It's not long before the persecution starts

[JLB]

Can you give some examples of what you think this persecution will look like?

Maybe Martyred for our belief in Christ, as the Only way to God.



INDIA: MURDERED BY MAOISTS

An Indian pastor was kidnapped from his home by a communist gang and then murdered, leaving behind a grieving wife and four children. Pastor Yohan’s body was discovered July 30 near his home. And yet, Pastor Yohan’s wife says that her husband was “killed for the sake of Christ.”

A mob of two dozen or more armed men stormed the 45-year-old pastor’s home on the evening of July 29 and took him by force. It would be the last time his family would see him alive. The Maoists (members of the Communist Part of India) beat the pastor, stabbed and shot him before finally cutting his throat. They dumped his body in some bushes, leaving his hands tied behind his back and a warning note nearby.

Mourners in India grieve the loss of Pastor Yohan.

The note from the Maoists said that they killed Pastor Yohan and plan to kill his brother for being “very friendly with police”. The note also accused Pastor Yohan’s older brother, who is also a pastor, of “cheating people with his tricky talks and words [that] changes their heart and mind and converts them.” The note adds that the two deceived “our innocent people” to accumulate wealth for themselves through “criminal activities.”

Pastor Yohan’s wife and other Christian workers in the area said that the two pastors are not involved in criminal activities. Pastor Yohan and his brother have ministered to the poor and indigenous tribes in the area for more than 15 years and lived simple, humble lifestyles.

Pastor Yohan’s family has relocated within the same region. Pastor Yohan’s wife says that her husband’s ministry will continue. She requested Bibles for their church members and asked that those who hear her story would continue to pray for her family as well as her ministry. VOM will provide Pastor Yohan’s wife with the Bibles in their local language, as she requested.

Maoists, who control a large part of central and eastern India, claim to protect the poor and indigenous people and seek to overthrow the government of India. They have been known to attack Christians who interact with police or government authorities. They have also killed those who attempt to teach youth about respecting authorities and dissuading them from joining the rebel group.

You can read the prayer request for Pastor Yohan’s family and post your own prayer here.

If you would like to help families who have had to relocate or who have other immediate needs like after a family member has been killed, injured or imprisoned, you can donate to VOM’s Family of Martyrs Fund.

Posted: August 26, 2016

 

[GodsGrace]

A lot of it is a fear to speak out knowing that persecution will follow..

We're being persecuted because we're too quiet and we're trampled upon.
I don't see Muslims being spoken of badly in movies ( for instance) .
They'd never stand for it.

W

 

[Deborah13]

That depends on the local school.. Also what does punish mean ...

LEGALLY the local school system has no right to stop kids from praying. Some schools have already gotten slapped down for trying to do that.
Schools do not make laws.

 

[Deborah13]

Maybe something as simple as prison.

No one is pushing for private Christian schools to be closed or any such nonsense.
They want public schools to not promote any particular religion. It has been this way for many years so why is it now such a supposedly 'new' persecution?

 

[GodsGrace]

LEGALLY the local school system has no right to stop kids from praying. Some schools have already gotten slapped down for trying to do that.
Schools do not make laws.

Correct me if I'm wrong.
Weren't there court eases brought by the ACLU against the Board of Ed precisely because they wanted praying to stop because it was insulting to non Christian children?
I remember this.
Today they ( ACLU) would go so far as to say it's traumatizing!
I'm speaking of NYC but I understand this has happened in other states too.

 

[GodsGrace]

No one is pushing for private Christian schools to be closed or any such nonsense.
They want public schools to not promote any particular religion. It has been this way for many years so why is it now such a supposedly 'new' persecution?

It was persecution back then too.
It's just getting worse.

 

[JLB]

No one is pushing for private Christian schools to be closed or any such nonsense.
They want public schools to not promote any particular religion. It has been this way for many years so why is it now such a supposedly 'new' persecution?

Those are your words, not mine. I never mentioned any "new persecution".

You asked what persecution will look like:

I gave examples of imprisonment and death.

Why will the persecution be different over here?

 

[Deborah13]

Correct me if I'm wrong.
Weren't there court eases brought by the ACLU against the Board of Ed precisely because they wanted praying to stop because it was insulting to non Christian children?
I remember this.
Today they ( ACLU) would go so far as to say it's traumatizing!
I'm speaking of NYC but I understand this has happened in other states too.

Yes, not to promote any particular religion. But kids can pray at lunch, at recess, before and after classes, and they can even decide that they want to pray together before a competition. But it cannot be promoted or lead by a school employee.

Here is a case that the ACLU got involved in......
NEWARK — The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey today revisited the most important student speech case — Tinker v. Des Moines — with a friend-of-the-court brief submitted in support of a Bridgeton High School student's right to wear a red armband bearing the word "life."


"While the ACLU seeks to ensure that public schools do not impose religious views on students, we just as fervently fight against school officials who try to silence the religious and political speech of students," said ACLU-NJ Legal Director Ed Barocas.


Bridgeton school administrators banned the student from observing a nationwide day of solidarity against abortion, which she had wanted to mark by distributing anti-abortion literature during non-instructional hours and by remaining silent, letting her red "life" armband speak for her. The school district's initial objections, according to the student's lawsuit, arose from a misreading of the establishment clause, which prevents the government from imposing religion on individuals. But, as the ACLU-NJ explained in its brief, as long as the speaker is a student, not a government official, religious speech deserves the same protections as any other speech.

https://www.aclu-nj.org/news/2010/03/24/aclu-nj-defends-anti-abortion-students-free-speech/

 

[JLB]

After more than two years of a brutal civil war, many parts of Yemen have been shattered. Thousands have died and hundreds of thousands are in need of food, clean water and medical care. Numerous homes, schools and marketplaces have been left in ruins. Amid the chaos, the persecution of Christians continues – but these believers have hope.

“The Lord Almighty is the one who gives us strength and the ability to resist discouragement,” says one local Christian leader who is part of a ministry organization providing for a variety of needs in conflict-torn country of Yemen.

In Yemen, Christians face intense persecution from militant groups, such as al-Qaida, but they also face persecution from their Muslim neighbors. In June 2016, Muslims interrupted a small church gathering and beat up all of the men, sending many to the hospital. Despite this and other incidents of persecution, one believer said these difficulties are “encouraging believers to build the family altar.”

Although local Christians must be careful about sharing their faith, many say the war has taken some of the pressures off their community. As a result, believers are becoming more united as they share resources and to meet together to pray and worship. Their Muslim neighbors are taking note of this love and peace, and asking why Muslims kill while Christians show mercy.

Christian workers from around the country are reporting a growing spiritual openness in their communities. One worker uses his role as village elder to openly share from “the book of Genesis and explain all the way until the resurrection and the victory over death and the return to heaven.”

More Muslims are coming to Christ, too. A local ministry leader said, “Every two or three days we discover a new believer.”

The faith community has seen new growth, including the baptism of several former Muslims during the last month. Leaders are now discussing how to best shepherd these new brothers and sisters.

You can pray for these local believers at iCommittoPray.com or help provide support to our Christians Facing Islamic Extremists Fund.

Posted: August 30, 2016

 

[Runner]

My liberal friends - and I am surrounded by them - do not detest Christians. They detest "Christians," those phonies who use Christianity to cloak an extreme right-wing political agenda, large elements of which have nothing to do with Christianity. There are multitudes more "Christians" than Christians. I agree there will be increased persecution, and that genuine Christians will be caught up in its wake, but it will really be aimed at "Christians." By allowing the term Christianity to be misappropriated as a synonym for the extreme right-wing political agenda, Christians have only themselves to blame for the persecution aimed at "Christians." The fact that most of my liberal friends have far more disdain for "Christianity" than for Islam, notwithstanding the distinctly un-liberal Islamic position on issues such as homosexuality, abortion and women's rights, tells you that what they want to eliminate is the pretend "Christianity," not Christianity. They are fed up with hearing what "God wants" on issues that have absolutely no religious dimension.

 

[JLB]

Three years ago, Pastor Dmitry Shestakov and his family fled Uzbekistan after he had spent four years in a labor camp and subsequently received numerous death threats. The family’s journey of freedom officially ended August 30 as they arrived in Florida, where they were granted asylum. Mission Eurasia is assisting the family as they make this transition.

The Shestakov family in 2012

Nearly 10 years ago, authorities arrested the pastor after they raided Full Gospel Church in Andijan, Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan’s Religious Affairs Committee claimed Shestakov was not an authorized leader of any officially-recognized religious organization. He was labeled an “imposter” and sent to a prison camp more than 400 miles from his home. The distance made a visit from his wife, Marina, and their three daughters, Maria, Alexandra and Vera, challenging.

After his release on January 21, 2011 – exactly four years since he had entered prison – the government still closely monitored and forced him to obtain written permission just to leave his house. Following two years of living under these restrictions and receiving death threats, Shestakov moved his family to Ukraine, where the United Nations Human Rights Council granted them refugee status.

Today, Dmitry, Marina and their youngest two daughters, Alexandra, 20, and Vera, 16, are starting a new life in the United States. Their eldest daughter, Maria, 22, remains in Ukraine with her husband.



Listen to a heartfelt message of thanks from Dmitry Shestakov for all of your prayers.

Source: VOM Sources

 

[Mustard Socks]

That is not true at all.

Not at all? That would mean there isn't one article reporting such?

If you are married now and signed a marriage license with your state, you are already married in the secular (government) realm.
Maybe I'm not understanding what you are saying?

Yes, that would appear to be the case.

So what is it you want to extricate yourself from, by the law?

The secular civil marriage contract.

 

[Mustard Socks]

I would like to understand what you are saying in this short quote?

I was referring to the case of Loving vs. Virginia.
After that decision no doubt there were people who were saying it would be, must be, repealed. Just as they're saying now about the SCOTUS decision pertaining to homosexual civil unions.
I hope that assists your understanding.

 

[Deborah13]

Those are your words, not mine. I never mentioned any "new persecution".

You asked what persecution will look like:

I gave examples of imprisonment and death.

Why will the persecution be different over here?

This thread is about a persecution that is coming...not some perceived persecution that is already happening. The title to the thread is ...
"It's not long before the persecution starts"

We are not a communist country and even secular people do not want a communist country. We have a Constitution that even secular people want it enforced. It may not be the way Christians want to enforce it but if one is a true Libertarian they will respect other people rights the way they want their rights to be protected.

 

[Deborah13]

We're being persecuted because we're too quiet and we're trampled upon.
I don't see Muslims being spoken of badly in movies ( for instance) .
They'd never stand for it.

W

So now we are to be afraid of what some movie producer says, really?

As for the Muslims they have been spoken badly of through this whole campaign cycle and have you seen them "not standing for it?" What have they done to defend themselves?

 

[GodsGrace]

My liberal friends - and I am surrounded by them - do not detest Christians. They detest "Christians," those phonies who use Christianity to cloak an extreme right-wing political agenda, large elements of which have nothing to do with Christianity. There are multitudes more "Christians" than Christians. I agree there will be increased persecution, and that genuine Christians will be caught up in its wake, but it will really be aimed at "Christians." By allowing the term Christianity to be misappropriated as a synonym for the extreme right-wing political agenda, Christians have only themselves to blame for the persecution aimed at "Christians." The fact that most of my liberal friends have far more disdain for "Christianity" than for Islam, notwithstanding the distinctly un-liberal Islamic position on issues such as homosexuality, abortion and women's rights, tells you that what they want to eliminate is the pretend "Christianity," not Christianity. They are fed up with hearing what "God wants" on issues that have absolutely no religious dimension.

Your liberal friends are fed up?
I feel for them.
They could try not listening to the. " Christians".
Just like I try not listening to liberals when they spout their really strange ideology.

 

[Deborah13]

It was persecution back then too.
It's just getting worse.

How is it getting worse? Give an example, please.

 

[GodsGrace]

So now we are to be afraid of what some movie producer says, really?

As for the Muslims they have been spoken badly of through this whole campaign cycle and have you seen them "not standing for it?" What have they done to defend themselves?

Deborah, do you not care at all when you hear. "Jesus! " said in a film as an explative?
Or when a priest or pastor is treated like an idiot?
Or when a man of God is shown to be defenseless against the forces of evil?

YES. I DO care what a movie producer produces.

And regarding Muslims - are you aware that if you wrote a book exposing them or making unflatterong remarks about them, you're life would be in danger?


Wondering

 

[Mustard Socks]

So now we are to be afraid of what some movie producer says, really?

As for the Muslims they have been spoken badly of through this whole campaign cycle and have you seen them "not standing for it?" What have they done to defend themselves?

In what regard? Peaceful protests against what has been said about Muslims and by Muslims?
Or the Muslim terrorist attacks that occurred in America and overseas during the 2016 Presidential campaign cycle?

 

[GodsGrace]

How is it getting worse? Give an example, please.

Do you live on the same planet I live??
Look and listen.
Maybe you'll see it.