Originally posted by blakbuzzrd
Try it.
Ok, I did try it and this is what I came up with. This is a taste of Christian persection in today's world.
More Christians died for their faith in the 20th century than at any other time in hisotry, says Christian Solidarity International. Global reports indicate that over 150,000 Christians were martyred last year.
http://www.worthynews.com/christian-persecution.html
So which countries persecute the most?
Sudan: Perhaps the worst of the worst today. Sudan's government is trying to force the conversion of millions of Christians to Islam leading to inslavements, massacres, rapes, and torture continuing unabated throughout the Christian south. The death toll is estimated around 2 million since hostilities insued.
Cambodia: Persecution in Cambodia reached its most terrifying pitch in the 1970's, at the had of Poi Pot's brutal Khmer Rouge. People of all faiths tempted fate and invited elimination. Today, still, Christians are afraid to take leadership positions or to share their faith publically, but Christians still face persecution.
China: Today Christians still continue to be arrested for printing and distributing illegal Bibles. People continue to be tortured and imprisoned for their faith. Most church seminars teach in addition to basic church planting skills, 1) Never turn down an invitation to preach, 2) Look for a place to run when you are finished preaching, 3) be ready to die that day. An amnesty International report confirms the use of torture in China is "widespread and systematic". China officials, however, continue to deny such claims.
Colombia: Congregations are kidnapped, pastors are killed, the church is not allowed to do its work. These are everyday occurances in Cambodia. The ongoing war between the government, the para-military groups, and the guerrillas makes its ministry very difficult and dangerous. Christians who are in assistance to all, are often in conflict with all.
Cuba: In spite of reprucussions, it is increasingly common for Cuban Christians to gather as house churches. The government does not fully accepet these new house churches and Chrisitians still encounter continous persecution.
Egypt: Known as the most open Muslim country because it has legal churches. Persecution comes in social and economic forms, but is sometimes more dramatic. For example, not to long ago Muslims in Al-Kosheh accused Christians of poisoning the water supply and planning to attack Muslim neighborhoods. A small group of believers responded vocally, and a heated argument errupted. At the end of 3 days of violence, 21 Christians were dead.
India: The government of India does not officially persecute Christians, but it has created an environment in which attacks on Chrisitans can happen with impunity. Radical Hindus have been emboldened to beat believers, destroy church buildings, burn Bibles, and carry out other atrocities.
Indonesia: The largest Muslim population in the world. There is great openness, however, to the Gospel in spite of persecution-the church is growing at 5% a year. Such persecution involves Christians threatened and churches bombed. Throughout many parts of the country, thousands of Christians have been forced to undergo Muslim conversions. Those who refuse to embrace Islam of often beheaded, and their heads are paraded through the villages to strike fear into the hearts of other Christians.
Laos: The government of Laos set a goal of completely eradicating Christianity form the country. The plans include forcing Christians to sign a document rescinding their faith, then to close meeting places, and finally to check that they make offerings to the Buddhist priests.
Malaysia: Today Malaysia is 51% Muslim and extremely resistant to other religions. In fact, a new law is being proposed that would make converting from Islam an offense punishable by 3 years in prison. The few hunfred Malay who believe in Jesus Christ have suffered social ostracism and the loss of legal rights, jobs, and sometimes home and country.
Mexico: Throughout Mexico, but especially in small villages, Catholic churches tend to mix Catholicism and Mayan pagan beliefs. They oppose Christianity's attempt to undermine their "traditional culture". In the past 30 years, at least 30,000 Christians have been expelled form their homes in San Juan Chamula, Chiapes. Others have been fined, jailed, or beaten.
Myanmar: The government of Myanmar (Burma) does not allow churches to be built and has declared house churches illegal. It is not uncommon for Christians to be "recruited" by local officials to do hard labor, particularly on Sundays because it is the Christian day of worship.
Nigeria: Nigerian Christians are not safe in the northern half of the country, where Muslims dominate government affairs. Many Christians have fled to the south, where the Muslim presence is active, but less aggressive.
North Korea: Despite brutal oppression, around half a million North Korea's 23 million inhabitants are Christians. More than 1,000,000 North Korean Christians are imprisoned in concentration camps, sometimes without food, shelter, or medical aid. Anyone discovered to have a Bible is labled a South Korean spy and is executed.
Phillippines: Although the Philippines have no official religion, pockets of the country are dominated by Muslims, and life for Christians in these areas is dangerous. Many Christians are held hostage and/or killed for their faith throughout the Philippines. Many schools are forbidden to teach Christian ideals as a result and instead indoctrinated with teachings from Mohammad.
Russia: The past persecution of Christians is well known in Russia as well when they were a part of the former Soviet Union. The KGB actively sought to prohibit and punish those of faith during its reign of terror. Religion was made illegal for some time in the former USSR. Many lost their lives and/or suffered greatly for their faith. Unfortunatly, there remains much persecution still in Russia. Government authorities continue to make life hard for known Christians as many are beaten or discriminated against. To top it all off, elsewhere in Russia Christians are also persecuted by Muslims, the Orthodox church, and Buddhists.
Vietnam: In 1975 Vietnam became a communist nation and religion was seen as a threat to national security. Therefore, a massive "re-education" campaign was set in motion. The government is finding it more effective to fine Christians than to imprison them.
http://www.epm.org/articles/pers17.html
Edit: If nothing else, I thought all of this info might bring a smile to Shav's face. Are you sure you don't want to convert to Islam or Hinduism or Buddhism or Communism Shav? I hear it can be a barrel of laughs persecuting us Christians.
Oh, and I almost forgot. Christian bashing on RHP.
Yea, when you think about it, I guess I have it pretty good where I am compared to my other Christian brothers and sisters around the world. God bless them one and all.
It's international punch a Christian day!
17 Jun '07 23:56
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