Christian Persecution Around the World

[Soldier4Christ]

Statistics are just estimates. It is difficult to obtain exact numbers as not all incidents are reported with religion being the basis of the situation and then there are many that may claim Christianity as their religion that do not even have any semblance whatsoever to Christianity. Such as some place Roman Catholics and Protestants together and others do not then some go to the outer extreme of placing some Buddhists as Christians.

A German Religious Liberty Commission reports that as least 55,000 Christians are killed every year for their faith.

An average of 171,000 Christians worldwide are martyred for their faith per year as of mid-year 2007 estimates made by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Per a WND article of June 23, 2005:

While solid numbers are difficult to ascertain, it has been estimated that as many as 160,000 Christians are martyred each year worldwide.

[nChrist]

We are already starting to see it here, from other "Christian churches."

I myself think that number is higher. I'm almost sure there are Christians martyred that are not known about.

Hello DreamWeaver,

Brother, I agree completely. There are probably mass graves around the world full of slaughtered Christians that we've heard nothing about at all. I suspect that mass killing of Christians has been going on for many years in Islamic countries and places like North Korea. The reported 16,000 Christians killed each year are probably just the tip of the iceberg.

I would also agree that Christians in this part of the world are soft and not prepared for serious trials. In fact, I think that many self-proclaimed Christians aren't Christians at all. In terms of preparation, we wouldn't be talking about stockpiling food and things like that, rather of becoming Strong in CHRIST. GOD has already supplied the food we need to grow stronger - HIS WORD. The real POWER is of GOD and from GOD. We can't be strong in and of ourselves, but we belong to ALMIGHTY GOD, the KING OF KINGS. Our Salvation is in HIM and so is our STRENGTH! We simply need to yield to HIM and let HIM work in and through us. So, the STRENGTH we need is GOD in us and GOD working through us.

Love In Christ,
Tom

2 Timothy 4:16-18 NASB
At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Colossians 1:9-12 NASB
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

Ephesians 1:18-23 NASB
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 3:14-19 NASB
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 6:10-17 NASB
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Philippians 4:12-13 NASB
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

[Shammu]

Woman Escorted Off Bus For Reading Bible Aloud
Reporting Carol Cavazos
Dec 30, 2007

FORT WORTH (CBS 11 News) ― A passenger on a Fort Worth bus says the T. Bus Service discriminated against her religion.

Christine Lutz says she was reading her Bible to her children when the bus driver asked her to stop or get off the bus.

Lutz, a Seventh Day Adventist, and her children were on their way to church.

"She then said, 'Well I don't think this is the place or the time to do so.' And I said, 'Oh, but it's the perfect time and the perfect place since it is our Sabbath and it is the time with the Lord and therefore I'm going to continue.' And I continued," she explained.

Then, a TRE supervisor came on board. Lutz also told him that she would not stop reading. She and her family were escorted off the bus.

"This was definitely a clear cut case of persecution," she said.

Or was it a clear cut case of policy?

"Anyone who is loud will be asked to be quiet," said representative Joan Hunter. "That is a standard policy across country in the transit industry."

It doesn't matter what is said, the T has a policy of no loud or abusive behavior.

"It's only if the other passengers will complain, or it's obviously so loud it's distracting the operator, that we will ask them to stop," Hunter explained.

Woman Escorted Off Bus For Reading Bible Aloud

[Shammu]

India Christians Hiding In Jungles As Violence Continues
Sunday, 30 December 2007 (23 hours ago)
By Santosh Digal

Anti-Christian violence continues in Orissa.    

BHUBANESWAR, INDIA -- Over one thousand Christians, including priests, nuns, women and children, have fled to the jungles of India’s Orissa State where deadly anti-Christian violence entered its seventh day, a church official told BosNewsLife Sunday, December 30.

"The situation is still under tension," in Orissa’s communal clash-stricken district of Kandhama, said Leena Joseph a missionary nun of the Catholic St. Joseph order in Orissa, after Hindu extremists’ attacks killed at least nine Christians this week and injured many more.   

"Church leaders and minority Christians have lost faith in the government and police for having failed to protect the minority community," she added, referring to the Christians hiding in jungles. “The government has always passive, inactive and apathetic when it comes to Christians and their welfare," the nun added.

It came as police on Sunday, December 30, apparently expelled a national fact-finding mission of Christian officials from the tense Kandhamal district, some 336 kilometers (210 miles) southwest of Orissa’s capital Bhubaneswar, BosNewsLife established.

INVESTIGATORS EXPELLED

In a statement obtained by BosNewsLife, team-leader John Dayal, a member of the National Integration Council advising the government, said he and five other officials were prevented from entering violence affected areas.

Police Chief Pradeep Kapoor, who supervises security forces in the area, reportedly denied the reported death toll of at least nine Christians, and expressed doubts that  dozens of churches and other buildings were burned down. It was not immediately possible to verify those reported comments immediately, but several church sources have spoken of widespread destruction in Orissa.

The All India Christian Council (AICC), a major advocacy group of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations and lay leaders, said so far six dead bodies had been recovered while about 400 Christian homes and 60 churches were torched by angry Hindu mobs.

"Young and healthy Christians have left their villages to flee for their lives, children, women, old and sick who could not flee for their lives are in great danger of their lives,” said Dayal. Christians, he said, "are starving for the last four days, sick are suffering without medical attention."

"FORCED CONVERSIONS"

Meanwhile in statements obtained by BosNewsLife, victims said they "are forced to convert to Hinduism" if they are to get food, medical attention and shelter and their "heads are shelved off."

There has been international concern about the situation.

On Sunday, December 30, a US-based human rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) joined in the debate, saying clashes in Kandhamal district, some 336 kilometers (210 miles) southwest of Orissa’s capital Bhubaneswar, was carried out by  Hindu groups who were conducting an "anti Christian" campaign for several years.

HRW alleged that authorities looked the other way and urged India’s government to “act immediately" to end the violence between Hindus and Christians in Orissa.

It said it was important that an independent inquiry was launched to identify those instigating the riots. "The Orissa government should have addressed this problem before it became violent," added HRW Asia Division’s Senior Researcher Meenakshi Ganguly, in comments monitored by BosNewsLife

AUTHORITIES SLOW

"The authorities are still failing to react quickly enough, and now ordinary people are being attacked," the researcher added. "Unless there is a vigorous attempt by the national government to investigate such activities promoting religious hate, India's secular identity will be seriously jeopardized," Ganguly said.

Earlier Sunday, December 30, a delegation claiming to represent millions of Indian Christians met Indian Vice President Mohanmad Hamid Ansari, urging him to  protect the Christians in Orissa and help villagers to return to their homes.

The violence began Monday, December 24, when Hindu mobs interrupted Christmas celebrations and vandalized Christmas decorations in several areas of Kandhamal district. The violence soon spread, with reports of nine deaths and hundreds injured.

Local Hindus claim the violence began after Christians attacked a Hindu leader. Christians say the attacks — the latest in several bouts of religious violence that have plagued the state over the past few years — were sparked by church plans for a performance to celebrate Christmas.

HINDU ANGER

Orissa is predominantly Hindu, with a small Christian minority of less than one million people. Over the past few years, though, thousands of Hindus have converted to Christianity, adding to anger among nationalist organizations who church officials say are behind the latest violence.

"They want to convert people to Christianity and convert the country into a Christian land," said Swami Laxmananand Saraswati, head of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) or 'World Hindu Council', one of India's biggest Hindu nationalist groups.» We are opposed to that and that is the source of all disputes and fights," the official told reporters.

In addition, as with most communal violence in India, the latest explosion of hatred is also the result of a tangled intersection of political power, communal prejudice and the “injustices” of Hinduism's archaic caste system, analysts and church officials say.

Orissa has a history of religious tensions. In one of the most publicized cases, in 1999, right-wing Hindu activists burned alive Australian Protestant missionary Graham Stuart Staines and his two minor sons in their car in Orissa following a Bible study class. The killing of a Catholic priest, Father Arul Doss of Balasore diocese, occurred the same year by same Hindu activists.

There have been hundreds of attacks against Christians across India in the last two years alone, according to human rights watchers, who fear an increase in anti-Christian violence. Christians comprise less than three percent of the country’s mainly Hindu population of 1.1 billion people.

India Christians Hiding In Jungles As Violence Continues

[Soldier4Christ]

Sidewalk counselor's bones broken while on clinic duty
Man escorting women into abortion business knocks 69-year-old unconscious

Pro-life activists are calling for an investigation into – and possibly prosecution of – police officers who responded to a severely injured abortion clinic sidewalk counselor, but then allowed his suspected attacker to leave the scene.

"It is unbelievable that an officer would allow an attacker to go free after inflicting life-threatening injuries on an elderly gentleman, then threaten to arrest the witness to the crime," said Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue.

"That was not only unprofessional conduct, but it showed a fundamental lack of respect for Mr. Snell's life and beliefs. She should face serious discipline."

The attack happened just before Christmas, as Ed Snell, 69, was trying to counsel women entering the Hillcrest Abortion Center in Harrisburg, Pa., according to witnesses at the scene.

According to a report by the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, the work of counselors such as Snell had been so effective at Hillcrest that the abortion business had built a 7-foot-tall privacy fence to prevent counselors from speaking to women entering the business.

So counselors started bringing ladders to see over the fence. Snell, however, built a platform on top of his vehicle in order to have a more stable location to stand.

John McTernan, a witness to the incident, said Snell tried to counsel a woman who got out of a vehicle and was going towards the abortion business with a man.

However, the man suddenly jumped the fence, "leaped on the vehicle with Ed and catapulted him off of the vehicle and onto the ground," he said. Snell landed on his back and head and was knocked unconscious, he said.

He was hospitalized with multiple trauma, bleeding in his head, compression fractures of four vertebrae, two broken ribs and a broken shoulder, the report said.

The problem escalated when three police officers who arrived on the scene to investigate allowed the attacker to leave, the report said. Even though the assailant still was in the business when officers arrived, and they were able to talk with him, they allowed the assailant and his companion to drive away, the report said.

The report said the following exchange then developed:

    McTernan to police: "What are you doing? That's him! That's the assailant!"

    Officer: "It is none of your business."

    McTernan: "I am making it my business. Ed Snell is my good friend."

The officer then threatened to arrest McTernan, and he responded. "I want to know why the assailant walked away from this scene where an elderly man was left unconscious."

That was followed by another threat to arrest McTernan by the officer, who then drove away.

It wasn't until after the extent of Snell's injuries were documented by the hospital that the assailant was arrested, the report said. A WND call to the Harrisburg police department was referred to the mayor's office, and officials there did not return messages seeking a comment.

"I cannot imagine me [as a pro-lifer], striking someone connected with Hillcrest [Abortion Center], knocking them unconscious, the police coming, the injured person being taken away in an ambulance and the police letting me go," McTernan said. "There is something wrong with that."

The report also said pro-lifers asked the abortion business receptionist about the incident, and were told, "He got what he deserved."

Operation Rescue said the incident was another in a "growing list" of attacks on pro-life advocates in recent months.

[Soldier4Christ]

9 dead in attacks by Hindu gangs 
90 churches, 600 homes torched during violence

Nine people are dead and dozens of churches and hundreds of Christians' homes have been torched during a surge of Hindu violence in India, according to reports from organizations working there.

Compass Direct News reports that the deaths and damage have been reported since Christmas Eve, when members of the extremist World Hindu Council launched their assaults on the faithful belonging to Christianity.

"Orissa state's Kandhamal district remains tense 10 days after the series of anti-Christian attacks began, and thousands of Christians whose houses have been burned down are facing hunger and fear," the Compass Direct report said.

Pastor Victor John, who was in the region during the attacks, said federal Indian troops have been deployed, but there still remain tensions and worries.

The nation's Human Rights Commission this week reported nine deaths from the attacks, close to 90 churches burned, about 600 homes either torched or vandalized, and about 5,000 people forced to flee.

Swami Laxmananda Saraswati, a leader of the World Hindu Council (VHP), told local reporters that the violence was triggered by Hindus who converted to Christianity.

While John Dayal, general secretary of the All India Christian Council, told Compass the death toll remained unconfirmed, there appeared to be a number of such cases.

"Many people, including young women, are still reported missing," Dayal told Compaass Direct. "We have no accounting, and neither do we know if the police have tried to search for them. Christians have been arrested, we learn, but there is no official word on it.

"Troublemakers seem to have a free hand in the entire district," he said.

One of difficulties, he said, is that the government forces have prevented church groups from sending teams into the area of the attacks to assess damage and offer assistance.

The violence apparently erupted first in Kandhamal as members of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in one small village were preparing for their Christmas celebration.

A Hindu mob, upset with Christianity's beliefs and the apparent choice by some Hindus to follow Christianity, attacked the Christians and their shops, the Compass Direct agency reported.

The blame, the report said, rests with Saraswati, who has opposed Christians and their work in India for more than a decade.

"It was Saraswati who instigated the mob to attack us," one Christian villager told Compass Direct on condition of anonymity. "Later, Christians learned that Saraswati was coming to launch more attacks. Sections of Christians tried to stop him on the way, which resulted in a clash between the two groups, following which the VHP claimed that their leader was hurt and announced that now Christians would be attacked as revenge."

The series of attacks earlier prompted Christians to stage a rally to demand government intervention to halt violence against members of the minority religion.

The recent rally in Delhi drew an estimated 1,000 Christians and was organized by the All India Christian Council.

A message was delivered to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after officials met with Union Home Minister Shivraj V. Patil, as well as the head of the National Commission for Minorities.

However, Compass Direct also reported that the very officials who are supposed to be keeping order sometimes apparently have contributed to the problems. Local police officers in Bangalore recently arrested and harassed five workers from the Indian Church of Christ, the report said.

"One man holding a video camera slapped me on the face while focusing the camera on us, while others held us by our collars," Shaijus Philip told Compass. "A huge guy kept hitting and punching us, using abusive language against Christianity, the church and us. They caught hold of three more brothers who were there and called the police, falsely accusing us of various crimes."

The Christians were jailed five days, while their attackers went free, the report said.

"The Christians were arrested for hurting religious sentiments of Hindus," an officer in a police station said.

"The police, who are supposed to protect all citizens from criminal assaults, are often found to be conniving with the ruling government to organize religion-related violence or harass the victims hoping to get bribes," a spokesman for the Christian Legal Association told Compass.

In just one incident alone, a mob estimated at 25 Hindu extremists attacked a troupe of Christians who had been putting on a play, cutting off one man's finger and seriously injuring several others.

Earlier, Hindu extremists were accused of disrupting a prayer meeting, attacking a pastor and filing false charges of forcible conversion against the church leader in Virajpet town, Kodagu district, in Karnataka.

Another gang of Hindu extremists attacked a prayer meeting, pelting the building being used with stones and beating up Christians.

And the violence continues. According to Assist News Service, seven Christian church members were beaten on New Year's Day, with two members admitted to a government hospital for treatment.

"More than 200 believers … were praying … when about 25 radicals entered the church with metal rods, knives and started to mercilessly attack on the peaceful worshippers," the report said.

"Our leaders in Orissa and media reports both indicate that attacks on Christians were not spontaneous but preplanned by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other Hindutva groups. Also, the state government misled the people of India by making repeated statements that the situation was under control. It is tragic. Orissa burned while politicians talked," said Dr. Joseph D'souza, president of the All India Christian Council and international president of the Dalit Freedom Network.

"Hindutva leaders say the violence is a response to conversions by Christian missionaries," said Udit Raj, national chairman of the All India Confederation. "But this is a lie. Christian missionaries are targeted by Hindutva and upper cast forces because Christians truly provide education and social upliftment…"

Singh has responded with an announcement of a plan for compensation for Christian victims of the riots and attacks. According to the Global Council of Indian Christians, he's proposed a payment of about $2,400 U.S. for the next of kin for the victims, and about $240 U.S. for those whose homes were damaged.

According to Gospel for Asia, another Christian ministry working in India, the violence has amounted to a virtual terror campaign against Christians.

"This violence against believers in Orissa breaks my heart," said K.P. Yohannan, founder and president of GFA. "This is the same state where missionary Graham Staines and his two sons were martyred. The believers know they will face opposition, but this outburst of persecution at Christmas time is especially disturbing."

GFA said a project on which its missionaries had worked in Orissa was destroyed, and its missionary leader Matish Junni attacked.

"The mob beat Matish and shaved his head. Then they mockingly paraded him around the village, shouting slurs against him and other Christians," the report said. "They also forced Matish to go to their religious temples. When the mob finally released him, they warned him not to continue the construction."

WND recently reported when religious radicals threatened to burn a Christian church's pastor and his family, and the church building was vandalized with a Hindu "Om" symbol.

cont'd

[Soldier4Christ]

Just weeks earlier, another church leader in India was attacked, beaten and kicked for being Christian.

Even within the United States, there have been attacks, although verbal instead of physical. As WND reported, the Hindu American Foundation has attacked Christian organizations ranging from the Southern Baptists' missions board and Gospel for Asia to Olive Tree Ministries, which aims to teach Christians about their beliefs.

"The proliferation of websites promoting religious hatred is an unfortunate consequence of the universality of access to the Internet," said Vinay Vallabh, the lead author of a report that attacked the Christian groups for their expression of their beliefs.

"We must vigorously identify, condemn and counter those who use the Internet to espouse chauvinism and bigotry over the principles of pluralism and tolerance," Vallabh said.

Vallabh's report, called "Hyperlink to Hinduphobia: Online Hatred, Extremism and Bigotry Against Hindus," expresses his hope that Internet Service Providers will start censoring Christian postings of their beliefs, "a necessary step as we continue our balancing act between free speech and licentious speech that leads to violence in the electronic age."

[nChrist]

Brothers and Sisters,

We should all be getting the picture soon if we don't already have it. Everyone is allowed to have beliefs and practice those beliefs except Christians. It appears that there are well established freedoms to be anything except a Christian, and this is progressing rapidly in this part of the world ALSO!

"HINDUPHOBIA" - WOW! - give us all a break! There is NO fear or hatred of Hindus - just disagreement. They disagree with everyone who isn't a Hindu, and everyone who isn't a Hindu disagrees with them. ALL of the violence and hatred appears to be the exact opposite of what they are claiming. JUST where is any information about Christians committing violence against non-Christians?

It looks like things are getting pretty wild and growing worse now by almost the minute. BUCKLE YOUR SEAT BELT!

The worst I've heard about is Christians finally defending themselves, and that isn't unique to ANY religion at all. Hindus say that other religions are false, and the same is said about their religion. The difference is that they are the ones committing the violence and performing acts of extreme hatred - NOT CHRISTIANS!

[Shammu]

Megachurches Targeted for Pro-Gay Campaign
By
Nathan Black
Christian Post Reporter
Mon, Dec. 03 2007 04:49 PM ET

Two homosexual groups plan to launch a national campaign targeting the most influential megachurches and its leaders in an attempt to change their views on gays and lesbians.

Soulforce, which promotes "pro-gay" interpretations of Scripture, and COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) are currently recruiting LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) parents and their children along with other supporters for "The American Family Outing" in 2008. Selected families will visit six major megachurches to "educate" the public on the issue of homosexuality.

"Through our visibility we hope to peacefully challenge the false stereotypes about LGBT people and same-gender families, and educate the public through authentic and personal conversations - real parents sharing their stories and describing the hurtful effects of prejudice and religious condemnation," said a statement describing the national campaign, which will run from Mother's Day weekend in May through Father's Day weekend in June.

Churches being targeted are those led by Joel Osteen, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Dr. Rick Warren, Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., Bill Hybels and Bishop Eddie Long. Along with most Christian leaders, all have expressed to some degree an opposition to the homosexual lifestyle.

Soulforce contends that these younger generation evangelical leaders "are striving to change the tone of the national political debate with messaging that is less punitive, therefore making religion-based discrimination seem more palatable to the mainstream American public."

The upcoming campaign comes at a time when more evangelical churches are showing compassion toward the homosexual community. While still rejecting homosexual behavior as sin, Christians are increasingly welcoming and loving homosexuals, departing from the hateful and homophobic labels often attached to churches.

Still, churches continue to struggle with the issue of homosexuality in a culture that is more open to gay and lesbian lifestyles.

Participants of The American Family Outing plan to attend a worship service at each of the megachurches and also request time for panel discussions and a chance to engage in informal conversations with congregants of the churches.

Before the visits, 40 recruited families are required to attend a weekend of training in Austin, Texas, in February to prepare for theological dialogue and nonviolent direct action.

Megachurches Targeted for Pro-Gay Campaign

[Shammu]

Malaysia Embroiled in Another Conversion Court Battle
By
Sze Leng Chan
Christian Post Correspondent
Fri, Jan. 04 2008 10:01 AM ET



Malaysia is engaged in yet another conversion court battle, with the country’s high court deciding whether the Christian widower of a Malaysian woman has the legal right to stop Islamic authorities from burying her in accordance with Muslim rites.

The judges in the court have to decide whether Wong Sau Lan, 53, converted to Islam before she died. The conversion claim made by the Islamic Council is being contested by her husband, Ngiam Tee Kong, who had received a notice from the council that she converted to Islam on Christmas Eve.

The case is the latest in the string of cases brought before the court that tests the strength of the Malaysian Constitution in defending religious freedom for minority groups.

Last year, Lina Joy, one of Malaysia’s best known Christians, lost a six-year battle with the government over its refusal to remove Islam from her national identity card even though she converted to Christianity.

In his judgment against Joy, Federal Court Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim had stated that individuals “cannot simply convert from one religion to another (at the whim and fancy of the individual)” even though religious freedom is protected by the constitution.

The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship of Malaysia had condemned the court decision and claimed that it was retreating in the face of ”relentless onslaught” on their position

Malaysia Embroiled in Another Conversion Court Battle

[Shammu]

Rioters burn two more churches in Kenya
Steve Coleman
January 4, 2008

NAIROBI, Kenya- Two more churches have been burned down in Kenya by rioters protesting what they maintain was the president's rigged re-election.

Blackened flakes of Bible pages fluttered through the air and stained glass windows shattered as flames devoured a Lutheran church in Nairobi. Across the street, a second church was blazing.

Isaac Oronga watched fire consume the Evangelical Lutheran Church where he was baptized and where his parents were married. The 22-year-old Oronga said, "Politics has nothing to do with
God."

Kenya is predominantly Christian, but churches have become targets in a violent ethnic rivalry exposed by the election dispute.

On Tuesday, a mob torched a church in the Kenyan city of Eldoret where members of the president's tribe had sought refuge. Witnesses said dozens, including children, were burned alive or hacked to death.

Rioters burn two more churches in Kenya

[Shammu]

Sidewalk counselor's bones broken while on clinic duty
Man escorting women into abortion business knocks 69-year-old unconscious

Pro-life activists are calling for an investigation into – and possibly prosecution of – police officers who responded to a severely injured abortion clinic sidewalk counselor, but then allowed his suspected attacker to leave the scene.

More is coming out on this story.............

Police looked other way in attack on pro-lifer
Rusty Pugh
January 4, 2008

The leader of a Kansas-based pro-life group says as pro-lifers continue to come under attack, police departments are increasingly turning a blind eye to the attackers -- and in some cases, threatening the pro-lifers with arrest.
Hear this Report
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Ed Snell, 69, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was hospitalized with injuries so severe that doctors feared he would die. The multiple trauma -- including a fractured skull, fractured vertebrae, and brain injury -- reportedly came at the hands of a man who was escorting a woman to have an abortion. Snell was attempting to counsel the woman from a distance when the attack occurred.

According to Operation Rescue president Troy Newman, witnesses to the attack summoned the police, who were across the street when the attack happened. Newman says not only did the police allow the perpetrator to leave the scene, but a female officer threatened one of the witnesses with arrest for interfering with a police investigation.

"I think it's really unconscionable when police officers, who are sworn to uphold the public trust and the law and order of the country, look aside from the perpetrator when a man is lying unconscious in the middle of the street," says the pro-life leader.

But Newman believes this is just part of an ongoing process. "[P]olice departments around the country [are trying] to hide what the abortion industry is doing, as pro-lifers are fervently exposing the unfruitful works of darkness," he shares. "Unfortunately, it could very well be part of a larger oppression of the Christian values that [believers] are expressing around the country."

Newman says it was only later, after learning of the seriousness of Snell's injuries, that the attacker was arrested and charged with felony assault.

Police looked other way in attack on pro-lifer

[Soldier4Christ]

Arson blamed in three Alabama church fires

CRAWFORD, Ala.- The Alabama State Fire Marshal's Office says arson is to blame for three church fires last week, but investigators are unsure if the fires are related.

Greater Bethelpore Baptist Church in Smiths Station burned to the ground Thursday. Woodland Baptist Church in Ladonia received minor damage in a fire Friday.

At the Greater Peace and Goodwill AME Church in Crawford, Alabama, which was heavily damaged on New Year's Day, the Reverend James Parker said he would like to meet and pray with whoever is
responsible.

Parker says, "You pray that the Lord can use this evil for something good. You pray that God will touch their heart." Another member of Greater Goodwill adds, "You can't burn God. You can't
defeat Him."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Satanists" charges in Alabama church fires

Two men who authorities say dabbled in devil worship have been arrested in a rash of church arsons and vandalism in rural eastern Alabama.

Three church fires were set last week and a fourth was vandalized. The vandalism included scrawling on the wall of one church's Sunday school classroom: "Teach children to worship Satan!!"

Geoffrey Parquette and James Clark, both 21, have entered not guilty pleas. Neither had an attorney at their court appearance yesterday and both remain in custody.

The two were arrested after a stolen cross was found in Parquette's home and his grandmother alerted authorities, according to church members briefed by investigators.

Russell County Sheriff Tommy Boswell says the suspects called themselves "spiritual satanists."

[nChrist]

Brothers and Sisters,

Some people might laugh when reading something like this because of the mention of satan. Satan, evil, and hell are just as real as GOD, good, and Heaven. Christians must know this. Many of the powers that we wrestle with are evil and quite REAL! Our GOD has the ultimate power, and HE uses it at HIS Times and in HIS Will.

Ephesians 6:10-17 NASB
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 1:18-23 NASB
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Brothers and Sisters, we must KNOW that these things are TRUE!

Love In Christ,
Tom