Christianity Oasis Forum

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Thursday, June 20, 2013

"Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments,
despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers."
- J. Sidlow Baxter (NKJV)

INDIA: Christian Beheaded for Refusing to Renounce Faith
Sources: WEA Religious Liberty Commission, Evangelical Fellowship of India News
It is reported that a Christian man was beheaded in Teliamura town, West Tripura, India, on May 25th for refusing to renounce Christ. According to reports, Tapas Bin, 35, had been under heavy pressure from his father-in-law to abandon Christianity. According to police, Tapas married Jentuly, the daughter of 55-year-old Gobinda Jamatiya, three years ago. Prior to this, the Christian man had been a private tutor of Gobinda's daughter.
Since the marriage, Gobinda had been pressuring Tapas to abandon Christianity and join his tribal religion. When Tapas persistently refused, Gobinda decided to kill his son-in-law with the help of a shaman, Krishnapada Jamatiya (no relation). Police arrested the 42-year-old shaman but were unable to find Gobinda who works at the West Tripura Science and Technology Department and is thought to be on the run.
Jentuly, now the widowed mother of a one-year-old child, told police that her father did not recognize their marriage and had pressured Tapas to convert. What is more, "My father might kill me and my son too," she fearfully admits. Commenting on the incident, an area church leader states, "Christians in Teliamura are facing discrimination and problems because of their faith in Christ. We have ceased all kinds of Christian activities in the area." For past reports of persecution, go to www.persecution.net/india.htm.
Pray for God's protection over Jentuly and her infant son, as well as all Christians living in the town of Teliamura. May Tapas' grieving family and friends experience the comforting presence of Jesus during this difficult time. Please also intercede for the perpetrators of this heinous crime...that they would sincerely repent, turn from their wicked ways, and come to know the saving grace of our Lord Jesus.


NORTH KOREA: Christian Humanitarian Sentenced for "Hostile Acts"
Sources: World Affairs Journal, Assist News Service
North Korea has found U.S. citizen Kenneth Bae guilty for "hostile acts" against the state, sentencing him to 15 years of hard labour. The verdict was handed down on April 30th. A press release from North Korea's "Korean Central News Agency" reported on May 15th that he has now begun serving his sentence within a "special prison."
Kenneth, described as a devout Christian, is the owner of a North Korea tour company. He was in the country with official permission when detained by North Korean authorities on November 3rd. Human rights activist Rev. Robert Park says one thing is certain. "Bae, a humanitarian who had compassion for North Korea's starving and abandoned orphans, is not indictable for any crime. Rather, he is a hostage being held to accommodate yet undetermined North Korean agenda."
The concerned activist further explains that this case is reminiscent of the still unresolved case of a Christian minister and humanitarian, Rev. Kim Dong-shik, who died in a North Korean prison. In 2000, North Korean agents crossed the border and hunted Kim down in China where he was operating several underground shelters for North Korean refugees. He was abducted and returned to North Korea where he was reportedly tortured and starved to death.
A 2011 report from the U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea discovered that the country has abducted more than 180,000 people from 12 countries. Apart from North Korea's own citizens, Rev. Park said no nation and people have suffered more as a result of the savagery...than the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Apart from the abductions, murders and terrorist attacks, he believes North Korea continues to be the world's worst proliferator of nuclear weapons technology, also committing crimes against humanity and genocide against its own people. To learn how you can join us in reaching out to the citizens of North Korea with the Good News of the Gospel, please check www.persecution.net/kp-2012-08-09.htm.
We can stand in the gap by interceding on behalf of Christians who, like Kenneth Bae and the late Rev. Kim Dong-shik, have been targeted by North Korea's regime of totalitarianism for doing what is noble and upright...for extending compassion toward abandoned orphans and refugees. Great is their reward in heaven! In the meantime, let's pray for the protection of Kenneth and numerous other believers who are suffering great injustice and mistreatment merely for being followers of Jesus. Also remember to lift up their loved ones and those who are advocating on their behalf. (We invite you to express your prayers for these suffering believers at our prayer wall www.persecution.net/prayerwall.)


PAKISTAN: Christian Teenager Dies in Police Custody
Source: Release International
Thousands of Christians in Punjab had recently taken to the streets in protest at the alleged torture and murder of a teenager who was held in police custody. Eighteen-year-old Adnan Masih died at Sharaqpur Sharif city police station in the district of Sheikhupura on June 10th, after being detained for six days. More than 4,000 Christians staged road blocks on the day of his death, demanding justice and the immediate arrest of the police involved. Three police officers have since been arrested.
Adnan, a fridge and air-conditioning mechanic who worked in nearby Lahore, was arrested on June 4th over the alleged kidnapping of a young Muslim woman. His family say he did not even know the woman and was entirely innocent. They also state that Adnan was brutally tortured during the six days of his detainment and then killed. The police are reportedly claiming that Adnan committed suicide.
The Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) was summoned by villagers to help them register a case with police against Adnan's alleged attackers. They believe that Adnan was targeted because of his faith as other non-Christian suspects were released within a day. Learn more about the challenges of believers in Pakistan by going to www.persecution.net/pakistan.htm.
May God greatly comfort Adnan's family, giving them the strength they need to pursue justice on his behalf. Pray for divine protection over the representatives of CLAAS, and for Adnan's family, as they seek to obtain justice. Also ask that the Lord will provide wisdom for all concerned, and that the laws in Pakistan will serve to protect innocent citizens...including those of religious minorities.
RECENT PRISONER UPDATE
EGYPT: Teacher Convicted of Defaming Islam Receives Massive Fine
Sources: Middle East Concern, Release International, Morning Star News
On June 11th, an Egyptian court convicted Christian teacher "Demiana" of defaming Islam, handing her a massive fine of 100,000 Egyptian pounds (an equivalent of about $14,270 CAN).
The elementary school teacher was falsely charged of defaming Islam after three students and their parents complained to the school administration that she had made a blasphemous gesture while teaching. After two independent investigations were conducted, both found no basis for the complaint. Ten of the 13 interviewed pupils stated that the accusations were false. However, lawyers representing the parents of one student went to the prosecutor's office and filed a complaint. This has resulted in Demiana's detainment on May 9th (though on May 13th she was released on bail), three court hearings, in addition to the heavy fine. To review the previously posted report, please click on www.persecution.net/eg-2013-06-06.htm.
Before losing her position in wake of the accusations brought against her, Demiana earned about $300 CAN a month. It is believed that the fine is far beyond her ability to pay. However, human rights activist Mohammed Noubi was surprised that the guilty verdict did not send her to prison, despite the clamour militant Muslims created in the courtroom that put intense pressure on the judge. "I personally was expecting a prison sentence, but thank God she was only given a fine," he concludes. While Demiana's lawyers plan to appeal, human rights activists believe the accusations against her reflect a growing trend in Egypt of disproportionate use of the nation's blasphemy statutes against members of the country's Christian minority. Learn more about the situation in Egypt by checking VOM's country report: www.persecution.net/egypt.htm.
Pray that Demiana will not fear but trust explicitly in the LORD during this time of trouble, relying on the Holy Spirit to help her respond appropriately to the situation. Ask the Lord to bring vindication so she will be cleared of the accusations and able to recover from the financial and emotional duress experienced as a result. In addition, may she eventually be in a position where she can safely resume her calling to teach school children.
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The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of:
The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, P.O. Box 608, Streetsville, Ontario, L5M 2C1
Tel. (905) 670.9721. Website: www.persecution.net