From Voice of the Persecuted...
Voice of the Persecuted) What in the world is going on with our lawmakers? While the Western media puts all the focus on our election, their silence covers up the continued persecution and genocide of Christians. Is it any wonder that a large majority in the U.S. are still ignorant that persecution is even taking place, today?
Iran is increasing pressure on Christians, even raiding their family outings, beating and arresting them on trumped up charges of attempting to overthrow the government.
Iran continues to violate international human rights agreements and treaties, whose signatories are supposed to respect basic rights such as the right of religious freedom, personal security and dignity, the right to be free from arbitrary detention, the right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the right to humane conditions of detention, the right to a fair trial and the right of victims to justice and to reparation. While Iran escalates high seas harassment of our U.S. Navy ships””chants "Death to America” following Friday prayers””vows to wipe Israel off the face of the map””imprisons or executes anyone who dares to speak out against the corrupt religious views the Iranian regime””enforced or involuntary disappearances””arrest, beat and torture Christians. Why? They follow and believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This is seen as a huge threat by the Iranian Regime. It’s outrageous beyond comprehension how the West remains silent of these human rights abuses.
In Turkey, the government run news (no Turkish news agency operates without government consent) published a propaganda article that said the Patriarch of the oldest Orthodox Christian community was involved in the recent coup to oust Erdogan. (Read More) Later, they took it down, but not before it was spread far and wide. This adds to the real threat of danger for Christians living in the country. But, the West is silent AGAIN!
The media is finally beginning to cover the plight of Pakistanis who fled persecution. Pakistan is one of the most dangerous nations for religious minorities. In Thailand, they suffer immensely as illegals though they hold UNHCR asylum certificates. Yet, our lawmakers drag their feet to help these suffering Christians.
The latest 10,000 Syrian refugees admitted into the U.S. included only .5% Christians. It’s shameful that a powerful sovereign nation such as North America, allows the UN to dictate which refugees we take in. In 2015, Republican Sen. Tom Cotton said this "unintentionally discriminates against Christians and other religious minorities who are reluctant to register as refugees with the United Nations for fear of political and sectarian retribution.”
Our leader’s response, "That’s not American. That’s not who we are. We don’t have religious tests to our compassion.”
The American people have long demonstrated unmatched compassion for the world’s persecuted and endangered, he said.
Why do they find this so hard to understand? It’s not about religious tests, but helping those at the greatest risk. We agree 100% with Cotton, our reliance on the United Nations for referrals of refugees should also be re-evaluated and changed.
Pakistan has become increasingly dangerous for Christians and yet the Pakistani government still receives aid funds from the West.
Boko Haram is actually intensifying it’s attacks on Christians in Nigeria and surrounding areas (confirmed) and yet the promises of change by Buhari is now viewed as empty words by those who surrendered their vote to him. The world sees how the promise of hope and change has worked out for our nation, now darkened with deep divisions and growing racial tension among it’s citizens.
The DAESH (ISIS), although you wouldn’t know it by our politicians or news media, has made strides in Iraq, attacks the West through recruits, called ‘lone wolves’ by the media and government agencies as genocide and abuses continue unabated.
Yet, the U.S. President and Secretary of State have the unmitigated gall to say the world is safer than ever and climate change is our greatest danger. Who do they think they’re fooling? Wake up Church!
Refugee camps from Africa to the West are rotting with infiltrators who rape, torture and kidnap for the sex trade. This is a proven fact. In fact, today in a report of the plight of girls arriving in Italy from Africa, they are traded as sex slaves and the boys as servants. Again, the agenda of the West turns a politically correct eye and remains silent, when they should be shouting out from the rooftops! So ashamed and saddened that the American voice for truth and justice has become barely a whisper.
Churches in the West are almost as much to blame. Their silence on persecution, abortion and human rights abuses”” only concerning themselves with filling their coffers. Too few are speaking out.
For a nation that screamed "NEVER AGAIN” after WWII, we have failed miserably in the eyes of God and those suffering in the world.
Proverbs 21:13
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
Challenge your church to share more about the persecuted. To dedicate a few moments each week to unite in prayer for our suffering brethren. Let’s change our attitude so we can change the atmosphere in Christ, through the power of prayer. It can happen today and begins with one voice speaking out””and that voice is yours.
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Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
-bbs-