Vietnam’s Controversial New Religion Law Now In Effect

(Christian Post) – A new law went into effect yesterday that could perpetuate and justify severe persecution of the churches of Vietnam by authorities. The proposed law on religion, which was issued on June 18, purportedly guarantees religious freedom in one of its articles but uses most of the remaining 40 for detailing a long series of complicated regulations to insure close state management of religious activity. “[The Ordinance] will create many problems and disadvantages for the church, especially for our gatherings for worship,” the Vietnam Evangelical Fellowship (VEF) wrote in a statement released on Aug. 30. “At the same time, it is likely to permanently outlaw our house church organizations, none of which have been recognized since 1975. Many articles in this ordinance will also provide a legal basis for local authorities to hinder and persecute the church.”
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