BURMA: CHRISTIAN PUBLISHER THREATENED WITH 12 YEARS IN JAIL Reports that the military junta is compiling a list of Christians – Pics / audio / video available
Jun 13 2007
Postings >> Burma

A Christian publisher has been threatened with 12 years’ imprisonment unless he stops publishing books on theology. He intends to defy the warning. And Christian sources inside Burma (Myanmar) say the military government has begun to compile a comprehensive list of Christians. They are pulling together details of children’s homes, assemblies, pastors, leaders, church members and even Christian families.  

The junta has declared that to be Burmese is to be Buddhist - and concern is growing about what the government will do with the list it is compiling of Christians in the country.
 
The regime expelled many Christian missions from Burma in 1966 and now demands written permission for any gathering of more than five people. Many churches, Bible schools and even Christian-run orphanages have been forced underground.

The government has restricted imports of Burmese Bibles to just 2,000 a year - but demand for the word of God is high. A Christian publisher is being warned to stop publishing or face 12 years’ imprisonment.

Soe Aye (not his real name) has been detained three times and is now being warned that he could face extended imprisonment unless he stops publishing theological textbooks.

His story is told in the latest edition of the webcast World Update on the Persecuted Church by Release International. Release is supporting persecuted Christians in Burma.

Soe Aye says that before a religious book can be sold in that country every page has to be vetted by a team of three and then referred to the Religious Department for approval – or rejection.

This is a regime that has been known to burn Bibles. Many of the textbooks Soe publishes would never pass the test. 

The authorities have been warning him for two years – and now they are sending threatening letters. This determined young man told Release International: 

‘They tried to stop me to publish any Christian book. In the letter they say several times that if you publish more - any more - we’ll sentence you for 12 years. But I continue publishing whatever we can, because we need to work for the Lord. And I am not afraid of any sentence or any action that they are going to take to me.  I believe that God will take care of me.’

Soe says the people of Myanmar are hungry for Christian literature, so he will go on publishing.

‘People are seeking God. Many people suffer here, so they really long to see their Redeemer. They are searching for God. So when they get our literature they are very happy to read books - especially in the villages. Whatever they get, they really read it! So we need to supply Christian books.’  

Soe Aye says the Buddhists love to read John’s Gospel, but Bibles are in short supply. He believes the authorities aim to keep it that way. He says they aim to drive out every religion from Burma – bar Buddhism. 

Despite the threats and the constant surveillance, Soe says he intends to keep publishing: ‘Jesus is my Saviour and my life, and I live for him. When I got saved, I know that Jesus died for me, and he suffered so much for me, so I have to give it back to him. I have to work for him; I have to live for him.’

‘Please pray for publisher Soe Aye who is risking all to meet the demand in his country for Christian literature,’ says Release International’s CEO Andy Dipper.  ‘This is a land where persecution is a way of life, where Christians are told to worship quietly in case anyone overhears them. Please pray for freedom for Christians in this land.’

The story of Soe Aye appears with others in the latest edition of Release International’s award-winning webcast: World Update on the Persecuted Church, which can be downloaded from the website: www.releaseinternational.org

And a new Release International DVD brings together a series of video reports on Burma following the recent Release International visit. Details of Burma’s Underground Believers are also available from the Release International website.