World Wide Christian Connection » News http://www.wwcconline.org World Wide Christian Radio Connection Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:40:09 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Indonesian Church Attack Case a Step Closer to Trial http://www.worthynews.com/9757-indonesian-church-attack-case-a-step-closer-to-trial http://www.worthynews.com/9757-indonesian-church-attack-case-a-step-closer-to-trial#comments Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:53:03 +0000 admin http://www.worthynews.com/?p=9757
JAKARTA, Indonesia (Worthy News)-- The 13 suspects in the September attack on two leaders of the Batak Christian Protestant Church will now go on trial after police gave their completed case files to the prosecution.

The prosecutors' office declared that everything it received was in complete order.

In addition to handing over the files and evidence, police also turned-over custody of all the suspects, including the suspended leader of the Islamic Defenders Front in Bekasi, Murhali Barda. However, police were criticized for failing to arrest more members of the FPI, which many believe was responsible for the September attack as well as for threats against the congregation in a campaign of intimidation that began back in in January.

Asia Sihombing and the Rev. Luspida Simandjuntak, leaders of the Batak Church, were attacked on their way to a vacant lot in Ciketing where the congregation was holding services after officials sealed off their church building.]]> http://www.worthynews.com/9757-indonesian-church-attack-case-a-step-closer-to-trial/feed 0 One Pastor Fined and another Church’s Bank Account Frozen http://www.worthynews.com/9755-one-pastor-fined-and-another-churchs-bank-account-frozen http://www.worthynews.com/9755-one-pastor-fined-and-another-churchs-bank-account-frozen#comments Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:51:03 +0000 admin http://www.worthynews.com/?p=9755
MINSK, Belarus (Worthy News)-- A pastor in Belarus was fined for alleged unsanitary conditions at his church's summer Bible school while another church in Minsk must exist without a legal bank account.

Belarusian Pastor Nikolai Borichevsky of Grace of Jesus Pentecostal Church in Krupki, paid a fine of 700,000 Belarusian Roubles for for food served to children at its summer Bible school supposedly under unsanitary conditions.

When health inspector Aleksandr Khodorovich and an official from the Commission for the Affairs of Minors visited the school at lunchtime, he claimed the children were being fed "with food prepared in a domestic setting by persons who did not have access to work with food products" and that "the food was prepared from products which did not have appropriate documents ..."

Khodorovich issued a violation against Borichevsky under Article 16.8 of the Code of Administrative Violations, and the fine was imposed the following day. Although Borichevsky filed an appeal to Krupki District Court, it was rejected.

Last year, local police also raided a Bible school in the nearby town of Ukhvala.

"Many of the children were frightened and stopped coming," said Borichevsky, after head schoolteacher Vladimir Yuzhko warned parents of children attending Bible school that they could be deprived of their custodial rights.

And for more than two months, New Life Pentecostal Church in Minsk, was forced to operate without a legal bank account after it was frozen when two large fines went unpaid.

"By law, all the contributions we receive have to be placed in our bank account by the following day," said church lawyer Sergei Lukanin. "We can't do this."

Paying staff wages and pension contributions is difficult, and some charities the church supports will not accept gifts in cash, he said.

"The church's life and worship continues," said Lukanin, "but administratively things are difficult."]]> http://www.worthynews.com/9755-one-pastor-fined-and-another-churchs-bank-account-frozen/feed 0 Fulani Muslims Blamed for Attacks on Christian Communities http://www.worthynews.com/9753-fulani-muslims-blamed-for-attacks-on-christian-communities http://www.worthynews.com/9753-fulani-muslims-blamed-for-attacks-on-christian-communities#comments Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:48:30 +0000 admin http://www.worthynews.com/?p=9753
JOS, Nigeria (Worthy News)-- Fulani Muslims were blamed for a series of attacks on the Christian communities in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

The villagers of those communities are all ethnic Irigwe Christians.

According to Stefanos Foundation, gunmen raided Ranwianku the night of Oct. 25, attacking villagers with rifle fire and machetes in spite of the presence of an army barracks about a mile away; homes were burned and cattle killed.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen spoke Fulani; all ethnic Fulani people left Ranwianku years ago as tensions flared between Muslims and Christians in Plateau.

A funeral for six victims of the attack was attended by several clergy, a senior military commander and community leaders who petitoned the participants not to seek revenge for the raid.

Stefanos Foundation will provide emergency relief and trauma counseling for survivors of the raid, as well as financial support.]]> http://www.worthynews.com/9753-fulani-muslims-blamed-for-attacks-on-christian-communities/feed 0 Be Careful to Take Credit! http://www.worthydevotions.com/christian-devotional/be-careful-to-take-credit http://www.worthydevotions.com/christian-devotional/be-careful-to-take-credit#comments Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:38:26 +0000 admin http://www.worthydevotions.com/?p=1530 Isaiah 10:15 Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, Or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood!

One constant pitfall we must watch for is taking credit for something that God does in or through us, or using the gifts and callings of God for self-exaltation. In that light it may be easier to handle poverty, weakness, or insignificance, than wealth, ability, power or authority, since poverty and frailty are not normally things we boast about, and they cause us to recognize our need for God. Prosperity, gifting, and anointing, on the other hand can be powerful temptations, leading to pride, covetousness, and self-sufficiency.

Saul, who came from a humble background, was anointed king of Israel, yet his heart was revealed when the Lord exalted him, but he exulted in his own position, eventually coveting it so severely he became a fierce enemy of God. The Lord then removed His spirit from Saul and the true condition of the man became apparent to everyone.

Even the great Solomon whose gifting, anointing, and prosperity were unsurpassed in some ways, seems to have taken for granted his abilities and wealth, and, somehow, rationalizing his blatant disobedience to God’s law, he fell into idolatry and brought disaster to the Kingdom of Israel. This seems amazing, given the fact that Solomon’s most precious gift was his wisdom. (Those with this gift should take note).

Be careful how you handle the gifts and successes that God gives you! Enjoy His blessings as you serve in your family, business, or ministry – but never forget where it all comes from, and to whom the glory belongs, cause if you do, He will be sure to remind you.

by George Whitten, Editor of Worthy Devotions.

]]> http://www.worthydevotions.com/christian-devotional/be-careful-to-take-credit/feed 0 Subscribe to the Men in the Word Newsletter http://ChristianityToday.com/lyris/subscribe/men.html http://ChristianityToday.com/lyris/subscribe/men.html#comments Tue, 16 Nov 2010 07:00:00 +0000 admin ]]> ]]> http://www.wwcconline.org/2010/11/subscribe-to-the-men-in-the-word-newsletter/feed/ 0 Subscribe to the Leadership Weekly Newsletter http://feeds.christianitytoday.com/~r/LeadershipJournal/~3/7Nbwhnkw2js/leadership.html http://feeds.christianitytoday.com/~r/LeadershipJournal/~3/7Nbwhnkw2js/leadership.html#comments Tue, 16 Nov 2010 07:00:00 +0000 admin ]]> ]]> http://www.wwcconline.org/2010/11/subscribe-to-the-leadership-weekly-newsletter-3/feed/ 0 Relatives Appeal Against Execution Pakistan Christian http://www.worthynews.com/9750-relatives-appeal-against-execution-pakistan-christian http://www.worthynews.com/9750-relatives-appeal-against-execution-pakistan-christian#comments Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:19:49 +0000 admin http://www.worthynews.com/?p=9750
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (Worthy News)-- Relatives of a Pakistani Christian mother sentenced to death for "insulting" Islam's Prophet Muhammad have filed an appeal against her conviction, Worthy News established Monday, November 15.

The appeal comes after a lower court in the town of Nankana, around 75 kilometers (45 miles) from the city of Lahore in Punjab province, sentenced 45-year-old Asia Bibi to death for blasphemy.

Bibi was also slapped with a fine of about $3,500 in local currency, trial observers said.

In a ruling issued November 7 the court accepted the prosecution version that Bibi had made derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad, charges her family denies. "We have never ever insulted the Prophet Muhammad or Islamic scripture, and we will contest the charges in the higher courts," said her husband Ashiq Masih, who is a field laborer.

MORE ALLEGATIONS

Among other allegations, Asia was accused of denying the prophet-hood of Prophet Muhammad, explained her lawyer, S. K. Shahid, in published remarks. However, "How can we expect from a non-Muslim to follow [a] belief of Muslims,?” Shahid added.

Masih explained that his wife was accused of blasphemy after getting into an argument last year with a group of women while fetching drinking water. He told reporters that the other women challenged his wife saying it was "sacrilegious" to drink water collected by a non-Muslim. "My wife took offense, saying, 'Are we not humans?' This led to an altercation," Masih said.

The actual complaint was lodged five days after the incident, when local clerics raised the issue with police, he added. She has been detained since June 19, 2009, according to Pakistani Christians.

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws stipulate that defaming the Islamic prophet Muhammad punishable by death or life imprisonment. Critics say Muslim radicals have used the law to repeatedly incite violence against Christians, other religious minorities and even Muslims.

YEARS IN JAIL

Bibi's case come just months after the Lahore High Court released a woman held without trial for 14 years on allegations of desecrating the Koran, deemed a holy book by Muslims.

Despite “no evidence” being found against 60-year-old Zaibunnisa, she had been left to languish in the prison section of a mental hospital since 1996, the court said in July. Zaibunnisa’s family did not challenge her detention, according to her defense lawyer Aftab Ahmad Bajwa.

In published remarks, Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Khawaja Mohammad Sharif, said he “has ordered the release of Zaibunnisa after no evidence was found against her.” The chief justice reportedly expressed his dismay over "keeping the woman confined for so long without any trial."

Zaibunnisa was detained in the town of Rawat, near Islamabad, after a local resident filed a complaint at a police station that someone had desecrated the Koran, defense lawyer Bajwa told media. Bajwa said Zaibunnisa’s name was not even mentioned in the police complaint.

"Nobody, not even her relatives, pursued the case. She was sent to jail and then forgotten by everyone," said Bajwa, who took up her case last year.

POLICE ACTING ALONE

Complainant Qari Mohammad Hafeez told reporters at the hearing that he had not specified anyone by name in his submission and that police had arrested Zaibunnisa of their own accord, Pakistani media reportedly.

Pakistan's government has come under mounting national and international pressure to overturn blasphemy laws in the predominantly Islamic nation.

Although no one is known to have been sent to the gallows for the crime of blasphemy, religious extremists have attacked and killed several accused in custody. Two Christian brothers accused of writing a blasphemous pamphlet were shot dead in July outside a court in Faisalabad.

Human rights groups also say that blasphemy charges have also triggered deadly riots. In August 2009, a Muslim mob reportedly killed 11 Christians following a false allegation of the desecration of the Koran in Gorja, Pakistan.]]> http://www.worthynews.com/9750-relatives-appeal-against-execution-pakistan-christian/feed 0 Pakistan Interfaith Couple In Hiding Amid Death Threats http://www.worthynews.com/9748-pakistan-interfaith-couple-in-hiding-amid-death-threats http://www.worthynews.com/9748-pakistan-interfaith-couple-in-hiding-amid-death-threats#comments Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:17:29 +0000 admin http://www.worthynews.com/?p=9748
KARACHI, PAKISTAN (Worthy News)-- A Christian worker, his Muslim wife and their baby remained in hiding Sunday, November 14, nearly a month after some 20 armed Muslim gunmen allegedly attacked their rented house in an area of Karachi, Pakistan's largest city.

Shahbaz Javed told Worthy News that the armed mob "invaded" the home in Gulzar Colony on October 16 to protest against his marriage with Mehwish Naz, a Muslim. He said the attack began while they celebrated the second anniversary of their interfaith wedding.

"We were enjoying our marriage anniversary at home when suddenly someone started to bang at the door and apparently tried to break the iron door...Soon after unidentified men started shooting in the air and later shot straight at the iron gate of our house," Javed told Worthy News by telephone from his undisclosed hide-out.

"An invisible hand saved me and my family," he added. "We managed to flee via the back doors, shortly before they entered." He said other Muslims also gathered in front of their house and added that the crowd became "infuriated" when told that he had married a Muslim woman. "If we would have stayed even for a couple of minutes the crowd could have killed us."

FAMILY THREATS

He said the attack followed threats by his wife's family members after he married Naz against the will of her parents on October 16, 2008. Javed said he met Naz at the nearby leather factory where they worked and fell in love.

The couple has a three-month-old daughter, Muqadas Parveen, but Muslim family members refuse to recognize their marriage, he explained. "Muslim men, particularly my in-laws have threatened to kill me, my wife, and even our daughter. Separately they have also spoken of launching a criminal case against me on charges of apostasy under Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws."

Muslims suspect that his wife has embraced Christianity, he explained, without elaborating.

Javed said he was unable to contact local police because they allegedly support legal procedures against him and his wife over recanting Islam. Police had no comment. "I hope that Western Christians and organizations will pray for us and support our case," Javed told Worthy News.

The case has underscored concerns about interfaith marriages in Pakistan, a heavily Islamic nation, where Christians are in a minority.]]> http://www.worthynews.com/9748-pakistan-interfaith-couple-in-hiding-amid-death-threats/feed 0 Burma Releases Aung San Suu Kyi; Christians Hopeful http://www.worthynews.com/9744-burma-releases-aung-san-suu-kyi-christians-hopeful http://www.worthynews.com/9744-burma-releases-aung-san-suu-kyi-christians-hopeful#comments Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:15:00 +0000 admin http://www.worthynews.com/?p=9744
RANGOON, BURMA (Worthy News)-- Burma's military government on Saturday, November 13, freed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent most of the last two decades in detention.

The release of the military arch-rival was expected to be welcomed by minorities such as the embattled Karen community, which include many Christians who were forced to flee the country in recent days following controversial elections.

The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), an outgunned rebel force fighting for more rights and autonomy, has made clear it would accept the Nobel Peace Prize winner as the country's new leader, an earlier BosNewsLife investigation found.

Suu Kyi appeared briefly in front of her lakeside crumbling mansion in Rangoon, where she spent 15 of the past 21 years in detention, to tell a jubilant crowd: "We must work together in unison to achieve our goal."

FLOWER

Witnesses said she received and put a flower in her hair, which became her trade mark during public appearances. She then retreated back inside her home for the first meeting with her National League for Democracy party in seven years.

The 65-year-old Suu Kyi, whose latest period of detention spanned 7 1/2 years, has come to symbolize the struggle for democracy in the Southeast Asian nation ruled by the military since 1962.

In recent days some 15,000 Burmese refugees, including many Christian Karen, fled into Thailand earlier this week, although many have since returned across the border despite security concerns, according to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR.

The troubles followed last weekend's first ever elections in years, although the international community described the vote as unfair amid reports of massive fraud. There was fighting reported between KNLA and government forces.

Christian rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) says the military have detained at least 100 villagers amid an ongoing government crackdown on predominantly Christian Karen, seen as a threat to its power base.

"...The international community, led by the UN, must intensify its efforts to convince the regime to enter into a meaningful dialog with the democracy movement led by Aung San Suu Kyi and the ethnic nationalities," added CSW East Asia Team Leader Benedict Rogers. "It is essential that genuine representatives of the ethnic nationalities are fully involved and included in that process."]]> http://www.worthynews.com/9744-burma-releases-aung-san-suu-kyi-christians-hopeful/feed 0 Bhutan To Arrest More Christians For Showing Jesus Film; One Jailed http://www.worthynews.com/9742-bhutan-to-arrest-more-christians-for-showing-jesus-film-one-jailed http://www.worthynews.com/9742-bhutan-to-arrest-more-christians-for-showing-jesus-film-one-jailed#comments Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:13:47 +0000 admin http://www.worthynews.com/?p=9742
NEW DELHI/THIMPHU (Worthy News)-- Police in Bhutan attempted to arrest two more Christians Friday, November 12, for involvement in showing a film about Jesus, shortly after another believer was jailed for similar activities, Christians said.

The two Christians were not found and were still in hiding, said advocacy group International Christian Concern (ICC), which closely monitors the case.

Last month a court in Bhutan already sentenced a Christian to three years imprisonment for "attempting to promote civil unrest" by showing films about Christianity, underscoring international concerns about the situation of religious minorities in the heavily Buddhist Himalayan nation.

Prem Singh Gurung, a 40-year-old ethnic Nepalese citizen living in southern Bhutan, was detained four months ago while showing Christian films in the Gonggaon and Simkharka villages, local Christians said.

NO ELECTRICITY

The two villages do not have electricity and it is believed that Gurung carried a projector and generator into the areas to show the films.

A court in Gelephu, a border town near India, reportedly said Gurung had violated Sections 105(1) and 110 of the Bhutan Information, Communication and Media Act, requiring authorities to screen all films before public presentation.

ICC said it had written a letter to the representatives of Bhutan at the United Nations protesting the sentencing of Gurung. The group said Gurung has the right, under the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to express his religious beliefs, "including the right to receive and impart information and ideas through any media."

Bhutanese officials have reportedly defended the sentencing, saying that although they respect the freedom of religion, “no person shall be compelled to belong to another faith by means of coercion or inducement."

NO EVIDENCE

However ICC said the officials, "haven’t demonstrated any evidence of forceful conversion by Gurung."

ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, Jonathan Racho, told BosNewsLife that his group condemns "the Bhutanese government for imprisoning Mr. Gurung for three years for showing the film and hunting down two more Christians for participating in showing the film."

He said ICC has urged authorities to uphold international human rights law "by releasing Gurung and not imprisoning the other two Christians."

The group said it has urged its supporters to contact officials of Bhutan in their countries " and politely ask them to release Gurung."

Christians officially comprise less than one percent of the country's population of roughly 700,000 people, according to several estimates.]]> http://www.worthynews.com/9742-bhutan-to-arrest-more-christians-for-showing-jesus-film-one-jailed/feed 0