Officials, Muslims halt church construction in Indonesia
Officials in Central Java Province, Indonesia halted construction of a church and religious tourism compound following pressure from local council members and Muslim groups.
Religious Freedom
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Opinion
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India’s anti-conversion laws selectively deny freedom of religion for Indians
India’s famed Emperor Ashoka was an ancient convert from Hinduism to Buddhism. He demonstrated that a person is NOT forced by others to convert from one religion to another. Today, “religious conversions are forced,” is the flawed premise of all anti-conversion laws of India. Who could have forced mighty Emperor Ashoka to change his religion? The Emperor’s famous religious conversion was his choice.
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Iran cracks down on any hint of dissent after 12-day war
The situation for Iranian people is more dangerous now than before the recent war with Israel and the United States of America. Even more so for Christians who represent a growing minority religion in the staunchly Shia theocracy. Under threat, the ruling regime has increased its morality terror with brutal force.
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The end of persecution is a realistic hope but in the meantime we lament
In a perfect world, where legal systems hold political power to account and protect minorities against human rights abuses we might expect an end to persecution. But we do not live in a perfect world. People with power continue to act with impunity against those who think and live differently to them. Christians have a way to cope with this reality and a real and living hope for a future free of persecution.
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We need to understand the political winds and remain aware of persecution trends
New political winds are blowing with increasing force as the push-back against globalization grows with increasing nationalisms. The demand to pledge allegiance to something other than God in Christ will put renewed pressure on the Church and we need to be prepared to hold true to our faith. Here is a stern warning that Christians must take to heart.
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Russian court imprisons pastor for statement on Ukraine war
By Jack BethelA Russian court last week jailed a church pastor for four years after he spoke out against the invasion of Ukraine in a sermon.
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Catholic slain in Muslim attack on pilgrims in Pakistan
Muslims on Sunday (Sept. 7) shot to death one Catholic and wounded another as they traveled to a pilgrimage site in Punjab Province, Pakistan, sources said.
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Herdsmen attack Christian area in north-central Nigeria
Fulani herdsmen last week killed a Christian farmer and wounded three others in Bauchi state, Nigeria, sources said.
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Christians stage 17-day protest against injustice in Pakistan
In a rare show of Christian solidarity in Pakistan, victims of August 2023 Islamist attacks on Christians ended an unprecedented 17-day sit-in on Tuesday (Sept. 2) after government assurances of justice.
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Christian father in Pakistan fights to recover daughter
The Christian father of a 13-year-old girl has fought to recover his daughter since July 31, when a court in Pakistan handed custody of her to a Muslim who abducted her and forcibly converted and married her, sources said.
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Herdsmen kill seven Christians in central Nigeria
Fulani herdsmen on Aug. 24 killed two Christians in Benue state, Nigeria, following the slaughter of five others earlier in the month, sources said.
Most Recent
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‘Most lonely breed on earth’: Indian evangelical leader issues urgent call for counseling care for pastors
Rev. Dr. Richard Howell, former General Secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India and the Asia Evangelical Alliance, warned at the All India Congress on Church in Mission (AICOCIM) that pastors often struggle in deep isolation and urgently need safe spaces to share their burdens.
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