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In July, the Lao government passed laws that gave official
recognition to the Lao Evangelical Churches. The new laws reflect a changing attitude and
have both their positive and negative effects.
The obvious relief is that believers within the LEC can breathe easier, knowing that their
church has been accepted by the government. The implication, however, is that every other
Christian group is illegal.
The new laws allow more freedom for the existing churches to assemble and practice their
faith among themselves. The down side is that the same laws restrict the outreach
activities of spreading the gospel and bringing new believers into the church.
One observer said, "It seems that the new laws are intended to please the
international community, but not to ensure the protection of followers of religious
faiths."
Some observers believe that the LEC will become like the official Protestant church in
China. If doctrinal restrictions are not imposed, this could give the LEC freedom to carry
on its activities. Whether new churches will be able to be planted is another question
still unanswered. Time will reveal the true intentions of these new laws.
To learn more about Christian work in Laos, write insider@christianaid.org and put MI-338 730-CFL
on the subject line.
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