The Persecution & Prayer Alert The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada http://www.persecution.net Wednesday, October 30, 2002

A summary of news concerning the Persecuted Church and how you can respond.

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*********************************** Contents: 1. Christians Not Tolerated (India) 2. Forty Believers Arrested & Tortured (Bhutan) 3. Updates on Previous Alerts (Libya, Belarus, Uzbekistan) 4. Question of the Week

*********************************** 1. Christians Not Tolerated (India)

Sources for The Voice of the Martyrs report that acts of violence against Christians in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu have increased in light of recent legislation forbidding religious conversions. The legislation is similar to that which was earlier passed by the state government in the northern state of Orissa. On October 28, we received the following message from one of our sources in Tamil Nadu. We cannot identify the source for security reasons.

“At the moment there is a lot going on between Hindus and Muslims in this area. There are protest rallies by Hindus. Churches are being burned, including the church of our pastor. Other Christian buildings and schools are closed. The Hindus are very radical and won’t tolerate Christians in their area. They want to convert everyone. When a Hindu converts to Christianity, he is cast out by the whole community (family, friends, neighbours). Please remember the situation here in your prayers.”

VOM also learned this week how four Christian families were recently beaten in the streets and the young girls raped when they refused to take part in a Hindu festival in the state of Orissa. When the police were told, they did nothing.

Pray for Christians facing a renewed onslaught from militant Hindus in India. Pray for strength and protection. Pray that the authorities will act to protect all Indian citizens. Pray for the salvation of those who persecute Christ in India.

*********************************** 2. Forty Believers Arrested & Tortured (Bhutan)

Forty Christian believers were arrested on September 24 and have been tortured for their faith, according to sources from Gospel for Asia (GFA). According to the report received this week, authorities have told church members, “I will persecute the Christians and put an end to them in Bhutan.” They have also told one pastor to stop evangelism or they will cut off electricity and water to his home.

In the October issue of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter, you can read of how two Bhutanese evangelists recently faced prison and torture for their faith in Christ. To read their incredible testimony and to subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to http://www.persecution.net/nlarticle1.htm.

Pray for believers in Bhutan facing pressure from the Buddhist government where the open practice of Christianity is forbidden and citizens have been expelled from the country for believing in Christ. Pray that they may be equipped with God’s armour, “so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).

*********************************** 3. Updates on Previous Alerts (Libya, Belarus, Uzbekistan)

The Voice of the Martyrs is frequently asked for updates stories previously carried. Unfortunately, updates are not always available. However, news has been received this week on three stories covered in recent months by the Persecution and Prayer Alert.

(a) Students Arrested in Libya

VOM first reported on August 21, 2002 that fourteen students from Nasser University in Tripoli were on trial for converting to Christianity. One concern was that, even if released, they could be killed by their families for converting from Islam.

Recent reports being circulated said that the students had been executed. On October 25, The Voice of the Martyrs received confirmation that they were still alive, but had been sentenced to death. Pray for efforts to pressure Libyan authorities to reconsider. Pray that God will minister to these students who have been given the choice to reject Christ or face death and have chosen Christ.

(b) Oppressive Religion Bill in Belarus

On October 2, 2002, The Voice of the Martyrs reported that the most repressive religion bill in Europe had passed in Belarus and only needed the president’s signature to become law. At the time it was reported that the president was to sign within days (see http://www.persecution.net/pnparchive/arch7.htm).

If signed, the new law would outlaw any unregistered religious activity. It would require prior censorship on all religious literature and ban any foreign citizens from leading a religious organization. Any publishing and education would be restricted to faiths that had at least one registered community in 1982 and now have at least ten registered communities. There would also be a ban on most religious meetings in private homes.

To date, the bill has still not been signed into law by President Aleksandr Lukashenko. Many are surprised that this bill has not been signed, since it has strong support in the government and the dominant Russian Orthodox Church According to Keston, The deadline for signing is imminent and if the president does not either sign it or return it to the lower house of parliament, the law will come into legal force anyway. The churches in Belarus are not giving up. They are fasting and praying for the law to be repealed.

Will you join them? Pray that President Lukashenko will reject signing the bill. Pray that freedom to worship will be entrenched into law in Belarus.

(c) Leaders Arrested in Uzbekistan as Church Seeks Registration

The Mir Church in the town of Nukus in the republic of Karakalpakstan in northwest Uzbekistan has faced problems with registration for two years. Previously, The Voice of the Martyrs has reported on problems it has faced with the paperwork required for registration as well as a raid on the church in May 2002. As a result of that raid, the pastor was warned to not hold meetings.

According to a report from Keston News Service on October 29, the church had only one document left to obtain before it would be officially re-registered when it was raided and the church leaders were charged with “participation in the activity of illegal religious organizations.” There were also accusations church leaders were luring minors into religious activities, even though all children in the church have a signed statement from the parents permitting religious education. According to Pastor Konstantin Kmit, police investigators have been interviewing only church members from traditionally Muslim backgrounds, raising speculation that they intend to charge the church leaders with proselytism, which is illegal. While the investigation is going on, the police have closed the church office.

Pray that all charges against the church leaders will be dropped. Pray that any roadblocks will be cleared so that the church can obtain registration. At present, there is only one registered Protestant church in Karakalpakstan and they have been refused permission to build on the land they own.

*********************************** 4. Question of the Week

In both India and Uzbekistan (and in many other countries as well), authorities seem to be under the impression that no one willingly changes their religion without either being threatened or receiving financial incentives. This week’s Question of the Week is simply this: “How did you become a Christian?”

Share your testimony with the world as testimony to God’s gracious work in the hearts of people in bringing them to Himself.

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*********************************** The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada. Website: http://www.persecution.net

*********************************** Contact Person: Glenn Penner, Communications Director.

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