Showing posts with label Persecution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Persecution. Show all posts
North Korea Tops List of Persecutors
SANTA ANA, Calif., Feb. 11 /Christian Newswire/ -- This year's No. 1 spot on Open Doors' 2008 World Watch List is no stranger: North Korea has now topped the list for six years in a row.
There is no other country in the world where Christians are being persecuted in such a horrible and relentless way. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia holds a solid No. 2 place, followed closely by Iran. Maldives is No. 4.
New at No. 5 is Bhutan, moving a few places up from No. 7 last year, mainly because Somalia and Yemen saw a decrease in persecution. The No. 6 spot is taken by Yemen.
Afghanistan rose from No. 10 to No. 7.
Laos saw little change in religious freedom last year, but it moved up one place, from No. 9 to No. 8. Two new countries entered the Top 10: Uzbekistan at No. 9 and China No. 10. Uzbekistan was No. 11 last year and China No. 12.
Islam is the majority religion in six of the top 10 countries: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Maldives, Afghanistan, Yemen and Uzbekistan. Three countries have communist governments: North Korea, Laos and China. Bhutan is the only Buddhist country on the Top 10 list.
The World Watch List ranks countries according to the intensity of persecution Christians face for actively pursuing their faith. The list is compiled based on the answers to 50 questions covering various aspects of religious freedom from Open Doors' indigenous contacts, field workers and persecuted believers.
More Christians were arrested in North Korea in 2007 than in 2006. Many have been beaten, tortured or killed because of their religious beliefs. Open Doors' local source estimates the number of underground Christians to be at least 200,000, and it's likely that there are as many as 400,000 to 500,000 believers. At least a quarter of the Christians are imprisoned for their faith in political prison camps, from which people rarely get out alive.
In Shariah-ruled Saudi Arabia, the deplorable state of religious freedom remained generally unaltered in 2007. Under the kingdom's strict interpretation of Islamic law, apostasy (conversion to another religion) is punishable by death if the accused does not recant. There were no reports of executions for apostasy in 2007.
Islam is the official religion in Iran, and all laws and regulations must be consistent with the official interpretation of Shariah law. Although Christians are a recognized religious minority who are guaranteed religious freedom, they have reported imprisonment, harassment and discrimination because of their faith.
For a complete World Watch List of the Top 50 persecutors, an in-depth look at the top 10 countries on the list and a list of countries where the situation deteriorated or improved the most, go to www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
An estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with another 200 to 400 million facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers.
Labels: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Iran, Islam, Laos, Maldives, Martyrs, North Korea, Persecution, Saudi Arabia, Sharia Law, Tolerance, Uzbekistan, Yemen
Christians Leaving Gaza For West Bank
Labels: Gaza, Islam, Israel, Martyrs, Middle East, Peace, Persecution, Terrorism, Tolerance, West Bank
Christian Message Unwelcome In Afghanistan
Muslim clerics are warning Afghanistan President President Hamid Karzai that he must stop the missionary efforts of foreign aid groups. (Read more . . . )
Labels: Afghanistan, Evangelism, Foreign Policy, Persecution
International Persecution Of Christians
"It is estimated that nearly 250 Million Christians were persecuted throughout the world in 2007. Many were martyred, imprisoned, beat, and ridiculed for their faith in Jesus Christ."
Click Here for information on what is going on in North Korea, India, Iraq, China, Laos, Turkey, Nigeria, Eritrea, Afghanistan, and Palestine.
Labels: Afghanistan, China, Eritrea, Faith, India, Iraq, Laos, Martyrs, Nigeria, North Korea, Palestine, Persecution, Turkey, Violence
Pakistan Persecution Of Christians
In Pakistan Churches are Bombed and Believers are Murdered, Tragically the State Favors the Perpetrators Over the Victims
Contact: Amy Jo Jones, Christian Freedom International (CFI), 906-253-2336
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., Dec. 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- The murder of Benazir Bhutto highlights Pakistan's position as the most dangerous nation on earth, says Jim Jacobson, head of Christian Freedom International. The country "is an unstable nuclear weapons state, infiltrated by terrorists and hostile to the West," he explains.
With Bhutto's death, the dream of a democratic Pakistan recedes even further into the future. The most America can hope for in the short term, warns Jacobson, is that "Pakistan not explode, spreading nuclear weapons and terrorists throughout South Asia and the Middle East."
Since 9/11, Washington has invested $10 billion in Islamabad, but appears to have received little in return. The country remains an economic and political wreck.
Even before Bhutto's assassination, Pakistan remained far from true democratic rule. Worse, the Pakistani military has little control over the provinces bordering Afghanistan, which shelter the Taliban and al-Qaeda forces, perhaps including Osama bin Laden.
However, the problems in Pakistan run even deeper. "Like so many Muslim states, Pakistan persecutes members of minority religious faiths," Jacobson explains.
The basic issue is not democracy, "but a tolerant culture willing to protect vulnerable groups and individual conscience," he says.
Respect for other faiths is the proverbial canary in the mine, the true test of whether a society is ready for democracy. By that standard Pakistan lags well behind.
The government routinely discriminates against Christians, Hindus, and others. Those who question Islam are imprisoned for blasphemy while Christian communities are denied essential services.
Moreover, observes Jacobson, "Violence against religious minorities is rife." Churches are bombed and believers are murdered. "Yet the state favors the perpetrators over the victims," explains Jacobson, rarely bringing anyone to justice.
Thus, it should come as no surprise that Pakistan is an inconsistent partner in the war on terrorism as well as the crusade for democracy. Explains Jacobson: "Pakistan simply does not have the basic social building blocks upon which a liberal and free society is built."
The U.S. has little choice but to deal with Pakistan, given its strategic position. However, the abominable murder of Benazir Bhutto demonstrates that policymakers must look beyond political and military considerations in dealing with Pakistan and similar states.
Jacobson concludes, "Unless Americans can encourage the development of the sort of civic institutions that we take for granted in the West, countries like Pakistan will remain violent, unstable, and dangerous."
For more information about Pakistan, visit www.christianfreedom.org
Labels: Islam, Pakistan, Persecution, Terrorism, Violence
Christians In The Gaza Strip Fear For Their Lives
The situation in the Gaza Strip continues to deteriorate and Christians there fear for their lives as extremist groups begin to target Christians.
Labels: Fear, Islam, Israel, Persecution, Terrorism
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