of those deaths. Lack of food, water and electricity is a major concern for the population, the Baptist pastor said. Israel tentatively welcomed a proposal Jan. 7 from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and French President Nicolas Sarkozy calling for a Gaza cease-fire to allow aid to reach Palestinian civilians, the Associated Press reported, and Israel will continue its discussions with Egypt and France about how to achieve an extended cease-fire.

Egypt: Citizen Wins Rare Legal Victory with ID Card

Compass Direct News reports that an Egyptian convert to Christianity who spent 31 years officially identified as a Muslim has won a rare legal victory to be officially registered in his "new" faith. An Alexandrian administrative court awarded Fathi Labib Yousef the right to register as a Christian at a Dec. 20 hearing in the Mediterranean coastal city. Yousef, in his early 60s, was raised Coptic but converted to Islam in 1974 in order to divorce his Christian wife. He reverted to Christianity in 2005. The victory, however, may only be temporary. His attorney, Joseph Malak, said other Egyptian Christians have won the right to return to Christianity only to see government officials stop its implementation. "The stumbling block is the police or civil registry office could refuse to carry it out on paper," he said.

Religious Schools Fail to Prepare Clergy for Sexuality Issues

A new study of 36 prominent seminaries and rabbinical schools shows that future pastors are largely left to decide sexuality issues on their own, as most degree requirements do not include any sexuality-based course. The Christian Post reports that the study was conducted by Union Theological Seminary in New York and the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing. The study measured content in curriculum, institutional commitment to sexuality and gender equity, and advocacy and support for sexuality-related issues. "With so many congregations embroiled in controversy over sexual orientation issues, or struggling to address teenage sexuality, or concerned about sexual abuse, there is an urgent need for ordained clergy who understand the connections between religion and sexuality," said the Rev. Debra W. Haffner, director of the multi-faith Religious Institute.

[nChrist]

Turk Sentenced for Stabbing Priest in Izmir
Dan Wooding


January 13, 2009

ISTANBUL (Compass Direct News) -- A judge in Turkey sentenced a 19-year-old Muslim to four-and-a-half years in prison on Jan. 5 for stabbing a Catholic priest in the coastal city of Izmir in December 2007.

Ramazan Bay, then 17, had met with Father Adriano Franchini, a 65-year-old Italian and long-term resident of Turkey, after expressing an interest in Christianity following mass at St. Anthony church. During their conversation, Bay became irritated and pulled out a knife, stabbing the priest in the stomach.

Fr. Franchini was hospitalized but released the next day as his wounds were not critical.

Bay, originally from Balikesir 90 miles north of Izmir, reportedly said he was influenced by an episode of the TV serial drama "Kurtlar Vadisi" ("Valley of the Wolves"). The series caricatures Christian missionaries as political "infiltrators" who pay poor families to convert to Christianity.

"Valley of the Wolves" also played a role in a foiled attack on another Christian leader in December 2007. Murat Tabuk reportedly admitted under police interrogation that the popular ultra-nationalist show had inspired him to plan the murder of Antalya pastor Ramazan Arkan. The plan was thwarted, with the pastor receiving armed police protection and Antalya's anti-terrorism police bureau ordering plainclothes guards to accompany him.

Together with 20 other Protestant church leaders, Arkan on Dec. 3, 2007 filed a formal complaint with the Istanbul State Prosecutor's office protesting "Valley of the Wolves" for "presenting them as a terrorist group and broadcasting scenes making them an open target."

The series has portrayed Christians as selling body parts, being involved in mafia activities and prostitution and working as enemies of society in order to spread the Christian faith.

"The result has been innumerable, direct threats, attacks against places of worship and eventually, the live slaughter of three innocent Christians in Malatya," the complaint stated.

The Protestant leaders demanded that Show TV and the producers of "Valley of the Wolves" be prosecuted under sections 115, 214, 215, 216 and 288 of the Turkish penal code for spreading false information and inciting violence against Christians.

The past three years saw six separate attacks on priests working across the country, the most serious of which resulted in the death of Father Andreas Santoro in Trabzon. As with Fr. Franchini, many of the attacks were coupled with accusations of subversion and "proselytizing."

Although a secular republic, Turkey has a strong nationalistic identity of which Islam is an integral part.

Television shows such as "Valley of the Wolves" may not be the norm, but the recent publication of a state high school textbook in which "missionary activity" is also characterized as destructive and dangerous has raised questions about Turkey's commitment to addressing prejudice and discrimination.

"While there is a general attitude [of antipathy], I think that the state feeds into it and propagates it," said a spokesperson for the Alliance of Protestant Churches of Turkey (TEK). "If the State took a more accepting and more tolerant attitude I think the general attitude would change too."

At the end of 2007 TEK issued a summery of the human rights violations that their members had suffered that year. As part of a concluding appeal they urged the state to stop an "indoctrination campaign" aimed at vilifying the Christian community.

TEK will soon release its rights violations summery for 2008, and it is likely that a similar plea will be made.

"There is police protection, and they have caught some people," the TEK spokesperson said. "There is an active part of the state trying to prevent things, but the way it is done very much depends on the situation and how at that moment the government is feeling as far as putting across a diplomatic and political statement. There is hypocrisy in it."

A survey carried out in 2005 by the Pew Global Attitudes Project also suggested a distinctly negative attitude towards Christians among Turks, with 63 percent describing their view of Christians as "unfavorable," the highest rate among countries surveyed.

Niyazi Oktem, professor of law at Bilgi University and president of a prominent inter-faith organization in Turkey called the Intercultural Dialogue Platform, said that while the government could do more to secure religious freedom, he would not characterize Turkish sentiment towards Christians as negative.

"I can say that general Turkish feeling towards the Christian religion is not hostile," said Oktem. "There could be, of course, some exceptions, but this is also the case in Christian countries towards Islam."

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Two More Pakistani Girls Abducted, Forced to 'Convert'
Dan Wooding and Sheraz Khurram Khan

January 15, 2009

GUJRANWALA, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- Two Christian girls were forced to "convert" to Islam after they were allegedly raped by some four Muslim men.

ANS has learnt that on December 30, 2008, the Rev. Pastor Sharif Alam called the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) to inform about the case of two Christian sisters, Parvisha, 18, and Sanam, 14, daughters of Arif Masih. Pastor Alam requested CLAAS to take their case to provide justice to the poor victims.

The trouble for the pair began in November last year when Parvisha received a phone call from an unknown caller, who was later identified as a neighbour.

After introducing himself as the owner of a beauty saloon, the neighbor offered free training in cosmology to Parvisha, who also asked her younger sister Sanam to take the training with her. They both persuaded their parents to allow them to take this training and job. The caller told Parvisha that he would come to pick them from their house.

On November 12, 2008, the neighbor and a friend allegedly drugged the girls after a 30 minute drive. When the girls came to their senses they found themselves locked in a small hotel room in Mianwali (a district 800km away from Gujranwala).

The men, who were allegedly armed with weapons, hurled death threats at the girls. During the night each man were said to have raped both girls. Before dawn they checked out of the hotel taking the girls hostage at gun point and drove them to Karachi where they stayed at a house for six days.

During this time they allegedly repeatedly raped both girls. On the sixth day they took the girls to a local Madressah (an Islamic religious seminary) where they were "converted" to Islam.

The girls were also given new Islamic names. Parvisha was named Sana and Sanam was given Islamic name Tayyaba. After the "conversion" they told the girls that if they cooperated with them they would soon release them. From the Madressah they took the girls to two lawyers.

The lawyers were told that both girls had "converted to Islam" and wished to stay at a government-run shelter instead of going back to home. Instead of helping the rape victims, the lawyers then allegedly took the girls to a flat and subjected them to sexual assaults.

They were said to have dragged Parvisha into a room where they raped her. Sanam woke up when she heard someone yelling for help. Sanam managed to call emergency and the police arrived at the scene very quickly.

One of the lawyers was arrested and taken to the Ferozabad Police Station in Karachi. A Police First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him. Parvisha was immediately transferred to a hospital. Sanam then called her father Arif Masih from the police station informing him of the situation. Arif Masih immediately rushed to Karachi to bring his daughters back home.

While members of CLAAS team were still talking to the victims and their family, a large crowd of people gathered outside Pastor Alam's house. Chanting slogans, they demanded custody of the "newly-converted" girls. The crowd became hostile and started throwing bricks and stones at Pastor Alam's house. Mr. Joseph Francis, the National Director of Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), and Pastor Alam narrowly escaped a bullet when they were probing into the case.

Sensing gravity of the situation Mr. Francis and Pastor Alam called the local police. The mob caught Pastor Alam's son, Sheraz, and severely beat him. The police arrived when the angry mob was trying to break into Pastor Alam's house. Police managed to disperse the crowd. Police first Information report was lodged against culprits. They also arrested three people in connection with this attack.

Pastor Sharif Alam's son-in-law has allegedly gone missing since that attack. He accused fundamentalist Muslims of kidnapping his son-in-law in a bid to keep him from pursuing the case.

On January 2, 2009 both girls recorded their statements before the local Magistrate. They stated that they were abducted from their home, raped and then forcibly converted to Islam. They said that they want to live and die in their own religion and at no cost will leave their family.

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Religion Today Summaries - Jan. 13, 2009
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

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

In today's edition:

    * Gay Bishop Gets Role at Obama Inauguration Event
    * Gideons Mark 100 Years of Giving out the Bible
    * Recession Causes NAMB to Enact Slowdown
    * Faith-Based Movie 'Not Easily Broken' Makes $5.6M Debut


Gay Bishop Gets Role at Obama Inauguration Event

Reuters news service reports that Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson has been invited to deliver the invocation at an inaugural event for President-elect Barack Obama on Sunday. The openly gay bishop of New Hampshire represents much of the controversy surrounding the Episcopal schism last fall. Obama received sharp criticism from gay rights activists when he chose megachurch pastor Rick Warren, who does not support same-sex marriage, to give the invocation at Obama's inauguration. Nonetheless, Robinson said his invitation did not stem from the Warren controversy. "But this will certainly not go unnoticed in the gay and lesbian community," he said. "It's important for the people to feel represented."

Gideons Mark 100 Years of Giving out the Bible

USA Today reports that Gideons International is celebrating its 100th anniversary and the placement of almost 1.5 billion Gideon Scriptures worldwide since the 1908. "This is not a church-sponsored, clergy-led effort," said Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, an umbrella group for evangelical churches and organizations. "It's individuals that go around and distribute Bibles. It's an astonishing accomplishment." The group, comprised of evangelical business and professional men, hopes to step up its U.S. distribution of Scriptures in celebration. "We always work in the present and look to the future. We're a very low-profile organization. That's been our underlining philosophy. For us, we look to be around another 100 years," said Gideons executive director Jerry Burden.

Recession Causes NAMB to Enact Slowdown

Baptist Press reports that the North American Mission Board president has asked NAMB team leaders to trim their already approved budgets for 2009. In remarks to staff members Jan. 8, NAMB President Geoff Hammond asked team leaders to trim 10 percent and proceed with caution. However, Hammond said funds committed to God's Plan for Sharing (GPS), the denomination-wide evangelism emphasis, would not be affected. Carlos Ferrer, NAMB's chief financial officer, said in comments to Baptist Press, "In light of continuing economic trends, the North American Mission Board leadership believes good stewardship requires that we be proactive in planning for potential changes in revenue during 2009." He also said," While there is no hiring freeze, it is appropriate to fill vacancies wisely."

Faith-Based Movie 'Not Easily Broken' Makes $5.6M Debut

Christian Post reports that yet another faith-based movie about marriage is scoring big in the box office. "Not Easily Broken," based on the novel by megachurch pastor T.D. Jakes, opened at number 9 and grossed $5.6 million. Like the successful "Fireproof," another Christian film dealing with struggling marriages, "Not Easily Broken" had a relatively limited opening -- just 724 theaters nationwide. The movie focuses on the relationship between Dave and Clarice Johnson, a couple whose career frustrations and aspirations have driven a wedge in their marriage. "It encourages people to fight through those struggles and to persevere and that our marital relationships are certainly worth fighting for," said Jakes, the senior pastor of 30,000-member The Potters House in Dallas, according to Charisma magazine.

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Religion News Summaries - Jan. 14, 2009

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

In today's edition:

    * Group: China Fails to Improve Human Rights in 2008
    * Pace of Bible Translation Reaches New Highs, Translators Say
    * New Kyrgyzstan Law to Restrict Religious Activity
    * Public Health Ministry Serves Rural Ghana


Group: China Fails to Improve Human Rights in 2008

The Associated Press reports that the Olympic Games did nothing to spread freedoms in China, according to a democracy watchdog organization. The Washington, D.C.-based Freedom House released its 2009 "Freedom in the World" report on Tuesday, and called China's progress "disappointing" after the country's many public promises to improve prior to the Olympic Games. "There were restrictions on Internet access even after there was some opening of that when the Games first began, and ... a lot of attacks and incidents of foreign journalists arrested," Asia researcher Sarah Cook said. "Meanwhile, local journalists continue to face a very difficult environment, including arrests."

Pace of Bible Translation Reaches New Highs, Translators Say

Mission News Network reports that Bible translation projects are at an all time high. "We are participating in the greatest acceleration of the pace of Bible translation the church has ever witnessed. We're actually seeing, in reality, more translation programs being started today than we've ever seen in the history of the church," says President of Wycliffe Bible Translators Bob Creson. He said that Wycliffe is on target to have Bible translation projects underway in every known language that does not yet have the Bible in their native tongue by the year 2025. That means approximately 2,250 projects to go. Yet Creson is optimistic despite the global economic upheaval. "I think the work of Bible translation is one of those things that just transcend all these things that are going on around us," he said.

New Kyrgyzstan Law to Restrict Religious Activity

The Associated Press (AP) reports that a restrictive new religion bill officially took effect Monday, when Kyrgyzstan's President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed it into law. The law drew international attention for its repressive measures on religious meetings, distribution of religious literature, and missionary activity. The law also disbands private religious schools, while upholding religious education in public schools. The Spiritual Administration of Muslims and the Russian Orthodox Church, Kyrgyzstan's biggest religions, both supported the measure. Provisions in this law "contradict not only Kyrgyzstan's constitution but also the country's international human rights commitments in the area of religion," Felix Corley of the Norway-based Forum 18 religious rights organization told the AP.

Public Health Ministry Serves Rural Ghana

Missionary Cherry Faile smiles when she hears villagers singing songs in the Manpruli language about how to properly nurse children or cook nutritious meals, Baptist Press reports. Faile's public health programs extends beyond urgent care to educating the masses, most of whom still live in mud huts and have little formal education. From the clinic, which villagers helped build, public health workers make rounds on motorbikes three times a week, traveling on dusty, dirt roads to villages as much as two hours away. They carry all the vaccinations, basic first aid and prenatal care kits they can manage. According to the World Health Organization, Ghana has about only one doctor for every 6,600 people. By comparison, the United States has about one doctor for every 400 people.

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Religion Today Summaries - Jan. 15, 2009
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

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

In today's edition:

    * Humanitarian Needs Increase in Gaza
    * Bangladeshi Muslims Force Christian Grandparents from Home
    * Most Protestant Churchgoers Open to Other Denominations
    * Egyptian Judge Ejects Lawyer for Christian from Court

Humanitarian Needs Increase in Gaza

Mission News Network reports that Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) has partnered with another Christian group in Gaza to directly help its people. "Gaza is very heavily populated, and residents cannot flee because all of the borders are closed. There seems to be an agreement of 900 dead and more than 2,000 wounded," said Jacob Kramer with CRWRC. "The hospitals are in great need of medicine, and that's where the CRWRC will try to make a small difference. We've started to help the hospitals and clinics there with supplies." According to Kramer, a number of Christians still live in the region, but have often been forced to close their churches and schools. Kramer asked that Christians pray for "the hearts of terrorists" at work in the region, as well as for those suffering.

Bangladeshi Muslims Force Christian Grandparents from Home

Compass Direct News reports that Muslims in a village in western Bangladesh have forced two brothers to expel their parents from their home for converting to Christianity. Ishmael Sheikh, 70, and his wife Rahima Khatun, 55, were baptized on Nov. 9. By the end of the month, Sheikh told Compass, Muslim neighbors in Kathuly village, near Gangni town in Meherpur district, had compelled their two sons to expel them from their house. The Muslims threatened that the children of Sheikh's sons would not be allowed to marry anyone from the village if the brothers allowed their parents to remain in their home. "We are the first converted Christians in this village," Sheikh said. "Neighbors told my sons, 'Why should your parents live in this village? They do not have a right to live here because they are no longer Muslims.'"

Most Protestant Churchgoers Open to Other Denominations

ASSIST News Service reports that a new survey shows that seven out of 10 regular churchgoers would be at least somewhat open to switching denominations, with Protestants being much more open to the idea than Roman Catholics. According to a news release from Ellison Research, respondents who attend worship services once a month identified the specific denomination (e.g. not just "Baptist," but "Southern Baptist") they attended most often, and were then asked what role that denomination would play if they could no longer attend their current church. Three out of 10 churchgoers said they would only consider attending one denomination and would not be open to anything else. Another 44 percent have one preferred denomination, but said they would also consider others. Nine percent said denomination was not a factor in their church attendance.

Egyptian Judge Ejects Lawyer for Christian from Court

Compass Direct News reports that an attempt by an Egyptian convert from Islam to legally change the religion listed on his identification card to "Christian" hit a setback on Jan. 6 when a judge ordered security personnel to remove his lawyer from court. Attorney Nabil Ghobreyal was expelled from the courtroom at Cairo's Administrative Court following a heated argument with Judge Mohammad Ahmad Atyia. The dispute arose after Atyia refused to acknowledge the existence of legal documents detailing the successful attempt of a Muslim man to convert to the Baha'i faith. Ghobreyal had planned to submit the court records of the decision in support of his case. The convert, Maher Ahmad El-Mo'otahssem Bellah El-Gohary, is only the second Egyptian Christian convert raised as a Muslim to request such a change.

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Burma Cracks Down on Rangoon Churches
Dan Wooding


January 16, 2009

RANGOON, BURMA (ANS) -- A serious crackdown on churches in Rangoon, the former capital of Burma, is taking place with local authorities in the city ordering at least 100 churches to stop holding worship services, according to the Mizzima new agency.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) says the news agency Mizzima also reports that the order could affect as many as 80 per cent of churches in the city, and that 50 pastors were forced to sign at least five documents promising to cease church services. The pastors were reportedly warned they could be jailed if they disobeyed the order.

CSW reports: "The campaign appears to be particularly targeted at churches meeting in apartment buildings, rather than churches that own their own building and land."

It adds: "According to a report by the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), officials from the local branch of the Ministry of Religious Affairs summoned the owners of buildings in which churches were meeting, and issued them with an order prohibiting the use of private property for religious purposes."

"Christians are worried that they will not be allowed to worship anymore, even in their own house," said one pastor in a report received by CSW.

Another pastor in Rangoon, who cannot be named for security reasons, claimed in a report received by CSW that several churches have now been locked and sealed, including three churches in South Dagon Township: the Evangelical Baptist Church, the Karen Baptist Church and the Dagon Joshua Church.

CSW says: "An eyewitness said that in one church, the pastor presented his Legal Registration Certificate provided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to the authorities when they came to inform him of the new order. In response, officials told him his registration certificate had been withdrawn.

"Some Christians believe that the immediate cause of the crackdown is church involvement in providing relief for victims of Cyclone Nargis, which devastated the area in May 2008."

According to Shwekey Hoipang, a Chin pastor from Burma living in exile, the regime does not like the fact that Buddhists have been receiving help from churches, and fears this may possibly result in conversions.

"The regime does not want Buddhists coming in and out of churches. It does not want Christianity to grow in Burma," said Hoipang. "Ultimately, the regime seeks the destruction of Christianity. This is part of a top-secret plan by the military to stop Christian growth."

Burma is categorized as a 'Country of Particular Concern' by the US State Department, for its violations of religious freedom, CSW said.

In 2007, CSW published a report, 'Carrying the Cross: The military regime's campaign of restriction, discrimination and persecution against Christians in Burma,' which revealed a 17-point document allegedly from an organization affiliated to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, titled 'Programme to Destroy the Christian religion in Burma.' The first point states: "There shall be no home where the Christian religion is practiced."

Benedict Rogers, East Asia Team Leader at CSW and author of Carrying the Cross said: "There is no doubt that the regime is hostile to minority religions in Burma, particularly Christianity and Islam, and seeks to restrict and suppress them."

He added: "This recent crackdown is an extremely worrying development and a serious violation of religious freedom. We urge the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion and Belief, and the US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, to put pressure on the Burmese junta to end these violations and to permit churches and other religious institutions to operate freely, in accordance with internationally-accepted norms of religious freedom."

A full copy of CSW's report Carrying the Cross: The military regime's campaign of restriction, discrimination and persecution against Christians in Burma can be found here: http://dynamic.csw.org.uk/article.asp?t=report&id=36

The US State Department International Religious Freedom Report 2008 is available here: www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108402.htm

CSW is a human rights organization which specializes in religious freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all.

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Religion Today Summaries - Jan. 16, 2009
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

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

In today's edition:

    * Chinese Government Offers Compensation to Pastor Bike
    * Christian Youth Prepare for Cyber-Missions Trip
    * Warren Applauds Choice of Gene Robinson
    * Religious Groups Seek Executive Order Banning Torture

Chinese Government Offers Compensation to Pastor Bike

Mission News Network reports that Chinese authorities are now paying for their interference and harassment of Pastor "Bike" Zhang Mingxuan and his family. The Public Security Bureau paid 17,000 yuan as an indirect admission of guilt, according to China Aid. The payment covers medical costs for Pastor Bike's son, who was severely beaten by PSB authorities. Pastor Bike's case has garnered international attention since he was forced out of Beijing before the Olympic Games. He has been accosted multiple times since then, including an incident on Dec. 21, 2008, when he was detained and prevented from meeting Christians in Wulanhaote city, Inner Mongolia. Pastor Bike is the head of the Chinese House Church Alliance, which authorities officially eliminated in late November.

Christian Youth Prepare for Cyber-Missions Trip

Nearly 2,000 teens have signed up for a new kind of missions trip -- the virtual kind. According to the Christian Post, the "Online Missions Trip" plans to take the Gospel into social networking sites online. "[T]his is a two-week opportunity for all of us to bombard Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, whatever social places you go to online, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ," explains Tim Schomoyer, the organizer of the missions trip and youth pastor at Alexandria Covenant Church in Minnesota, in the missions trip's promotional video. Dozens of churches worldwide have signed up for the "trip." Like physical mission trips, this online one includes two weeks of training before youth launch their mission Feb. 1. Organizers say the goal is to use online conversations to springboard face-to-face discussions and church event invitations.

Warren Applauds Choice of Gene Robinson

The Washington Post reports that megachurch pastor Rick Warren, who pray the invocation at President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration, applauded Obama and his inaugural committee for inviting an openly gay bishop to the week's events. Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, who called the conservative Warren's invitation a "slap in the face" to LGBT groups, will pray at the inaugural opening ceremony on Sunday. Warren praised Obama's choice in a statement, saying Robinson's inclusion "demonstrated his genuine commitment to bringing all Americans of goodwill together in search of common ground. I applaud his desire to be the president of every citizen."

Religious Groups Seek Executive Order Banning Torture

Religion News Service reports that an interfaith coalition of religious groups has asked President-elect Barack Obama to sign an executive order banning torture on his first day in office. Members of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture sent Obama a letter with their request on Friday (Jan. 9) and met with members of his transition team on Wednesday. "We believe it's the singular most important act that he can take after being sworn in that will tell the nation and tell the world that the United States has changed," said Linda Gustitus, president of the campaign, in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. The letter was signed by more than 30 Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders.