ICC Note
The religious persecution against Christians is growing around the world, including in the United States .
Religious persecution intensifying
By Glendora Goodwin
Times-Mail Online (01/27/06)
To read the full story, click here: Religious Persecution Intensifying
If you were facing trial for your faith, would there be enough evidence to convict you? It’s something to think about.
Suffering, persecution, martyrdom. Those words are repulsive and unpleasant. But religious persecution seems to be increasing, and several leaders predict it will greatly intensify this year.
Paul, who cited many of his sufferings in II Corinthians 11:23-27, wrote: Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. – II Timothy 3:12.
Religious persecution appears in many forms – from tauntings, jeerings, harassment, social shunning and job discrimination, to actual danger, injury and even death.
A new survey shows the majority of Americans think religion is under attack and losing influence in American life. According to American Attitudes toward Religion in the
Religious persecution has been a universal problem as evidenced by the early church, which thrived amid persecution, according to the book of Acts.
James Draper, president of the Southern Baptist’s LifeWay Christian Resources, says believers attending Chinese house churches are praying that American Christians might experience the kind of persecution they have seen in China so that it would ignite a similar revival in America .
Draper, a prominent leader in the rapidly expanding Chinese house church movement, was asked how American Christians could pray for house churches in China . Stop praying for persecution in China to end,’ he said. For it’s through persecution that the church has grown…’ He said the sleeping Christianity’ in North America needs a wake-up call. – Assist News Service via MissionNet.
One example of persecution is that of Navy Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt, who is facing termination of a stellar 14-year career for praying in the name of Jesus. His commanding officer told a Navy board that Klingenschmitt overemphasizes his own faith system, and he was talking about my sermons and prayers, and specifically cited the Chaplain School director who told him I was an immature chaplain because I pray in Jesus’ name.
To read the full story, click here: Religious Persecution Intensifying
