November 2016 Persecution Magazine (1 of 3)
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WWW.PERSECUTION.ORG<br />
NOVEMBER <strong>2016</strong><br />
PERSECU ION<br />
North Korea<br />
Explore the Bizarre World <strong>of</strong> North Korea:<br />
A state-created false religion, a national<br />
counterfeiting operation,<br />
and first-hand tales <strong>of</strong> tragedy<br />
and escape from the world’s<br />
worst persecutor <strong>of</strong> Christians<br />
PERSECU ION.org<br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
President’s Letter<br />
It’s very rare for us to do two newsletters on one country back-to-back, but North<br />
Korea is a special case. North Koreans are raised from birth being watched 24/7<br />
by an insanely oppressive regime that crushes all dissent, free expression, and<br />
thought by creating a web <strong>of</strong> total state surveillance and control.<br />
The regime is concerned with only one thing: blind loyalty and obedience.<br />
Twenty-five million people are imprisoned in a state run by an iron-fisted and<br />
pathologically narcissistic family dynasty. Those who cannot or will not adapt to<br />
the system face the worst punishment and torture imaginable.<br />
Consequently, the personality <strong>of</strong> the average North Korean and the culture as<br />
a whole is uniquely warped. Lying, cheating, stealing, and the complete cloaking<br />
<strong>of</strong> the majority <strong>of</strong> one’s thoughts and feelings are not character defects, but<br />
essential traits that are key to one’s survival.<br />
Jeff King, President<br />
International Christian Concern<br />
Those same survival skills that keep them alive in the prison <strong>of</strong> North Korea hurt them when they escape. They are traumatized,<br />
extremely wary, narcissistic and barely skilled. Yet they face the most formidable challenge <strong>of</strong> all: starting life over in<br />
an open, hyper-competitive, and foreign culture.<br />
In this issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>Persecution</strong>, you will once again come face-to-face with the vast prison state known as the Democratic<br />
People’s Republic <strong>of</strong> Korea (DPRK).<br />
I think this prophetic passage from Isaiah 32 that looks forward to the coming <strong>of</strong> the unrevealed Messiah sums up our hope<br />
and prayer for North Korea. I’ve paraphrased it and focused it on North Korea but I think it fully reflects the original passage<br />
and His heart for the prisoners <strong>of</strong> Satan held in North Korea.<br />
Behold, my servant, the coming Jesus, my chosen one, in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him and<br />
He will bring forth justice to North Korea. He will faithfully bring justice to North Korea and will not rest until He has<br />
established justice there. The people <strong>of</strong> North Korea wait expectantly for His law.<br />
Please work with us and open your wallet (see page 32) to open the prison doors and to bring freedom and the Gospel to<br />
the 25 million inhabitants <strong>of</strong> this prison state. There is some amazing and effective work taking place that is saving North<br />
Korea, one soul at a time.<br />
As always, your gifts will be used ethically, efficiently, and effectively.<br />
I promise!<br />
Jeff King<br />
President<br />
International Christian Concern<br />
www.persecution.org<br />
PERSECU ION.org<br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN<br />
2
News<br />
1<br />
2<br />
First American Citizen Charged under<br />
Russia’s New Anti-Missionary Law<br />
1 | RUSSIA Russia recently implemented a new law that<br />
severely restricts religious freedom. At face value, the law<br />
is intended to crack down on terrorist activity. However,<br />
the law also bans “missionary activity” without government<br />
permission, which means that an everyday citizen is<br />
restricted from sharing his or her faith with an unbeliever<br />
without prior government permission. Punishments for<br />
violating these new restrictions range from hefty fines to<br />
deportation for international missionaries.<br />
In a string <strong>of</strong> arrests under this new law, Pastor Donald<br />
Ossewaarde was the first American citizen to be charged<br />
in violation <strong>of</strong> the restriction and was issued a significant<br />
fine. Police entered the pastor’s home as he was leading<br />
a worship service and subsequently took him to the police<br />
station to issue the charges. Despite legal counsel advising<br />
otherwise, Ossewaarde has chosen to appeal the fine.<br />
Since the July implementation <strong>of</strong> this new law, three<br />
others in addition to Ossewaarde have been found guilty,<br />
including a Christian from Ghana who is living in Russia,<br />
a Pentecostal Russian, and another who follows the Hare<br />
Krishna faith.<br />
4<br />
7 6<br />
3 5<br />
Another Church Burned Down in Chile<br />
2 | CHILE In recent months, there have been a number<br />
<strong>of</strong> arson attacks on churches, leaving multiple Christian<br />
communities without a place <strong>of</strong> worship. On August 9,<br />
yet another church was burned to the ground in Chile at<br />
the hands <strong>of</strong> the Mapuche Resistance, an indigenous group<br />
primarily located in southern Chile.<br />
In this incident against Iglesia La Batalla (The Battle<br />
Church), authorities confirmed the Mapuche as the source<br />
<strong>of</strong> the attacks because they left several signs and pamphlets<br />
at the scene with the group’s name on them. An<br />
examination <strong>of</strong> the crime scene, including both the materials<br />
left behind and the characteristics <strong>of</strong> the fire, left<br />
authorities confident that this fire was no accident.<br />
Although the attacks have primarily been politically<br />
motivated, churches and other places <strong>of</strong> worship have<br />
found themselves as primary targets for the attacks.<br />
According to Christian Headlines, there have already been<br />
16 church attacks in the past year alone.<br />
While these acts <strong>of</strong> vandalism are certainly drawing<br />
attention to their cause, the Mapuche are creating needless<br />
victims <strong>of</strong> the local religious communities. These attacks<br />
are simply another example <strong>of</strong> how political conflict can<br />
infringe upon the rights <strong>of</strong> everyday citizens.<br />
China Clamps<br />
Down on<br />
North Korean<br />
Refugees<br />
Fleeing<br />
<strong>Persecution</strong><br />
3 | CHINA It is widely<br />
known that North<br />
Korea is one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
world’s most oppressive<br />
regimes with<br />
a laundry list <strong>of</strong><br />
human rights abuses.<br />
However, the general<br />
public is less privy to<br />
China’s role in the<br />
difficulties that North<br />
Korean citizens face.<br />
While thousands <strong>of</strong><br />
North Korean refugees,<br />
many <strong>of</strong> whom<br />
are Christians, flee<br />
their oppressive home<br />
country, China continues<br />
to crack down<br />
on refugees by deporting<br />
them back to<br />
North Korea. Chinese<br />
authorities near the<br />
North Korean border<br />
have <strong>of</strong>fered rewards<br />
for those who capture<br />
refugees for the sake<br />
<strong>of</strong> deportation.<br />
Those who are<br />
sent back to North<br />
Korea face intense,<br />
and <strong>of</strong>ten violent,<br />
interrogation about<br />
their time out <strong>of</strong><br />
the country and<br />
are <strong>of</strong>ten banished<br />
to prison camps.<br />
Unfortunately, many<br />
fail to make it to the<br />
prison camps as they<br />
are executed immediately<br />
upon their<br />
return.<br />
3 PERSECU ION.org<br />
NOVEMBER <strong>2016</strong><br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
ISIS <strong>Magazine</strong> Calls on Followers to Destroy Christianity<br />
4 | MIDDLE EAST In a recent edition <strong>of</strong> the Islamic State’s propaganda magazine, “Dabiq,” ISIS calls upon its followers to destroy Christianity. The<br />
magazine also threatens Christians by encouraging them to “break the cross,” stating that they can either convert to Islam or risk death by maintaining<br />
their faith in Christ. In addition to the numerous threats and calls for violence, the magazine contains violent images <strong>of</strong> both stonings and beheadings.<br />
Second Anniversary <strong>of</strong> Kenneth Bae’s<br />
Release<br />
5 | NORTH KOREA On <strong>November</strong> 8, <strong>2016</strong>, ICC is recognizing<br />
the second anniversary <strong>of</strong> the release <strong>of</strong> Kenneth<br />
Bae from North Korean authorities. Bae, an American<br />
citizen, was arrested in <strong>November</strong> 2012 in North Korea<br />
and sentenced to 15 years <strong>of</strong> hard labor due to his work as<br />
a missionary. After serving slightly more than two years<br />
in prison, Bae’s time in jail was known as the longest on<br />
record for an American imprisoned in North Korea. Bae’s<br />
release followed international outcry from Christian and<br />
human rights groups as well as a social media campaign<br />
led by his family calling for his release. Earlier this year,<br />
Bae published a book detailing his time in captivity.<br />
PERSECU ION.org<br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN<br />
Christians in<br />
Nepal Attacked<br />
While Trying to<br />
Help Others<br />
6 | NEPAL A group<br />
<strong>of</strong> Christians was<br />
recently attacked in<br />
Nepal while attempting<br />
to distribute building<br />
materials to those<br />
affected by last year’s<br />
earthquake. While<br />
unloading a truck <strong>of</strong><br />
supplies, a group <strong>of</strong><br />
neighbors approached<br />
the Christians and<br />
began beating them<br />
with rods. According to<br />
reports, local Hindus<br />
repeatedly threatened<br />
the Christians, accusing<br />
them <strong>of</strong> converting<br />
Hindus. While the<br />
government pledged<br />
to pay for the medical<br />
costs <strong>of</strong> this attack, the<br />
victims have reportedly<br />
received only a fraction<br />
<strong>of</strong> the amount needed.<br />
Algerian Christian Imprisoned for<br />
Facebook Comments<br />
7 | ALGERIA On August 7, an Algerian Christian<br />
named Slimane Bouhafs appeared in court on blasphemy<br />
charges due to comments that he made on<br />
Facebook regarding the Muslim prophet Muhammad.<br />
In his online statements, Bouhafs said that the light <strong>of</strong><br />
Jesus would outshine both Islam and Muhammad and<br />
he included photos <strong>of</strong> Muslim radicals carrying out an<br />
execution.<br />
In Algeria, sentences for blasphemy can range<br />
from fines to five years <strong>of</strong> imprisonment. After<br />
appearing in court for allegedly committing blasphemy,<br />
Bouhafs was sentenced to the maximum fiveyear<br />
prison term. Numerous human rights groups<br />
have since spoken out on behalf <strong>of</strong> Bouhafs, stating<br />
that his sentence is an infringement upon his freedom<br />
<strong>of</strong> conscience.<br />
4
News<br />
2<br />
3<br />
6<br />
5<br />
1<br />
4<br />
Bishoy was<br />
issued a five-year<br />
prison sentence<br />
for supposedly<br />
presenting a “false<br />
image” <strong>of</strong> religious<br />
persecution in<br />
Egypt.<br />
Pakistan’s Supreme Court Sets Appeal<br />
Date for Asia Bibi<br />
1 | PAKISTAN On August 22, ICC learned that Asia Bibi,<br />
a Christian mother sentenced to death for allegedly committing<br />
blasphemy, would have her final appeal heard by<br />
Pakistan’s Supreme Court in mid-October. This appeal<br />
serves as Bibi’s last legal option in Pakistan through<br />
which she can escape execution. Apart from the final<br />
appeals hearing, Bibi could only be pardoned <strong>of</strong> the death<br />
penalty through a Presidential Pardon, a power granted to<br />
the president <strong>of</strong> Pakistan by their constitution.<br />
Bibi has been on death row since 2010 despite international<br />
outcry, with countless roadblocks and delays<br />
impeding her release. Her appeal with the High Court<br />
was rescheduled seven times before it was finally held<br />
in October <strong>of</strong> 2014. During that hearing, one <strong>of</strong> the two<br />
judges hearing the case confirmed her death sentence.<br />
The initial accusation against Bibi occurred in the summer<br />
<strong>of</strong> 2009 after she drank from the same water dish as<br />
her Muslim coworkers. Due to the fact that these women<br />
viewed Bibi as unclean because <strong>of</strong> her Christian faith, an<br />
argument broke out among the women. Later, the Muslim<br />
coworkers went to a local cleric and accused Bibi <strong>of</strong> blaspheming<br />
against Islam by saying, “My Christ died for me,<br />
what did Muhammad do for you?”<br />
Riots Follow<br />
Attack on Christian<br />
Student Beaten<br />
for Alleged<br />
Blasphemy<br />
2 | NIGERIA On August<br />
21, an argument broke<br />
out between a<br />
Christian and Muslim<br />
student on campus at<br />
Nigeria’s Abdu Gusau<br />
Polytecnic, following<br />
accusations that<br />
the Christian student<br />
insulted Muhammad.<br />
The dispute quickly<br />
escalated toward violence<br />
and a mob gathered,<br />
claiming that the<br />
student deserved to die<br />
for his alleged blasphemy<br />
against Islam.<br />
The next day, radical<br />
Muslim students continued<br />
their riots by<br />
destroying Christian<br />
establishments on<br />
campus. A local church<br />
leader reported that<br />
the riots spilled into<br />
the local town, leading<br />
to violence, vandalism,<br />
and arson. The influence<br />
<strong>of</strong> Sharia law has<br />
permeated northern<br />
Nigeria, leading to<br />
increasing violence and<br />
discrimination against<br />
Christians in Nigeria.<br />
Egyptian Christian Declares Return<br />
to Islam After Two Years in Prison<br />
3 | EGYPT In 2007, the story <strong>of</strong> Mohamed Hegazy<br />
grabbed international attention as he was the first<br />
Egyptian to sue the government in order to <strong>of</strong>ficially<br />
switch from Islam to Christianity on his ID<br />
card following his conversion. As a result, many local<br />
Muslims began speaking out against Hegazy, who is<br />
also known by the Christian name <strong>of</strong> “Bishoy.” Some<br />
even called for his execution on the terms <strong>of</strong> apostasy.<br />
In June <strong>of</strong> 2014, Bishoy was issued a five-year<br />
prison sentence for supposedly presenting a “false<br />
image” <strong>of</strong> religious persecution in Egypt. Following<br />
his release in July <strong>of</strong> this year, more than two years<br />
after his sentence was issued, Bishoy appeared in an<br />
online video declaring his return to Islam.<br />
In the video announcing his conversion, Bishoy<br />
noted that he would not discuss the reasons for his<br />
return to Islam. Although he stated that the decision<br />
to convert back to Islam was made out <strong>of</strong> free<br />
will, many human rights advocates believe that the<br />
statement was coerced in exchange for his freedom.<br />
He has also stated that he will not speak publicly<br />
regarding this decision, making it difficult to reach<br />
the ultimate truth.<br />
5 PERSECU ION.org<br />
NOVEMBER <strong>2016</strong><br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
A church in the town <strong>of</strong> Oral, Kazakhstan, at dawn. Creative commons photo by Flickr user Darin House.<br />
Christian Leader in China Handed Seven-Year<br />
Jail Sentence<br />
4 | CHINA In yet another example <strong>of</strong> China’s continued crackdown<br />
on Christianity, church leader Hu Shigen has been given a seven-year<br />
prison sentence. His charges included “damaging national security<br />
and harming social stability” as authorities described Hu as the leader<br />
<strong>of</strong> a group which was using religion as a guise for exposing government<br />
abuses. This is Hu’s second prison term as he served 20 years<br />
for the charge <strong>of</strong> “counter-revolution,” which has since been abolished,<br />
before his release in 2008.<br />
VBS Camps Raided by Officials at Two<br />
Kazakhstan Churches<br />
5 | KAZAKHSTAN Two Baptist churches in Kazakhstan recently<br />
experienced the discrimination that is sweeping Central Asia firsthand.<br />
Officials raided the two churches during their Vacation Bible School<br />
camps, questioning whether or not the young participants had permission<br />
from their parents. The reason for these raids and the accompanying<br />
law that requires parental permission is to avoid the possibility<br />
<strong>of</strong> conversion without the consent <strong>of</strong> their parents. A similar incident<br />
took place last year which resulted in a temporary church closure and<br />
substantial fines.<br />
Sudanese Pastors Face Charges that Could Result in the<br />
Death Penalty<br />
6 | SUDAN Two Sudanese pastors, Kuwa Shamal and Hassan Abdulraheem<br />
Taour, have <strong>of</strong>ficially been charged with crimes that could potentially result<br />
in the death penalty. Both <strong>of</strong> the pastors have been imprisoned since last<br />
December, while Shamal was temporarily released and then rearrested in May.<br />
Despite the severity <strong>of</strong> the charges, which include espionage and crimes against<br />
the state, there is no adequate evidence to justly carry out a sentence.<br />
In a similar case, two pastors named Yat Michael and Peter Reith also faced<br />
charges associated with the death penalty, but were released last summer after<br />
months <strong>of</strong> imprisonment. The recent charging <strong>of</strong> Shamal and Taour is yet another<br />
example <strong>of</strong> Sudan’s crackdown on Christian leaders. As the Gospel continues to<br />
spread, the government continues to arrest pastors, subject them to interrogation,<br />
and imprison them indefinitely with no contact to the outside world.<br />
PERSECU ION.org<br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN<br />
6
Your Dollar$ at Work<br />
Radios Save<br />
Lives in Nigerian<br />
Villages<br />
“The radio is helping. I can link up clearly<br />
with four other communities,” said one<br />
village operator.<br />
Community Rebuild<br />
Christian farming communities in the<br />
north-central region <strong>of</strong> Nigeria are<br />
under constant threat <strong>of</strong> Islamic radicals<br />
and Fulani herdsmen whose attacks on<br />
the Christian communities seek to take<br />
over valuable territory. These attacks have<br />
resulted in the murder <strong>of</strong> tens <strong>of</strong> thousands<br />
<strong>of</strong> Christians and untold damage to<br />
farmland and property. Villagers are <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
taken by surprise since these attacks are<br />
strategic and well-organized in nature.<br />
Such attacks have taken place since 2001<br />
and have seen a rise in the last 15 years.<br />
ICC learned that increased communication<br />
between Christian villages in<br />
this region also increases the survival<br />
rate <strong>of</strong> Fulani militia attacks. The use <strong>of</strong><br />
word <strong>of</strong> mouth, and at times the use <strong>of</strong><br />
mobile phones where phone service is<br />
available, has allowed some villages to<br />
warn the next village <strong>of</strong> imminent attack.<br />
However, these methods are not always<br />
reliable.<br />
In an effort to provide ample warning<br />
to each village, thus increasing security,<br />
ICC provided 20 sets <strong>of</strong> two-way radios<br />
to community leaders in 20 Christian<br />
villages affected by Fulani attacks. We<br />
researched topography in the region and<br />
consulted experts in order to determine<br />
what type <strong>of</strong> radios best suited the villagers.<br />
Village representatives underwent a<br />
training session on how to operate their<br />
radios.<br />
According to many village operators, the<br />
radios have undoubtedly saved lives. They<br />
can now give ample warning to nearby villagers<br />
who are able to evacuate and escape<br />
the attack.<br />
“The radio is helping. I can link up clearly<br />
with four other communities,” said one village<br />
operator who was able to use his radio<br />
to alert three nearby villages <strong>of</strong> a highway<br />
robbery.<br />
7 PERSECU ION.org<br />
NOVEMBER <strong>2016</strong><br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
Medical Assistance<br />
to Pastors in India<br />
Underground Pastors<br />
India has launched its worst attack on religious<br />
freedom since it became an independent<br />
nation. ICC has documented 157 attacks in the<br />
past two years. We’ve responded by delivering<br />
medical assistance to those physically injured<br />
by persecutors, like Pastor BP Paul.<br />
In <strong>November</strong> 2015, 20 people accused Pastor<br />
Paul <strong>of</strong> forced conversions and subsequently<br />
beat him. He suffered massive internal injuries,<br />
but was unable to pay for the necessary treatment.<br />
ICC paid for all <strong>of</strong> Pastor Paul’s medical<br />
bills which has helped him heal and continue<br />
ministering to other persecuted pastors<br />
like Pastor Nitin Kumar. Pastor Kumar was<br />
attacked at a prayer meeting by Hindu radicals<br />
and suffered lower back injuries. ICC was also<br />
able to pay for Pastor Kumar’s treatment.<br />
ICC’s assistance provides more than physical<br />
healing. It also provides spiritual encouragement<br />
to persecuted believers who are given<br />
hope through the Body <strong>of</strong> Christ.<br />
PERSECU ION.org<br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN<br />
Aid to Yazidi IDPs<br />
in Iraq<br />
Community Rebuild<br />
When ISIS burst onto the scene in 2014,<br />
religious minorities in Iraq and Syria<br />
found themselves under extreme threat.<br />
While Christians faced intense persecution<br />
from the Islamic extremist group, other religious<br />
minorities, such as the Yazidi community<br />
<strong>of</strong> northern Iraq, faced an existential<br />
threat.<br />
Wherever ISIS found Yazidis, they would<br />
slaughter the men and force the women<br />
into sex slavery. It was this inhumane treatment<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Yazidis that led the US to label<br />
ISIS’s actions against religious minorities<br />
as genocide.<br />
In an effort to aid all those suffering under<br />
the surge <strong>of</strong> ISIS, ICC provided food, clothes,<br />
and necessary medical items to two Yazidi<br />
IDP camps in northern Iraq. Through ICC’s<br />
Christian partners on the ground, we were able<br />
to display the love <strong>of</strong> Christ to many whom<br />
Jesus would consider “the least <strong>of</strong> these.”<br />
Church Assistance<br />
in Indonesia<br />
Community Rebuild<br />
I<br />
n Indonesia, building a church is not a simple<br />
matter. A church must secure a license<br />
from the local government and get permission<br />
from neighbors. These parties, influenced by<br />
radical Islamic groups, <strong>of</strong>ten deny the license<br />
and the permission to build, leaving many<br />
Christians without a formal place <strong>of</strong> worship.<br />
In 2013, the GGP Ciranjang Church, which was<br />
operating out <strong>of</strong> their pastor’s home, was forcefully<br />
closed down by the local government after giving<br />
into pressure from extremist groups. Through<br />
much prayer and petition, the GGP Ciranjang<br />
Church received a church license from the government<br />
and permission to build a church in <strong>2016</strong>.<br />
Immediately, the church worked on constructing<br />
a permanent building and to help them build<br />
quickly, ICC provided construction materials.<br />
“I never stopped thanking God and ICC for<br />
this blessing,” the pastor said. “What ICC has<br />
done really gave a great encouragement for<br />
me, my family and the church members.”<br />
8
Your Dollar$ at Work<br />
ICC Repairs Two<br />
Churches in<br />
Pakistan<br />
Community Rebuild<br />
In <strong>2016</strong>, several Pakistani churches were<br />
robbed and burned. The arson attacks<br />
destroyed furnishings and Christian literature<br />
in addition to portions <strong>of</strong> the structure.<br />
Through ICC’s Community Rebuild fund,<br />
we were able to provide the repair work and<br />
replace the Christian literature, which included<br />
Bibles and books to teach catechism to children.<br />
Necessary repair work included laying<br />
carpet and s<strong>of</strong>t foam for the congregants to sit<br />
on, installing new electrical wiring, painting,<br />
and replacing a tent.<br />
For Christians who attended the burned<br />
churches, the repairs strengthened their faith<br />
because they reminded the believers <strong>of</strong> their<br />
Christian family outside <strong>of</strong> Pakistan who pray<br />
and support them. The repairs and literature will<br />
empower Pakistani Christians to continue meeting<br />
while spreading the Gospel to their neighbors.<br />
Churches Grow<br />
in Indonesia<br />
Despite Backlash<br />
Underground Pastors<br />
Indonesia is the most populous Muslim<br />
majority country in the world, making it<br />
a prime location for spreading the Gospel.<br />
The Christian population may be small at an<br />
estimated 8.8 percent <strong>of</strong> the population, but<br />
it is vibrant and willing to endure discrimination<br />
and persecution from both Muslim<br />
radical groups and occasionally the government<br />
itself.<br />
Among the Indonesian people are an estimated<br />
127 unreached groups which are fertile<br />
ground for planting the Word. ICC has heard<br />
the call from the Christian community and<br />
partnered with passionate believers to reach<br />
these groups for Christ. Through our in-country<br />
contacts, we have been able to provide assistance<br />
to five Indonesian church planters who<br />
have gathered with like-minded Christians to<br />
see their vision come to life, thus spreading the<br />
Gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission.<br />
9 PERSECU ION.org<br />
NOVEMBER <strong>2016</strong><br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
Your Dollar$ at Work<br />
Family in Mali Starts Goat Business<br />
Food Aid to a<br />
Grieving Widower<br />
Underground Pastors<br />
In June <strong>of</strong> this year, a pastor who leads a church<br />
in Kano City, Nigeria, tragically lost his wife<br />
when she was murdered by Islamic radicals on<br />
allegations <strong>of</strong> blasphemy under Sharia law.<br />
Unfortunately, discrimination against<br />
Christians in northern Nigeria is all too common.<br />
Because Kano is situated in a Muslim majority<br />
region <strong>of</strong> the country, Sharia law is commonly<br />
accepted, even among government <strong>of</strong>ficials.<br />
ICC visited the grieving pastor in August<br />
and delivered much-needed food packages.<br />
During the visit, we learned <strong>of</strong> the disappointing<br />
government actions taken regarding<br />
the case. The collaborators <strong>of</strong> the crime had<br />
already been released and were allowed to<br />
walk freely. According to the pastor, the case<br />
was still at the lower Court <strong>of</strong> Law rather than<br />
being delegated to higher jurisdiction, as it<br />
should be.<br />
ICC conveyed its sincerest condolences<br />
for the pastor’s loss and encouraged him to<br />
stand strong in his faith. The bereaved widower<br />
expressed deep appreciation for the<br />
prayers and help he received from ICC and<br />
his local church.<br />
PERSECU ION.org<br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN<br />
Community Rebuild<br />
After Islamic leaders staged a march<br />
against churches in Gao, a city in eastern<br />
Mali, resulting in the use <strong>of</strong> tear gas bombs<br />
on an unsuspecting Baptist church, a local<br />
pastor felt threatened by the rising turmoil<br />
in the city. As the situation worsened and the<br />
threats began to personally affect his family,<br />
the pastor finally made the decision to move<br />
Legal Assistance to Pastor in India<br />
Hand <strong>of</strong> Hope<br />
his family to the capital city <strong>of</strong> Bamako,<br />
where they could find safety.<br />
Unfortunately, Christians in Bamako still<br />
face social exclusion, making it nearly impossible<br />
to find work. ICC provided the pastor’s<br />
family with the necessary supplies to start a<br />
goat husbandry business. The income from<br />
this business will allow the family to financially<br />
provide for themselves in this new city<br />
without having to abandon their ministry.<br />
In 2012, Hindu radicals attacked Pastor<br />
Reyansh’s (name changed for security)<br />
prayer meeting. They accused him and his<br />
congregation <strong>of</strong> fraudulent conversions.<br />
Police subsequently arrested the pastor.<br />
Pastor Reyansh protested the charge in<br />
India’s courts and eventually appeared in the<br />
upper court in 2015, three years after the incident.<br />
Pastor Reyansh needed, but could not<br />
afford, a lawyer, so ICC paid all <strong>of</strong> the legal<br />
fees. Through God’s grace and the lawyer’s<br />
skill, the courts closed Pastor Reyansh’s case<br />
and cleared him <strong>of</strong> all charges.<br />
This is a tremendous victory for Christian<br />
pastors who have hope that the court will<br />
protect them, even though Christians are<br />
still extremely vulnerable and experiencing<br />
increased persecution in India.<br />
10
est<br />
atch<br />
Youth Minister No Longer<br />
Welcome in Illinois School<br />
Following a complaint from the Freedom<br />
from Religion Foundation (FFRF), a youth<br />
pastor is no longer able to meet with students<br />
during the school day or their lunch hour at<br />
an Illinois school. In the past, students had been<br />
given the option to obtain permission slips from<br />
their parents in order to meet with the Baptist<br />
youth minister during lunch breaks which included<br />
pizza and soda provided by the minister.<br />
The FFRF complaint reads, “It is inappropriate<br />
and unconstitutional for the district to<br />
<strong>of</strong>fer religious leaders access to befriend and<br />
proselytize students during the school day<br />
on school property. This predatory conduct<br />
is inappropriate and should raise many red<br />
flags...The district cannot allow its schools<br />
to be used as recruiting grounds for churches<br />
during the school day.”<br />
The matter was given to the school board<br />
which ruled that the local minister would<br />
no longer be allowed to meet with students<br />
on school property during the school day.<br />
Air Force Major Cleared <strong>of</strong> Wrongdoing After Leaving Bible Open<br />
The Military Religious Freedom<br />
Foundation (MRFF) recently filed a<br />
letter <strong>of</strong> complaint asking for disciplinary<br />
action against an Air Force major who left an<br />
open Bible on his desk.<br />
The complaint stated that the <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />
left a yellow-highlighted Bible “displayed<br />
front and center, quite prominently” in an<br />
open <strong>of</strong>fice work environment. It went on<br />
to say, “The egregious constitutional and<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Defense regulatory violations<br />
<strong>of</strong> such a brazen display <strong>of</strong> sectarian<br />
Christian triumphalism and exceptionalism<br />
have been noted by many United States Air<br />
Force members through the years.” The<br />
complaint demanded that the Bible be kept<br />
out <strong>of</strong> sight and for his own personal use<br />
saying, “MRFF now demands that you order<br />
this Major Steve Lewis to immediately take<br />
down his Christian biblical display from his<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficial United States Air Force desktop.”<br />
The complaint also went so far as demand<br />
that, “pending the results <strong>of</strong> the investigation,<br />
both he and his direct supervisor,<br />
Colonel Lisa Johnson, be swiftly, visibly<br />
and aggressively punished for allowing this<br />
long-running, repulsive violation <strong>of</strong> USAF<br />
regulations and bedrock Constitutional law<br />
to fatally poison the Command Climate in<br />
the RNSSI.”<br />
Despite these claims <strong>of</strong> constitutional violations,<br />
Lt. Col. David Fruck announced, “We<br />
In 2014, the Freedom from Religion<br />
Foundation (FFRF) issued a letter <strong>of</strong> complaint<br />
regarding the prayers led by an attorney<br />
and local citizen in the courtroom. In their<br />
complaint, the FFRF states, “It is a fundamental<br />
principle <strong>of</strong> Establishment Clause jurisprudence<br />
that the government may not in any<br />
way promote, advance or otherwise endorse<br />
religion. It would appear to any reasonable<br />
observer that the Montgomery County judicial<br />
system [is] endorsing religion in general<br />
and Christianity in particular.”<br />
The attorney general <strong>of</strong> Texas has upheld<br />
the prayer practice by noting that religious<br />
leaders <strong>of</strong> all faiths are welcome to lead a<br />
have concluded that no abuse <strong>of</strong> liberties has<br />
occurred. Therefore, Maj. Lewis is allowed to<br />
have his Bible on his desk if he wishes.”<br />
Sonny Hernandez, an Air Force chaplain<br />
at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, wrote<br />
an article regarding the matter saying, “I<br />
want to personally thank Major Steve Lewis<br />
for displaying his Bible replete with yellow<br />
highlighted verses, as I do all <strong>of</strong> the time.<br />
Major Lewis has a constitutional right to<br />
embrace his sincerely held theological convictions<br />
without anyone abridging his free<br />
exercise <strong>of</strong> religion.”<br />
Texas AG Upholds Ruling Allowing Chaplains to Open Court in Prayer<br />
prayer. This decision was also upheld on the<br />
basis <strong>of</strong> past legal precedent.<br />
11 PERSECU ION.org<br />
NOVEMBER 2015<br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
Cross in the Seal <strong>of</strong> Lehigh<br />
County, PA, Will Remain<br />
In another Freedom from Religion<br />
Foundation (FFRF) lawsuit to remove<br />
Christian symbols from the public eye, the<br />
atheist group has now targeted the cross in<br />
the seal <strong>of</strong> Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.<br />
The group had issued two prior letters <strong>of</strong><br />
complaint over the cross in the seal, and has<br />
now filed suit.<br />
According to a statement from the c<strong>of</strong>ounder<br />
<strong>of</strong> the atheist group, Annie Laurie<br />
Gaylor, “Lehigh County is not a Christian<br />
county; it should be equally welcoming to<br />
all its citizens regardless <strong>of</strong> their religion or<br />
their reject <strong>of</strong> religion.”<br />
Lehigh County <strong>of</strong>ficials have stated that<br />
the cross holds historical significance for<br />
the county and does not serve as an endorsement<br />
<strong>of</strong> religion.<br />
In addition, members <strong>of</strong> the public contacted<br />
the county board in support <strong>of</strong> keeping<br />
the cross in their county seal. The<br />
commissioners voted unanimously to retain<br />
the cross and to communicate this decision<br />
to the FRFF.<br />
PERSECU ION.org<br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN<br />
Ten Commandments Monument<br />
Will Remain Outside Maryland<br />
Courthouse<br />
T<br />
his<br />
past March, Jeffrey Davis, a humanist<br />
who objected to a Ten Commandments<br />
monument outside <strong>of</strong> a Maryland courthouse,<br />
filed a federal lawsuit to have the monument<br />
removed. Davis filed the suit saying that he<br />
deemed the monument unconstitutional.<br />
The lawsuit stated, “Plaintiff believes that<br />
the monument represents only one particular<br />
religious point <strong>of</strong> view and therefore sends<br />
a message <strong>of</strong> exclusion to those who do not<br />
adhere to that particular religion (Christianity),<br />
in violation <strong>of</strong> the US Constitution. Plaintiff<br />
does not want to have exposure to the monument<br />
on government property in the future.”<br />
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a legal<br />
group defending the monument, filed a motion<br />
asking for the case to be dismissed. ADF’s<br />
motion reads, “His broad stroke recitation<br />
<strong>of</strong> the elements <strong>of</strong> an Establishment Clause<br />
claim does not survive Van Orden, where the<br />
Supreme Court made abundantly clear that the<br />
presence <strong>of</strong> a Ten Commandments monument<br />
identical to the one at issue here – indeed, one<br />
that, like here, was donated by the Eagles –<br />
on public lands is not itself a violation <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Establishment Clause.”<br />
In August, Davis sent a letter to the US<br />
District Court stating his decision to drop the<br />
case against the monument, although he did<br />
not detail his reasoning and declined to speak<br />
to press about the decision.<br />
Newspaper Advertisement<br />
Rejected Over the Word<br />
“Christian”<br />
I<br />
n<br />
Tennessee, a local bookstore, Cedar<br />
Springs Christian Store, recently tried<br />
to place an advertisement in the Knoxville<br />
News Sentinel classified section. However,<br />
the Sentinel refused to print the ad saying<br />
that they deemed the ad <strong>of</strong>fensive for containing<br />
the word “Christian.”<br />
The advertisement read: “Store closing<br />
sale – Cedar Springs Christian Store –<br />
Clinton Highway location – All merchandise,<br />
fixtures, slat walls must go. Sale<br />
through August 13.” After seeing that their<br />
ad did not run on their requested days, the<br />
owner <strong>of</strong> the store made an inquiry to the<br />
paper. The owner states that the “ad did<br />
not run because it contained an <strong>of</strong>fensive<br />
word. I asked what that <strong>of</strong>fensive word<br />
was and she said the <strong>of</strong>fensive word was<br />
‘Christian.’” The newspaper did not notify<br />
the owners that the ad was rejected, nor did<br />
they refund the owners’ money.<br />
The owners, feeling this response was a<br />
“slap in the face” to Christians, published<br />
a Facebook post entitled, “Do you find the<br />
word ‘Christian’ <strong>of</strong>fensive?” An outcry <strong>of</strong><br />
public support for the bookstore ensued,<br />
and the Knoxville News Sentinel issued an<br />
apology for any “misunderstanding about<br />
their stance on Christianity.” They ran the<br />
ad at no extra charge.<br />
12
West Watch<br />
Pure Flix Denied Advertising Space for “God’s<br />
Not Dead 2” at Republican National Convention<br />
The Christian media entertainment<br />
company Pure Flix,<br />
known for films like God’s Not<br />
Dead, Woodlawn, and Do You<br />
Believe, was denied advertising<br />
space outside the Republican<br />
National Convention to promote<br />
the release <strong>of</strong> God’s Not Dead 2.<br />
Pure Flix planned to display a large<br />
banner on a building in downtown<br />
Cleveland with a quote from actress<br />
Melissa Joan Hart. The advertising<br />
company rejected the display due<br />
to the words, “judged by God,”<br />
on the banner, stating that the term<br />
was “too political” and “way too<br />
incendiary.” The CEO <strong>of</strong> Pure<br />
Flix, Steve Fedyski, was quoted,<br />
saying, “They dragged us along<br />
for weeks. Now, right up against<br />
the convention date, they say we<br />
aren’t approved, and they give us<br />
no logical rationale.” Wisconsinbased<br />
atheist group Freedom<br />
from Religion Foundation was<br />
able to display a billboard quoting<br />
President Ronald Reagan regarding<br />
no establishment <strong>of</strong> religion. The<br />
company attempted to work with<br />
Pure Flix for an alternate location;<br />
however, both sides decided to part<br />
ways after the original denial.<br />
Christian Flag Removed from Georgia<br />
Courthouse after Complaint<br />
The Bryan County Courthouse<br />
in Pembroke, Georgia,<br />
removed a Christian flag which<br />
had been situated in the corner<br />
by the judge’s bench after an<br />
atheist group filed a complaint.<br />
The Freedom from Religion<br />
Foundation (FFRF), known for<br />
its activism against religionbased<br />
cases, took up the issue<br />
when it was revealed that the<br />
easily recognizable red Latin<br />
cross affixed upon a blue and<br />
white background was in a government<br />
facility. According to<br />
the FFRF, the presence <strong>of</strong> the<br />
flag was in clear violation <strong>of</strong><br />
the Constitution’s Establishment<br />
clause which states, “Congress<br />
shall make no law respecting<br />
an establishment <strong>of</strong> religion or<br />
prohibiting the free exercise<br />
there<strong>of</strong>.” To avoid legal troubles,<br />
local attorney Leamon Holliday<br />
advised that the flag be removed.<br />
The FFRF has been both vocal<br />
and visible in many states advocating<br />
for the removal <strong>of</strong> religious<br />
symbols in public and private<br />
spaces in recent months.<br />
Scripture Decal On Kansas Police Vehicle Targeted by<br />
Freedom from Religion Foundation<br />
The Harper Police Department came under<br />
fire from an atheist group over one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
police vehicles displaying a scriptural decal<br />
on the tailgate.<br />
The Freedom from Religion Foundation<br />
(FFRF) responded to an anonymous complaint<br />
from a local resident in the small<br />
community <strong>of</strong> 1,400 people who believed<br />
the department to be in violation <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Establishment Clause to the United States<br />
Constitution.<br />
The decal referenced Romans 13:4, which<br />
states, “For the one in authority is God’s<br />
servant for your good. But if you do wrong,<br />
be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for<br />
no reason. They are God’s servants, agents <strong>of</strong><br />
wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer”<br />
(NIV).<br />
Since the complaint was filed, the police<br />
department has removed the decal from the<br />
vehicle so as to avoid any legal trouble stemming<br />
from the controversy.<br />
Some local residents consider the case to be<br />
inconsequential compared to other issues at<br />
hand. The FFRF has raised issue with many<br />
religious-based cases in recent months.<br />
The case <strong>of</strong> the Harper Police Department<br />
has parallels to a case in Brewster County,<br />
Texas. Brewster County had previously displayed<br />
a Latin cross decal in the rear section<br />
<strong>of</strong> their patrol vehicles.<br />
The FFRF was involved in this case as well,<br />
leading to the removal <strong>of</strong> the decals in June<br />
<strong>2016</strong>, despite an intercession by Texas governor<br />
Greg Abbott in favor <strong>of</strong> the decals.<br />
13 PERSECU ION.org<br />
NOVEMBER <strong>2016</strong><br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
West Watch<br />
Two ISIS-Inspired French Residents Murder 85-Year-Old Priest During Mass<br />
Two weeks after the Nice terror attack earlier<br />
this year that claimed the lives <strong>of</strong> 84<br />
people, there was an attack inside a Catholic<br />
church in northern France. Two ISIS-inspired<br />
individuals entered the church during Tuesday<br />
mass and slit the throat <strong>of</strong> 85-year-old Reverend<br />
Jacques Hamel. One attacker, identified as Adel<br />
Kermiche, previously attempted to travel to<br />
Syria in 2015 before he was arrested by French<br />
authorities. After spending nearly one year in<br />
confinement, authorities released him early<br />
in <strong>2016</strong> with restrictions upon his movement<br />
including a tracking bracelet. A nun who was<br />
there during the attack reported that the attackers<br />
screamed, “Allahu Akbar” which means “God is<br />
Great” in Arabic. The murder <strong>of</strong> the priest was<br />
filmed by the attackers.<br />
Local residents and fellow priests described him<br />
as a grandfather figure to the community. According<br />
to those present, Rev. Hamel’s final words while<br />
attempting to push away the terrorists were, “Be<br />
gone Satan!” France has been riddled with terror<br />
attacks in recent years, with the first major attack<br />
being the massacre at the <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> the satirical<br />
magazine Charlie Hebdo. Since then, France experienced<br />
a large-scale attack in <strong>November</strong> 2015 with<br />
deaths <strong>of</strong> over 184 people spread across three major<br />
locations in Paris. In July <strong>2016</strong>, the Bastille Day<br />
celebration in Nice was terrorized by an Algerianborn<br />
terrorist who drove through a crowd in a truck<br />
shooting indiscriminately and killing 84 people<br />
before he was killed by police. While the murder <strong>of</strong><br />
Rev. Hamel was small in comparison, it is one <strong>of</strong><br />
the more frightening events. It is also the first terror<br />
attack in France directly targeting an individual for<br />
his Christian faith.<br />
Colorado Pastor’s Long-Standing Contract with<br />
City Denied Renewal after Complaint<br />
Controversy has ensued in<br />
Colorado Springs, CO, after<br />
a complaint was filed over certain<br />
public transit bus benches<br />
that state “Jesus is Lord.” Pastor<br />
Lawson Perdue <strong>of</strong> the Charis<br />
Christian Center has had a longstanding<br />
contract with the city to<br />
purchase advertising space on 20<br />
bus stop benches.<br />
However, after the complaint<br />
was filed, the city decided not to<br />
renew his contract. The city has<br />
begun to conduct a review <strong>of</strong> the<br />
advertising policy as a result <strong>of</strong> the<br />
complaint, which was made based<br />
upon the Establishment Clause <strong>of</strong><br />
the US Constitution. According<br />
to Perdue, the city transit agency<br />
informed him that if they were to<br />
allow Jesus to be advertised, they<br />
would be required to allow hate<br />
speech advertisements as well.<br />
Perdue is currently weighing his<br />
options on whether to file a free<br />
speech lawsuit against the city <strong>of</strong><br />
Colorado Springs.<br />
Iowa Man Charged with Terrorism for Threatening<br />
Pastor During Church Service<br />
According to reports, an Iowa<br />
man faces charges <strong>of</strong> terrorism<br />
for threatening to kill a<br />
local pastor during a Sunday service.<br />
David Flores-Marroquin,<br />
age 25, threatened the pastor<br />
<strong>of</strong> Community Bible Chapel in<br />
Sioux City on two separate occasions.<br />
The first incident happened on a<br />
Saturday when he was seen cutting<br />
PERSECU ION.org<br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN<br />
himself with a knife and smearing<br />
blood on the stairs <strong>of</strong> the church.<br />
He threatened the pastor with the<br />
knife after he was asked to leave<br />
the premises.<br />
The second event occurred<br />
the following afternoon when he<br />
entered the service, threatening the<br />
pastor with a BB gun. The pastor<br />
again asked him to leave the premises.<br />
Local authorities were called<br />
Controversy and outcry<br />
ensued after a video clip was<br />
posted <strong>of</strong> the son <strong>of</strong> a Muslim<br />
cleric in Belgium calling on<br />
Allah and Muslims to kill all<br />
displaced Christians. Radical<br />
cleric Imam Sheikh Alami had<br />
been scheduled for deportation<br />
by Belgian authorities pending a<br />
court appeal.<br />
to intervene. Flores-Marroquin is<br />
currently charged with felony terrorism<br />
and assault while displaying<br />
a dangerous weapon. Similar<br />
instances have occurred throughout<br />
the country as a man set a<br />
church building on fire in Pittsburg,<br />
California, and an Islamic-inspired<br />
man attempted to kill members<br />
<strong>of</strong> Corinth Missionary Baptist<br />
Church in Bullard, Texas.<br />
Belgian Teenager Posts Video Clip Calling Muslims<br />
and Allah to Kill All Displaced Christians<br />
Alami was issued a deportation<br />
order because <strong>of</strong> his rhetoric<br />
inciting individuals to join the<br />
battle in Syria.<br />
It appears that his message to<br />
join jihad was not merely for<br />
foreign fighters, but also for his<br />
own children, as his 16-yearold<br />
son echoed the sentiment in<br />
the video.<br />
The timing <strong>of</strong> the translation<br />
<strong>of</strong> the video raised fear among<br />
European intelligence <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
and the general public, as it coincided<br />
with the murder <strong>of</strong> French<br />
priest Jacques Hamel who was<br />
killed during mass by two ISISinspired<br />
men.<br />
14
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Young North Korean girls take<br />
part in a community event.<br />
Keep the next generation <strong>of</strong><br />
North Koreans in prayer.<br />
Creative Commons photo<br />
from flickr.<br />
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