Release International

Today’s top story: Local government officials are threatening to throw Christians out of their homes and even have them killed, in southern Mexico. 

The National Bar of Christian Lawyers in that country reports threats against Christians are increasing daily. Evangelicals are forced to pay quotas for the festivals of so-called ‘traditional’ Catholics – a blend of native traditional religions and Catholicism.  

If they refuse, they risk threats, intimidation, robbery, being evicted from their homes, or even killed, the lawyers say. There are 200 such cases in one state of southern Mexico alone. (Source: Compass Direct) 

In India, a mob set upon three men showing ‘The Jesus Film’ in the city of Nagpur. All three Christians were injured and needed hospital treatment. The Rev Ravi Shambhakar lost four teeth as a result of his injuries. 

The incident comes amid continued violence against Christians in the subcontinent. Hindu villagers beat a Christian convert in Assam and vandalised his house for refusing to convert back to Hinduism. 

And there have been five fresh reports of separate incidents where extremists have attacked Christians in unprovoked violence. (Source: Compass Direct).

Christians in the former Communist world still face oppression, as anti-religious attitudes linger on. 

In Uzbekistan, a Pentecostal minister could face a 20-year sentence if found guilty on charges of leading an ‘illegal’ religious organisation and stirring up religious hatred.  

The indictment on Dmitry Shestakov reflects the government’s anti-religious stance. It condemns Islam for turning people ‘into zombies’ and claims that religious groups want to ‘seize power’. (Source: Forum 18). 

And a church in Siberia has been threatened with closure and demolition ­- for having a jar of gherkins under its stairs. 

Local authorities have threatened the 1,000-strong Glorification Pentecostal Church in Abakan with demolition for breaking fire regulations by not clearing the cupboard.  

But the pastor claims the only thing in the cupboard under the stairs was a jar of gherkins. 

The move is part of a wider campaign to demolish churches and mosques across Russia. Local authorities inspect the buildings and then pronounce closure because of fire regulations.  Seven churches and mosques are currently under threat.

Abakan’s pastor says the church is being viewed as ‘a test case’ for Russia¹s tighter religious laws. (Source: Forum 18). 

Release International serves the persecuted Church in 30 nations. For video reports download our monthly webcast ­ - World Update - available from the Release International website: www.releaseinternational.org  

ENDS 

Notes to the Editor 

For further information, please contact Andrew Boyd on 01730 301905 or Release International on 01689 823491 or by email at info@releaseinternational.org  

Through our international network of missions RI serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries, supporting pastors and Christian prisoners and their families, supplying Christian literature and Bibles, and working for justice. RI is a member of the UK organisations Global Connections, the Evangelical Alliance and the Micah Network.

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