November 2016 Persecution Magazine (1 of 3)

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NOVEMBER 2016
PERSECU ION
North Korea
Explore the Bizarre World of North Korea:
A state-created false religion, a national
counterfeiting operation,
and first-hand tales of tragedy
and escape from the world’s
worst persecutor of Christians
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President’s Letter
It’s very rare for us to do two newsletters on one country back-to-back, but North
Korea is a special case. North Koreans are raised from birth being watched 24/7
by an insanely oppressive regime that crushes all dissent, free expression, and
thought by creating a web of total state surveillance and control.
The regime is concerned with only one thing: blind loyalty and obedience.
Twenty-five million people are imprisoned in a state run by an iron-fisted and
pathologically narcissistic family dynasty. Those who cannot or will not adapt to
the system face the worst punishment and torture imaginable.
Consequently, the personality of the average North Korean and the culture as
a whole is uniquely warped. Lying, cheating, stealing, and the complete cloaking
of the majority of one’s thoughts and feelings are not character defects, but
essential traits that are key to one’s survival.
Jeff King, President
International Christian Concern
Those same survival skills that keep them alive in the prison of North Korea hurt them when they escape. They are traumatized,
extremely wary, narcissistic and barely skilled. Yet they face the most formidable challenge of all: starting life over in
an open, hyper-competitive, and foreign culture.
In this issue of Persecution, you will once again come face-to-face with the vast prison state known as the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
I think this prophetic passage from Isaiah 32 that looks forward to the coming of the unrevealed Messiah sums up our hope
and prayer for North Korea. I’ve paraphrased it and focused it on North Korea but I think it fully reflects the original passage
and His heart for the prisoners of Satan held in North Korea.
Behold, my servant, the coming Jesus, my chosen one, in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him and
He will bring forth justice to North Korea. He will faithfully bring justice to North Korea and will not rest until He has
established justice there. The people of North Korea wait expectantly for His law.
Please work with us and open your wallet (see page 32) to open the prison doors and to bring freedom and the Gospel to
the 25 million inhabitants of this prison state. There is some amazing and effective work taking place that is saving North
Korea, one soul at a time.
As always, your gifts will be used ethically, efficiently, and effectively.
I promise!
Jeff King
President
International Christian Concern
www.persecution.org
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2

News
1
2
First American Citizen Charged under
Russia’s New Anti-Missionary Law
1 | RUSSIA Russia recently implemented a new law that
severely restricts religious freedom. At face value, the law
is intended to crack down on terrorist activity. However,
the law also bans “missionary activity” without government
permission, which means that an everyday citizen is
restricted from sharing his or her faith with an unbeliever
without prior government permission. Punishments for
violating these new restrictions range from hefty fines to
deportation for international missionaries.
In a string of arrests under this new law, Pastor Donald
Ossewaarde was the first American citizen to be charged
in violation of the restriction and was issued a significant
fine. Police entered the pastor’s home as he was leading
a worship service and subsequently took him to the police
station to issue the charges. Despite legal counsel advising
otherwise, Ossewaarde has chosen to appeal the fine.
Since the July implementation of this new law, three
others in addition to Ossewaarde have been found guilty,
including a Christian from Ghana who is living in Russia,
a Pentecostal Russian, and another who follows the Hare
Krishna faith.
4
7 6
3 5
Another Church Burned Down in Chile
2 | CHILE In recent months, there have been a number
of arson attacks on churches, leaving multiple Christian
communities without a place of worship. On August 9,
yet another church was burned to the ground in Chile at
the hands of the Mapuche Resistance, an indigenous group
primarily located in southern Chile.
In this incident against Iglesia La Batalla (The Battle
Church), authorities confirmed the Mapuche as the source
of the attacks because they left several signs and pamphlets
at the scene with the group’s name on them. An
examination of the crime scene, including both the materials
left behind and the characteristics of the fire, left
authorities confident that this fire was no accident.
Although the attacks have primarily been politically
motivated, churches and other places of worship have
found themselves as primary targets for the attacks.
According to Christian Headlines, there have already been
16 church attacks in the past year alone.
While these acts of vandalism are certainly drawing
attention to their cause, the Mapuche are creating needless
victims of the local religious communities. These attacks
are simply another example of how political conflict can
infringe upon the rights of everyday citizens.
China Clamps
Down on
North Korean
Refugees
Fleeing
Persecution
3 | CHINA It is widely
known that North
Korea is one of the
world’s most oppressive
regimes with
a laundry list of
human rights abuses.
However, the general
public is less privy to
China’s role in the
difficulties that North
Korean citizens face.
While thousands of
North Korean refugees,
many of whom
are Christians, flee
their oppressive home
country, China continues
to crack down
on refugees by deporting
them back to
North Korea. Chinese
authorities near the
North Korean border
have offered rewards
for those who capture
refugees for the sake
of deportation.
Those who are
sent back to North
Korea face intense,
and often violent,
interrogation about
their time out of
the country and
are often banished
to prison camps.
Unfortunately, many
fail to make it to the
prison camps as they
are executed immediately
upon their
return.
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INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN

ISIS Magazine Calls on Followers to Destroy Christianity
4 | MIDDLE EAST In a recent edition of the Islamic State’s propaganda magazine, “Dabiq,” ISIS calls upon its followers to destroy Christianity. The
magazine also threatens Christians by encouraging them to “break the cross,” stating that they can either convert to Islam or risk death by maintaining
their faith in Christ. In addition to the numerous threats and calls for violence, the magazine contains violent images of both stonings and beheadings.
Second Anniversary of Kenneth Bae’s
Release
5 | NORTH KOREA On November 8, 2016, ICC is recognizing
the second anniversary of the release of Kenneth
Bae from North Korean authorities. Bae, an American
citizen, was arrested in November 2012 in North Korea
and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor due to his work as
a missionary. After serving slightly more than two years
in prison, Bae’s time in jail was known as the longest on
record for an American imprisoned in North Korea. Bae’s
release followed international outcry from Christian and
human rights groups as well as a social media campaign
led by his family calling for his release. Earlier this year,
Bae published a book detailing his time in captivity.
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Christians in
Nepal Attacked
While Trying to
Help Others
6 | NEPAL A group
of Christians was
recently attacked in
Nepal while attempting
to distribute building
materials to those
affected by last year’s
earthquake. While
unloading a truck of
supplies, a group of
neighbors approached
the Christians and
began beating them
with rods. According to
reports, local Hindus
repeatedly threatened
the Christians, accusing
them of converting
Hindus. While the
government pledged
to pay for the medical
costs of this attack, the
victims have reportedly
received only a fraction
of the amount needed.
Algerian Christian Imprisoned for
Facebook Comments
7 | ALGERIA On August 7, an Algerian Christian
named Slimane Bouhafs appeared in court on blasphemy
charges due to comments that he made on
Facebook regarding the Muslim prophet Muhammad.
In his online statements, Bouhafs said that the light of
Jesus would outshine both Islam and Muhammad and
he included photos of Muslim radicals carrying out an
execution.
In Algeria, sentences for blasphemy can range
from fines to five years of imprisonment. After
appearing in court for allegedly committing blasphemy,
Bouhafs was sentenced to the maximum fiveyear
prison term. Numerous human rights groups
have since spoken out on behalf of Bouhafs, stating
that his sentence is an infringement upon his freedom
of conscience.
4

News
2
3
6
5
1
4
Bishoy was
issued a five-year
prison sentence
for supposedly
presenting a “false
image” of religious
persecution in
Egypt.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court Sets Appeal
Date for Asia Bibi
1 | PAKISTAN On August 22, ICC learned that Asia Bibi,
a Christian mother sentenced to death for allegedly committing
blasphemy, would have her final appeal heard by
Pakistan’s Supreme Court in mid-October. This appeal
serves as Bibi’s last legal option in Pakistan through
which she can escape execution. Apart from the final
appeals hearing, Bibi could only be pardoned of the death
penalty through a Presidential Pardon, a power granted to
the president of Pakistan by their constitution.
Bibi has been on death row since 2010 despite international
outcry, with countless roadblocks and delays
impeding her release. Her appeal with the High Court
was rescheduled seven times before it was finally held
in October of 2014. During that hearing, one of the two
judges hearing the case confirmed her death sentence.
The initial accusation against Bibi occurred in the summer
of 2009 after she drank from the same water dish as
her Muslim coworkers. Due to the fact that these women
viewed Bibi as unclean because of her Christian faith, an
argument broke out among the women. Later, the Muslim
coworkers went to a local cleric and accused Bibi of blaspheming
against Islam by saying, “My Christ died for me,
what did Muhammad do for you?”
Riots Follow
Attack on Christian
Student Beaten
for Alleged
Blasphemy
2 | NIGERIA On August
21, an argument broke
out between a
Christian and Muslim
student on campus at
Nigeria’s Abdu Gusau
Polytecnic, following
accusations that
the Christian student
insulted Muhammad.
The dispute quickly
escalated toward violence
and a mob gathered,
claiming that the
student deserved to die
for his alleged blasphemy
against Islam.
The next day, radical
Muslim students continued
their riots by
destroying Christian
establishments on
campus. A local church
leader reported that
the riots spilled into
the local town, leading
to violence, vandalism,
and arson. The influence
of Sharia law has
permeated northern
Nigeria, leading to
increasing violence and
discrimination against
Christians in Nigeria.
Egyptian Christian Declares Return
to Islam After Two Years in Prison
3 | EGYPT In 2007, the story of Mohamed Hegazy
grabbed international attention as he was the first
Egyptian to sue the government in order to officially
switch from Islam to Christianity on his ID
card following his conversion. As a result, many local
Muslims began speaking out against Hegazy, who is
also known by the Christian name of “Bishoy.” Some
even called for his execution on the terms of apostasy.
In June of 2014, Bishoy was issued a five-year
prison sentence for supposedly presenting a “false
image” of religious persecution in Egypt. Following
his release in July of this year, more than two years
after his sentence was issued, Bishoy appeared in an
online video declaring his return to Islam.
In the video announcing his conversion, Bishoy
noted that he would not discuss the reasons for his
return to Islam. Although he stated that the decision
to convert back to Islam was made out of free
will, many human rights advocates believe that the
statement was coerced in exchange for his freedom.
He has also stated that he will not speak publicly
regarding this decision, making it difficult to reach
the ultimate truth.
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A church in the town of Oral, Kazakhstan, at dawn. Creative commons photo by Flickr user Darin House.
Christian Leader in China Handed Seven-Year
Jail Sentence
4 | CHINA In yet another example of China’s continued crackdown
on Christianity, church leader Hu Shigen has been given a seven-year
prison sentence. His charges included “damaging national security
and harming social stability” as authorities described Hu as the leader
of a group which was using religion as a guise for exposing government
abuses. This is Hu’s second prison term as he served 20 years
for the charge of “counter-revolution,” which has since been abolished,
before his release in 2008.
VBS Camps Raided by Officials at Two
Kazakhstan Churches
5 | KAZAKHSTAN Two Baptist churches in Kazakhstan recently
experienced the discrimination that is sweeping Central Asia firsthand.
Officials raided the two churches during their Vacation Bible School
camps, questioning whether or not the young participants had permission
from their parents. The reason for these raids and the accompanying
law that requires parental permission is to avoid the possibility
of conversion without the consent of their parents. A similar incident
took place last year which resulted in a temporary church closure and
substantial fines.
Sudanese Pastors Face Charges that Could Result in the
Death Penalty
6 | SUDAN Two Sudanese pastors, Kuwa Shamal and Hassan Abdulraheem
Taour, have officially been charged with crimes that could potentially result
in the death penalty. Both of the pastors have been imprisoned since last
December, while Shamal was temporarily released and then rearrested in May.
Despite the severity of the charges, which include espionage and crimes against
the state, there is no adequate evidence to justly carry out a sentence.
In a similar case, two pastors named Yat Michael and Peter Reith also faced
charges associated with the death penalty, but were released last summer after
months of imprisonment. The recent charging of Shamal and Taour is yet another
example of Sudan’s crackdown on Christian leaders. As the Gospel continues to
spread, the government continues to arrest pastors, subject them to interrogation,
and imprison them indefinitely with no contact to the outside world.
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6

Your Dollar$ at Work
Radios Save
Lives in Nigerian
Villages
“The radio is helping. I can link up clearly
with four other communities,” said one
village operator.
Community Rebuild
Christian farming communities in the
north-central region of Nigeria are
under constant threat of Islamic radicals
and Fulani herdsmen whose attacks on
the Christian communities seek to take
over valuable territory. These attacks have
resulted in the murder of tens of thousands
of Christians and untold damage to
farmland and property. Villagers are often
taken by surprise since these attacks are
strategic and well-organized in nature.
Such attacks have taken place since 2001
and have seen a rise in the last 15 years.
ICC learned that increased communication
between Christian villages in
this region also increases the survival
rate of Fulani militia attacks. The use of
word of mouth, and at times the use of
mobile phones where phone service is
available, has allowed some villages to
warn the next village of imminent attack.
However, these methods are not always
reliable.
In an effort to provide ample warning
to each village, thus increasing security,
ICC provided 20 sets of two-way radios
to community leaders in 20 Christian
villages affected by Fulani attacks. We
researched topography in the region and
consulted experts in order to determine
what type of radios best suited the villagers.
Village representatives underwent a
training session on how to operate their
radios.
According to many village operators, the
radios have undoubtedly saved lives. They
can now give ample warning to nearby villagers
who are able to evacuate and escape
the attack.
“The radio is helping. I can link up clearly
with four other communities,” said one village
operator who was able to use his radio
to alert three nearby villages of a highway
robbery.
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Medical Assistance
to Pastors in India
Underground Pastors
India has launched its worst attack on religious
freedom since it became an independent
nation. ICC has documented 157 attacks in the
past two years. We’ve responded by delivering
medical assistance to those physically injured
by persecutors, like Pastor BP Paul.
In November 2015, 20 people accused Pastor
Paul of forced conversions and subsequently
beat him. He suffered massive internal injuries,
but was unable to pay for the necessary treatment.
ICC paid for all of Pastor Paul’s medical
bills which has helped him heal and continue
ministering to other persecuted pastors
like Pastor Nitin Kumar. Pastor Kumar was
attacked at a prayer meeting by Hindu radicals
and suffered lower back injuries. ICC was also
able to pay for Pastor Kumar’s treatment.
ICC’s assistance provides more than physical
healing. It also provides spiritual encouragement
to persecuted believers who are given
hope through the Body of Christ.
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Aid to Yazidi IDPs
in Iraq
Community Rebuild
When ISIS burst onto the scene in 2014,
religious minorities in Iraq and Syria
found themselves under extreme threat.
While Christians faced intense persecution
from the Islamic extremist group, other religious
minorities, such as the Yazidi community
of northern Iraq, faced an existential
threat.
Wherever ISIS found Yazidis, they would
slaughter the men and force the women
into sex slavery. It was this inhumane treatment
of the Yazidis that led the US to label
ISIS’s actions against religious minorities
as genocide.
In an effort to aid all those suffering under
the surge of ISIS, ICC provided food, clothes,
and necessary medical items to two Yazidi
IDP camps in northern Iraq. Through ICC’s
Christian partners on the ground, we were able
to display the love of Christ to many whom
Jesus would consider “the least of these.”
Church Assistance
in Indonesia
Community Rebuild
I
n Indonesia, building a church is not a simple
matter. A church must secure a license
from the local government and get permission
from neighbors. These parties, influenced by
radical Islamic groups, often deny the license
and the permission to build, leaving many
Christians without a formal place of worship.
In 2013, the GGP Ciranjang Church, which was
operating out of their pastor’s home, was forcefully
closed down by the local government after giving
into pressure from extremist groups. Through
much prayer and petition, the GGP Ciranjang
Church received a church license from the government
and permission to build a church in 2016.
Immediately, the church worked on constructing
a permanent building and to help them build
quickly, ICC provided construction materials.
“I never stopped thanking God and ICC for
this blessing,” the pastor said. “What ICC has
done really gave a great encouragement for
me, my family and the church members.”
8

Your Dollar$ at Work
ICC Repairs Two
Churches in
Pakistan
Community Rebuild
In 2016, several Pakistani churches were
robbed and burned. The arson attacks
destroyed furnishings and Christian literature
in addition to portions of the structure.
Through ICC’s Community Rebuild fund,
we were able to provide the repair work and
replace the Christian literature, which included
Bibles and books to teach catechism to children.
Necessary repair work included laying
carpet and soft foam for the congregants to sit
on, installing new electrical wiring, painting,
and replacing a tent.
For Christians who attended the burned
churches, the repairs strengthened their faith
because they reminded the believers of their
Christian family outside of Pakistan who pray
and support them. The repairs and literature will
empower Pakistani Christians to continue meeting
while spreading the Gospel to their neighbors.
Churches Grow
in Indonesia
Despite Backlash
Underground Pastors
Indonesia is the most populous Muslim
majority country in the world, making it
a prime location for spreading the Gospel.
The Christian population may be small at an
estimated 8.8 percent of the population, but
it is vibrant and willing to endure discrimination
and persecution from both Muslim
radical groups and occasionally the government
itself.
Among the Indonesian people are an estimated
127 unreached groups which are fertile
ground for planting the Word. ICC has heard
the call from the Christian community and
partnered with passionate believers to reach
these groups for Christ. Through our in-country
contacts, we have been able to provide assistance
to five Indonesian church planters who
have gathered with like-minded Christians to
see their vision come to life, thus spreading the
Gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission.
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Your Dollar$ at Work
Family in Mali Starts Goat Business
Food Aid to a
Grieving Widower
Underground Pastors
In June of this year, a pastor who leads a church
in Kano City, Nigeria, tragically lost his wife
when she was murdered by Islamic radicals on
allegations of blasphemy under Sharia law.
Unfortunately, discrimination against
Christians in northern Nigeria is all too common.
Because Kano is situated in a Muslim majority
region of the country, Sharia law is commonly
accepted, even among government officials.
ICC visited the grieving pastor in August
and delivered much-needed food packages.
During the visit, we learned of the disappointing
government actions taken regarding
the case. The collaborators of the crime had
already been released and were allowed to
walk freely. According to the pastor, the case
was still at the lower Court of Law rather than
being delegated to higher jurisdiction, as it
should be.
ICC conveyed its sincerest condolences
for the pastor’s loss and encouraged him to
stand strong in his faith. The bereaved widower
expressed deep appreciation for the
prayers and help he received from ICC and
his local church.
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Community Rebuild
After Islamic leaders staged a march
against churches in Gao, a city in eastern
Mali, resulting in the use of tear gas bombs
on an unsuspecting Baptist church, a local
pastor felt threatened by the rising turmoil
in the city. As the situation worsened and the
threats began to personally affect his family,
the pastor finally made the decision to move
Legal Assistance to Pastor in India
Hand of Hope
his family to the capital city of Bamako,
where they could find safety.
Unfortunately, Christians in Bamako still
face social exclusion, making it nearly impossible
to find work. ICC provided the pastor’s
family with the necessary supplies to start a
goat husbandry business. The income from
this business will allow the family to financially
provide for themselves in this new city
without having to abandon their ministry.
In 2012, Hindu radicals attacked Pastor
Reyansh’s (name changed for security)
prayer meeting. They accused him and his
congregation of fraudulent conversions.
Police subsequently arrested the pastor.
Pastor Reyansh protested the charge in
India’s courts and eventually appeared in the
upper court in 2015, three years after the incident.
Pastor Reyansh needed, but could not
afford, a lawyer, so ICC paid all of the legal
fees. Through God’s grace and the lawyer’s
skill, the courts closed Pastor Reyansh’s case
and cleared him of all charges.
This is a tremendous victory for Christian
pastors who have hope that the court will
protect them, even though Christians are
still extremely vulnerable and experiencing
increased persecution in India.
10

est
atch
Youth Minister No Longer
Welcome in Illinois School
Following a complaint from the Freedom
from Religion Foundation (FFRF), a youth
pastor is no longer able to meet with students
during the school day or their lunch hour at
an Illinois school. In the past, students had been
given the option to obtain permission slips from
their parents in order to meet with the Baptist
youth minister during lunch breaks which included
pizza and soda provided by the minister.
The FFRF complaint reads, “It is inappropriate
and unconstitutional for the district to
offer religious leaders access to befriend and
proselytize students during the school day
on school property. This predatory conduct
is inappropriate and should raise many red
flags...The district cannot allow its schools
to be used as recruiting grounds for churches
during the school day.”
The matter was given to the school board
which ruled that the local minister would
no longer be allowed to meet with students
on school property during the school day.
Air Force Major Cleared of Wrongdoing After Leaving Bible Open
The Military Religious Freedom
Foundation (MRFF) recently filed a
letter of complaint asking for disciplinary
action against an Air Force major who left an
open Bible on his desk.
The complaint stated that the officer
left a yellow-highlighted Bible “displayed
front and center, quite prominently” in an
open office work environment. It went on
to say, “The egregious constitutional and
Department of Defense regulatory violations
of such a brazen display of sectarian
Christian triumphalism and exceptionalism
have been noted by many United States Air
Force members through the years.” The
complaint demanded that the Bible be kept
out of sight and for his own personal use
saying, “MRFF now demands that you order
this Major Steve Lewis to immediately take
down his Christian biblical display from his
official United States Air Force desktop.”
The complaint also went so far as demand
that, “pending the results of the investigation,
both he and his direct supervisor,
Colonel Lisa Johnson, be swiftly, visibly
and aggressively punished for allowing this
long-running, repulsive violation of USAF
regulations and bedrock Constitutional law
to fatally poison the Command Climate in
the RNSSI.”
Despite these claims of constitutional violations,
Lt. Col. David Fruck announced, “We
In 2014, the Freedom from Religion
Foundation (FFRF) issued a letter of complaint
regarding the prayers led by an attorney
and local citizen in the courtroom. In their
complaint, the FFRF states, “It is a fundamental
principle of Establishment Clause jurisprudence
that the government may not in any
way promote, advance or otherwise endorse
religion. It would appear to any reasonable
observer that the Montgomery County judicial
system [is] endorsing religion in general
and Christianity in particular.”
The attorney general of Texas has upheld
the prayer practice by noting that religious
leaders of all faiths are welcome to lead a
have concluded that no abuse of liberties has
occurred. Therefore, Maj. Lewis is allowed to
have his Bible on his desk if he wishes.”
Sonny Hernandez, an Air Force chaplain
at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, wrote
an article regarding the matter saying, “I
want to personally thank Major Steve Lewis
for displaying his Bible replete with yellow
highlighted verses, as I do all of the time.
Major Lewis has a constitutional right to
embrace his sincerely held theological convictions
without anyone abridging his free
exercise of religion.”
Texas AG Upholds Ruling Allowing Chaplains to Open Court in Prayer
prayer. This decision was also upheld on the
basis of past legal precedent.
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Cross in the Seal of Lehigh
County, PA, Will Remain
In another Freedom from Religion
Foundation (FFRF) lawsuit to remove
Christian symbols from the public eye, the
atheist group has now targeted the cross in
the seal of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
The group had issued two prior letters of
complaint over the cross in the seal, and has
now filed suit.
According to a statement from the cofounder
of the atheist group, Annie Laurie
Gaylor, “Lehigh County is not a Christian
county; it should be equally welcoming to
all its citizens regardless of their religion or
their reject of religion.”
Lehigh County officials have stated that
the cross holds historical significance for
the county and does not serve as an endorsement
of religion.
In addition, members of the public contacted
the county board in support of keeping
the cross in their county seal. The
commissioners voted unanimously to retain
the cross and to communicate this decision
to the FRFF.
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Ten Commandments Monument
Will Remain Outside Maryland
Courthouse
T
his
past March, Jeffrey Davis, a humanist
who objected to a Ten Commandments
monument outside of a Maryland courthouse,
filed a federal lawsuit to have the monument
removed. Davis filed the suit saying that he
deemed the monument unconstitutional.
The lawsuit stated, “Plaintiff believes that
the monument represents only one particular
religious point of view and therefore sends
a message of exclusion to those who do not
adhere to that particular religion (Christianity),
in violation of the US Constitution. Plaintiff
does not want to have exposure to the monument
on government property in the future.”
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a legal
group defending the monument, filed a motion
asking for the case to be dismissed. ADF’s
motion reads, “His broad stroke recitation
of the elements of an Establishment Clause
claim does not survive Van Orden, where the
Supreme Court made abundantly clear that the
presence of a Ten Commandments monument
identical to the one at issue here – indeed, one
that, like here, was donated by the Eagles –
on public lands is not itself a violation of the
Establishment Clause.”
In August, Davis sent a letter to the US
District Court stating his decision to drop the
case against the monument, although he did
not detail his reasoning and declined to speak
to press about the decision.
Newspaper Advertisement
Rejected Over the Word
“Christian”
I
n
Tennessee, a local bookstore, Cedar
Springs Christian Store, recently tried
to place an advertisement in the Knoxville
News Sentinel classified section. However,
the Sentinel refused to print the ad saying
that they deemed the ad offensive for containing
the word “Christian.”
The advertisement read: “Store closing
sale – Cedar Springs Christian Store –
Clinton Highway location – All merchandise,
fixtures, slat walls must go. Sale
through August 13.” After seeing that their
ad did not run on their requested days, the
owner of the store made an inquiry to the
paper. The owner states that the “ad did
not run because it contained an offensive
word. I asked what that offensive word
was and she said the offensive word was
‘Christian.’” The newspaper did not notify
the owners that the ad was rejected, nor did
they refund the owners’ money.
The owners, feeling this response was a
“slap in the face” to Christians, published
a Facebook post entitled, “Do you find the
word ‘Christian’ offensive?” An outcry of
public support for the bookstore ensued,
and the Knoxville News Sentinel issued an
apology for any “misunderstanding about
their stance on Christianity.” They ran the
ad at no extra charge.
12

West Watch
Pure Flix Denied Advertising Space for “God’s
Not Dead 2” at Republican National Convention
The Christian media entertainment
company Pure Flix,
known for films like God’s Not
Dead, Woodlawn, and Do You
Believe, was denied advertising
space outside the Republican
National Convention to promote
the release of God’s Not Dead 2.
Pure Flix planned to display a large
banner on a building in downtown
Cleveland with a quote from actress
Melissa Joan Hart. The advertising
company rejected the display due
to the words, “judged by God,”
on the banner, stating that the term
was “too political” and “way too
incendiary.” The CEO of Pure
Flix, Steve Fedyski, was quoted,
saying, “They dragged us along
for weeks. Now, right up against
the convention date, they say we
aren’t approved, and they give us
no logical rationale.” Wisconsinbased
atheist group Freedom
from Religion Foundation was
able to display a billboard quoting
President Ronald Reagan regarding
no establishment of religion. The
company attempted to work with
Pure Flix for an alternate location;
however, both sides decided to part
ways after the original denial.
Christian Flag Removed from Georgia
Courthouse after Complaint
The Bryan County Courthouse
in Pembroke, Georgia,
removed a Christian flag which
had been situated in the corner
by the judge’s bench after an
atheist group filed a complaint.
The Freedom from Religion
Foundation (FFRF), known for
its activism against religionbased
cases, took up the issue
when it was revealed that the
easily recognizable red Latin
cross affixed upon a blue and
white background was in a government
facility. According to
the FFRF, the presence of the
flag was in clear violation of
the Constitution’s Establishment
clause which states, “Congress
shall make no law respecting
an establishment of religion or
prohibiting the free exercise
thereof.” To avoid legal troubles,
local attorney Leamon Holliday
advised that the flag be removed.
The FFRF has been both vocal
and visible in many states advocating
for the removal of religious
symbols in public and private
spaces in recent months.
Scripture Decal On Kansas Police Vehicle Targeted by
Freedom from Religion Foundation
The Harper Police Department came under
fire from an atheist group over one of the
police vehicles displaying a scriptural decal
on the tailgate.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation
(FFRF) responded to an anonymous complaint
from a local resident in the small
community of 1,400 people who believed
the department to be in violation of the
Establishment Clause to the United States
Constitution.
The decal referenced Romans 13:4, which
states, “For the one in authority is God’s
servant for your good. But if you do wrong,
be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for
no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of
wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer”
(NIV).
Since the complaint was filed, the police
department has removed the decal from the
vehicle so as to avoid any legal trouble stemming
from the controversy.
Some local residents consider the case to be
inconsequential compared to other issues at
hand. The FFRF has raised issue with many
religious-based cases in recent months.
The case of the Harper Police Department
has parallels to a case in Brewster County,
Texas. Brewster County had previously displayed
a Latin cross decal in the rear section
of their patrol vehicles.
The FFRF was involved in this case as well,
leading to the removal of the decals in June
2016, despite an intercession by Texas governor
Greg Abbott in favor of the decals.
13 PERSECU ION.org
NOVEMBER 2016
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN

West Watch
Two ISIS-Inspired French Residents Murder 85-Year-Old Priest During Mass
Two weeks after the Nice terror attack earlier
this year that claimed the lives of 84
people, there was an attack inside a Catholic
church in northern France. Two ISIS-inspired
individuals entered the church during Tuesday
mass and slit the throat of 85-year-old Reverend
Jacques Hamel. One attacker, identified as Adel
Kermiche, previously attempted to travel to
Syria in 2015 before he was arrested by French
authorities. After spending nearly one year in
confinement, authorities released him early
in 2016 with restrictions upon his movement
including a tracking bracelet. A nun who was
there during the attack reported that the attackers
screamed, “Allahu Akbar” which means “God is
Great” in Arabic. The murder of the priest was
filmed by the attackers.
Local residents and fellow priests described him
as a grandfather figure to the community. According
to those present, Rev. Hamel’s final words while
attempting to push away the terrorists were, “Be
gone Satan!” France has been riddled with terror
attacks in recent years, with the first major attack
being the massacre at the office of the satirical
magazine Charlie Hebdo. Since then, France experienced
a large-scale attack in November 2015 with
deaths of over 184 people spread across three major
locations in Paris. In July 2016, the Bastille Day
celebration in Nice was terrorized by an Algerianborn
terrorist who drove through a crowd in a truck
shooting indiscriminately and killing 84 people
before he was killed by police. While the murder of
Rev. Hamel was small in comparison, it is one of
the more frightening events. It is also the first terror
attack in France directly targeting an individual for
his Christian faith.
Colorado Pastor’s Long-Standing Contract with
City Denied Renewal after Complaint
Controversy has ensued in
Colorado Springs, CO, after
a complaint was filed over certain
public transit bus benches
that state “Jesus is Lord.” Pastor
Lawson Perdue of the Charis
Christian Center has had a longstanding
contract with the city to
purchase advertising space on 20
bus stop benches.
However, after the complaint
was filed, the city decided not to
renew his contract. The city has
begun to conduct a review of the
advertising policy as a result of the
complaint, which was made based
upon the Establishment Clause of
the US Constitution. According
to Perdue, the city transit agency
informed him that if they were to
allow Jesus to be advertised, they
would be required to allow hate
speech advertisements as well.
Perdue is currently weighing his
options on whether to file a free
speech lawsuit against the city of
Colorado Springs.
Iowa Man Charged with Terrorism for Threatening
Pastor During Church Service
According to reports, an Iowa
man faces charges of terrorism
for threatening to kill a
local pastor during a Sunday service.
David Flores-Marroquin,
age 25, threatened the pastor
of Community Bible Chapel in
Sioux City on two separate occasions.
The first incident happened on a
Saturday when he was seen cutting
PERSECU ION.org
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
himself with a knife and smearing
blood on the stairs of the church.
He threatened the pastor with the
knife after he was asked to leave
the premises.
The second event occurred
the following afternoon when he
entered the service, threatening the
pastor with a BB gun. The pastor
again asked him to leave the premises.
Local authorities were called
Controversy and outcry
ensued after a video clip was
posted of the son of a Muslim
cleric in Belgium calling on
Allah and Muslims to kill all
displaced Christians. Radical
cleric Imam Sheikh Alami had
been scheduled for deportation
by Belgian authorities pending a
court appeal.
to intervene. Flores-Marroquin is
currently charged with felony terrorism
and assault while displaying
a dangerous weapon. Similar
instances have occurred throughout
the country as a man set a
church building on fire in Pittsburg,
California, and an Islamic-inspired
man attempted to kill members
of Corinth Missionary Baptist
Church in Bullard, Texas.
Belgian Teenager Posts Video Clip Calling Muslims
and Allah to Kill All Displaced Christians
Alami was issued a deportation
order because of his rhetoric
inciting individuals to join the
battle in Syria.
It appears that his message to
join jihad was not merely for
foreign fighters, but also for his
own children, as his 16-yearold
son echoed the sentiment in
the video.
The timing of the translation
of the video raised fear among
European intelligence officials
and the general public, as it coincided
with the murder of French
priest Jacques Hamel who was
killed during mass by two ISISinspired
men.
14

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