India: Christian couple refuse to renounce faith in face of death threats and banishment

A husband and wife who refused to renounce their new-found faith in Christ have been banished and threatened with death if they return to their village home in India’s Odisha state, International Chrisitan Concern (ICC) reports. Jaga Padiami and his wife were driven from their home in the Malkangiri municipality after becoming Christians in December 2020.

Over 500 US evangelical pastors condemn ‘Radical Christian Nationalism’ in open letter

More than 500 US evangelical pastors and leaders have condemned ‘Radical Christian Nationalism’ in an open letter responding to the January 6 assault on the US Capitol, Religious News reports. Entitled “Evangelical Leaders Statement Condemning Christian Nationalism’s role in the January 6th Insurrection,” the letter explains the signatories come from diverse backgrounds and political persuasions, but stand together against ‘the perversion of the Christian faith” displayed at the insurrection, and against “the theology and the conditions” that led to the attack itself.

Survey: Majority of Biden voters do not believe God is all-powerful Creator

A survey published last week reveals that 63% of Biden voters do not believe “God is the “all-powerful, all-knowing, perfect and just creator,” although a majority identify as Christian, the Christian Post reports. The finding was made in the 2020 Post-Election Survey conducted by The Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University.

Reported attack on youth leader highlights continued vulnerability of Christians in Sudan

Earlier this month a Christian youth leader in Sudan was reportedly detained and beaten by suspected national security forces because he spoke out against the January 3 burning of a church building, Morning Star News reports. The case highlights the continued vulnerability of Christians at a time of national transition from the brutal regime of Islamic dictator Omar al-Bashir (who was ousted in 2019) toward a government that seeks to root out long-term corruption and end religious intolerance in the country.

India: Hindu nationalists attack separate church gatherings on same day; pastor arrested

Two Christian congregations in central India were attacked on the same day by around 100 radical Hindu nationalists who stormed each of their worship gatherings on February 7, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. While there are no reports of the attackers being arrested, the pastor of one of the churches attacked was arrested and detained before being released on bail.

World Council of Churches leader threatens Israel and supporters; says blood with be sought for brutalized Palestinians

In a scathing attack on Israel and its supporters, Rev. Frank Chikane, a leader of the World Council of Churches (WCC) told activists on a zoom call this month that “blood will be sought” from people who “support Israel to brutalize Palestinians,” Algemeiner reports. The list of participants to the February 6 call included highly influential activists such as Naim Ateek, founder of Sabeel, anti-Zionist authors Gary Burge and Don Wagner, Brian Grieves formerly a staffer with the Episcopal Church and Tom Getman, formerly of World Vision.

Ex-Nazi Guard Expelled From U.S. to Germany

Authorities say a 95-year-old former Nazi concentration camp guard has been deported from the United States. Friedrich Karl Berger arrived Saturday in his native Germany, where police were holding him for questioning in a case closely watched by Holocaust survivors.

Kenya Detains 10 After Church Attacks

Kenyan authorities have detained 10 people after five churches were set on fire in Kenya’s southwestern region, rights activists confirmed Thursday.

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