The Persecution of Christians, around the world.

[Soldier4Christ]

If charges are brought against them I somehow see the ACLU defending them.

[Shammu]

I want the ACLU to sue the cop. That cop is infringing on rights, of being a Christian.

[Soldier4Christ]

I think that you will be left wanting.

[Shammu]

But, but, I want that to happen NOW!!  Yes I'm working on being blunt.

[nChrist]

           ROFL!

I was just laughing about the thought that the ACLU might be placed in a situation where they defended police officers. I think that I would pay to go and see that case. During my 25 years in police work, I somehow got the idea that the ACLU hated us, but we weren't gay, and nearly all of us were Christians.   

I really doubt that ANY straight, Christian police officers get Christmas cards from the ACLU.   

[Soldier4Christ]

I somehow doubt that also.

[Shammu]

Indonesian Christians to face firing squad for 2000 violence

Aug. 09 (AsiaNews) - Three Indonesian Christians, condemned to death for their part in the bloody sectarian clashes of 2000, will face a firing squad on August 12, the AsiaNews service reports.

After months of postponement, second thoughts by the authorities, and international appeals-- including one from the Pope-- the attorney general's office of Central Sulawesi has issued the order for execution of Fabianus Tibo, Dominggus da Silva, and Marinus Riwa. They were condemned to death for masterminding the massacre of 200 Muslims in Poso during inter-religious clashes in 2000.

Supporters of the condemned men have repeatedly protested the verdict against them, saying that the courts have been "blind and deaf" to evidence in favor of the condemned men. No Muslims have yet been convicted in connection with the religious clashes that killed hundreds of people in the Sulawesi region in 2000.

Indonesian Christians to face firing squad for 2000 violence

[Soldier4Christ]

All this because they defended themselves and their families against those that tried to kill them.

[Shammu]

All this because they defended themselves and their families against those that tried to kill them.

YUP!!

[Soldier4Christ]

Indian judges OK 'Hindu Taliban' 
Police given unlimited power to jail those talking of Christ

The Supreme Court in India has given police across the nation unlimited power to arrest and detain anyone who has been accused of talking to another person about Christianity.

The report comes from the World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission, which issued the alert on its News & Analysis mailing list, and Assist News Service.

The WEA report by researcher Elizabeth Kendall said the ruling "opens the door for police with Hindutya sympathies to act as Hindu Taliban."

Hindutya is a militant Hinduism that seeks political and religious dominance.

"Nuns, pastors, bishops and evangelists, as well as Christian aid workers, teachers and social workers, are all immediately at risk of arrest and imprisonment because of their Christian witness," Kendall's report said.

As WorldNetDaily has reported, India is moving up on the list of nations around the world where Christians are persecuted.

"In fact, every Christian, actively witnessing or not, is at risk from hostile elements that may exploit the opportunity to bring false charges against them, inspired by a variety of motives, in the same manner that the blasphemy law is exploited for person gain in Pakistan," Kendall wrote.

The technical ruling from India's Supreme Court was that police are not required to have warrants to file First Issue Reports and arrest and detain suspects.

According to the Times of India, the ruling relieves police and prosecutors of the requirement of "prior sanction" from the federal or state governments, or a local prosecutor.

The previous practice that protected religious leaders in their speech was found in the Criminal Procedure Code, which says, "no court shall take cognizance" of a complaint about proselytizing unless there was government approval for the arrest.

But the new court ruling from Justices G.P. Mathur and Dalveer Bhandari said the only requirement for an arrest on those charges is a complaint, relieving police of that "authorization" requirement that was set for the courts.

The decision, described by the IndLaw.com website, came in a case involving Pastor Paulrai Raju of Kanartaka state. He was beaten by Hindus last year and arrested on charges of trying to convert Hindus to Christianity. His wife petitioned on the basis there was no warrant, and a lower court quashed the case.

But the state government appealed and the case eventually ended up before the Supreme Court.

Kendall's report said the Times of India noted the court explained that although a prior sanction would be required for a court to hear the case, that is not needed before someone could be accused by police, then arrested and detained, for proselytizing.

"Mere production of the arrested accused before the magistrate and the latter remanding him to custodial detention does not amount to taking cognizance of the offence, for which alone prior sanction is required," the court's opinion said.

[Soldier4Christ]

Praying chaplain faces court date 
Minister told grieving family members accident victim dedicated life to 'Christ'

A priest in the Evangelical Episcopal Church who has served as a U.S. Navy chaplain is asking a military court to dismiss a series of complaints filed against him after he was caught praying in "Jesus" name.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled Monday for Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, who is accused of participating in a March 30 event with former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore in front of the White House. He's also accused of telling the congregation at the funeral of an accident victim the man had given his life to "Christ."

Lt. Klingenschmitt told WorldNetDaily he prayed at the White House event, as historically has been allowed for military chaplains, but didn't express political or other views while in uniform. And at the funeral, he talked about the victim's faith.

"I was preaching at a memorial service, honoring the Christian faith of the deceased sailor, saying he's in heaven today because of his faith in Jesus Christ," Klingenschmitt said.

He said his superior officer, Capt. James R. Carr, then punished him for speaking about Jesus, and that decision was affirmed by officers higher up in rank.

On Monday, his lawyer will argue in the hearing at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., that his commander's order that he not wear his uniform and speak of Jesus was illegal, that his prosecutors and judges so far, in fact, have been the same people, and the Navy has refused to document evidence in the case.

The chaplain, who earlier this summer staged an 18-day hunger strike to protest the military's new prayer policy, also has filed a whistleblower complaint with Congress because of his commander's criticism that preaching about Jesus is "exclusive" and that offended people.

Klingenschmitt told WND the new prayer policy, essentially, allows only generic prayer.

The order not to pray in Jesus name was inappropriate, Klingenschmitt's motion to dismiss argues, because federal law "expressly protects a chaplain's right to 'conduct public worship according to the manner and forms of the church of which he is a member.'"

"The very symbol upon the Chaplain's uniform, a cross to symbolize his Christian faith, implies that his public religious speech during public prayer is not the 'official view of the government,' yet still permitted in the uniform," the motion says. "For the government to attempt to punish a chaplain for publicly saying two prayers and reading from the Bible in uniform would impermissibly violate the chaplain's right protected by the U.S. Code to speak as an officer specifically commissioned to represent the official views and worship style of his church."

When Klingenschmitt was told not to wear a uniform at a church service, "his rights to the free exercise of religion, speech, to assemble and petition the government were all impermissibly restricted," the motion says.

The order also violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, it said. During a court challenge to that law, the federal court's conclusion was that an attempt to prevent military chaplains from discussing "political" issues violated the First Amendment.

"What we have here is the government's attempt to override the Constitution and the laws of the land by a directive that clearly interferes with military chaplains' free exercise and free speech rights," the decision said.

The case falls under the "whistleblower" framework because the restrictions were imposed only on Klingenschmitt shortly after he had contacted Congress and the president about the issues.

It was during this process and following his complaints that the U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure permitting chaplains to pray "according to the dictates of their conscience."

Another six dozen chaplains also have joined together in a civilian lawsuit that alleges the Navy hierarchy allows only those Christian ministers who advocate only non-sectarian blandishments to be promoted. Those with evangelical beliefs, they say, are routinely drummed from the Navy.

The lieutenant's second motion to dismiss is based on the fact that the charges against Klingenschmitt were filed under the general supervision of an admiral who clearly had an interest in the case.

"Not only has ADM (F.R.) Ruehe been the decision-making authority for previous complaints filed by Chaplain Klingenschmitt, but he also is currently the subject of several official complaints made against him personally … by Chaplain Klingenschmitt," the motion says.

The motions, prepared by Lt. Tiffany Hansen, JAG, and civilian defense counsel William J. Holmes, conclude with a motion noting that the government has declined to provide emails that were exchanged among the officers involved in disciplining Klingenschmitt unless he paid a fee in excess of $47,000.

The conversations among officers that led to Klingenschmitt's various punishments certainly are pertinent to making judgments on those actions, his motion says.

[Shammu]

Reports of 4 missionaries tortured in China
The head of the local police station, who was allegedly drunk that evening, and ten policemen tortured the four missionaries
 
Saturday, August 12, 2006

On July 24, 2006, four missionaries were arrested by the local police in Wuyi Township, Mengla County, Jinghong City, Yunan Province charged with "superstitious activity," according to the China Aid Association.

The head of the local police station, who was allegedly drunk that evening, and ten policemen tortured the four missionaries from 8 PM, July 24th until 2 AM the next day. One female missionary had her hair torn out, claimed CAA.

"In this remote area, where it is far from the emperor, I can beat you until you obey. You have no where to lodge a complaint," the police threatened. The police even discussed handing over the two women missionaries to a minority tribe to rape them, according to CAA.

CAA said the police handcuffed the four missionaries to chairs in their office and left them there until 2 PM, July 25, 2006, when they were escorted to Mengla County National Security Guard squad office.

The police could not prove they had committed any crime so they set them free at 8 PM, July 25, 2006, after searching their pockets. The police confiscated $400 in cash, Bibles, and hymn disks and did not issue any receipts.

The 4 missionaries were in so much pain they could hardly walk out the gate of the National Security Guard office, CAA said, adding that they stated that they did not think they would survive the interrogation.

According to CAA, the 4 missionaries are: Xing Baoying and Wang Guizhen from Luohe, Henan; Li Jianying from Jinghong town, Jinghong city; Li Tuying from Jinghong Farm;

Xing Baoying and Wang Guizhen were just released on March 10th 2006 from the Reeducation through Labor camp, where they served their sentence of 2 years because of religious sake.

Sister Wang Guizhen was converted in 1984. 10 years after her conversion she studied in southern China Theological Seminary. She worked for the Three-Self church for 1 year after graduation. In 1999, Sister Wang left the Three-Self church, and started serving in house churches, said CAA.

Sister Wang Guizhen and her husband, brother Xing Baoying were arrested on July 25th, 2004. They endured torture in the custody centre, said CAA, adding that they were later put into "Re-education through labor camp" for 2 years because of sister Wang refused to cooperate with the Three-Self church. Sister Wang Guizhen and Brother Xing Baoying had just been

Reports of 4 missionaries tortured in China

[Shammu]

Malaysia braces for ruling on Islam conversion
Sat Aug 12, 2006 9:11pm ET161

By Jalil Hamid and Liau Y-Sing

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia is expecting a court ruling any day now that could shake society to its foundations: does a Muslim have the right to convert to another faith?

A Muslim by birth, Lina Joy decided to become a Christian, marry and raise a family. But in Malaysia, where Islam is the official religion, this is an affair of state, not conscience.

The 42-year-old has asked the Federal Court, the country's highest civil judicial authority, to acknowledge her decision to convert to Christianity and is now awaiting a verdict.

Whatever the outcome, the decision could pose a headache for a government that is trying to meet the demands of the majority Muslim population and the sizeable minority of non-Muslims.

"The fundamental question in Lina's case is whether Muslims in this country can convert?" said political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda.

It's a tricky legal question in multiracial, multi-religious Malaysia. Ethnic Malays, who make up just over half of Malaysia's 26 million people, are deemed Muslims from birth.

Azlina Jailani was one of them. She was brought up as a Muslim but at the age of 26 she decided to become a Christian.

In 1999, the National Registration Department allowed her to change the name in her identity card to Lina Joy but the ID entry for her religion remained as "Islam".

Until the entry is deleted, she cannot legally marry outside the Muslim faith. The legal wrangling began when she took the department to court over the anomaly.

Joy could not be reached for comment.

Constitutionally, freedom of religion is guaranteed. But in reality, conversion out of Islam comes under the ambit of sharia or Islamic courts. And under sharia law, renouncing the Islamic faith is punishable by fines or jail. It isn't an option.

'POLITICAL DYNAMITE'

Muslims who leave Islam end up in legal limbo, unable to register their new religious affiliations or to legally marry non-Muslims. Many keep quiet about their choice or emigrate.

A court victory for Joy could be explosive.

"It's political dynamite. It will create instability," Abdul Razak said. "For decades, the position of Malays and Muslims have been guaranteed.

"It will open the floodgates. Now you see Malays are going to convert and the government sanctions that. Definitely there will be a huge backlash and PAS is going to town with it."

Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS), the country's biggest Islamic opposition party, agrees.

"It will be a bad precedent," PAS deputy chief Nasharuddin Mat Isa told Reuters. "It will create some uneasiness in the Malay community. It could lead to demonstrations."

The influential Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia, the Muslim youth group once led by former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, wrote a letter asking the Federal Court to dismiss the appeal.

"Allowing Malays to leave Islam automatically will erode the status, the rights and the privileges of Malays," it said.

But a ruling against Joy could also inflame opinion among non-Muslims, who are already aggrieved over what they see as the gradual encroachment of Islamic law into civil society.

"If they rule against Lina Joy, the whole question of religious liberty -- the freedom of conscience, choice, expression and thought of an individual -- will be greatly affected," said Wong Kim Kong, secretary-general of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship Malaysia, which represents about two-thirds of Malaysia's roughly 4,000 churches.

But he agreed that a court victory for Joy could spark a Muslim backlash. "This group may sow discord or even create public disorder that will result in greater polarisation of the races and religion in the country," Wong said.

For Islamic scholars, Joy cannot win.

"If Islam were to grant permission for Muslims to change religion at will, it would imply it has no dignity, no self-esteem," said Wan Azhar Wan Ahmad, senior fellow at Malaysia's Institute of Islamic Understanding.

"And people may then question its completeness, truthfulness and perfection."

Malaysia braces for ruling on Islam conversion

[Soldier4Christ]

Muslim Radicals, Govt. Officials Trouble Indonesian Christians


(AgapePress) - A Baptist church in one Indonesian village is the target of Muslim terrorists who want to eradicate all Christian churches from the area. In recent years, three prominent churches in Bandung, the provincial capital of West Java, Indonesia, have closed due to pressure from local Muslim leaders.

Last month a group of Muslims disrupted a service at the Batu Zaman Baptist Church, demanding that the Christian church shut its doors. Dr. Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA, says pressure is mounting on evangelical churches like this one throughout Indonesia.

There is "a history of Muslim extremism in some of the provinces in Indonesia," Moeller notes, "and Bandung is just one of the places where we're working. In Ambon Province in recent years, we've had murders of Christians."

Also, the ministry leader points out, many Christians have been tortured by Muslim extremists, and Indonesia continues to be a place where churches are burned and the local communities of Christians are threatened by dominant Muslim populations. And in addition to the physical threat of terrorist violence, he notes, church members must sometimes face various levels of persecution, discrimination, and harassment from Muslim authorities.

Moeller says officials with Batu Zaman Baptist Church have been working with government officials in an effort to remain open. "This church has been denied a worship permit," he explains. "The situation for Christians in Indonesia is that they have to register for these types of permits. As far as the church itself is concerned, they're asking for prayer that this building permit be approved."

The Open Doors spokesman says the church is navigating the official channels and getting a fairly good response. "But this is a very difficult situation," he acknowledges, "because the government is very resistant. This is one of the only worship places in that region."

Open Doors USA ministers to persecuted churches and individuals in areas around the world where Christians face religious persecution or other violations of their religious freedom. Each year the ministry compiles a "World Watch List" of countries where some of the worst persecution of Christians is occurring. Indonesia ranks 35th on the 2006 World Watch List.

[Shammu]

'China-level' Christian persecution coming
Pastors say court's ruling in Houston Bible case 'breath-taking'
Posted: August 17, 2006
5:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com

Houston's Bible monument

A few more court decisions like this week's over a display of a Bible in Houston and the United States will be approaching the "China-level" for Christian persecution, according to a leader in the midst of that battle.

The ruling from the Fifth Court of Appeals said the display of a Bible on public ground in Houston to honor the founder of a mission has to go, not because it was unconstitutional itself, but because it became unconstitutional when a Christian group rallied around it.

The pastor's group said that means any monument, building, or even feature of nature is an illegal "establishment of religion" if a church ceremony is held there.

"Connecting the dots between the eminent domain case, which says all of your churches are up for grabs if a town wants a mall, secondly you now have been told you do not have constitutional rights in the public square," Dave Welch, executive director of the Houston Area Pastors Conference, told WorldNetDaily.

"Any kind of an event is okay, as long as you didn't express any religious faith. What is that telling you?

"We're not persecuted yet, we know that. But we're on our way there. Add that to the surprising acceptance of militant Islam, the fear of speaking against that from a Christian standpoint and then we're dangerously approaching the point where we have literally given away and yielded our freedoms that were earned," Welch said.

"We have history, law and the founding fathers who adopted the Constitution collectively affirming the truth expressed by revered Justice Joseph Story in 1840 that, 'We are not to attribute this prohibition of a national religious establishment to an indifference to religion in general, and especially to Christianity,'" said a statement issued by the pastor's group.

Welch told WND that the court's conclusion was "ludicrous" and if followed logically, could mean that a religious rally at any public building would therefore make the building unconstitutional so it would have to be removed.

The Bible was installed on county property about five decades ago in honor of William Mosher, the founder of Star of Hope Mission, and was replaced in 1996 with donated funds. However, an atheist challenged the monument, and on an appeal from the District Court decision that the Bible was unconstitutional, the appeals court carried the argument further.

Its ruling said that the monument became an unconstitutional "establishment" after a 2003 rally was held by Christians to defend the display. That rally involved prayers and clergy, the court noted.

"The ramifications of this tortured decision are breath-taking and without any historic or legitimate Constitutional rationale," said the pastors' organization. "For the court to state that if a private citizen exercises his or her First Amendment rights of religious expression and assembly on public property, that any monument, building or fixed item of any kind that contains religious references becomes 'establishment of religion' is simply irrational."

The conclusion, if applied nationwide, would result in the sandblasting of hundreds of monuments and buildings "including the capstone on the Washington Monument, which reads, 'Laus Deo,' or 'Praise be to God,'" the pastors group continued.

"For this panel majority of two justices to claim that words and actions by private citizens or elected officials with religious content, expressed about a building or monument, convert it from 'secular' and constitutional to 'sacred' and unconstitutional amounts to an act of blatant judicial activism against the freedoms and Constitution," the HAPC said.

The group Battle For The Bible also is working on the case, and Welch said there are experts on constitutional law who have been and plan to continue assisting the county in its fight over the representation of the Bible.

"They are of the opinion this needs to be appealed directly to the Supreme Court, and we're working on that right now," Welch told WND.

He called the logic "twisted" that could conclude the monument once was constitutional, but since "some action by a private citizen" it now becomes unconstitutional.

Because the atheist's lawsuit was against the county over the monument on county land, the pastors and their advisors have been assisting County Attorney Michael Stafford in the fight.