Religious Persecution
Human Rights Groups Advocate for Vietnamese Christian Activist
Thailand (International Christian Concern) — Thai police arrested Vietnamese national Y Quynh Bdap, a Christian activist, on Tuesday following his meeting with the Canadian Embassy to obtain asylum.
In January, a Vietnamese court convicted the co-founder of the Montagnards Stand for Justice group of terrorism for “organizing anti-government riots in Vietnam’s central highland province of Dak Lak,” according to the Associated Press. Bdap was in Thailand at the time of the riots. “I am a human rights activist fighting for religious freedom and advocating for people’s rights,” said Bdap, 32. “My activities are peaceful, consisting only of collecting and writing reports on human rights violations in Vietnam.”
(Persecution.Org 6.14.24) Read More>>>>
Thailand (International Christian Concern) — Thai police arrested Vietnamese national Y Quynh Bdap, a Christian activist, on Tuesday following his meeting with the Canadian Embassy to obtain asylum.
In January, a Vietnamese court convicted the co-founder of the Montagnards Stand for Justice group of terrorism for “organizing anti-government riots in Vietnam’s central highland province of Dak Lak,” according to the Associated Press. Bdap was in Thailand at the time of the riots. “I am a human rights activist fighting for religious freedom and advocating for people’s rights,” said Bdap, 32. “My activities are peaceful, consisting only of collecting and writing reports on human rights violations in Vietnam.”
(Persecution.Org 6.14.24) Read More>>>>
Faith leaders highlight Russian religious persecution in occupied Ukraine
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine first began in 2014, Russian aggression has included often-overlooked religious elements accompanied by the cynical use of religious narratives weaponized by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill. Ukrainian religious communities in areas under Russian occupation have faced years of suppression and discrimination. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the religious dimensions of Russia’s war of aggression have spread as Russia expands and intensifies its attacks on the Ukrainian people and culture. This has included the repression of beliefs as well as physical attacks on religious leaders, relics, and places of worship.
(Shelby Magid, Mercedes Sapuppo/Atlantic Council 11/2/23) Read More>>>>
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine first began in 2014, Russian aggression has included often-overlooked religious elements accompanied by the cynical use of religious narratives weaponized by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill. Ukrainian religious communities in areas under Russian occupation have faced years of suppression and discrimination. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the religious dimensions of Russia’s war of aggression have spread as Russia expands and intensifies its attacks on the Ukrainian people and culture. This has included the repression of beliefs as well as physical attacks on religious leaders, relics, and places of worship.
(Shelby Magid, Mercedes Sapuppo/Atlantic Council 11/2/23) Read More>>>>
Knox Thames
I don’t disagree with praying for persecuted Christians, to be clear. I pray for them. They need help, as a global pandemic of persecution confronts believers daily with violence on account of their faith. However, to truly follow the Bible’s teachings I believe we shouldn’t exclusively pray for our fellow Christians. Rather we are called to pray for all who suffer violent persecution, Christian and non-Christian alike.........Christians only helping Christians is not “Christian.” Troublingly, this exclusive Christians-first approach seems unique to the international religious freedom sphere.
In other contexts, believers have heroically demonstrated Christ’s love to a hurting world by feeding the hungry and assisting those in need, regardless of faith. Their generous approach reflects the best of Jesus’ message. If Christian aid groups acted otherwise, we would recoil in horror.
-Knox Thames; Christianity Today; Stop Praying for Persecuted Christians Only 11/4/22
In other contexts, believers have heroically demonstrated Christ’s love to a hurting world by feeding the hungry and assisting those in need, regardless of faith. Their generous approach reflects the best of Jesus’ message. If Christian aid groups acted otherwise, we would recoil in horror.
-Knox Thames; Christianity Today; Stop Praying for Persecuted Christians Only 11/4/22
May 21, 2022: Christian Today: Islamic State executes 20 Christians as warning to believers
The so-called Islamic State has released a video showing the execution of 20 men said to be Christians.
The video was released to the terrorist group's Amaq news channel.
The so-called Islamic State has released a video showing the execution of 20 men said to be Christians.
The video was released to the terrorist group's Amaq news channel.
(China—May 18, 2022) The Chinese Communist Party continues to crack down on Christian websites. An online website that served Chinese Christians for 21 years has now completely disappeared. Its domain name servers in mainland China have been blocked, the website has officially announced its closure, and users no longer have access to the site.
A pastor was searching for Christian poetry when he stumbled upon a well-known website,
“Jonah Home.” After clicking on the home page, he found that the website was closed, and a striking text appeared on the homepage:
Due to reasons known to everyone, from now on, this site can no longer serve Brothers and Sisters (in Christ), thank you for your company and support in the past twenty-one years! The disappearance of a website is just the disappearance of a website, and it does not hold any meaning. Nothing else stopped at this moment except that a URL cannot be opened again from this moment forward, so there is no need to have lingering feelings, let’s continue to move forward. China Aid: Censorship surged for online religious forums as CCP shuts down 21-year-old Christian website
A pastor was searching for Christian poetry when he stumbled upon a well-known website,
“Jonah Home.” After clicking on the home page, he found that the website was closed, and a striking text appeared on the homepage:
Due to reasons known to everyone, from now on, this site can no longer serve Brothers and Sisters (in Christ), thank you for your company and support in the past twenty-one years! The disappearance of a website is just the disappearance of a website, and it does not hold any meaning. Nothing else stopped at this moment except that a URL cannot be opened again from this moment forward, so there is no need to have lingering feelings, let’s continue to move forward. China Aid: Censorship surged for online religious forums as CCP shuts down 21-year-old Christian website
May 13, 2022: The Alabama Baptist: Indonesian Protestant gets jail term for ‘insulting’ Islam
A Protestant politician was sentenced to five months in an Indonesian jail for tweeting a remark considered insulting to Islam.
An Indonesian court on April 19 convicted Ferdinand Hutahaean of “hate speech” for a Twitter posting in which he called the god of Islam “weak,” reported the human rights group International Christian Concern. Suparman Nyompa, chairman of the judges’ council, said Hutahaean was “guilty of intentionally spreading fake news causing a stir in society.”
A Protestant politician was sentenced to five months in an Indonesian jail for tweeting a remark considered insulting to Islam.
An Indonesian court on April 19 convicted Ferdinand Hutahaean of “hate speech” for a Twitter posting in which he called the god of Islam “weak,” reported the human rights group International Christian Concern. Suparman Nyompa, chairman of the judges’ council, said Hutahaean was “guilty of intentionally spreading fake news causing a stir in society.”
May 9, 2022: Anglican Ink: French pastor murdered and his church burned to the ground
The pastor of an evangelical church in Saint-Laurent du Maroni, French Guyana was killed in a shooting on the night of 3 May.
A few hours later, his church was set on fire and destroyed completely. Futhermore, in the shooting at least seven other people were injured, including two who were taken to hospital in critical condition.
Pastor A. Kalloe was a member of the Guyana branch of the National Council of Evangelicals in France (CNEF 973), and the day before his murder he had met with a delegation from the CNEF France, who were visiting the country.
The pastor of an evangelical church in Saint-Laurent du Maroni, French Guyana was killed in a shooting on the night of 3 May.
A few hours later, his church was set on fire and destroyed completely. Futhermore, in the shooting at least seven other people were injured, including two who were taken to hospital in critical condition.
Pastor A. Kalloe was a member of the Guyana branch of the National Council of Evangelicals in France (CNEF 973), and the day before his murder he had met with a delegation from the CNEF France, who were visiting the country.
May 1, 2022: Persecution: Chinese Preacher and Wife to Attend Court for Administrative Reconsideration
A Chinese preacher and his wife who have received a hefty fine for organizing illegal religious gatherings will soon face court for the administrative reconsideration they had submitted for appeal.
A Chinese preacher and his wife who have received a hefty fine for organizing illegal religious gatherings will soon face court for the administrative reconsideration they had submitted for appeal.
Apr 30, 2022: Christian Post: Coptic Christian shot dead at work, assailants set fire to his car and flee
Four unidentified masked men barged into the shop of a young Coptic man in the city of Dabaa in Egypt, shot him in the head 22 times, killing him on the spot, and burned his car before fleeing the scene, according to media reports.
Four unidentified masked men barged into the shop of a young Coptic man in the city of Dabaa in Egypt, shot him in the head 22 times, killing him on the spot, and burned his car before fleeing the scene, according to media reports.
Feb 28, 2022: Christian Headlines: Chinese Court Sentences Female Pastor to 8 Years in Prison for Preaching the Gospel
A female pastor in China's Hubei province has been sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of "fraud for preaching the Gospel" after her house church refused to join the state-run church, which monitors and regulates Protestant churches.
A female pastor in China's Hubei province has been sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of "fraud for preaching the Gospel" after her house church refused to join the state-run church, which monitors and regulates Protestant churches.
Feb 15, 2022: Persecution: Activist and Journalist Under Pressure in Sri Lanka
A Catholic rights activist was arrested yesterday in Colombo. Shehan Malaka stood up for victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka. A member of the archdiocese’s proclamation committee on the search for the truth of the Easter Sunday attack commended the activist’s efforts to seek answers and reconciliation for the 2019 terrorist atrocity.
A Catholic rights activist was arrested yesterday in Colombo. Shehan Malaka stood up for victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka. A member of the archdiocese’s proclamation committee on the search for the truth of the Easter Sunday attack commended the activist’s efforts to seek answers and reconciliation for the 2019 terrorist atrocity.
Jan 30, 2022: Ghandara: Attack In Northwest Pakistan Kills One Christian Priest, Leaves Another Injured
One priest from a Christian church in northwest Pakistan has been killed and another injured after their car was ambushed by unknown militants in the capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on January 30.
One priest from a Christian church in northwest Pakistan has been killed and another injured after their car was ambushed by unknown militants in the capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on January 30.
Jan 29, 2022: Persecution: Christians in Nigeria Face Continued Persecution from State Governments
Technically a secular nation, Nigeria’s federal constitution contains protections for freedom of religion and belief, including the right of citizens to change their religion and the right to “manifest and propagate [one’s] religious belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.”
Unfortunately, many Nigerians today are not given access to these freedoms.
Technically a secular nation, Nigeria’s federal constitution contains protections for freedom of religion and belief, including the right of citizens to change their religion and the right to “manifest and propagate [one’s] religious belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.”
Unfortunately, many Nigerians today are not given access to these freedoms.
Jan 19, 2022: Bills Faith Matters Blog: Should we watch the Olympics while China egregiously violates religious liberty?
The reality is that these games will be hosted by a country that has been brutalizing some of its citizens -- the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. It's horrifying, and it's one reason President Joe Biden has declared a diplomatic boycott of the games. (Good on him.) For some background, I invite you to read this article from the Deseret News.
The reality is that these games will be hosted by a country that has been brutalizing some of its citizens -- the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. It's horrifying, and it's one reason President Joe Biden has declared a diplomatic boycott of the games. (Good on him.) For some background, I invite you to read this article from the Deseret News.
| “The Taliban’s interpretation of Islam considers Christians to be traitors, enemies of the state, enemies of the tribe and community. They are infidels from Islam, and in their mind, the punishment is death...."In September in Afghanistan the Taliban obtained a list of prominent Christians and hunted them. Every Christian who remains in Afghanistan is either on the run or in hiding.” |
Jan 19, 2022: Alabama Baptist: Afghanistan moves to No. 1 on list of most dangerous countries for Christians
Afghanistan has moved to the top of the list of countries where Christians suffer the most persecution for their faith, overtaking North Korea for the first time in more than two decades.
The 2022 World Watch List, compiled by Open Doors USA, a missions organization that works in the world’s most oppressive regions to empower and equip persecuted Christians, was released today (Jan. 19).
Afghanistan has moved to the top of the list of countries where Christians suffer the most persecution for their faith, overtaking North Korea for the first time in more than two decades.
The 2022 World Watch List, compiled by Open Doors USA, a missions organization that works in the world’s most oppressive regions to empower and equip persecuted Christians, was released today (Jan. 19).
Jan 19, 2022: Baptist Press: ‘Living inside the cage’: Afghanistan tops Christian persecution list
The Christian refugee hopped on one of the last flights out of Afghanistan to save his life and family. Since the Taliban regained rule there, Christians are hunted down and killed.
The Christian refugee hopped on one of the last flights out of Afghanistan to save his life and family. Since the Taliban regained rule there, Christians are hunted down and killed.