Indonesia Detains Islamic Leaders Amid Rising Extremism
Indonesian security forces have detained hardline Islamic leaders with suspected links to terrorism amid concerns among Christians about growing Islamic extremism.
Christian
Parents Kidnapped Nigeria Schoolboys Fear Radicalization
Families of more than 300 Nigerian kidnapped schoolboys fear they may face similar pressures as Christian schoolgirls abducted earlier by Islamist militants.
Hungary Approves ‘Anti-Gay’ Constitution
Hungary has adopted an amendment to its constitution that effectively bans the adoption of children by same-sex couples. The legislation also loosens oversight of public funds despite corruption concerns and detailed rules governing war times.
Chinese Jailed Pastor Publishes Poetry Encouraging Believers
Chinese Pastor John Cao, who serves a seven-year jail term in China, has written a poetry book urging believers to realize that Jesus Christ will never forsake them. Christ, he adds, gives treasures nobody can take away.
Peaceful prayer rally and violent protests in Washington D.C.
A peaceful prayer rally in Washington DC was usurped Saturday by rioters causing violence and chaos, Christian Headlines reports. The “Let The Church Roar” prayer event was held on the same day as several other DC protest rallies attended by President Trump supporters alleging voter fraud in the November 3 election result.
China Prosecutes Christians For Selling Audio Bibles
China is prosecuting Christian businessmen for selling audio versions of the Bible in a government effort to “eradicate pornography and illegal publications,” rights groups confirmed.
Colorado Governor says houses of worship are “essential,” removes attendance limits
The governor of Colorado has declared that houses of worship provide “essential” services that are no longer subject to COVID-19 restrictions on attendance numbers, Christian Headlines reports.
Christians Spreading “Christmas Hope” At US Abortion Clinics
Christian activists say they are gathering at abortion clinics across the United States this month to sing Christmas carols and offer women seeking abortions a message of hope.
Ex-Jailed Pastor Warns US Christians Of Persecution
A U.S. pastor who spent two years in a Turkish prison for activities linked to his faith warns of upcoming persecution of Christians in the United States.
Leak: ‘China Communists Infiltrate Governments, Companies Worldwide’
A significant leak shows that at least nearly two million Chinese Communist Party (CCP) members work worldwide, including US government agencies and the biggest companies, Australian media reported Sunday.
India: Hindu extremists lock Pastor in room and leave him to die as punishment for sharing the Gospel
A pastor in northeast India has been rescued after a gang of radical Hindus locked him in a room and left him to die because he was distributing Gospel tracts, Morning Star News reports. Pastor Shelton Vishwanathan was accosted by six men who knocked him unconscious and imprisoned him in a room in Bihar state’s Sheohar District on October 5.
127 Abortion Clinics have closed since 2015
The Abortion Care Network has reported that 127 US abortion clinics have closed since 2015, the Christian Post reports. The ACN report suggests most of these clinics closed because of financial constraints and pro-life laws.
California: Appeals court reverses lower court decision to uphold restrictions on church services
A court of appeals has told a lower court that, in light of recent US Supreme Court rulings, it must reconsider its decision to uphold California’s restrictions on in-person worship services, the Christian Post reported Wednesday. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found in favor of Chula Vista’s South Bay United Pentecostal Church, which had argued the pertinent COVID-19 restrictions were discriminatory against houses of worship.
‘A Direct Threat to Christian Education’: LGBT Activist Group Calls for Biden to Target Christian Schools
A prominent LGBT rights group is trying to persuade former Vice President Joe Biden and his presumptive administration to adopt guidelines that could lead to the closing of private Christian colleges and universities.
Swiss court pauses ban on religious services in Geneva
Switzerland’s Constitutional Chamber has ordered the suspension of a COVID-19 ban on religious gatherings in the Canton of Geneva, enabling churches in the region to resume in-person services again, Christian Post reports. The court will make a final ruling on the ban in due course but has reportedly indicated that the likelihood it will permanently strike down the ban is “high.”
Wycliffe Associates Coming to Foreign Christians’ Aid While Authorities Use Pandemic to Intensify Persecution
In countries where governments already oppress Christians because of their faith, COVID-19 has led to more surveillance of Christians than ever before, says Wycliffe Associates. The Orlando-based international organization empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Church Owned Bible Translation.
Hungary Soccer Club And Government Support Persecuted Christians
Hungary’s leading soccer club Ferencváros (FTC) and the conservative government have agreed to support persecuted Christians worldwide.
India: Tribal animists attack and hospitalize Christians at child-dedication gathering
Twenty-one Christians were taken to hospital after a large gang of tribal animists attacked a church hall and adjoining home in Chhattisgarh state, India last week, Morning Star News reports. The attackers accused the believers of influencing and converting people to Christianity. Several Christian families have gone into hiding since the attack.
China: Owner of audio Bible company faces trial for conducting illegal business operations
The owner of a company that produces audio Bible players in China’s Guangdong province is due to appear in court on December 7 to answer charges of conducting “illegal business operations,” Morning Star News reports. Lai Jinqiang, owner of Shenzhen Cedar Electronics, faces trial after being arrested together with his six employees on July 22 last year.
South Korea Charges US Pastor Over ‘Illegal’ Bible Balloons
An American pastor has appealed for prayers after Korean authorities launched criminal proceedings against him for sending Bible balloons across the border into North Korea.