Bolivia: New law to control Churches' beliefs
19 Sep 2013Protestant church leaders in Bolivia are bucking a new law that they claim imposes religious beliefs contrary to their own and denies them the right to be a church. As a result, the National Association of Evangelicals of Bolivia intends to file suit this week asserting that Law 351 is unconstitutional and demanding it be revoked, according to Morning Star News. Law 351 stipulates a standardized administrative structure for all religious organizations that would force churches to betray their true ecclesiastical traditions, legal advisor Ruth Montano told Morning Star News. The law requires all churches and not-forprofit organizations to re-register their legal charters with the government; this process requires data on membership, financial activity and organizational leadership. Protestant leaders claim that the new law gives the Bolivian government regulatory power over the internal affairs of their denominations to the point of defining what is and isn't a church.
Pray: for the Church in Bolivia that it will be able to meet the requirements of Law 351. (Is.44:3)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/12566-new-bolivian-law-to-control-churches-beliefs
Bhutan: Christian imprisoned for film show
23 Oct 2010
A court in predominantly Buddhist Bhutan sentenced Prem Singh Gurung, a 40-year-old ethnic Nepalese Christian, to three years in prison for ‘attempting to promote civil unrest’ by screening films on Christianity. Gurung was arrested after neighbours complained he was inviting villagers to watch Nepali movies, then between each feature he showed films on Christianity. Government attorneys could not prove that Gurung promoted civil unrest so he was charged with an attempt to promote civil unrest, and violation of a Bhutan law requiring authorities to examine all films before public screening. While Gurung has the right to appeal it is unclear if he had the resources to take that course. Over 75 per-cent of the people in Bhutan are Buddhist. In the south of Bhutan there are 6,000 Bhutanese Christians. In this landlocked nation between India and China Christians are not officially acknowledged. No Christian institution is officially registered and believers practice their faith in their homes. Pray: for Christians and house churches to be strengthened and for Christian material to be available through the media networks. (Ps.18:6) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/12469/27133/
One of the two main political parties of the indigenous people in Bangladesh’s south-eastern hill tracts prevented Christians from celebrating Christmas, sources said. The United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), which has demanded that Christian converts return to Buddhism, threatened tribal Christians of at least seven churches in Khagrachari district, some 300 kilometers (180 miles) southeast of the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka. A source requesting anonymity said that a local leader of the UPDF, a regional party seeking autonomy, warned Christians not to hold a Christmas gathering. ‘Members of the Kalapani Bethlehem Church could not celebrate Christmas this year,’ the source said. ‘UPDF members threatened them, saying ‘You cannot play the harmonium, drums and sing here. You cannot even worship silently’. Christian elders told the UPDF leader by telephone that they had arranged food for around 100 people, and the UPDF members allowed them only to eat their rice and curry. Pray: as further attacks occur on Churches gathering, that God would protect His saints and open the doors for worship. (Ps.20:6) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/bangladesh/30238/
Bangladesh: Democracy in peril
09 Jan 2014Earlier this week the country's religious minorities deserted the polls following threats from Islamists. The election results saw the ruling party win. The opposition boycotted the poll when police failed to protect voters and people died in factional clashes. Anger and cynicism best describe the voices on the streets of Dhaka. The mood inside Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s residence is jubilant. At her press conference she was asked about the legitimacy of her win. On Tuesday the BNP called for a nationwide strike, disregarding the reality that in the last three months more than 300 people have lost their lives in violence generally attributed to the highhandedness of the Awami League (AL). Many believe the return to power of AL in the general election is widely regarded as lacking credibility and likely to be challenged by angry opposition in violent street protests in the coming weeks and months. See also
Bangladesh: Christian children vulnerable
03 Jan 2013Children of Bengali believers from Muslim background are vulnerable. They are a minority in their communities and being identified as Christians poses danger to their lives and their future. When they go to schools, they are taunted, bullied, and pressured by classmates and teachers alike. Twelve-year-old Urmi lived in a predominantly Muslim village. She kept her faith hidden for as long as she could remember. ‘I have many friends in school,’ said Urmi, who belonged to a family of six. ‘The teachers are good and kind to me. But they don't know that my family and I are Christians. My teacher lives in our village and she knows that we are Christians, but I don't think she'll tell it to others. Pray for us - If people (in our village) find out, they might kill us,’ Urmi added.
Pray: for Muslim Background Believers in Bangladesh that God will give them boldness and protection as they practice and share their faith. (Ac.4:29)
More: http://www.opendoorsuk.org/resources/persecution.php?country=bangladesh
He was tortured for his Christian faith, but still wanted to ‘sing the songs of David.’ He was naked, but ‘Jesus Christ’ clothed him ‘with His Love.’ Words of Christian rights activist William Nicholas Gomes, a former Muslim who fled rough police and Islamic extremists in his native Bangladesh. Gomes confirmed Thursday, August 25, that he now lives in Hong Kong. ‘I have received a visa for six months.’ But the young man misses his young wife and two small sons. ‘I am afraid that Muslim fundamentalists will do something bad to her and kill my young sons. They already attacked our house,’ he added in an extensive interview with BosNewsLife. Gomes spoke after a High Court in Bangladesh reportedly ordered police and angry Muslims on Wednesday, August 24, to stop harassing his family in the capital Dhaka. ‘But I don't think it will help as there is no rule of law in Bangladesh,’ he cautioned.
Pray: for the protection of the Gomes family and that the authorities would stand by their word. (Ps.5:11)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/10918-tortured-bangladesh-christian-activist-hiding-in-hong-kong
Buddhist members of an armed rebel group and their sympathizers have been holding three tribal Christians captive in a pagoda since April 16th. They were severely beaten to try to force them to return to Buddhism. Pastor Shushil Jibon Talukder aged 55 was bludgeoned nearly to death; Bimol Kanti Chakma aged 50; and Laksmi Bilas Chakma aged 40 were also severely beaten and all three are to be kept in a pagoda for 15 to 20 days as punishment for having left the Buddhist religion a Christian source said. Local Buddhists are considered powerful as they have ties with the United Peoples Democratic Front, an armed group in the hill districts. After taking the men captive the following day the armed extremists seized all blankets, Bibles and song books from the Maddha Lemuchari Baptist Church and then forced the congregation to demolish the Church building with their own hands.
Pray: for the captives to receive a powerful touch of the Holy Spirit with comfort and inner strength and for the congregation to also experience God’s embrace at this time. (Is.66:24)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/bangladesh/17879/
Bangladesh: 100+ Muslims attack Christians
20 Jun 2013Two recent incidents have left priests and seminary students severely beaten. On June 5th Muslim extremists went to Tumilia mission and attacked Fr. Abel when he came out of his room. Some say they went with the intention of robbing the property, however International Christian Concern confirm it was ‘targeted persecution by Muslims on Christians.’ On June 6th a Muslim man died from a heart attack during a conflict regarding trespassing by Muslims on Christian land to steal mangos. Blaming the Christians for the man's death, the Muslims attacked the entire village. Two villagers fled to the Catholic Church's mission compound. A Muslim mob of 100+ armed with weapons stormed the compound. The police arrested some Christians but did not take any action against the Muslims who were trespassing on Catholic land. The priests are afraid to do anything against the perpetrators. Muslim extremists are protected by the Muslim ruling party.
Pray: for the Bangladesh Christians living without security from the government, pray God’s protection over them. Pray for an end to attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh. (Ps.102:28)
More: http://www.charismanews.com/world/39906-hundreds-of-muslims-attack-christians-in-bangladesh