Pakistan Considers Death Penalty As Only Punishment For Blasphemy
Rights activists fear that Pakistani law enforcement authorities will make the death penalty the only punishment for blasphemy against Islam.
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Satanists sue Arkansas to have satanic statue placed next to Ten Commandments at state Capitol
A group of Satanists have filed suit against Arkansas, requesting that a statue of a satanic deity be installed next to the Ten Commandments monument on the state Capitol grounds, Christian Headlines reports. A federal judge has allowed the Satanic Temple group to join a case brought against the state by ACLU and the Freedom from Religion Foundation, who want the Ten Commandments monument removed but not replaced with something else.
Christian Middle East Broadcaster Awarded
A Christian broadcaster that claims to reach 25 million people in the Middle East and North Africa — has received a prestigious award from National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), the world’s largest association of Christian communicators.
India Christian persecution: Tribal animists violently attack Christians at home church meeting
Around 30 tribal animists violently attacked Christians at a home worship service in India’s Chhattisgarh state on March 8, Morning Star News reported Tuesday. India currently ranks 10 on the Open Doors watch list of countries in which Christians are persecuted.
California anti-hate bill may block Christians and pro-lifers from joining police force
A California bill intended to ensure police candidates have no connection to hate groups may ultimately prevent conservative Christians and pro-life advocates from joining the force, Christian Headlines reports. Titled the “California Law Enforcement Accountability Reform Act,” bill AB 655 will be heard by the state’s Assembly Public Safety Committee on April 6.
German Pastor Facing Deportation From Turkey
A German pastor who faces expulsion from Turkey urged prayers Tuesday as he awaits the outcome of a trial that could effectively ban him from the country, supporters said.
Pakistan: High Court changes life sentence to death penalty for Seventh Day Adventist accused of blasphemy
The High Court in Lahore, Pakistan has changed a life sentence to the death penalty in the case of a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church charged with sending a blasphemous text message in 2011, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Giving its decision on March 10, the High Court ruled in favor of Islamist group Khatam-e-Nabuwwat Forum, which argued that 36-year-old Sajjad Masih should be sentenced to death rather than life imprisonment for his transgression.
Niger Pastor kidnapped; gunmen demand over $150,000 in ransom; “please pray”
A Baptist Pastor from the Tegina, Rafi Local Government area of Niger State, has been abducted by gunmen who have demanded a ransom of nearly 60 million NGN (almost $158,000), International Christian Concern reports.
‘Islamists Massacre 137 Villagers In Niger’
At least 137 people have been killed in the deadliest suspected Islamist attack to hit Niger, authorities said Monday.
Christian persecution in China: home Bible study raided, at least a dozen people detained
Authorities from the civil affairs bureau and police force in China’s Guizhou province raided a Protestant home Bible study Tuesday morning, reportedly detaining at least 12 people for questioning, Radio Free Asia reports. The Bible study was being attended by members of the Ren’ai Reformed Church, whose pastor Zhang Chulei was one of the first church leaders to sign the declaration of Christian faith initiated by jailed pastor Wang Yi.
Family, Friends ‘Celebrate Life’ Of Late Evangelist Luis Palau
An emotionally charged private memorial service was held Saturday, March 20, in honor of world-renowned evangelist Luis Palau. He passed away this month after losing his battle against lung cancer at age 86, leaving behind an evangelism legacy that impacted millions’ lives.
Pakistan Sentences Christian To Death For Blasphemy
A Christian young man faces execution by hanging death after a Pakistani court sentenced him to death for allegedly sending blasphemous text messages about Islam’s Prophet Muhammad.
Syrian Christians Confront Growing Hostilities
At least hundreds of thousands of Syrian Christians face growing anti-Christian hostilities in war-ravaged Syria and neighboring Lebanon, aid workers said Friday.
China’s Jailed Poetic Pastor Denied Visit By Elderly Mother
Chinese Pastor John Cao Sanqiang spent the fourth anniversary of his imprisonment alone after China’s authorities prevented his elderly mother from meeting him, supporters said.
‘Dominoes are falling:’ Religious liberty advocates hail end to Minnesota church restrictions
Minnesota’s decision to lift capacity restrictions on church services, while maintaining social distancing, is emboldening religious liberty advocates, who want more states to follow suit.
57 Black Leaders Warn Congress the ‘Equality Act’ Turns LGBT Rights Into ‘a Sword Against Faith Institutions’
A group of nearly 60 black Christian leaders is urging the U.S. Senate to reject the Equality Act recently passed by the House of Representatives and instead opt for a compromise bill that protects the rights of the LGBT community while also preserving the rights of religious believers and institutions.
Iran House Church Couple Facing Prison
Iranian Christians requested prayers Wednesday for Homayoun Zhaveh, 62, and his wife Sara Ahmadi, 42, as they were due to be summoned to prison for house church activities, Worthy News learned.
‘Militants Massacre 24 Christians In Ethiopia’
Christians in western Ethiopia fear for their lives after dozens of believers were reportedly massacred by armed militants.
Christian Women Suffering Increased Persecution
Christian women worldwide face the worst persecution and attacks in years, according to a new study obtained by Worthy News.
‘Uganda Christians Raped Over Imam’s Wife’s Conversion’
The leader of a mosque in western Uganda reportedly ordered men to rape three female relatives of a church pastor because the imam’s wife converted from Islam to Christianity.