Christian family murdered in Venezuela

On December 12, Pastor Jean Carlos Salazar (30), his wife, Ingrid Higuera (33), and their young daughter were brutally murdered in the town of El Trigrito, Anzoategui state, Venezuela by suspected satanic cult members, according to a December 15 report from Latin American Herald Tribune. At approximately 3:30 a.m., neighbours of the Salazars noticed that the family's home was in flames and phoned the fire department. When the fire officials arrived, they found the decapitated bodies of the Christians. The assailants reportedly also painted satanic slogans on the walls. Pastor Salazar was a preacher at the World Centre of Peace church and was well-known in the area.

Pray for those who are grieving the loss of these Christians. Pray that those responsible will repent and seek God's forgiveness.

Christmas in Orissa, India: Brave Little Namrata's Story

12/16/2008
Namrata Nayak is a 10-year-old Dalit from the village of Sahi Panchayat, near Raikia (district of Kandhamal, Orissa). Three months ago, at the outbreak of violence against the Christians, the little girl's face was disfigured by a bomb thrown by Hindu extremists. After 45 days in the hospital, she has healed, and is happy.

The little girl was disfigured on August 26. When she arrived in the hospital of Berahampur, she had lesions on 40% of her body. Now she is practically healed. "For me," Namrita tells AsiaNews, "Christmas is a time to thank the Baby Jesus who saved me from the fire and saved my face, which was disfigured and wounded. I am one of the few fortunate ones who escaped death, although I had to spend a long time in the hospital. I feel very loved by the people of India, and by so many people in the world who have seen my photo and have prayed for me.

"In Kandhamal, there is so much pain and suffering, and I don't know how long the special forces will protect us. But Christmas is a time of gratitude. I am afraid that my people will still be attacked, but this is our life. If God has saved me, he can save other Christians too."

Pastors beaten in Madhya Pradesh, India

December 10, 2008
Approximately 20 Hindu militants attacked two pastors travelling home from a prayer meeting in Palasapara village, Meghasah Tehsil, Madhya Pradesh on December 5, according to a December 6 report from Evangelical Fellowship of India. At 3:00 p.m., Pastor Pangala Bhai and Pastor Limba Bhai were beaten, verbally abused, and accused of forceful conversion. Their bikes, cell phones, and money were also stolen.

Reports of village churches being destroyed and church leaders being threatened by local Hindus continue to be a daily reality in India. Other persecution faced by Christians is more subtle, as converts to Christianity are often cast out of their families and face poverty and ostracism.

The caste system is deeply entrenched in Indian society. Until the middle of the twentieth century, “The Untouchables” were for centuries regarded as the refuse of society. In 1950, their name was changed to “Dalits” and they were given a “Scheduled Caste” status. While most upper caste opinions remain the same to this day, the 1950 law guarantees a certain quota of Dalits in specific societal institutions. However, Dalit converts to other religions lose their Scheduled Caste status, thus denying them basic human rights in many cases. In August, 2005, Christian Dalits began revisiting a bill that had failed to reach legislative evaluation nine years before. If passed, the bill would allow them to maintain their special status so they could be assured a place in society. In the same month however, the Supreme Court actually rejected a plea from another religious group requesting minority status. The Supreme Court maintains that special status for a religious group of any sort only adds to tensions in society. They are, in fact, encouraging the National Commission for Minorities to help create a society in which notified minorities are gradually done away with completely, thus developing a unified society in which all person are considered equal.

Christians attacked by Muslims in Nigeria

Anti-Christian violence erupted in the central Nigerian city of Jos on November 28 following a local election. Sixteen church buildings were ravaged by Muslim mobs, thousands of Christians fled from their homes, and sources estimate that hundreds were killed. Although tension has eased in Jos, Plateau State, following a weekend of deadly violence, there is increasing resentment in the Christian community at “biased and inaccurate reporting of events” by the international media.

Several international news agencies have reported that the violence was triggered by the results of a local government election. However, sources in Jos point out that voting passed off peacefully and the violence broke out in the early hours of Friday 28 November before electoral results had even been announced. Moreover, instead of targeting political institutions, rioters armed with guns, spears, machetes and other weapons immediately attacked Christian businesses, churches and the homes of clergymen. A local source informed Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW): “As usual they took Jos by surprise, and are now hiding behind election results to launch and excuse their mayhem.”

Of even greater concern are reports that appeared to suggest that Christians had killed 300 Muslims over the weekend, whose bodies were deposited at a central mosque. In reality, the men died while obeying orders from a mosque in the Dilimi area, which was using its loudspeakers to instruct all Muslims to defy the authorities, participate in the “jihad”, loot properties for money and then burn them. Local security sources insist the rioters were shot while defying a night-time curfew and launching fresh attacks, including an unsuccessful large-scale assault on police barracks. Commenting on these deaths the General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Engineer Salifu said: “It was not Christians who killed them; it was their own unfortunate attitude”. He also articulated local concern that such inaccurate reporting could fuel further violence against Christians elsewhere.

Church building attacked in Cairo, Egypt

Thousands of Muslims attacked the Coptic Church of St. Mary and Anba Abraam building in Ain Shams, Cairo on November 23, angry that an extension had been recently added to the building. The mob gathered at the premises at approximately 5:00 p.m., following a consecration service that was held by the believers earlier that day. The mob, shouting anti-Christian slogans, threw stones at the building and set a portion of the structure on fire with the believers trapped inside. A nearby shop and two cars belonging to Christians were also burned in the violence.

In the early centuries after Christ, Egypt was predominantly Christian and a major centre for Christian scholarship. In A.D. 969, the country was conquered by Jawhar al-Siqilli and Islam. Cairo was founded as the new capital, but thankfully Egypt's Coptic Christian church never disappeared. Today, Egypt has the Middle East's largest Christian community. Official statistics place the number of Christians at six percent, with Christians claiming twenty percent. The actual number is likely somewhere between. Despite the prominent Christian community, the country's constitution gives preference to Muslims and Christians are treated as second-class citizens, denied political representation, and discriminated against in employment. At times, the discrimination results in violence.

The government uses an 1856 Ottoman Empire law to keep any church from being built without the permission of Egypt's president. Repairs of any kind to places of worship are up to the discretion of the local governor. A serious problem facing Christians in Egypt is the kidnapping, and often rape, of Christian girls, forcing them to marry Muslims. There have been a few hopeful decisions made by the Egyptian government. Some educational materials are now recognizing the Coptic contribution to Egyptian society. The Coptic Christmas was officially recognized as an official national holiday in January, 2003. (The Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7).

Pray that attacks on Christians and church buildings in Egypt will cease (Psalm 33:14-22). Ask God to grant boldness to these believers as they face opposition from their Muslim neighbours.

Authorities Crack Down on the Chinese house Church Alliances

Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan and other underground Christians have been targeted by authorities in recent days due to a statement released on November 28 by the Ministry of Civil Affairs calling for the elimination of the Chinese House Church Alliance. According to a November 30 report from China Aid Association, Pastor Zhang, the President of the Chinese House Church Alliance, was detained by four officers in Nanyang, Henan province, at approximately 7:00 a.m. When authorities demanded that he sign the Ministry's statement, he refused.
In 1949, The People's Republic of China was formed under Chairman Mao Zedong. He quickly began purging the country of anything that did not coincide with his vision of a communist nation, resulting in millions of deaths. In 1950, China invaded Tibet, forcing its leader, the Dalai Lama, into exile in India and forcing the communist system on the people of Tibet.
In recent years there has been a move to a free market economy. However, that freedom has not carried over into human rights and religious freedom. China's human rights record is one of the worst in the world, with a system of "re-education through labour" which detains hundreds of thousands each year in work camps without even a court hearing. There are more Christians in prison in China than any other country in the world. The only legal churches are those strictly controlled by the government of China. Those who do not wish to follow government policies on religious practice and beliefs must meet in homes and risk being labeled as "evil cults." Such a designation can result in closing down the church, confiscation of property, and charges against the leadership, often resulting in torture, imprisonment and death.
During 2004, several mass arrests clarified the government’s objectives regarding house churches. In a single raid on a leadership retreat on June 11, 2004 police arrested more than one hundred leaders of the China Gospel Fellowship (CGF) house church movement. There has been no respite from individual arrests, imprisonment and torture, either. On June 18, 2004 Ms. Jiang Zongxiu was beaten to death while in prison. These are only a few of the thousands of Christians risking their lives daily in China, whose only crime is faith in Jesus Christ. Thankfully, the government has been responsive at times to international pressure. However, this responsiveness is sporadic and too frequently Western governments have been more obsessed with gaining access into the huge Chinese market than to require basic human rights for the people.

The First Indian Saint and The Persecutions

The wonders and marvels of God never cease, while Catholics and Christians in India suffer under terrible persecutions, God the loving father has raised up a saint from India to lead the suffering Christians through this time. India’s first woman saint was canonized along with other three saints, in St. Peter’s Square, on 12, Oct, 2008. St. Alfonsa of the Immaculate Conception was born in Kerala, India in 1910 and died in 1946. Benedict XVI noted that her short life was marked with "extreme physical and spiritual suffering." "This exceptional woman," he continued, "was convinced that her cross was the very means of reaching the heavenly banquet prepared for her by the Father." Sister Alphonsa’s “heroic virtues of patience, fortitude and perseverance in the midst of deep suffering remind us that God always provides the strength we need to overcome every trial”, the Pope said.

The canonization of the first Indian saint, Sr. Alfonsa is bringing great comfort to the Christians, especially in this moment of explicit persecution. The Kandhamal Christians share their faith with St Alphonsa. The list of victims in the attacks continues to rise: 61 dead, 18,000 wounded; 181 churches razed or destroyed; 4,500 homes belonging to Christians burned; more than 50,000 displaced, of whom more than 30,000 have disappeared into the forests.

Sr. Karuna the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood was among the first to be struck by the violence in Orissa. She has spent several weeks living in the refugee camps set up by the government, seeking to comfort the wounded and fearful Christians. But she cannot wear her religious habit: she has had to dress like the local women, because the government is monitoring the refugee camps to make sure there is no "Christian proselytism." "St. Alphonsa's life runs parallel to the life of Kandhamal Christians," the sister continues, "she lived a humble quite life in a small village in Kerala, and her sufferings were united with the suffering of Christ, here too our Kandhamal Christians are the same, simple people, living ordinary lives, yet having to suffer for bearing his name.

The Scenario

The present situation in most of villages is like a man-made desert. Everywhere there are heaps of ashes, charcoal, and broken pieces. People cannot believe the VHP’s:-

• well planned attacks
• organized vandalism
• pre-planned looting, arson & robbery
• meticulous destruction
• local police as silent spectators
• sheer devastation
• quick destruction
• barbaric mutilation
The situation looks like after a war. During the winter Christians had been deprived of a roof above their heads. If you make a round through the villages, you will feel & hear testimony from victims that one of the following things are true:
➢ India is not a democratic country or
➢ There is at least no rule of law in this place
➢ Hindu fundamentalists are on the ruling throne of the nation

Many are still in hiding or missing, and there is still much fear. We appeal for assistance and justice in light of this horrible events. But the justice has been delayed and equally denied.
The allegations for hate are: the Missionary convert the masses to Christianity, Christians receive foreign funds for the conversion.

Is spreading faith a crime?

Attrocities against the Christians

Says Fr. Santosh, “It all started when, on 24 December 2007, our permission to celebrate Christmas in the town square was revoked. Our stall keepers arrived and were told that they had to go back home. There must have been tensions as well. Then two hundred men armed with clubs suddenly emerged from the forest and the violence erupted to torch Christians in Kandhamal district, Orissa. The Police and Government officials stood by as the Churches, houses and businesses burned. Burning, looting and deaths went unchecked for weeks. 1400 houses burned, 70 houses looted and destroyed. Thousands left homeless, hungry and hiding in the jungles. Forest was the only refuge for them. On return, they were forced to forsake faith. There was a ceremony of burning the Holy Bibles, hymn seats and Christian booklets. No Christian leader was allowed to visit them and no Christian Organization were permitted to do relief works.

The Christians were blamed for the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, who instigated the attacks and carefully targeted Christians throughout Kandhamal District, Orissa.

The Christians were murdered without mercy as a reason of Swami Laxmanananda`s death which was not the only reason but the true hidden agenda is: in may of 2009, general elections will be held in India. The BJP – the Hindu nationalist party, defeated in 2004 by the alliance of the Congress Party and the left – is aiming at a comeback. And as the violence against the Muslims in Gujrat demonstrated in 2002 – inciting tension among religious groups is the most effective way to consolidate the ranks.

Christians in India

From when onwards the Christians are in India ?

How it is that in 21 century there are martyrs in India?

For understanding this we must take a quick view of the past.

According to the tradition, St. Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, came to India in 52 A.D., and landed at kodungallur on the Malabar (presently Kerala). He preached the Gospel to the Brahmin families of Kerala, many of whom received the faith and through his preaching the Church of Siro-Malabar was born. It is also a tradition that he frequently visited Malayattoor hills for Prayer. Later, he moved on to the east coast of India. He was martyred in 72 A.D. by a fanatic at Little Mount (near Madras) and his body was brought to Mylapore (near Madras) and was buried there. His tomb is venerated until this day.

At the St. Thomas Day celebration in New Delhi on December 18, 1955, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India, said: “St. Thomas came to India when many of the countries of Europe had not yet become Christians, and so those Indians who trace their Christianity to him have a longer and a higher ancestry than that of Christians of many of the European countries.

It would be appropriate to cite here an extract from the radio message of Pope Pius XII on 31 December, 1952 on the occasion of the 19th century celebrations of the arrival of the Apostle in India: “Nineteen hundred years have passed since the Apostle came to India.

Christianity in India is the third-largest religion, with approximately 24 million followers, constituting 2.3% of India’s population. Around 70% of Christians in India are Roman Catholics and the rest mainly Protestants Orthodox.

The Christian presence in India is most visible in the form of educational institutions, social services and the hospitals run by Christian organizations. If the christians have been in India from the beginning of the Christianity and their presence is visible in good works and for the welfare of the people of India then why this flood of hated against Christians this moment. why the fanatic hindus wants to do away with Christians, why they say Hindu, Hindu Bhai Bhai and Christians why. There is a saying in India, "Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Issai, Hum hai sab Bhai Bhia. The reason is that the Christians are converting the masses but Christians working for the uplift of the downtrodden.

The Freedom of Religion

In accordance to the guidelines laid down by the preamble the office of the Chief electoral Officer envisages to secure for the state a free and secular system of democratic regime as advocated for by the constitution of India and to provide for its inhabitants-justice, equality, liberty and fraternity.

When we walk on the roads of any city of India one thing is very evident that the Indians are very religious people. In fact, the four great religions of the world were born here: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Christianity and Islam arrived in the beginning of the first millennium after Christ and thus rendering the religions various cultures and religious expressions. The great majority of religion is Hinduism (Hindu 80.5%) after comes Islam (13.4%), and Christians among the minorities are (2.3%), Sikhs (1.9%) , others 1.8% ( this is according to the census of 2001).

With many religions and cultures how the Indians are able to live together?

In fact, it is not very easy. In the last few months we have seen a flood of violence in India in which Christians are persecuted not only for the cause of their faith but also for the cause of good works they offer to our poor brothers and sisters in India.

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by ahangharii

With billion people, the Republic of India is the world’s largest democracy. With a population nearly four times that of the United States. Though the majority of the people are Hindu, (Hindu 80.5%, Muslims 13.4%, Christians 2.3%, Sikhs 1.9% , others 1.8% (2001), India is a secular nation with constitutional freedoms of speech and religion and , generally speaking , the government works to protect those freedoms.

The caste system is deeply entrenched in Indian society. Until the middle of the twentieth century, “The Untouchables” were for centuries regarded as the refuse of society. In 1950, their name was changed to “Dalits” and they given a “Scheduled Caste” status. While most upper caste opinions remain the same to this day, the 1950 law guarantees a certain quota of Dalits in specific societal institutions. However, Dalit converts to other religions lose their Scheduled Caste status. Thus denying them basic human rights in many cases.

Christians have often faced oppositions due to the deterioration of freedoms under the influence of militant Hindus at the federal level . Despite the changes in the federal government, however, persecution is far from over. Contrary to the action taken in Tamil Nadu, which was the first of several states to adopt anti-conversion legislation under the BJP, was also the first to repeal that law when the government changed hands. Anti-conversion laws remain in place in seven states (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh), giving support to militant groups and resulting in ongoing violence against Christians.