News-Bytes - June 2006 - PRAY
INDONESIAN EARTHQUAKE & CHURCH CLOSURES
The 6.3 magnitude quake of 26 May that hit the city of Yogyakarta in Java, Indonesia, killed over 5,700 people, injured 10,000 and damaged or destroyed over a half million homes and 269 schools. Many residents have also lost their livelihoods. Christian agencies like World Vision are among those that have diverted staff and supplies from tsunami-hit areas to bring relief. Meanwhile, Jubilee Campaign, a UK-based group that monitors children's rights and religious persecution, reports the government has closed more than 150 churches in Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta and the island of Java over past months. Recent legislation has been enacted that could shut down hundreds more across the country. [MISC. sources/HCJB, 9 June'06]
IRANIAN PRESSURE FAILS TO STOP CHURCH GROWTH
Christians around the world remain concerned about Iran's threats against Christianity that has caused many believers to leave the country. However, Sargon Daniali, who lived in Iran for a time, says despite the persecution church growth continues through radio, television and internet evangelism as well as 'political protest.' "Because [Iranians] are upset with Islam, they go on purpose and chose other religions, one of them [is] Christianity." Daniali believes the government oppression continues under Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "They hate Christianity and they are committed to destroying Christianity; to stop Christianity in the country because Christianity is growing." Many Christian Iranians like Daniali who have fled their homeland are now actively involved in evangelism and church planting in other areas. A 40 days of prayer for Iran focus is now on. More information can be found at www.prayforiran.com. [MNN, 8 June '06]
ERITREA: PETITION LAUNCHED
A multi-agency petition has been launched to protest against widespread religious repression in Eritrea and the hundreds of evangelical believers now in prison. The petition is supported by Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors, Release International and Release Eritrea and will be handed to the Eritrean Ambassador to the UK, Negasse Sengal. Supporters are encouraged to download the petition from the CSW website www.csw.org.uk
BAPTISTS RESIST REGISTRATION IN KAZAKHSTAN
Following a fine on one of their pastors of more than three times the average monthly salary for leading unregistered religious activities, the Baptist Council of Churches explained their objections to registering their churches in the Central Asian country of Kazakhstan. The Baptists regard such registration as "sinful" because it would require them to divulge extensive information about leaders and congregations. Information such as ethnicity, education, family status, political affiliation and "the most acute problems worrying parishioners" create a "web almost impossible to break free of," according to the Baptists. Many council members still recall the trial and imprisonment of many Baptists under Soviet rule for refusing to register. "Many were sentenced to lengthy terms of imprisonment and some even ended their days in prison." [FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, 9 June '06]
The 6.3 magnitude quake of 26 May that hit the city of Yogyakarta in Java, Indonesia, killed over 5,700 people, injured 10,000 and damaged or destroyed over a half million homes and 269 schools. Many residents have also lost their livelihoods. Christian agencies like World Vision are among those that have diverted staff and supplies from tsunami-hit areas to bring relief. Meanwhile, Jubilee Campaign, a UK-based group that monitors children's rights and religious persecution, reports the government has closed more than 150 churches in Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta and the island of Java over past months. Recent legislation has been enacted that could shut down hundreds more across the country. [MISC. sources/HCJB, 9 June'06]
IRANIAN PRESSURE FAILS TO STOP CHURCH GROWTH
Christians around the world remain concerned about Iran's threats against Christianity that has caused many believers to leave the country. However, Sargon Daniali, who lived in Iran for a time, says despite the persecution church growth continues through radio, television and internet evangelism as well as 'political protest.' "Because [Iranians] are upset with Islam, they go on purpose and chose other religions, one of them [is] Christianity." Daniali believes the government oppression continues under Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "They hate Christianity and they are committed to destroying Christianity; to stop Christianity in the country because Christianity is growing." Many Christian Iranians like Daniali who have fled their homeland are now actively involved in evangelism and church planting in other areas. A 40 days of prayer for Iran focus is now on. More information can be found at www.prayforiran.com. [MNN, 8 June '06]
ERITREA: PETITION LAUNCHED
A multi-agency petition has been launched to protest against widespread religious repression in Eritrea and the hundreds of evangelical believers now in prison. The petition is supported by Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors, Release International and Release Eritrea and will be handed to the Eritrean Ambassador to the UK, Negasse Sengal. Supporters are encouraged to download the petition from the CSW website www.csw.org.uk
BAPTISTS RESIST REGISTRATION IN KAZAKHSTAN
Following a fine on one of their pastors of more than three times the average monthly salary for leading unregistered religious activities, the Baptist Council of Churches explained their objections to registering their churches in the Central Asian country of Kazakhstan. The Baptists regard such registration as "sinful" because it would require them to divulge extensive information about leaders and congregations. Information such as ethnicity, education, family status, political affiliation and "the most acute problems worrying parishioners" create a "web almost impossible to break free of," according to the Baptists. Many council members still recall the trial and imprisonment of many Baptists under Soviet rule for refusing to register. "Many were sentenced to lengthy terms of imprisonment and some even ended their days in prison." [FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, 9 June '06]
Comments