Today’s Headlines:

UZBEK TV WARNS LISTENERS ABOUT CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES

CUBAN PASTOR ON TRIAL FOR STANCE ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS

FIRST CHRISTIAN LAW SCHOOL OPENS IN PAKISTAN

SUMMIT ON AIDS AND THE CHURCH SUCCEEDS DESPITE CRITICS

CHRISTIAN LIBRARY OPENS NEW FACILITIES IN GAZA STRIP

Today’s Top Stories:

UZBEK TV WARNS LISTENERS ABOUT CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES

National television in the Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan recently ran a program warning against missionary activities by Christians in the country. The unscheduled program, called “Hypocrisy,” aired on Thursday, Nov. 30. The presenter began by noting that Uzbekistan has left behind the “afflictions of the Soviet system,” but went on to warn that “even more dangerous afflictions are emerging,” referring to Christian missionary work. Later in the program the head of the committee for the Religious Affairs Department under the Uzbek Cabinet of Ministers, Zulhaydar Sultonov, said, “We can see the causes that could lead our society to division under missionary activities.” Talking above the chanting and clapping of Christian worshipers, the presenter suggested that missionaries use financial means to attract new followers to their sects. “Those who use religion to achieve various goals firstly make good use of one’s economic situation,” he said. “On the pretext of financially helping people in need, they instill their own teachings in these people’s minds. As it turns out, soon the targeted people become complete zombies.” The program also cited college English teachers and the use of the Uzbek language in churches as evidence of a “serious intent to convert local people to Christianity.” (Worldwide Religious News/BBC)

CUBAN PASTOR ON TRIAL FOR STANCE ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS

Protestant Cuban Pastor Carlos Lamelas, who was imprisoned for four months earlier this year, went on trial today (Monday, Dec. 4) in Havana on charges of “human trafficking.” Observers believe he is actually being targeted for his outspoken calls for increased religious liberty in Cuba. The public prosecutor is asking Lamelas be sentenced to nine years in prison. A spokesperson for Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

said, “Pastor Lamelas, the former president of the Church of God denomination, a member of the Cuban Council of Churches, has stated that he and his lawyer believe he will be found innocent of the charges because of a lack of evidence on the part of the State.” As part of a large government crackdown beginning in 2003, more than 75 activists across Cuba were arrested and given prison sentences of up to 25 years. As CSW press release stated, “This case appears to be part of a wider move to restrict religious freedom across the country. A number of pastors and priests have reported increased government harassment and some have reported the forcible closure or destruction of church buildings.” (Assist News Service)

FIRST CHRISTIAN LAW SCHOOL OPENS IN PAKISTAN

On Sunday, Nov. 19, crowds of Pakistani citizens, government officials and international visitors gathered to celebrate the opening of Pakistan’s first Christian owned and operated law school called Trinity Law College. The college aims to provide legal education to students “selected purely on merit.” Currently, law schools in the country are predominantly Muslim and house only a few students of minority faiths. This practice furthers religious discrimination in Pakistan and limits legal progress of minority groups. The college is designed to promote religious tolerance, and to lift Christian minorities out of the cycle of oppression and discrimination they are caught in and enable them to profoundly impact society. (Jubilee Campaign)

SUMMIT ON AIDS AND THE CHURCH SUCCEEDS DESPITE CRITICS

Despite loud criticisms from conservatives and pro-life groups, the “Global Summit on AIDS and the Church” took place on Friday, Dec. 1, in conjunction with World AIDS Day. Hosted by well-known author/pastor Rick Warren and his wife, Kay, the conference featured church leaders, politicians and medical experts at Warren’s Saddleback Valley Community Church in Lake Forrest, Calif. More than 2,000 people from 39 U.S. states and 18 countries were expected to attend. Two high-profile political figures, U.S. senators Sam Brownback and Barack Obama, attended and spoke at a session called, “We Must Work Together.” Warren has been criticized by pro-life groups for inviting Obama who is not opposed to abortion. Warren defended his “big tent” inclusiveness, saying, “We’re not going to worry about critics. The moment you start trying to do anything, somebody’s not going to like it,” he said. But in his organization “our idea is we will work with whoever wants to work because we’re interested in saving lives.” Warren emphasized that he does not have to agree with “everyone else’s agenda,” and he doesn’t insist that others agree with everything on his agenda in order for collaboration and progress to take place. (Agape Press/Evangelical News)

CHRISTIAN LIBRARY OPENS NEW FACILITIES IN GAZA STRIP

On Sunday, Nov. 12, the Gaza Baptist Church proudly opened a new building which houses the only Christian public library in Israel’s Gaza Strip. About 250 people, including around 30 international guests involved with the Christian community in Gaza attended the ceremonies. Open Doors founder Brother Andrew has been closely involved with this small church in Gaza for many years. He challenged the group saying, “It’s great to take care of the body, great to take care of their minds by giving them good books, but it is even better to take care of their souls and spread the gospel of Jesus.” The six-story building, partially subsidized by Open Doors, will also house a community healthcare center for women with a mammography machine, an outreach ministry being run by the Baptists and a guesthouse as well as the church’s worship hall. Open Doors USA President Carl Moeller claims the church to be “the only evangelical church in a population of 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.” (Open Doors)

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