Thousands Fast and Pray for India's Persecuted Christians
By Nirmala Carvalho9/9/2008
Asia News (www.asianews.it/)
Cardinal Vithayathil calls the day a sign of a "new era": "the Christians have responded to the violence with nonviolence, following the teaching of Jesus".
MUMBAI (AsiaNews) - The day of prayer and fasting launched by the Indian Church as a response to the violence against Christians in India has been welcomed by tens of thousands of people. Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, head of the bishops' conference, calls it "the sign of a new era". The "novelty" is in the fact that instead of responding "to violence with violence", Christians have "fasted and prayed to overcome evil", leaving the ultimate judgment to God. With this day, the cardinal continues, the Indian Church "is giving a very powerful catechesis to India, Asia and the world - believers and non-believers - of the teachings of Christ, the Sermon on the Mount: ’Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, forgive, and by this love the world will know you are my disciples"". All over India, Catholics gathered in the churches or in open spaces to express their participation in the sufferings of their brothers and sisters in faith in Orissa.In Orissa itself, where a pogrom against the faithful has been underway for more than a week, all of the ceremonies had to be guarded by the police, who watched over the bishops' residences, the churches, and other Christian institutions. In Ranchi (Jharkhand), Cardinal Thelesphore Toppo gathered more than 6,000 people on the Loyola grounds, a few hundred meters from the cathedral. In Mumbai, Cardinal Oswald Gracias gathered people of different religions in Azad Maidan, to express rejection of the pseudo-religious struggle against the Christians of Orissa
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US asks Indian govt to protect religious freedom
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AgenciesPosted online: Sep 20, 2008 at 1113 hrs
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US asks Indian govt to protect religious... Washington, September 20: Taking note of the recent violence against the Christian community in India, the US has asked the Indian government to protect the religious freedom throughout the country.
"We urge all parties to refrain from violence and urge government officials to protect religious freedom throughout India and thus preserve India's longstanding tradition of religious tolerance," said Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, John Hanford.
He made the remarks while presenting the 10th Annual State Department Report on International Religious Freedom, which is mandated every year by the United States Congress.
"Despite the central government's efforts to foster communal harmony, we have seen more violence against Christians in the state of Orissa, where religious factors, combined with underlying social, economic, and ethnic grievances, have sparked unrest, just in the past few weeks," Hanford said.
He said "we are also concerned about the killing of a prominent Hindu religious leader that sparked the recent unrest in the state."
The State Department also said vast majority of persons of every religious group lived in peaceful coexistence in India but alleged that there were organised communal attacks against minority religious groups, particularly in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"In Orissa, governed by a coalition government that include the BJP and the Biju Janata Dal(BJD), Hindu extremists attacked Christian villagers and churches in the Kandhamal district over the Christmas holidays," it said.
"Approximately 100 churches and Christian institutions were damaged, 700 Christian homes were destroyed causing villagers to flee to nearby forests, and 22 Christian-owned businesses were affected," the report said.
We have also seen violence against Christians in the state of Karnataka this past week, some of which appears to have been politically motivated..., it alleged.
The report said that the Constitution provides for freedom of religion; however, some state level laws and policies restricted this freedom.
"The National Government generally respected religious freedom in practice; however, some state and local governments imposed limits on this freedom. There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom by the National Government during the period covered by this report; however, problems remained in some areas," it said.
"Some state governments enacted and amended 'anticonversion' laws and police and enforcement agencies often did not act swiftly to effectively counter communal attacks, including attacks against religious minorities," the State Department's report said.
A section on India said "during the reporting period, the State of Gujarat implemented its 'Freedom of Religion' Law initially passed in 2003 and withdrew an amendment that would have defined "conversions" as occurring only between denominations and not between religions, and would have classified Jains and Buddhists as denominations of Hinduism.
This law requires prior permission from the Gujarat Government for a conversion ceremony."
"Throughout the reporting period, mission officers investigated and reported on numerous cases of alleged religious persecution, ongoing cases in Gujarat, attacks against Christians in Orissa... mission officers also monitored the plight of internally displaced Kashmiri Hindus, known as Pandits, who fled their home areas in the valley of Kashmir starting in 1989," the report said.
"The US Government continued to express regret over the communal violence in Gujarat in 2002, and urged all parties in Gujarat to resolve their differences peacefully.
The report was prepared after Consulate and senior embassy officers met in Mumbai with a range of NGO, business, media, and other contacts, including Muslim leaders, to monitor the aftermath of the Gujarat violence.
"The Embassy and consulates reached out to madrassas directly and through the special International Visitor Madrassa programmes; religious freedom, tolerance, and respect for diversity were topics of discussion" the report said.
Please pray for the persecuted, Torturing church members, especially leaders, and handling them without mercy
Torturing Christians into falsely confessing to crimes, or torturing them to make false accusations against other communities
Torturing Christians in an attempt to have them renounce their faith
The destruction of buildings used for worship or prayer meetings
The confiscation of Bibles and other religious materials
The beating of Christians by police and government officials
Visit the second part of the show
posted in: Hot News, Persecution, East India
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Fri, 19/09/2008 - 8:29pm BIGGEST FLOOD SINCE 7 YEARS IN ORISSA
GOD'S FURY WAS UNLEASHED FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN ORISSA AFTER VHP-BAJRANG DAL BURNT DOWN AUSTRALIAN MISSIONARY STEPHEN CAINNES IN FORM ON VIOLENT STORMS .
AFTER RECENT INHUMAN ATTACKS BY VHP ON CHRISTIANS AND CHURCHES GOD HAS UNLEASHED HIS FURY AGAIN.NOW ORISSA IS TO SUFFER BIGGEST FLOOD SINCE 7 YEARS.
Breaking News-GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ISSUES ADVISORY TO KARNATAKA
New Delhi ;Perturbed over attacks on churches in Karnataka, the Union Home Ministry on Friday put the state on alert and directed it to report to the Centre on the steps taken to deal with the situation.Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta said an advisory has been issued to the state government asking it to take effective measures to bring the situation under control.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:26am Bajrang Dal planned attacks-DECCAN CHRONICLE
September 17 : The attack on prayer halls of New Life group was not a sudden attack but planned well in advance. The Bajrang Dal had made all the arrangements to study the working of New Life, collect the literature they use for propagating their sect and finally hatched the plan to attack all the places one after the other.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:19am Church attacked in Chikbalapur district
16th September 2008
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:00am Arson and looting reported from PDID in Kandhamal
A mob damaged a church and set some Christian homes ablaze shattering the government's claims that all is under control in Kandhmal. In two identical incidents in PIDI in Raikia block 8-10 houses set on fire and 34 hapless victims moved to the Raika camp. Accoring to sources the government authorities in are threatening shutting down of the camps this week.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 8:58am Attack on churches: Centre to warn Orissa, Karnataka
Friday, 19 September , 2008New Delhi: The Centre is understood to have decided to invoke Article 355 of the Constitution to warn Orissa and Karnataka to rein in violence following attacks on churches and prayer halls in the two states.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog 2 comments
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 7:32am Forcible conversion the new term by Karnataka to attack Christians
After large scale violence aginst christians in the pretext of 'naturl fall out of murder of its head in Orissa'VHP justified its attacks,.Christian institutions all over India shut down to mourn the death and destruction of Christians in Orissa.Immediately after the shut down, the Karnataka education mimister threatened to cancel licences of all Christian institutions exercised their democratic rights.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog 2 comments
Thu, 18/09/2008 - 9:46pm Atempted to burn down Peter and Paul Cathedral,Jabalpur- Madhya Pradesh
Friday, September 19, 2008JABALPUR, MADHYA PRADESH: A church was set on fire here on Thursday night by two unidentified persons."The two unidentified persons entered the church by breaking the glass of the window and tried to set ablaze the church with the help of a candle," city superintendent of police Raghavendra Yadav said.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, Central India
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Brown's Daily Word 9-19-08
GOOD morning,
Praise the Lord for this new day. Praise the Lord for Jesus, who is our eternal contemporary. Detrick Bonhoeffer spoke of "Religionless Christianity". The Christian faith is not a religion. It is about a new and living relationship with Jesus, the Risen One. The Christian faith is not about rituals and customs; it is rather about the dynamic relationship with Jesus, the righteous one. In Christ alone we live, move, and have our being. Because Jesus Chris is alive and well we can live this day under His grace and under His authority. We can experience a deep and abiding love in Him. He refreshes us and He renews us.
David W. Smith writes a fellow by the name of Chuck, who was, perhaps, the most hard-working salesman in his company’s history. He usually spent 65 to 75 hours a week at the office when he wasn’t traveling. And when he was on the road he worked ninety hour weeks. Of course, no one complained about his schedule. If anything, others were jealous of his success. He generated incredible revenues, beating all other sales representatives, hands down, year after year. His lifestyle showed off his success. His suits were top of the line, he bought a new car every two years, and his house was worth a million dollars. He was even married to one of the most beautiful women in town, and he had two children, both of whom were doing well in school. Of course he made sure that his family had every material desire they wanted. What more did he (or they) need? He spent so much time working and winning in the marketplace that he had no time to spend developing friendships with other men. Certainly he knew many people at work, and he came in contact daily with clients who relied on him and his expertise. But no one knew Chuck. Nothing really mattered to Chuck but the next sale. This was all he lived for. Then Chuck retired. He walked out of the office after receiving one of the grandest retirement parties his company had ever thrown. He had worked hard for more than 40 years. Now he looked forward to enjoying all the wealth and prestige he had acquired over the years. However, frustrated and hurt from years of neglect, his lovely wife left him. His children, who had since left home to begin their own lives, rarely visited him. They really didn’t know him, and he didn’t know them well either. He had never taken the time to spend with them while they were growing up. Now they didn’t have the time or inclination to spend with him. The few times they managed to get together, conversation waned after only an hour, so visits were largely conducted on the telephone – about once every two or three months, and those calls lasted only about fifteen minutes. Lonely, Chuck tried to keep up a few relationships he had with some of his former coworkers. They would get together to talk shop, but they had little time for him since they were busy meeting the demands of their jobs, just as he had done during his working years. And then David W. Smith writes, “Within a year after his retirement, Chuck became a stranger – or was he in some sense always a stranger? – at the company for which he had spent his life diligently working. Feeling unwanted and unneeded, he stopped coming around. Calls from his kids also grew more infrequent. Chuck was alone and friendless.”
A recent Gallop survey has found that Americans today are lonelier than ever. We are spending more time alone and yet desiring to be able to connect on a meaningful level with other people. We need one another.
The Word Of God teaches us that we need people with us on the spiritual journey, people we can trust, to encourage us and hold us accountable to our faith. Jesus said, "By this they will know that you are my disciples in that you love one another.” Jesus tells us that we are friends and thus meant to love, care for and nurture one another. Paul said it this way, we are to "bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ". The law of Christ is fulfilled only when we bear one another’s burdens. We also find Paul saying in Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” We are to let the word of God dwell in us richly. We can sing by ourselves, but we cannot teach and admonish ourselves in all wisdom. In Martin Buber’s book, "I and Thou", Buber says there are two kinds of relationships in our lives. We have I-Thou relationships, authentic relationships in which two people are co-equals and are mutually invested and sharing in that relationship. There is also the I-It relationship which objectifies the other person in that relationship. It’s not about what you give but what they will do for you.
Donald Miller wrote the book, "Blue Like Jazz", in which he came to look at his life over time as a movie. In this movie he was the star and everyone was just actors who came in and out of the scenes. He writes, "I was in every scene. In fact, I was the only one in every scene. If somebody would walk into my scene it would frustrate me because they were disrupting the general theme of the play or the movie, namely my comfort or glory. The most difficult lie I have ever had to confront was this: life is a story about me. No drug is so powerful as the drug of self. No rut in the mind is so deep which say I am the world. The world belongs to me. All people are simply characters in my play or movie. There is no addiction so powerful as self addiction”. This is the I-It relationship and for many of us, this is where we have in our relationships. What the Bible calls us to is to look at people differently than this. We nned to look at others as being as important as ourselves, to love our neighbor as ourselves, to put the needs of others ahead of our own. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves," Paul says in Phil. 2:3. Hadden Robinson wrote in an article in Christianity Today, “Unfortunately, I haven't made many new friends in recent years and one of my regrets is having neglected old relationships that could now warm my life if I had only given them the attention they deserve.”
While walking home from school, a boy by the name of Mark noticed the boy ahead of him who had stumbled to the ground and dropped everything he was carrying. Mark hurried to the boy’s side and helped him collect his belongings. Surprisingly, the boy was carrying an especially hefty load. There were a baseball glove and bat, a couple of sweaters, a small tape recorder, and an armful of books. Mark helped him carry the things home and his new friend, Bill, was most appreciative of his compassion. During the walk home, Mark discovered Bill was struggling in school and had just broken up with his girlfriend. When they arrived at Bill’s house, he invited Mark in for a Coke and they spent the rest of the afternoon talking, laughing, and watching TV. They became the best of friends. Several weeks before graduation, Bill approached Mark and asked him if he remembered that day they met when Mark helped him with all of his stuff. Mark nodded as he remembered. Bill then asked, “Did you ever wonder why I was carrying so many things that day?” Without pausing for an answer, Bill explained he had cleaned out his locker and was going home to take his life. He had been storing away sleeping pills and was headed home to end it all when Mark happened along to help him out. Bill told Mark how that simple act of befriending him inspired him to go on living. He said, “Mark, when you picked up my books that day, you saved my life!”
May we be provoked today to come alongside someone in the Name of Jesus our Savior.
Brownhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW4oJ0jTHqg
Praise the Lord for this new day. Praise the Lord for Jesus, who is our eternal contemporary. Detrick Bonhoeffer spoke of "Religionless Christianity". The Christian faith is not a religion. It is about a new and living relationship with Jesus, the Risen One. The Christian faith is not about rituals and customs; it is rather about the dynamic relationship with Jesus, the righteous one. In Christ alone we live, move, and have our being. Because Jesus Chris is alive and well we can live this day under His grace and under His authority. We can experience a deep and abiding love in Him. He refreshes us and He renews us.
David W. Smith writes a fellow by the name of Chuck, who was, perhaps, the most hard-working salesman in his company’s history. He usually spent 65 to 75 hours a week at the office when he wasn’t traveling. And when he was on the road he worked ninety hour weeks. Of course, no one complained about his schedule. If anything, others were jealous of his success. He generated incredible revenues, beating all other sales representatives, hands down, year after year. His lifestyle showed off his success. His suits were top of the line, he bought a new car every two years, and his house was worth a million dollars. He was even married to one of the most beautiful women in town, and he had two children, both of whom were doing well in school. Of course he made sure that his family had every material desire they wanted. What more did he (or they) need? He spent so much time working and winning in the marketplace that he had no time to spend developing friendships with other men. Certainly he knew many people at work, and he came in contact daily with clients who relied on him and his expertise. But no one knew Chuck. Nothing really mattered to Chuck but the next sale. This was all he lived for. Then Chuck retired. He walked out of the office after receiving one of the grandest retirement parties his company had ever thrown. He had worked hard for more than 40 years. Now he looked forward to enjoying all the wealth and prestige he had acquired over the years. However, frustrated and hurt from years of neglect, his lovely wife left him. His children, who had since left home to begin their own lives, rarely visited him. They really didn’t know him, and he didn’t know them well either. He had never taken the time to spend with them while they were growing up. Now they didn’t have the time or inclination to spend with him. The few times they managed to get together, conversation waned after only an hour, so visits were largely conducted on the telephone – about once every two or three months, and those calls lasted only about fifteen minutes. Lonely, Chuck tried to keep up a few relationships he had with some of his former coworkers. They would get together to talk shop, but they had little time for him since they were busy meeting the demands of their jobs, just as he had done during his working years. And then David W. Smith writes, “Within a year after his retirement, Chuck became a stranger – or was he in some sense always a stranger? – at the company for which he had spent his life diligently working. Feeling unwanted and unneeded, he stopped coming around. Calls from his kids also grew more infrequent. Chuck was alone and friendless.”
A recent Gallop survey has found that Americans today are lonelier than ever. We are spending more time alone and yet desiring to be able to connect on a meaningful level with other people. We need one another.
The Word Of God teaches us that we need people with us on the spiritual journey, people we can trust, to encourage us and hold us accountable to our faith. Jesus said, "By this they will know that you are my disciples in that you love one another.” Jesus tells us that we are friends and thus meant to love, care for and nurture one another. Paul said it this way, we are to "bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ". The law of Christ is fulfilled only when we bear one another’s burdens. We also find Paul saying in Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” We are to let the word of God dwell in us richly. We can sing by ourselves, but we cannot teach and admonish ourselves in all wisdom. In Martin Buber’s book, "I and Thou", Buber says there are two kinds of relationships in our lives. We have I-Thou relationships, authentic relationships in which two people are co-equals and are mutually invested and sharing in that relationship. There is also the I-It relationship which objectifies the other person in that relationship. It’s not about what you give but what they will do for you.
Donald Miller wrote the book, "Blue Like Jazz", in which he came to look at his life over time as a movie. In this movie he was the star and everyone was just actors who came in and out of the scenes. He writes, "I was in every scene. In fact, I was the only one in every scene. If somebody would walk into my scene it would frustrate me because they were disrupting the general theme of the play or the movie, namely my comfort or glory. The most difficult lie I have ever had to confront was this: life is a story about me. No drug is so powerful as the drug of self. No rut in the mind is so deep which say I am the world. The world belongs to me. All people are simply characters in my play or movie. There is no addiction so powerful as self addiction”. This is the I-It relationship and for many of us, this is where we have in our relationships. What the Bible calls us to is to look at people differently than this. We nned to look at others as being as important as ourselves, to love our neighbor as ourselves, to put the needs of others ahead of our own. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves," Paul says in Phil. 2:3. Hadden Robinson wrote in an article in Christianity Today, “Unfortunately, I haven't made many new friends in recent years and one of my regrets is having neglected old relationships that could now warm my life if I had only given them the attention they deserve.”
While walking home from school, a boy by the name of Mark noticed the boy ahead of him who had stumbled to the ground and dropped everything he was carrying. Mark hurried to the boy’s side and helped him collect his belongings. Surprisingly, the boy was carrying an especially hefty load. There were a baseball glove and bat, a couple of sweaters, a small tape recorder, and an armful of books. Mark helped him carry the things home and his new friend, Bill, was most appreciative of his compassion. During the walk home, Mark discovered Bill was struggling in school and had just broken up with his girlfriend. When they arrived at Bill’s house, he invited Mark in for a Coke and they spent the rest of the afternoon talking, laughing, and watching TV. They became the best of friends. Several weeks before graduation, Bill approached Mark and asked him if he remembered that day they met when Mark helped him with all of his stuff. Mark nodded as he remembered. Bill then asked, “Did you ever wonder why I was carrying so many things that day?” Without pausing for an answer, Bill explained he had cleaned out his locker and was going home to take his life. He had been storing away sleeping pills and was headed home to end it all when Mark happened along to help him out. Bill told Mark how that simple act of befriending him inspired him to go on living. He said, “Mark, when you picked up my books that day, you saved my life!”
May we be provoked today to come alongside someone in the Name of Jesus our Savior.
Brownhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW4oJ0jTHqg
India update 9-19-08
Centre warns Orissa, K'taka over attack on Christians19 Sep 2008, 0220 hrs IST,TNN
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NEW DELHI: Centre on Thursday issued a warning to NDA-controlled governments of Orissa and Karnataka under Article 355 to rein in violence against Christians, in an action which will be praised as appropriate in many quarters but will sharpen the UPA vs NDA faultlines. ( Watch ) While BJP condemned the action as ''partisan'', Congress welcomed it with glee. Article 355 vests emergency powers in the Centre to ensure adherence to the Constitution and it can even be seen as a precursor to the application of Article 356 (President's rule). But in the current context, it also serves the political purpose. Importantly, with the government acting against the Opposition governments over violence against minorities by RSS affiliates, it could clear the way for a tougher response against terrorism. There has been a strong voice in Congress and UPA that fight against terror should go hand in hand with tough action against communal violence. The anti-Christian riots have spread fast from Orissa to Karnataka and even in Kerala, in what is seen as part of a campaign. The argument was also articulated by minority affairs minister A R Antulay at Wednesday's Cabinet meeting where he said the Centre should bring in a tough law on communal riots. For the Centre, buffeted between demands for tough laws against terror and the sensitivities that there should be safeguards to ensure that they are not misused against minorities, it could be part of the Manmohan Singh government unveiling an all-round action plan against violence. Congress welcomed the action, with party spokesman Veerappa Moily saying that it was ''a shame on BJP''. He said, ''Those who are talking of fighting terrorism are not in a position to contain communal terrorism.'' But the BJP reacted strongly. Party general secretary Arun Jaitley said, ''The action is unwarranted. Orissa has taken steps and succeeded in restoring peace. Karnataka government is trying its best by appealing to one section not to bring out inflammatory pamphlets on conversions and taking steps to convince the other sections not to attack prayer halls. The Centre's action makes it obvious that it is not interested in resolving the issue but in politicising it. Why does not the Centre consider similar action in case of Maharashtra government with regard to its inability to deal with Raj Thackeray's repeated provocations.''
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 1:14pm Karnataka government will not punish Christian institutions for solidarity with Kandhamal victims
The National Commission for minorities said action will not be taken against the Christian educational institutions who have been served a notice by Primary and Secondary Education Minister Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 12:31pm Indian christians all over the world to protest attacks against christians in India
Chicago, September 18: Many Indian Christian leaders from various organizations including MKCA members united under the banner of Federation of Indian American Christians of North America (FIACONA) at the resident of Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Jacob Angadiath of Syro Malabr Catholic Mission on September 17 at 5pm.
posted in: Current Issue, , Other Countries
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:33am Breaking News-GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ISSUES ADVISORY TO KARNATAKA
Union Home Ministry issues advisory to Karnataka STATE asking it to take effective steps in the wake of attacks on churches, says Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:26am Bajrang Dal planned attacks-DECCAN CHRONICLE
September 17 : The attack on prayer halls of New Life group was not a sudden attack but planned well in advance. The Bajrang Dal had made all the arrangements to study the working of New Life, collect the literature they use for propagating their sect and finally hatched the plan to attack all the places one after the other.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:19am Church attacked in Chikbalapur district
16th September 2008CHICKBALAPUR : On Tuesday evening at 6.00 pm of September 16, the radical Hindus attacked IPC Church in Manjanahalli, Chikbalapur dist which is 90 km from Bangalore. The miscreants barged into the church and damaged furniture’s, window panes, door and roof sheet.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:00am Arson and looting reported from PDID in Kandhamal
A mob damaged a church and set some Christian homes ablaze shattering the government's claims that all is under control in Kandhmal. In two identical incidents in PIDI in Raikia block 8-10 houses set on fire and 34 hapless victims moved to the Raika camp. Accoring to sources the government authorities in are threatening shutting down of the camps this week.
Discuss New
Bookmark/Share
Save
Write to Editor
Font Size:
NEW DELHI: Centre on Thursday issued a warning to NDA-controlled governments of Orissa and Karnataka under Article 355 to rein in violence against Christians, in an action which will be praised as appropriate in many quarters but will sharpen the UPA vs NDA faultlines. ( Watch ) While BJP condemned the action as ''partisan'', Congress welcomed it with glee. Article 355 vests emergency powers in the Centre to ensure adherence to the Constitution and it can even be seen as a precursor to the application of Article 356 (President's rule). But in the current context, it also serves the political purpose. Importantly, with the government acting against the Opposition governments over violence against minorities by RSS affiliates, it could clear the way for a tougher response against terrorism. There has been a strong voice in Congress and UPA that fight against terror should go hand in hand with tough action against communal violence. The anti-Christian riots have spread fast from Orissa to Karnataka and even in Kerala, in what is seen as part of a campaign. The argument was also articulated by minority affairs minister A R Antulay at Wednesday's Cabinet meeting where he said the Centre should bring in a tough law on communal riots. For the Centre, buffeted between demands for tough laws against terror and the sensitivities that there should be safeguards to ensure that they are not misused against minorities, it could be part of the Manmohan Singh government unveiling an all-round action plan against violence. Congress welcomed the action, with party spokesman Veerappa Moily saying that it was ''a shame on BJP''. He said, ''Those who are talking of fighting terrorism are not in a position to contain communal terrorism.'' But the BJP reacted strongly. Party general secretary Arun Jaitley said, ''The action is unwarranted. Orissa has taken steps and succeeded in restoring peace. Karnataka government is trying its best by appealing to one section not to bring out inflammatory pamphlets on conversions and taking steps to convince the other sections not to attack prayer halls. The Centre's action makes it obvious that it is not interested in resolving the issue but in politicising it. Why does not the Centre consider similar action in case of Maharashtra government with regard to its inability to deal with Raj Thackeray's repeated provocations.''
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 1:14pm Karnataka government will not punish Christian institutions for solidarity with Kandhamal victims
The National Commission for minorities said action will not be taken against the Christian educational institutions who have been served a notice by Primary and Secondary Education Minister Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 12:31pm Indian christians all over the world to protest attacks against christians in India
Chicago, September 18: Many Indian Christian leaders from various organizations including MKCA members united under the banner of Federation of Indian American Christians of North America (FIACONA) at the resident of Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Jacob Angadiath of Syro Malabr Catholic Mission on September 17 at 5pm.
posted in: Current Issue, , Other Countries
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:33am Breaking News-GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ISSUES ADVISORY TO KARNATAKA
Union Home Ministry issues advisory to Karnataka STATE asking it to take effective steps in the wake of attacks on churches, says Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:26am Bajrang Dal planned attacks-DECCAN CHRONICLE
September 17 : The attack on prayer halls of New Life group was not a sudden attack but planned well in advance. The Bajrang Dal had made all the arrangements to study the working of New Life, collect the literature they use for propagating their sect and finally hatched the plan to attack all the places one after the other.
posted in: Current Issue, , East India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:19am Church attacked in Chikbalapur district
16th September 2008CHICKBALAPUR : On Tuesday evening at 6.00 pm of September 16, the radical Hindus attacked IPC Church in Manjanahalli, Chikbalapur dist which is 90 km from Bangalore. The miscreants barged into the church and damaged furniture’s, window panes, door and roof sheet.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Fri, 19/09/2008 - 11:00am Arson and looting reported from PDID in Kandhamal
A mob damaged a church and set some Christian homes ablaze shattering the government's claims that all is under control in Kandhmal. In two identical incidents in PIDI in Raikia block 8-10 houses set on fire and 34 hapless victims moved to the Raika camp. Accoring to sources the government authorities in are threatening shutting down of the camps this week.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Brown's Daily Word 9-18-08
Good Morning,
Praise the Lord. The Lord whom we serve is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Though He is eternal, and invisible He loves to encircle us with his love and grace. He delights in surrounding us with His power and mercy. He loves to restore broken lives and He loves to fill empty cups.
One day, several new converts came to a missionary and said, “One night we came to kill you as a missionary we hated. But when we came to your house, there were 28 large men standing around your house guarding it and we became afraid. We concluded that your God had set powerful guards around you and we came to worship Him." Then the men in Michigan who were listening to this missionary said, "Hey, That very day, we were praying for you." When the missionary asked them to stand up, there were 28 men in the congregation who stood, 28 who were praying for the missionary that very day. God uses our prayer in powerful ways that we may never learn about until we get to heaven. Jesus said, “He who believes in me the works that I do will He do also and greater works than these will He do because I go to the Father. And you can ask anything in my name and I will do it so the Son may bring glory to the Father." (John 14:12-14) I am in touch with some of the Christian leaders of Orissa, India on a daily basis. They are asking us to pray for them fervently so that the perfect plans of the Lord for the suffering and the persecuted Christians be accomplished. In the midst of all the brutalities and the blatantly inhuman situation, Christ will be glorified. The plans of the enemies of the Cross will be thwarted. Somehow the Lord would grant His people a sense of courage and a great sense of triumph. Let us Pray with confidence that the Omnipotent God will work through our prayers for the completion of His great Kingdom purposes. There are over 500 verses in the Bible that speak of the omnipotence of God. Although the word omnipotence is not used in our English translation, it is clearly taught 500 times so we would get the point. He is almighty, all powerful, and all capable of doing whatever He pleases. Although the word is not found in our modern translations, the concept might be truly said to be assumed on every page of the Bible. (It is found in the King James Version of Revelation 19:6, "For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." George Frederick Handel composed his majestic "Hallelujah Chorus" around that phrase.) The following verses speak of the omnipotence of our God: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2 He made all things and all things serve him: "Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you." Psalm 119:91 He does whatever he pleases. (Psalm 33:1-8): "Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him." "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)
We can pray more confidently and with great faith, hope and love because of His promise to do whatever pleases Him exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we can ask or think according to the power that works mightily within us. There is an invisible line that stretches from God to us. That line is the line of God’s goodness. We rest our faith on that invisible line. That’s why 2 Corinthians 4:18 says that "we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen." Job knew that no power can ultimately thwart God's purposes. What God starts, He always finishes. This is a most comforting thought because we live in a world where all our best work is necessarily unfinished. Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Hemingway, Wright, Edison, da Vinci — they all left behind unfinished paintings, unfinished manuscripts, plans for buildings that were never built. That’s the way it is in this world. In fact, of all the people who have ever lived on planet earth, only Jesus could truthfully cry out at the end of his life, "It is finished" (John 19:30). Even when we finish something, it’s never really finished. That’s why houses must be repainted and the beds made every morning. However, when God starts to do something, he stays with the job until it is completed. There is never a divine power failure, never a black out, brown out, or meltdown. Our eternal security rests on the truth of God’s omnipotence. We are kept by his power, not by ours (1 Peter 1:5). He is the God who is able to keep us from falling (Jude 24). Some of us might remember the great gas shortage of 1973 when people stood in line for hours to get a few gallons of gas. The shortage was caused by the OPEC oil embargo that cut supply to a trickle and drove prices through the roof. That never happens with God. Because he is omnipotent, his power knows no limits. He is never worn out, exhausted, or "running on fumes." "Cast all your cares upon Jesus". He not only cares for you, he’s got unlimited power to carry your burdens and to solve your problems. Psalm 23:4 says, "I will fear no evil … for you are with me." If God is walking by our side, we have nothing to fear. The omnipotence of God is a doctrine of wonderful comfort to the believer. The all-powerful God is with me. He exercises his power on my behalf. Whenever I need him, and even when I think I don’t, he is there. He never fails. All his plans for me will come to pass. I can trust him completely. First Corinthians 1:18 tells us that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to the world, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. To the world the cross was a terrible waste, a tragedy, an enormous mistake, but to those who believe in Christ it is a demonstration of the power of God. Think about that for a moment. In the very place where God seemed to be defeated, there we most clearly see God’s power demonstrated. Is the all-powerful God good and does he care for us? Look to the bloody cross and judge for yourself. He who had all power gave it up and became weak like us. When we come to the cross, we come weak, confused, broken, perplexed, bruised, anxious and frustrated. There at the cross, in that place where the world sees weakness, there we find the power of God. We come helplessly and hopelessly to the God who is our help; we come in weakness to the God who is our strength. "But thanks be to God who gives us the victory (Over sin, death and judgment) through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 7:25) But if God can raise the dead, he can do anything. Let that thought encourage us this day as we face the impossibilities of life.
In and through our omnipotent Lord,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnHksDFHTQI
Praise the Lord. The Lord whom we serve is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Though He is eternal, and invisible He loves to encircle us with his love and grace. He delights in surrounding us with His power and mercy. He loves to restore broken lives and He loves to fill empty cups.
One day, several new converts came to a missionary and said, “One night we came to kill you as a missionary we hated. But when we came to your house, there were 28 large men standing around your house guarding it and we became afraid. We concluded that your God had set powerful guards around you and we came to worship Him." Then the men in Michigan who were listening to this missionary said, "Hey, That very day, we were praying for you." When the missionary asked them to stand up, there were 28 men in the congregation who stood, 28 who were praying for the missionary that very day. God uses our prayer in powerful ways that we may never learn about until we get to heaven. Jesus said, “He who believes in me the works that I do will He do also and greater works than these will He do because I go to the Father. And you can ask anything in my name and I will do it so the Son may bring glory to the Father." (John 14:12-14) I am in touch with some of the Christian leaders of Orissa, India on a daily basis. They are asking us to pray for them fervently so that the perfect plans of the Lord for the suffering and the persecuted Christians be accomplished. In the midst of all the brutalities and the blatantly inhuman situation, Christ will be glorified. The plans of the enemies of the Cross will be thwarted. Somehow the Lord would grant His people a sense of courage and a great sense of triumph. Let us Pray with confidence that the Omnipotent God will work through our prayers for the completion of His great Kingdom purposes. There are over 500 verses in the Bible that speak of the omnipotence of God. Although the word omnipotence is not used in our English translation, it is clearly taught 500 times so we would get the point. He is almighty, all powerful, and all capable of doing whatever He pleases. Although the word is not found in our modern translations, the concept might be truly said to be assumed on every page of the Bible. (It is found in the King James Version of Revelation 19:6, "For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." George Frederick Handel composed his majestic "Hallelujah Chorus" around that phrase.) The following verses speak of the omnipotence of our God: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2 He made all things and all things serve him: "Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you." Psalm 119:91 He does whatever he pleases. (Psalm 33:1-8): "Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him." "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)
We can pray more confidently and with great faith, hope and love because of His promise to do whatever pleases Him exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we can ask or think according to the power that works mightily within us. There is an invisible line that stretches from God to us. That line is the line of God’s goodness. We rest our faith on that invisible line. That’s why 2 Corinthians 4:18 says that "we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen." Job knew that no power can ultimately thwart God's purposes. What God starts, He always finishes. This is a most comforting thought because we live in a world where all our best work is necessarily unfinished. Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Hemingway, Wright, Edison, da Vinci — they all left behind unfinished paintings, unfinished manuscripts, plans for buildings that were never built. That’s the way it is in this world. In fact, of all the people who have ever lived on planet earth, only Jesus could truthfully cry out at the end of his life, "It is finished" (John 19:30). Even when we finish something, it’s never really finished. That’s why houses must be repainted and the beds made every morning. However, when God starts to do something, he stays with the job until it is completed. There is never a divine power failure, never a black out, brown out, or meltdown. Our eternal security rests on the truth of God’s omnipotence. We are kept by his power, not by ours (1 Peter 1:5). He is the God who is able to keep us from falling (Jude 24). Some of us might remember the great gas shortage of 1973 when people stood in line for hours to get a few gallons of gas. The shortage was caused by the OPEC oil embargo that cut supply to a trickle and drove prices through the roof. That never happens with God. Because he is omnipotent, his power knows no limits. He is never worn out, exhausted, or "running on fumes." "Cast all your cares upon Jesus". He not only cares for you, he’s got unlimited power to carry your burdens and to solve your problems. Psalm 23:4 says, "I will fear no evil … for you are with me." If God is walking by our side, we have nothing to fear. The omnipotence of God is a doctrine of wonderful comfort to the believer. The all-powerful God is with me. He exercises his power on my behalf. Whenever I need him, and even when I think I don’t, he is there. He never fails. All his plans for me will come to pass. I can trust him completely. First Corinthians 1:18 tells us that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to the world, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. To the world the cross was a terrible waste, a tragedy, an enormous mistake, but to those who believe in Christ it is a demonstration of the power of God. Think about that for a moment. In the very place where God seemed to be defeated, there we most clearly see God’s power demonstrated. Is the all-powerful God good and does he care for us? Look to the bloody cross and judge for yourself. He who had all power gave it up and became weak like us. When we come to the cross, we come weak, confused, broken, perplexed, bruised, anxious and frustrated. There at the cross, in that place where the world sees weakness, there we find the power of God. We come helplessly and hopelessly to the God who is our help; we come in weakness to the God who is our strength. "But thanks be to God who gives us the victory (Over sin, death and judgment) through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 7:25) But if God can raise the dead, he can do anything. Let that thought encourage us this day as we face the impossibilities of life.
In and through our omnipotent Lord,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnHksDFHTQI
Orissa Update 9-18-08
Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America
September 18, 2008
FIACONA Condemns Destruction of Churches and Demands Withdrawal of Show Cause Notices to Christian Institutions in Karnataka
Press Release
The Orissa violence against Christians was an immense blow to democracy, to human rights, and to secularism. Nuns were gang raped, priests were killed, scores of churches were burnt, thousands of homes were torched, and more than 60,000 Christians fled to the jungles to save their lives from Hindu radicals allegedly the VHP, Bajrang Dal, and other saffron outfits. To protest for these unthinkable and barbaric acts of violence perpetrated against Christians in Orissa, to protest the unimaginable massacre and share the insurmountable grief of Christians in Orissa, to protest the naked violation of human rights and purposeful trampling of the Christian faith in Orissa, all Christian educational institutions across India had called for a day of closure on Friday, August 29, 2008. Over 45,000 Christian institutions run by various Christian organizations had remained closed to register their protest. The Karnataka government on a petition filed by the VHP has issued show-cause notices to Christian educational institutions asking them to explain why they closed for one day. Karnataka primary and secondary education minister, Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri had said that there is no need for Christian educational institutions to protest against something that happened in Orissa. He further said that the government was considering "strict" action against the institutions that "violated the law" by closing down. Rev Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore, said the decision by the schools to observe closure was “within the parameters of law”. Mr. Abraham Mammen the National Vice President of FIACONA said.” This is selective victimization of Christians as VHP calls for Bandh at their whims and fancies and no action is ever taken against closing institutions.” FIACONA is shocked to note that how can show-cause notices be served to Christian schools when their protest was not politicizing but educational in nature. Rev. Bernard Malik, President of FIACONA said, “Is imbibing the goodness of peaceful coexistence and religious harmony not education? Is recognizing and respecting the rights of other human beings not education? Is teaching against violence and the supreme qualities of non-violence (Ahimsa) in the land of the Mahatma not education? Why should not Christian educational institutions register their protest to educate their students about non-violence, religious harmony and peaceful coexistence? Why should not schools educate the fundamentals of human rights by giving the example of the Orissa violence against Christians as a gross and naked violation of human rights? How can such a peaceful protest by educational institutions where education of the highest values of human existence is thus imparted be issued show-cause notices? Is protesting for religious tolerance, love and harmony not education?" Christian educational institutions have been playing a noble role in the Indian society since hundreds of years. It is because Christian educational institutions impart exceptional education for the ultimate benefit of humankind that the outstanding achievements of its students have been well documented in Indian history. FIACONA is also deeply grieved about the deteriorating situation in Karnataka. Churches are denigrated, desecrated and destroyed. Priests and pastors are assaulted, humiliated and beaten. Christians are insulted, victimized and persecuted even by police. The Hindu radicals allegedly by the VHP and other saffron outfits perpetrate these abhorred, despicable and appalling acts of violence against peace-loving Christians. The police and the State machinery are being used to strike fear amongst Christians. The police is becoming like the religious police of Saudi Arabia with zero tolerance for non-Hindus and Dalits. The Christian community is being enveloped in a dark and brooding atmosphere of fear, insecurity and uncertainty. FIACONA notes that the same situation of Gujarat and Orissa, is again arising in Karnataka. The VHP is systematically and in an extremely planned way eliminating Christians, by falsely implicating them in the name of religious conversions. Karnataka is known as the Information & Technology (IT) hub of India and with these ghastly events of systematized Christian persecution, FIACONA fears that the inflow of foreign investments may take a backseat. It needs to be reminded that along with the necessary infrastructure, a peaceful atmosphere is the key to investments. The incidents of violence and selective persecution against Christians are going up on a daily basis like notices to schools and hundred other incidents. In such an antagonistic atmosphere, how can foreign countries have faith in the secular fabric needed for the growth of industry and development? If this persecution goes on, then it may happen that Bangalore may cease to be the IT hub and Karnataka shall become another Gujarat or Orissa. “Christians are under fire everywhere in India” said Dr. Victor Joseph Chairman Government Relations “and this community is marked for extinction.” Karnataka has had 159 incidents and Orissa has 209 against Christians. It is going same way, Gujarat first, Orissa next and now Karnataka, ironically all BJP ruled states. FIACONA condemns violence against Christians by the Hindu radicals allegedly the VHP and Bajrang Dal combine and it should be stopped immediately. FIACONA also condemns in no uncertain terms the show-cause notices being issued to the Christian educational institutions of Karnataka and demands that such notices be withdrawn immediately. Karnataka Government should not target Christian educational institutions at the behest of the VHP combine. For the favor of publication Rev. Bernard Malik302-354-5452
Email: media@fiacona.org
www.fiacona.org
Thu, 18/09/2008 - 7:53am Two killed, thousands affected in Orissa rains-GCIC appeals for prayers and help
Bhubaneswar : At least two persons were killed and thousands affected in rain-related incidents as heavy downpour pounded coastal Orissa on Wednesday, raising fears of floods in major rivers including Mahanadi.With the southwest monsoon being active over the state, extremely heavy rainfall was recorded in Baitarani and lower Brahmani catchments.
posted in: Current Issue, Secular, East India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog 2 comments
Thu, 18/09/2008 - 6:13am KSHRC to visit damaged churches in Mangalore and Udupi
Bangalore: The full commission of the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) will visit Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts from September 25 to 27 where there have been attacks on churches and Christian prayer halls.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Wed, 17/09/2008 - 9:40pm "police brutality" on christian women in Mangalore-NCW shocked
Mangalore : Dissatisfied over the Home Department's handling of the "disturbances" in Dakshina Kannada disrict, the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Wednesday demanded an inquiry into alleged police "atrocities" there against women belonging to Christian institutions.Talking to reporters here NCW chairperson Girija Vyas said there should be a proper and thorough inquiry into the "atrocities on women by police personnel".
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Wed, 17/09/2008 - 9:28pm Sanghis threatened to construct a temple on the church garden in Delhi
"Communal trouble in the Capital of India" New Delhi, September 17, 2008
Certain miscreants on Wednesday (September 17) at about 10 am in the morning have forcibly taken possession of a lawn/ garden in front of the Catholic Church (Prabhu Prakash Girija) in Trilokpuri, East Delhi, which was being maintained by the Catholic Church since its inception in the year 1991. The miscreants have broken open an outside gate to the lawn/ garden as well as the inside gate leading from the church and have threatened to construct a temple on the said land. They have also locked the outside gate to the lawn/ garden as well as the inside gate leading from the church to the lawn/ garden.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, North India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Wed, 17/09/2008 - 6:14pm NHRC TO INVESTIGATE ORISSA VIOLENCE
The National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday asked Orissa Chief Secretray Ajit Tripathy and DGP Gopal Chandra Nanda to submit reports of communal violence that is going in the State since August 23 following the killing of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and four of his disciples at Jalespata Ashram in Kandhamal district. The reports have been asked to submit within a week to the Commission.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Wed, 17/09/2008 - 2:10pm St. George Catholic Church at Uire in Belthangady - Karnataka damaged
Wednesday,September 17,2008MANGALORE, KARNATAKA: A catholic church was desecrated at Ujire at around 5.00 am on September 17.According to a letter issued by the Bishop's office, it was mentioned about the attack that the miscreants entered the church by breaking the lock of front door and burned the Bible, prayer books putting on the Beme table and destroyed crucifix, statues and holy icons. They have thrown away the most holy tabernacle where they keep Blessed Sacrament. Kerosene was poured on carpets inside the church to set it on fire.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
September 18, 2008
FIACONA Condemns Destruction of Churches and Demands Withdrawal of Show Cause Notices to Christian Institutions in Karnataka
Press Release
The Orissa violence against Christians was an immense blow to democracy, to human rights, and to secularism. Nuns were gang raped, priests were killed, scores of churches were burnt, thousands of homes were torched, and more than 60,000 Christians fled to the jungles to save their lives from Hindu radicals allegedly the VHP, Bajrang Dal, and other saffron outfits. To protest for these unthinkable and barbaric acts of violence perpetrated against Christians in Orissa, to protest the unimaginable massacre and share the insurmountable grief of Christians in Orissa, to protest the naked violation of human rights and purposeful trampling of the Christian faith in Orissa, all Christian educational institutions across India had called for a day of closure on Friday, August 29, 2008. Over 45,000 Christian institutions run by various Christian organizations had remained closed to register their protest. The Karnataka government on a petition filed by the VHP has issued show-cause notices to Christian educational institutions asking them to explain why they closed for one day. Karnataka primary and secondary education minister, Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri had said that there is no need for Christian educational institutions to protest against something that happened in Orissa. He further said that the government was considering "strict" action against the institutions that "violated the law" by closing down. Rev Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore, said the decision by the schools to observe closure was “within the parameters of law”. Mr. Abraham Mammen the National Vice President of FIACONA said.” This is selective victimization of Christians as VHP calls for Bandh at their whims and fancies and no action is ever taken against closing institutions.” FIACONA is shocked to note that how can show-cause notices be served to Christian schools when their protest was not politicizing but educational in nature. Rev. Bernard Malik, President of FIACONA said, “Is imbibing the goodness of peaceful coexistence and religious harmony not education? Is recognizing and respecting the rights of other human beings not education? Is teaching against violence and the supreme qualities of non-violence (Ahimsa) in the land of the Mahatma not education? Why should not Christian educational institutions register their protest to educate their students about non-violence, religious harmony and peaceful coexistence? Why should not schools educate the fundamentals of human rights by giving the example of the Orissa violence against Christians as a gross and naked violation of human rights? How can such a peaceful protest by educational institutions where education of the highest values of human existence is thus imparted be issued show-cause notices? Is protesting for religious tolerance, love and harmony not education?" Christian educational institutions have been playing a noble role in the Indian society since hundreds of years. It is because Christian educational institutions impart exceptional education for the ultimate benefit of humankind that the outstanding achievements of its students have been well documented in Indian history. FIACONA is also deeply grieved about the deteriorating situation in Karnataka. Churches are denigrated, desecrated and destroyed. Priests and pastors are assaulted, humiliated and beaten. Christians are insulted, victimized and persecuted even by police. The Hindu radicals allegedly by the VHP and other saffron outfits perpetrate these abhorred, despicable and appalling acts of violence against peace-loving Christians. The police and the State machinery are being used to strike fear amongst Christians. The police is becoming like the religious police of Saudi Arabia with zero tolerance for non-Hindus and Dalits. The Christian community is being enveloped in a dark and brooding atmosphere of fear, insecurity and uncertainty. FIACONA notes that the same situation of Gujarat and Orissa, is again arising in Karnataka. The VHP is systematically and in an extremely planned way eliminating Christians, by falsely implicating them in the name of religious conversions. Karnataka is known as the Information & Technology (IT) hub of India and with these ghastly events of systematized Christian persecution, FIACONA fears that the inflow of foreign investments may take a backseat. It needs to be reminded that along with the necessary infrastructure, a peaceful atmosphere is the key to investments. The incidents of violence and selective persecution against Christians are going up on a daily basis like notices to schools and hundred other incidents. In such an antagonistic atmosphere, how can foreign countries have faith in the secular fabric needed for the growth of industry and development? If this persecution goes on, then it may happen that Bangalore may cease to be the IT hub and Karnataka shall become another Gujarat or Orissa. “Christians are under fire everywhere in India” said Dr. Victor Joseph Chairman Government Relations “and this community is marked for extinction.” Karnataka has had 159 incidents and Orissa has 209 against Christians. It is going same way, Gujarat first, Orissa next and now Karnataka, ironically all BJP ruled states. FIACONA condemns violence against Christians by the Hindu radicals allegedly the VHP and Bajrang Dal combine and it should be stopped immediately. FIACONA also condemns in no uncertain terms the show-cause notices being issued to the Christian educational institutions of Karnataka and demands that such notices be withdrawn immediately. Karnataka Government should not target Christian educational institutions at the behest of the VHP combine. For the favor of publication Rev. Bernard Malik302-354-5452
Email: media@fiacona.org
www.fiacona.org
Thu, 18/09/2008 - 7:53am Two killed, thousands affected in Orissa rains-GCIC appeals for prayers and help
Bhubaneswar : At least two persons were killed and thousands affected in rain-related incidents as heavy downpour pounded coastal Orissa on Wednesday, raising fears of floods in major rivers including Mahanadi.With the southwest monsoon being active over the state, extremely heavy rainfall was recorded in Baitarani and lower Brahmani catchments.
posted in: Current Issue, Secular, East India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog 2 comments
Thu, 18/09/2008 - 6:13am KSHRC to visit damaged churches in Mangalore and Udupi
Bangalore: The full commission of the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) will visit Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts from September 25 to 27 where there have been attacks on churches and Christian prayer halls.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Wed, 17/09/2008 - 9:40pm "police brutality" on christian women in Mangalore-NCW shocked
Mangalore : Dissatisfied over the Home Department's handling of the "disturbances" in Dakshina Kannada disrict, the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Wednesday demanded an inquiry into alleged police "atrocities" there against women belonging to Christian institutions.Talking to reporters here NCW chairperson Girija Vyas said there should be a proper and thorough inquiry into the "atrocities on women by police personnel".
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Wed, 17/09/2008 - 9:28pm Sanghis threatened to construct a temple on the church garden in Delhi
"Communal trouble in the Capital of India" New Delhi, September 17, 2008
Certain miscreants on Wednesday (September 17) at about 10 am in the morning have forcibly taken possession of a lawn/ garden in front of the Catholic Church (Prabhu Prakash Girija) in Trilokpuri, East Delhi, which was being maintained by the Catholic Church since its inception in the year 1991. The miscreants have broken open an outside gate to the lawn/ garden as well as the inside gate leading from the church and have threatened to construct a temple on the said land. They have also locked the outside gate to the lawn/ garden as well as the inside gate leading from the church to the lawn/ garden.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, North India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Wed, 17/09/2008 - 6:14pm NHRC TO INVESTIGATE ORISSA VIOLENCE
The National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday asked Orissa Chief Secretray Ajit Tripathy and DGP Gopal Chandra Nanda to submit reports of communal violence that is going in the State since August 23 following the killing of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and four of his disciples at Jalespata Ashram in Kandhamal district. The reports have been asked to submit within a week to the Commission.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Wed, 17/09/2008 - 2:10pm St. George Catholic Church at Uire in Belthangady - Karnataka damaged
Wednesday,September 17,2008MANGALORE, KARNATAKA: A catholic church was desecrated at Ujire at around 5.00 am on September 17.According to a letter issued by the Bishop's office, it was mentioned about the attack that the miscreants entered the church by breaking the lock of front door and burned the Bible, prayer books putting on the Beme table and destroyed crucifix, statues and holy icons. They have thrown away the most holy tabernacle where they keep Blessed Sacrament. Kerosene was poured on carpets inside the church to set it on fire.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Brown's Daily Word 9-17-08 Happy Birthday!!
Good morning,
There is a story of a certain Persian king, who was elevated from a poverty-stricken home to the glory of a royal throne. After he became king he sent his servants to the old shack where he was reared, with orders to gather every relic of those days. They brought fragments of his home including many broken toys, his patched shirt, a crude wooden bowl from which he ate, and numerous worthless mementos of his childhood. All of these items he arranged in a special room of his palace, and each day he spent one whole hour sitting among the memories of his humble past. On the wall hung a prayer, “Lest I Forget.” In Psalm 103, one of my favorite Psalms, we are invited and provoked to remember the Lord of all mercies and the Lord of grace. David calls upon us not to forget. I counted at least 10 blessings: (1) forgiveness of sin (vs.3) (2) healing of diseases (vs.3) (3) redemption (vs.4) (4) love (vs.4) (5) compassion (vs.4,8) (6) inner satisfaction (vs.5) (7) righteousness (vs.6) (8) justice (vs.6) (9) revelation (vs.7) (10)longsuffering (vs.8,10) Memories of God’s goodness and blessings do not come easily, but the Spirit of God is at work in us to remind us. Dr. David Soper, in his book, "God is Inescapable", suggests that basically the difference between a prison and a monastery is the difference in attitude. That is, it is the contrast between griping and gratitude. Prisoners spend every waking moment griping, whereas monks spend every waking moment giving thanks. They are both imprisoned, in a sense, but what a difference! Dr. Soper goes on to say that when a prisoner becomes a saint, a prison becomes a monastery; when a saint gives up gratitude, a monastery may become a prison. Yes, memory is a great gift from God. Use it in the most positive way that you can. May the past mercies of God serve as a help for the present and a hope for the future. Today is one of the ten best days. I was born on this day, at home in a little village in India. The Lord has bestowed immense blessings upon me over all these years. As I recount all of the Lord's blessings, I can reiterate the blessings of Psalm 103, "Bless the Lord, o my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the, o my soul, and forget not all His benefits." In a topsy-turvy world of turmoil and turbulence, when the foundations are suddenly shaken persons without Jesus are left reeling in their insecurity. Yet, we have a Savior who reigns and rules, who invites us with His amazing promise to "Be still, and know that I am God".
Thank you for your cards and e-mail greetings. I am blessed to have you all as a part of the circle of my family and friends. Rick Warren, in his book, "The Purpose-Driven Life", reminds us that this life is measured not in duration, but in donation. May we be challenged to invest our lives in His Kingdom. May we continue to serve Him with joyful spirits and obedient hearts. May we make every day count for Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, in such a way that those who come after us may find us faithful. One of the deep desires of my heart is to be not a casual Christian, but a committed Christian.
In Christ Alone,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MJ4VqfCRZIGratitude is the memory of the heart. [Fr., La reconnaissance est la memoire du coeur.] Author: Jean Baptiste Massieu Source: to the Abbe Sicard ...
There is a story of a certain Persian king, who was elevated from a poverty-stricken home to the glory of a royal throne. After he became king he sent his servants to the old shack where he was reared, with orders to gather every relic of those days. They brought fragments of his home including many broken toys, his patched shirt, a crude wooden bowl from which he ate, and numerous worthless mementos of his childhood. All of these items he arranged in a special room of his palace, and each day he spent one whole hour sitting among the memories of his humble past. On the wall hung a prayer, “Lest I Forget.” In Psalm 103, one of my favorite Psalms, we are invited and provoked to remember the Lord of all mercies and the Lord of grace. David calls upon us not to forget. I counted at least 10 blessings: (1) forgiveness of sin (vs.3) (2) healing of diseases (vs.3) (3) redemption (vs.4) (4) love (vs.4) (5) compassion (vs.4,8) (6) inner satisfaction (vs.5) (7) righteousness (vs.6) (8) justice (vs.6) (9) revelation (vs.7) (10)longsuffering (vs.8,10) Memories of God’s goodness and blessings do not come easily, but the Spirit of God is at work in us to remind us. Dr. David Soper, in his book, "God is Inescapable", suggests that basically the difference between a prison and a monastery is the difference in attitude. That is, it is the contrast between griping and gratitude. Prisoners spend every waking moment griping, whereas monks spend every waking moment giving thanks. They are both imprisoned, in a sense, but what a difference! Dr. Soper goes on to say that when a prisoner becomes a saint, a prison becomes a monastery; when a saint gives up gratitude, a monastery may become a prison. Yes, memory is a great gift from God. Use it in the most positive way that you can. May the past mercies of God serve as a help for the present and a hope for the future. Today is one of the ten best days. I was born on this day, at home in a little village in India. The Lord has bestowed immense blessings upon me over all these years. As I recount all of the Lord's blessings, I can reiterate the blessings of Psalm 103, "Bless the Lord, o my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name. Bless the, o my soul, and forget not all His benefits." In a topsy-turvy world of turmoil and turbulence, when the foundations are suddenly shaken persons without Jesus are left reeling in their insecurity. Yet, we have a Savior who reigns and rules, who invites us with His amazing promise to "Be still, and know that I am God".
Thank you for your cards and e-mail greetings. I am blessed to have you all as a part of the circle of my family and friends. Rick Warren, in his book, "The Purpose-Driven Life", reminds us that this life is measured not in duration, but in donation. May we be challenged to invest our lives in His Kingdom. May we continue to serve Him with joyful spirits and obedient hearts. May we make every day count for Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, in such a way that those who come after us may find us faithful. One of the deep desires of my heart is to be not a casual Christian, but a committed Christian.
In Christ Alone,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MJ4VqfCRZIGratitude is the memory of the heart. [Fr., La reconnaissance est la memoire du coeur.] Author: Jean Baptiste Massieu Source: to the Abbe Sicard ...
India update 9-17-08
NEW DELHI, September 16 (Compass Direct News) – A policeman was killed today, the body of another victim of Hindu extremist violence was discovered and more houses and churches were burned in Orissa state’s Kandhamal district even as anti-Christian violence spread to at least five more states across India over the weekend. Christians and churches were targeted in Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand following violence in Orissa that began following the assassination of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) leader, Laxmanananda Saraswati, and four of his disciples in Kandhamal district on August 23. A mob of around 500 rioters today killed a policeman and burned down a police station in Orissa’s Kandhamal district, where Hindu extremists launched a spate of attacks three weeks ago blaming local Christians of killing Saraswati and his disciples. Maoists have claimed responsibility for the murders of the Hindu leaders. While the body of another person was found and at least 14 houses were burned on Sunday night (Sept. 14), a church and several houses were set ablaze on the previous day. Authorities found the body of Purander Naik, who had fled to a relief camp where mainly Christians had taken refuge, in his village of Nilungia. “Naik was at the G. Udayagiri relief camp for over 10 days but had left for his village to see the condition of his house and poultry,” The Statesman reported. “His family was at the relief camp. Apparently he was killed during his visit to the village.”
Wed, 17/09/2008 - 2:10pm St. George Catholic Church at Uire in Belthangady - Karnataka damaged
The Diocese of Belthangady, comprising of Bishop, Priests, Religious and the lay faithful, is greatly shocked, disturbed and deeply pained at desecration of our St.George Church at Ujire today(17th morning) at around 5.00 am. The miscreants entered the church by breaking the lock of front door and burned the Bible, prayer books putting on the Beme table and destroyed crucifix, statues and holy icons. They have thrown away our most holy tabernacle where we keep Blessed Sacrament. Kerosene was poured on carpets inside the church to set fire. By the Providence of God the church is not burnt.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Wed, 17/09/2008 - 12:19pm Catholic church attacked and desecrated in Kolar- Karnataka
Mary Immaculate conception church, Kolar , about 40 km from Bangalore, was attacked on the morning of 17th September 2008. The grotto was damaged and the church was desecrated. The parish priest, Fr. Doraiswamy, was away on retreat at the time.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Tue, 16/09/2008 - 9:31pm Situation remains tense in Mangalore
Mangalore : The situation continued to remain tense but under control in the troubled areas of Mangalore where violence erupted after attacks on churches and prayer halls by suspected Hindu activists, police said on Tuesday.A bandh called by 'Sriram Sena' to protest stabbing of one of its activists yesterday evoked good response in the area as most of the shops, business establishments, schools and colleges remained closed today, what is believed to be a turf war between various radical hindu organisations.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog 3 comments
Tue, 16/09/2008 - 8:06pm Carmel convent watchman shot at Ujjain in MP
Five Unidentified persons shoots watchman at Carmel Convent in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.Ujjain : (17 / 09 / 09), a group of five persons came with Air Guns to the caramel convent in Banduha village under the Ghatia Police station area in Ujjain district , Madhya Pradesh, around 01.30 am on Tuesday. Amar Singh , the watchman was shot at three places. He is out of danger. He said , "the culprits asked me to call the sisters but I told them that they are out of station. They beat me and asked me to cry loud so that sisters would come out. They shot me with air gun when I disobeyed and went away."
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, Central India
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Tue, 16/09/2008 - 8:00pm Mother of slain priest writes to Home Minister
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (ICNS): As mass violence continues in different parts of India, the mother and confreres of a slain Catholic priest are focused on pressing authorities to solve the murder case.Saramma Mathew, mother of Father Thomas Pandipally, wrote federal Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Sept. 6, expressing anguish over the slow pace of the investigation, UCA News reported.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Tue, 16/09/2008 - 4:08pm 19 Churches attacked on 14th September in Karnataka
Sunday, September 14,2008. KARNATAKA: After the black Saturday in Delhi, VHP and the neo fascist groups have unleashed terror against Christians turning Sunday as a black Sunday for Christians in Karnataka.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog 2 comments
Wed, 17/09/2008 - 2:10pm St. George Catholic Church at Uire in Belthangady - Karnataka damaged
The Diocese of Belthangady, comprising of Bishop, Priests, Religious and the lay faithful, is greatly shocked, disturbed and deeply pained at desecration of our St.George Church at Ujire today(17th morning) at around 5.00 am. The miscreants entered the church by breaking the lock of front door and burned the Bible, prayer books putting on the Beme table and destroyed crucifix, statues and holy icons. They have thrown away our most holy tabernacle where we keep Blessed Sacrament. Kerosene was poured on carpets inside the church to set fire. By the Providence of God the church is not burnt.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Wed, 17/09/2008 - 12:19pm Catholic church attacked and desecrated in Kolar- Karnataka
Mary Immaculate conception church, Kolar , about 40 km from Bangalore, was attacked on the morning of 17th September 2008. The grotto was damaged and the church was desecrated. The parish priest, Fr. Doraiswamy, was away on retreat at the time.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Tue, 16/09/2008 - 9:31pm Situation remains tense in Mangalore
Mangalore : The situation continued to remain tense but under control in the troubled areas of Mangalore where violence erupted after attacks on churches and prayer halls by suspected Hindu activists, police said on Tuesday.A bandh called by 'Sriram Sena' to protest stabbing of one of its activists yesterday evoked good response in the area as most of the shops, business establishments, schools and colleges remained closed today, what is believed to be a turf war between various radical hindu organisations.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog 3 comments
Tue, 16/09/2008 - 8:06pm Carmel convent watchman shot at Ujjain in MP
Five Unidentified persons shoots watchman at Carmel Convent in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.Ujjain : (17 / 09 / 09), a group of five persons came with Air Guns to the caramel convent in Banduha village under the Ghatia Police station area in Ujjain district , Madhya Pradesh, around 01.30 am on Tuesday. Amar Singh , the watchman was shot at three places. He is out of danger. He said , "the culprits asked me to call the sisters but I told them that they are out of station. They beat me and asked me to cry loud so that sisters would come out. They shot me with air gun when I disobeyed and went away."
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, Central India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Tue, 16/09/2008 - 8:00pm Mother of slain priest writes to Home Minister
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (ICNS): As mass violence continues in different parts of India, the mother and confreres of a slain Catholic priest are focused on pressing authorities to solve the murder case.Saramma Mathew, mother of Father Thomas Pandipally, wrote federal Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Sept. 6, expressing anguish over the slow pace of the investigation, UCA News reported.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog add new comment
Tue, 16/09/2008 - 4:08pm 19 Churches attacked on 14th September in Karnataka
Sunday, September 14,2008. KARNATAKA: After the black Saturday in Delhi, VHP and the neo fascist groups have unleashed terror against Christians turning Sunday as a black Sunday for Christians in Karnataka.
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, South India
read more Dr. Sajan's blog 2 comments
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Brown's Daily Word 9/16/08 part 2
Good Morning,
Praise the Lord for this beautiful day. Somebody described religion as man’s search for God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ as God’s search for man, and that is the Good News.
Wilbur Rees described a common view of religion today: “I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I do not want enough of Him to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation; I want the warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please” (quoted by Chuck Swindoll, Improving Your Serve). It is natural to want a nice, safe, controllable God. It is natural – our sin nature clings to such an idol. Sigmund Freud said that the idea of God as a “Father figure” is a creation of primitive, ignorant men and women to deal with the difficulties and horrors of life. Life dishes out suffering, so we invent a loving “Father-god” to handle the psychological stress. In a way, Freud would be right — we do have a nice and kind God, one who helps with our problems. But our God who is revealed in Jesus Christ, He is faithful not only in rescuing us from the storm; He is faithful in bringing the storms to our lives. Jesus calmed the storm. But the Jesus who commanded the wind to be quiet could have prevented it from blowing. The Jesus whose Word calmed the waves could have spoken these words to His disciples, “A storm is coming tonight, men; let’s walk around rather than sail the sea.” In a sermon on 1 Peter 4, John Piper noted: “I have never heard anyone say, ‘The deepest and rarest and most satisfying joys of my life have come in times of extended ease and earthly comfort.’ Nobody says that. It isn’t true. What is true is what Samuel Rutherford said when he was put in the cellars of affliction: ‘The Great King keeps his wine there’ – not in the courtyard where the sun shines. What’s true is what Charles Spurgeon said: ‘They who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls.’ Christian Hedonists will do anything to have the King’s wine and the rare pearls – even go to the cellars of suffering and dive in the sea of affliction.” As we see Jesus and the raging sea, He is asleep. When awakened, Jesus commands the wind and waves to be still. Obviously, Jesus shows the disciples that He cares by calming the storm. But look again at Mark 4:40, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Note this well – the disciples’ problem is neither the waves nor the water. Their problem is a lack of faith in the God who controls the waves. They do not yet know and believe that Jesus designs and deploys storms. But watch this: if Jesus had never taken them into the storm, they would never have known that He calms the storms. God loves us so much that He brings exactly what blesses, even when we do not like it, even when it hurts and frightens us, even when it requires a dark night for your soul. He cares enough to bring peril that we might know His power.
In Mark 4, the disciples needed to experience the storm so they could meet the God of the storm! So Jesus provides. They thought they were going to die; they were terrified. And in that terror, they were brought to the end of themselves and learned to look to Jesus. Jesus is God. Each Gospel writer is at great pains to prove that. Here we see the divinity of Jesus Christ in His absolute authority over nature. But He is also human. So He too experienced the pain of a dying body in a fallen world. As such, Jesus could have sent the disciples out alone to weather the storm and be beaten by the waves. He was exhausted – He fell asleep in the boat. Surely He could have sent the disciples out to learn the lesson alone while He got a much needed good night’s sleep! But God does not work that way, does He? God proves He cares by bringing the storm, but He also proves He cares by riding through those very storms with us. 1 Peter 4.13 makes a profound statement about suffering, “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.” Our suffering is not ours alone. Our sufferings are Christ’s sufferings because every Christian is united to Jesus. Joseph Tson is a Romanian pastor who stood up to Ceausescu’s repressions of Christianity. He understood the presence of Christ in his suffering: “This union with Christ is the most beautiful subject in the Christian life. It means that I am not a lone fighter here: I am an extension of Jesus Christ. When I was beaten in Romania, He suffered in my body. It is not my suffering: I only had the honor to share His sufferings.” (Undated Paper: A Theology of Martyrdom). Let us not allow our troubles to lead us into the temptation of doubting the love and faithfulness of God! “He [Himself] has said, “I will never leave nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13.5). While the winds churned the water, the disciples were afraid. It only makes sense. But note well what happens when they meet the God who is greater than the storm. Observe carefully their fear as described in verse 41, “They were filled with great fear.” The Greek word for fear is phobos (from which we get the English word, phobia). And the Greek word for great is megas (from which we get the English, mega). They had a mega-phobia, a great fear. Observe the transition that happens. First, the disciples realize that life is fearful, dangerous, potentially deadly. So they are afraid of what life may offer. All the while, they think little of Jesus. He is just another man, extraordinarily gifted perhaps, but otherwise a man like them. They wake Jesus because they want His help pumping water out of the boat. That is all they expect from Him. A little help from a friend. Then they meet the real Jesus. They thought life was fearful because of little storm. Jesus holds this great storm in the palm of His hand. His presence engulfs every wave as He towers over all their troubles. He is bigger even than life itself. So now they fear Him and ask, “Who is this?” And the chapter ends. Mark describes the disciples’ journeys from following a gifted man to worshipping God in the flesh. At this point in their understanding, Jesus might help bail water! But by the end of the book, they trust and obey. Each of us is on a similar journey. God asks, “Who do you really believe Jesus to be?” The answer is not given; you must decide. The disciples met Jesus without faith, and it was not good. Exposed to the greatness of His power without hope in the magnificence of His love, “they were filled with great fear.” Through the rest of His days, Jesus will show His disciples how great is His love, culminating in this glorious expression: “I came, not to be served, but to serve you, and to give My life a ransom for yours.” In the brightness of such beautiful love, the disciples place their faith and hope in Jesus. And they discover two fantastic realities. First, when you love and worship God, there is no longer any fear of life, for God is sovereign over all. Second, when you love and worship God, there is no longer any fear of God, for His goodness and compassion are new every morning. Suffering cannot be avoided in a fallen world. Suffering can be redeemed – we can entrust our lives to a faithful God who does all things well, and we can rejoice that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” For those who suffer will reign with Jesus.
In Christ ,
Brown
Praise the Lord for this beautiful day. Somebody described religion as man’s search for God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ as God’s search for man, and that is the Good News.
Wilbur Rees described a common view of religion today: “I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I do not want enough of Him to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation; I want the warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please” (quoted by Chuck Swindoll, Improving Your Serve). It is natural to want a nice, safe, controllable God. It is natural – our sin nature clings to such an idol. Sigmund Freud said that the idea of God as a “Father figure” is a creation of primitive, ignorant men and women to deal with the difficulties and horrors of life. Life dishes out suffering, so we invent a loving “Father-god” to handle the psychological stress. In a way, Freud would be right — we do have a nice and kind God, one who helps with our problems. But our God who is revealed in Jesus Christ, He is faithful not only in rescuing us from the storm; He is faithful in bringing the storms to our lives. Jesus calmed the storm. But the Jesus who commanded the wind to be quiet could have prevented it from blowing. The Jesus whose Word calmed the waves could have spoken these words to His disciples, “A storm is coming tonight, men; let’s walk around rather than sail the sea.” In a sermon on 1 Peter 4, John Piper noted: “I have never heard anyone say, ‘The deepest and rarest and most satisfying joys of my life have come in times of extended ease and earthly comfort.’ Nobody says that. It isn’t true. What is true is what Samuel Rutherford said when he was put in the cellars of affliction: ‘The Great King keeps his wine there’ – not in the courtyard where the sun shines. What’s true is what Charles Spurgeon said: ‘They who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls.’ Christian Hedonists will do anything to have the King’s wine and the rare pearls – even go to the cellars of suffering and dive in the sea of affliction.” As we see Jesus and the raging sea, He is asleep. When awakened, Jesus commands the wind and waves to be still. Obviously, Jesus shows the disciples that He cares by calming the storm. But look again at Mark 4:40, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Note this well – the disciples’ problem is neither the waves nor the water. Their problem is a lack of faith in the God who controls the waves. They do not yet know and believe that Jesus designs and deploys storms. But watch this: if Jesus had never taken them into the storm, they would never have known that He calms the storms. God loves us so much that He brings exactly what blesses, even when we do not like it, even when it hurts and frightens us, even when it requires a dark night for your soul. He cares enough to bring peril that we might know His power.
In Mark 4, the disciples needed to experience the storm so they could meet the God of the storm! So Jesus provides. They thought they were going to die; they were terrified. And in that terror, they were brought to the end of themselves and learned to look to Jesus. Jesus is God. Each Gospel writer is at great pains to prove that. Here we see the divinity of Jesus Christ in His absolute authority over nature. But He is also human. So He too experienced the pain of a dying body in a fallen world. As such, Jesus could have sent the disciples out alone to weather the storm and be beaten by the waves. He was exhausted – He fell asleep in the boat. Surely He could have sent the disciples out to learn the lesson alone while He got a much needed good night’s sleep! But God does not work that way, does He? God proves He cares by bringing the storm, but He also proves He cares by riding through those very storms with us. 1 Peter 4.13 makes a profound statement about suffering, “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.” Our suffering is not ours alone. Our sufferings are Christ’s sufferings because every Christian is united to Jesus. Joseph Tson is a Romanian pastor who stood up to Ceausescu’s repressions of Christianity. He understood the presence of Christ in his suffering: “This union with Christ is the most beautiful subject in the Christian life. It means that I am not a lone fighter here: I am an extension of Jesus Christ. When I was beaten in Romania, He suffered in my body. It is not my suffering: I only had the honor to share His sufferings.” (Undated Paper: A Theology of Martyrdom). Let us not allow our troubles to lead us into the temptation of doubting the love and faithfulness of God! “He [Himself] has said, “I will never leave nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13.5). While the winds churned the water, the disciples were afraid. It only makes sense. But note well what happens when they meet the God who is greater than the storm. Observe carefully their fear as described in verse 41, “They were filled with great fear.” The Greek word for fear is phobos (from which we get the English word, phobia). And the Greek word for great is megas (from which we get the English, mega). They had a mega-phobia, a great fear. Observe the transition that happens. First, the disciples realize that life is fearful, dangerous, potentially deadly. So they are afraid of what life may offer. All the while, they think little of Jesus. He is just another man, extraordinarily gifted perhaps, but otherwise a man like them. They wake Jesus because they want His help pumping water out of the boat. That is all they expect from Him. A little help from a friend. Then they meet the real Jesus. They thought life was fearful because of little storm. Jesus holds this great storm in the palm of His hand. His presence engulfs every wave as He towers over all their troubles. He is bigger even than life itself. So now they fear Him and ask, “Who is this?” And the chapter ends. Mark describes the disciples’ journeys from following a gifted man to worshipping God in the flesh. At this point in their understanding, Jesus might help bail water! But by the end of the book, they trust and obey. Each of us is on a similar journey. God asks, “Who do you really believe Jesus to be?” The answer is not given; you must decide. The disciples met Jesus without faith, and it was not good. Exposed to the greatness of His power without hope in the magnificence of His love, “they were filled with great fear.” Through the rest of His days, Jesus will show His disciples how great is His love, culminating in this glorious expression: “I came, not to be served, but to serve you, and to give My life a ransom for yours.” In the brightness of such beautiful love, the disciples place their faith and hope in Jesus. And they discover two fantastic realities. First, when you love and worship God, there is no longer any fear of life, for God is sovereign over all. Second, when you love and worship God, there is no longer any fear of God, for His goodness and compassion are new every morning. Suffering cannot be avoided in a fallen world. Suffering can be redeemed – we can entrust our lives to a faithful God who does all things well, and we can rejoice that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” For those who suffer will reign with Jesus.
In Christ ,
Brown
Brown's Daily Word 9-16-08
Monday, September 15, 2008
Survivors recount terror in Orissa, India
Posted on Sep 15, 2008 by Staff
BHUBANESWAR, India (BP)--A Christian woman told of her husband being cut to pieces before her eyes. A man described his brother being burned alive in his home after refusing to deny Christ. These are two of the hundreds of stories emerging from India, where anti-Christian attacks carried out by mobs of extremist Hindus in the eastern state of Orissa have yet to be quelled. "On a nightly basis, Hindu mobs stormed into villages and ransacked the homes of professed believers, taking all their possessions," a Christian worker reported. "After that, they would often beat or kill Christians who refused to deny their faith. In many terrifying cases, family members were forced to watch their loved ones being murdered in the hopes that [the families] would be convinced to return to Hinduism." An Indian Christian worker recently visited one of the many camps set up to house Christians who have fled the terror. He recorded video interviews with two believers who were told to deny their faith or watch family members be martyred. See excerpts from the interviews here and here. "The believers [in Orissa] desperately want your prayers and asked that we share their stories with believers around the world," the worker said. "Please share these videos with others in the Christian community. The Indian believers of Orissa desperately need our prayers." Indian news services reported Sept. 15, however, that anti-Christian violence was continuing in Orissa and had spread to neighboring Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states. The anti-Christian violence began after the Aug. 23 assassination of a Hindu swami sparked mob attacks on Christian villages, churches and homes. The number of victims beaten, hacked or burned to death since the start of the attacks reportedly has topped 100. Tens of thousands of Christian villagers terrorized by Hindu extremists continue to hide in forests -- without adequate food and water -- or huddle in camps guarded by police. Reports of forced "reconversions" of tribal Christians to Hinduism have emerged from several areas of the state. A Maoist insurgent group active in Orissa has publicly claimed responsibility for murdering the swami and four of his followers, but Hindu extremists continue to blame the killings on Christians. Hindu mobs have attacked and burned hundreds of homes, churches, schools and orphanages, primarily in tribal districts where many Christians live. Christians, including up to 500,000 Baptists, reportedly comprise about 2.4 percent of Orissa's population of 36.7 million people. Some Indian political and religious leaders have called for imposing federal rule and sending troops to Orissa, where the ruling Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition government has been unable to stop the violence. Christian representatives have met with India's president, the federal interior minister, Orissa's chief minister and other political leaders to ask for protection of Christians in Orissa. The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has called on President George W. Bush and U.S. congressional leaders to intervene to bring an end to anti-Christian violence in Orissa. --30-- Compiled from Baptist Press international sources.
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Posted by Christian Persecution India at 3:09 PM
Fresh violence in Orissa as mob kills cop Tuesday, 16 September , 2008, 11:23
Bhubaneswar: Fresh violence has broken out in Orissa's troubled Kandhamal district with a policeman killed as an armed mob of about 500 torched a police station and set fire to several vehicles, officials said on Tuesday.
The violence in Gochapada area on Monday night comes two days after security forces fired at a crowd in Krutamgarh, to prevent them from attacking Christian residents, officials said. Three people were killed Saturday night though some reports said the death toll from the police firing was six.
Centre dispatches team to riot-hit Kandhamal
On Monday night, the ire seemed to spill over to the police personnel in Gochapada with crowds carrying guns, swords and sticks ransacking the police station.
"One police station at Gochapada was burnt down by a mob of about 500. One policeman was shot dead," District Collector Krishan Kumar said.
Orissa refuses to hand over riot case to CBI
The mob also torched several vehicles, including a police jeep and a motorcycle, he said.
With the death of the police personnel in Gochapada, the number of people killed since the August 23 murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati has gone up to 25.
NHRC seeks report on Orissa communal violence
The murder of the VHP leader by unidentified gunmen in his Jalespata Ashram in Kandhamal district triggered communal clashes in which several churches were attacked, thousands rendered homeless and 100 killed.
Police suspect Maoist rebels killed Saraswati but some Hindu groups blamed Christians for the murder and went on the rampage. Christian groups have repeatedly denied the allegation.
Orissa is not new to communal violence between Hindus and Christians. On January 22, 1999, Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, 10-year-old Philip and six-year-old Timothy, were burnt alive by a Hindu mob in their vehicle in Keonjhar district.
For more International news For more Political news For more Offbeat news
Survivors recount terror in Orissa, India
Posted on Sep 15, 2008 by Staff
BHUBANESWAR, India (BP)--A Christian woman told of her husband being cut to pieces before her eyes. A man described his brother being burned alive in his home after refusing to deny Christ. These are two of the hundreds of stories emerging from India, where anti-Christian attacks carried out by mobs of extremist Hindus in the eastern state of Orissa have yet to be quelled. "On a nightly basis, Hindu mobs stormed into villages and ransacked the homes of professed believers, taking all their possessions," a Christian worker reported. "After that, they would often beat or kill Christians who refused to deny their faith. In many terrifying cases, family members were forced to watch their loved ones being murdered in the hopes that [the families] would be convinced to return to Hinduism." An Indian Christian worker recently visited one of the many camps set up to house Christians who have fled the terror. He recorded video interviews with two believers who were told to deny their faith or watch family members be martyred. See excerpts from the interviews here and here. "The believers [in Orissa] desperately want your prayers and asked that we share their stories with believers around the world," the worker said. "Please share these videos with others in the Christian community. The Indian believers of Orissa desperately need our prayers." Indian news services reported Sept. 15, however, that anti-Christian violence was continuing in Orissa and had spread to neighboring Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states. The anti-Christian violence began after the Aug. 23 assassination of a Hindu swami sparked mob attacks on Christian villages, churches and homes. The number of victims beaten, hacked or burned to death since the start of the attacks reportedly has topped 100. Tens of thousands of Christian villagers terrorized by Hindu extremists continue to hide in forests -- without adequate food and water -- or huddle in camps guarded by police. Reports of forced "reconversions" of tribal Christians to Hinduism have emerged from several areas of the state. A Maoist insurgent group active in Orissa has publicly claimed responsibility for murdering the swami and four of his followers, but Hindu extremists continue to blame the killings on Christians. Hindu mobs have attacked and burned hundreds of homes, churches, schools and orphanages, primarily in tribal districts where many Christians live. Christians, including up to 500,000 Baptists, reportedly comprise about 2.4 percent of Orissa's population of 36.7 million people. Some Indian political and religious leaders have called for imposing federal rule and sending troops to Orissa, where the ruling Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition government has been unable to stop the violence. Christian representatives have met with India's president, the federal interior minister, Orissa's chief minister and other political leaders to ask for protection of Christians in Orissa. The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has called on President George W. Bush and U.S. congressional leaders to intervene to bring an end to anti-Christian violence in Orissa. --30-- Compiled from Baptist Press international sources.
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Posted by Christian Persecution India at 3:09 PM
Fresh violence in Orissa as mob kills cop Tuesday, 16 September , 2008, 11:23
Bhubaneswar: Fresh violence has broken out in Orissa's troubled Kandhamal district with a policeman killed as an armed mob of about 500 torched a police station and set fire to several vehicles, officials said on Tuesday.
The violence in Gochapada area on Monday night comes two days after security forces fired at a crowd in Krutamgarh, to prevent them from attacking Christian residents, officials said. Three people were killed Saturday night though some reports said the death toll from the police firing was six.
Centre dispatches team to riot-hit Kandhamal
On Monday night, the ire seemed to spill over to the police personnel in Gochapada with crowds carrying guns, swords and sticks ransacking the police station.
"One police station at Gochapada was burnt down by a mob of about 500. One policeman was shot dead," District Collector Krishan Kumar said.
Orissa refuses to hand over riot case to CBI
The mob also torched several vehicles, including a police jeep and a motorcycle, he said.
With the death of the police personnel in Gochapada, the number of people killed since the August 23 murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati has gone up to 25.
NHRC seeks report on Orissa communal violence
The murder of the VHP leader by unidentified gunmen in his Jalespata Ashram in Kandhamal district triggered communal clashes in which several churches were attacked, thousands rendered homeless and 100 killed.
Police suspect Maoist rebels killed Saraswati but some Hindu groups blamed Christians for the murder and went on the rampage. Christian groups have repeatedly denied the allegation.
Orissa is not new to communal violence between Hindus and Christians. On January 22, 1999, Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, 10-year-old Philip and six-year-old Timothy, were burnt alive by a Hindu mob in their vehicle in Keonjhar district.
For more International news For more Political news For more Offbeat news
Monday, September 15, 2008
Brown's Daily Word 9-15-08
Good Morning,
As we survey world and national news from the weekend we are reminded once again that suffering is an intrinsic part of the human condition. The train wreck in California, the massive highway accident that resulted from an effort to swerve around a dog, and the flooding and "war-zone" destruction of Hurricane Ivan imprint this fact upon our minds yet again. I also received news that those who burned my Mom's house came back to finish the job, and left only rubble.
This world is no stranger to suffering. The last one hundred years, which have seen greater technological and medical advances than people living in previous centuries could ever have imagined, have witnessed suffering, pain, and despair on a nearly inconceivable scale. Disease and sickness, earthquakes and other natural disasters, war and genocide, poverty and death -- a stranger to Earth might be forgiven for concluding that suffering was the defining element of our world.
Suffering in its many varieties continues to this day, scaled to fit our everyday lives. A primary element of the human condition is that we struggle daily against a world full of pain and hurts that seem to serve no purpose beyond inflicting misery. Some people struggle to feed and shelter their families. Others fight to understand the loss of a loved one, to find the strength to keep standing beneath the weight of a terrible illness, to lift their eyes to heaven and demand an answer to the question: "Why, God, why?"
I don't know what you're suffering, though it may be one of these horrors. Perhaps it's much more personal, and it may be more mundane. We each live unique lives with unique hurts, sharing in common an experience of a world that just doesn't seem to work like it should. Each of us suffers personally, in ways that no other person can understand. In a way, we are all members of the brotherhood of the suffering.
Is there hope? Is there an answer to be found? There is always hope, although we may not see it yet. In the meantime, this most important fact remains that we do not suffer alone. This is God's promise, "... we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:17-8). "For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows" (2 Corinthians 1:5).
Fortunately, amid the dark clouds that may overshadow us, the Lord allows us to have "peeks" of sunshine. He creates within us "joy unspeakable and full of glory". We praise Him for all of the "little" things that brighten our paths. We praise the Lord for orchestrating our lives and working all things together for our good and the good of the Kingdom. We praise Him for arranging for Laureen's new apartment near Lourdes. She has begun moving in a few of her belongings, and plans to start living there on October 1. We praise Him for life, health, and joy. Janice celebrated her birthday over the weekend, and I will be celebrating mine this week.
In Christ,
Brown
“We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.”Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer quote
Communal rage: New face of violence15 Sep 2008, 0204 hrs IST, Gautam Siddharth,TNN
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NEW DELHI: The communal violence and retaliation by security forces claiming two more lives in Kandhmal in Orissa on Saturday, and Bajrang Dal-led attacks on Christians in Davanagere and Chikmagalur in Karnataka, no longer appear to be isolated incidents. Conversion related violence is on the rise and tantamount to opening up of yet another front apart from the ones that jolt us out of our revery now and then: Islamist terrorism and Maoist extremism. The attacks on Christians are being sought to be justified on the ground that people are being forcibly converted from Hinduism or tribalism to Christianity. But on closer scrutiny, it appears the issue isn’t merely of conversion. In Kandhmal, for instance, it's the increasing prosperity of the Dalit Panas after they converted to Christianity that seems to have become a trigger for violence against them. In times of blind hatred, there is no independent verification of the charge levelled by the majority Kandha tribals against the Dalit Panas: that they claim Hinduism as their religion in certificates for job benefits as SCs but practice Christianity for a jump in their social profile. Orissa has the highest percentage of Hindu population of all the states, almost 95%. While Hindu numbers have decreased marginally over the last three decades, there has been a corresponding increase in Christian population. This possibly points at the cause — but not the justification — for the attacks against Orissa’s Christians. In West Bengal’s Nadia district, the last reported instance of violence against Christians was on Christmas 2002, when a priest and 14 others were injured after a group of about 50 armed men attacked the church during the special midnight mass. They threatened about 1,000 worshippers with dire consequence if they didn’t immediately disperse. Says George Pattery, head of Jesuits of Kolkata, "Sitting in West Bengal, we can’t imagine the struggle that missionaries are going through in Orissa. They are being targeted because they have been able to bring a change in the lives of the poorest of the poor. However, as always we will continue with our work." In Karnataka, where a couple of days before the Davanagere prayer hall was torched, the local administration locked up two churches in the town. Two students of Bible college too were attacked. Says former Bangalore city police chief and BJP MP H T Sangliana, who voted with the UPA on the July 22 trust vote, "The impression among people is that the attacks on Christians have increased since the BJP government came to power in the state. The freedom of religion has been violated." He refutes the charge of conversion against the missionaries and says, "No one has produced any evidence." In Chhattisgarh, a relatively unknown group of fundamentalists, Dharma Sena, has been periodically attacking Christian congregations and prayer meetings. On Christmas eve in 2007, Pastor James and 10 other Christians were beaten up by "Dharma Sena" lumpens. Then, only last week, four Catholic nuns were forced to get off a train at Durg railway station along with four infants by Dharma Sena activists who claimed the children were Hindu and were being taken for religious conversion. It later came to light that the babies were willingly handed over to the nuns of Missionaries of Charity by unwed mothers. Religious conversion is a social issue needing address by community leaders through dialogue. Its degeneration into violence is a reflection on the shrinking liberal space where all differences are sought to be sorted out through physical intimidation and, worse, liquidation.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Mangalore attack: Sangh Parivar has successfully done it!
Source: www.mangalorean.com (Do Visit their site for some excellent articles)
By Team Mangalorean, Mangalore
MANGALORE, September 15, 2008: This coastal city which had led a harmonious life since 1495 till 1997, its secular credential now stands questionable. And it appears that changing political system has had so much to contribute. If one can recall BBC's Correspondent Mark Tully's commentary on the day Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated that sums up the condition of India. He had said on that fateful day "With Rajiv Gandhi gone the face of India is going to change -the political floor is now open for the communal parties and forces to walk all over the face of the country".
To quote late Prime minister of England Winston Churchill who was the prime minister when India attained independence "These scoundrels will tear apart the country and disintegrate it in fifty years." Both Tully and Churchill were not ordinary people they were known to be the authorities on Indian socio-political conditions. The prophecies are now coming true as our politicians have started disintegrating the country for their own political gains.
In the recent times since the BJP's presence in the Parliament and the state assemblies has become more prominent the communal riots have become a common feature. At any part of time at any given time three major communities namely Hindus, Christians and Muslims are at loggerheads and the common factor appears to be the Sangh Parivar and their political arm BJP.
Monday Morning at Vamanjoor Church
Mangalore appears to be barometer of communal hatred. The 1998 communal riots in Surathkal was undoubtedly the worst situation when 17 people died. This was the time when the BJP had come to prominence in the state assembly and that was the first time when inflammatory speeches against other communities were openly made. The Surathkal police records show that was the first time families were attacked by both communities.
After that incident in 2006 October the city went into a week long dawn to dusk curfew for the first time in the history. In the intermittent period between 1998 and 2006 several incidents at much smaller and medium scales were taking place regularly and according to the police there were 36 incidents that had communal colour.
"Black Sunday"
But what happened on the "Black Sunday" on 14th September 2008 was a totally new chain of incidents. It is no less than the series of Bomb blasts that terrorists planted in Delhi a few days back. The series of well co-ordinated attacks on the minority community shrines and prayer halls were nothing less than exploding communal bombs. The Bajrang Dal is exactly trying to do that in their own ways.
It was a step towards making Karnataka a Gujarat the first one will be to tame the minorities deprive them of their social security and cow them down. This had happened in Gujarat when the majority community was pressurized to politically, socially and economically rusticated.
It is significant to note that the peace loving Christians have now been added to the list of Bajrang Dal for their nefarious designs for the political gains. Christians had never came to a street fight but this time they had no other way but to protest in some way. All the peaceful protests have been met by violent actions from the administration like caning them and arresting them and tear gassing them. These measures should have been taken by the police on the rioters.
The rioting, stone pelting, tyre burning and road blocks continued unabatedly on Sunday and the situation appeared to be calmer on Monday morning. But with the public transport system coming to a halt the normal life will not be possible for the Mangaloreans even on Monday. Schools and Colleges, banks, business establishments and markets may not function with their full girth on Monday also.
According to the bus operators they will not resume the operations till fully safety of their vehicles and crew are ensured by the police.
Monday morning was not normal
Even as the city wore a deserted look the people were trying to normalize the life in the city. The Milk delivery was normal, few vegetable shops, bakeries and few medical shops were open, but behind this veil of normalcy there was tension.
Christian devotees had begun to gather in their respective Churches and the Church bells were ringing unabatedly and according to leaders of the community, they are afraid even today as they feel threatened and terribly insecure. Churches were the institutions that offered tremendous solace and strength but the motives behind the attacks on Churches had made them conscious of their safety in the city.
The people gathered at Bendur, Bijai, Valencia, Milagres, Ashoknagar, Nagori etc in front of the church entrances. There were also a number of people praying inside the church.
Most of the public transport has been reduced to a minimum. The few buses which were on the roads in the morning were stopped by the crowd. The police have been deployed at all the churches.
At Bendur church, the parish priest Fr. Noronha spoke along with Sr. Agnesia, Fr. Vincent and Leslie Rego. They stressed that it was time for the Christians to fight for their rights and to make their voice heard not just at the State level but right up to the Central Government level from where strict action was expected.
At Valencia church a large crowd had gathered as well. The parish priest, Fr. Bonaventure Nazareth and Arun Raj Rodrigues spoke demanding the arrest of the activists who had already taken responsibility for the atrocities committed yesterday. They also called for a complete ban of the Bajrang Dal in the State.
The Churches of South India which has its head in Bangalore has sent its top people to Mangalore and its Bishop Francis Jackson who is also the leader of the JD(S) in the state has appealed to the people not to take any drastic action.
The Bajrang Dal activists however have indicated that the attacks will continue till such a time the CSI churches especially the New Life sect stops forcible religious conversions.
Monday Morning at Bendur Church
More attacks
The latest list of attacks on late Sunday was the Padua chapel was attacked at 9.15 pm as some youth on motorcycles threw stones and banged the gates. They targeted the glass parts of buildings.
In another attack on Sunday evening miscreants desecrated a statue located in front of Carmelites' house in Katkere, near Koteshwar in Udupi district according to the police. The attacks appear to be coming in waves and in well co-ordinated modus operandi.
The Christian communities in Chikmagalur mainly in Basavanahally, Rathnagirinagara, Azadnagar have confirmed that there was intense tension in the city for the last two days and they have felt that youths were being mobilized for some nefarious activities.
A Christian organization in Tumkur district have also reported an attack on a church in Tiptur but the police have no information on that.
The Bajrang Dal state convenor Mahendra Kumar had clarified on Sunday only the New Life sect prayer halls were attacked but on Sunday the Padua chapel has been targeted for attack comes as a shock to the Catholic church. The Vishwa Hindu Parishat however was quick to react and said the attack on Padua church was a mistake. This chapel is located in the premises of Padua pre-university college at Nanthoor. According to the Kadri police have given protection to the chapel says Superintendent of Police Satheesh Kumar.
The Adoration Monastery behind the Milagres Church has been given adequate security also.
To end this analysis it is pertinent to quote Karl Marx who has said " Religion is the opium of the people" Die Religion ... ist das Opium des Volkes"(in German) in his Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right.
It looks like Bajrang Dal activists have taken an overdose of the religious opium to unleash such barbarism on world culture.
Posted by Christian Persecution India at 1:18 AM
As we survey world and national news from the weekend we are reminded once again that suffering is an intrinsic part of the human condition. The train wreck in California, the massive highway accident that resulted from an effort to swerve around a dog, and the flooding and "war-zone" destruction of Hurricane Ivan imprint this fact upon our minds yet again. I also received news that those who burned my Mom's house came back to finish the job, and left only rubble.
This world is no stranger to suffering. The last one hundred years, which have seen greater technological and medical advances than people living in previous centuries could ever have imagined, have witnessed suffering, pain, and despair on a nearly inconceivable scale. Disease and sickness, earthquakes and other natural disasters, war and genocide, poverty and death -- a stranger to Earth might be forgiven for concluding that suffering was the defining element of our world.
Suffering in its many varieties continues to this day, scaled to fit our everyday lives. A primary element of the human condition is that we struggle daily against a world full of pain and hurts that seem to serve no purpose beyond inflicting misery. Some people struggle to feed and shelter their families. Others fight to understand the loss of a loved one, to find the strength to keep standing beneath the weight of a terrible illness, to lift their eyes to heaven and demand an answer to the question: "Why, God, why?"
I don't know what you're suffering, though it may be one of these horrors. Perhaps it's much more personal, and it may be more mundane. We each live unique lives with unique hurts, sharing in common an experience of a world that just doesn't seem to work like it should. Each of us suffers personally, in ways that no other person can understand. In a way, we are all members of the brotherhood of the suffering.
Is there hope? Is there an answer to be found? There is always hope, although we may not see it yet. In the meantime, this most important fact remains that we do not suffer alone. This is God's promise, "... we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:17-8). "For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows" (2 Corinthians 1:5).
Fortunately, amid the dark clouds that may overshadow us, the Lord allows us to have "peeks" of sunshine. He creates within us "joy unspeakable and full of glory". We praise Him for all of the "little" things that brighten our paths. We praise the Lord for orchestrating our lives and working all things together for our good and the good of the Kingdom. We praise Him for arranging for Laureen's new apartment near Lourdes. She has begun moving in a few of her belongings, and plans to start living there on October 1. We praise Him for life, health, and joy. Janice celebrated her birthday over the weekend, and I will be celebrating mine this week.
In Christ,
Brown
“We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.”Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer quote
Communal rage: New face of violence15 Sep 2008, 0204 hrs IST, Gautam Siddharth,TNN
Discuss New
Bookmark/Share
Save
Write to Editor
NEW DELHI: The communal violence and retaliation by security forces claiming two more lives in Kandhmal in Orissa on Saturday, and Bajrang Dal-led attacks on Christians in Davanagere and Chikmagalur in Karnataka, no longer appear to be isolated incidents. Conversion related violence is on the rise and tantamount to opening up of yet another front apart from the ones that jolt us out of our revery now and then: Islamist terrorism and Maoist extremism. The attacks on Christians are being sought to be justified on the ground that people are being forcibly converted from Hinduism or tribalism to Christianity. But on closer scrutiny, it appears the issue isn’t merely of conversion. In Kandhmal, for instance, it's the increasing prosperity of the Dalit Panas after they converted to Christianity that seems to have become a trigger for violence against them. In times of blind hatred, there is no independent verification of the charge levelled by the majority Kandha tribals against the Dalit Panas: that they claim Hinduism as their religion in certificates for job benefits as SCs but practice Christianity for a jump in their social profile. Orissa has the highest percentage of Hindu population of all the states, almost 95%. While Hindu numbers have decreased marginally over the last three decades, there has been a corresponding increase in Christian population. This possibly points at the cause — but not the justification — for the attacks against Orissa’s Christians. In West Bengal’s Nadia district, the last reported instance of violence against Christians was on Christmas 2002, when a priest and 14 others were injured after a group of about 50 armed men attacked the church during the special midnight mass. They threatened about 1,000 worshippers with dire consequence if they didn’t immediately disperse. Says George Pattery, head of Jesuits of Kolkata, "Sitting in West Bengal, we can’t imagine the struggle that missionaries are going through in Orissa. They are being targeted because they have been able to bring a change in the lives of the poorest of the poor. However, as always we will continue with our work." In Karnataka, where a couple of days before the Davanagere prayer hall was torched, the local administration locked up two churches in the town. Two students of Bible college too were attacked. Says former Bangalore city police chief and BJP MP H T Sangliana, who voted with the UPA on the July 22 trust vote, "The impression among people is that the attacks on Christians have increased since the BJP government came to power in the state. The freedom of religion has been violated." He refutes the charge of conversion against the missionaries and says, "No one has produced any evidence." In Chhattisgarh, a relatively unknown group of fundamentalists, Dharma Sena, has been periodically attacking Christian congregations and prayer meetings. On Christmas eve in 2007, Pastor James and 10 other Christians were beaten up by "Dharma Sena" lumpens. Then, only last week, four Catholic nuns were forced to get off a train at Durg railway station along with four infants by Dharma Sena activists who claimed the children were Hindu and were being taken for religious conversion. It later came to light that the babies were willingly handed over to the nuns of Missionaries of Charity by unwed mothers. Religious conversion is a social issue needing address by community leaders through dialogue. Its degeneration into violence is a reflection on the shrinking liberal space where all differences are sought to be sorted out through physical intimidation and, worse, liquidation.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Mangalore attack: Sangh Parivar has successfully done it!
Source: www.mangalorean.com (Do Visit their site for some excellent articles)
By Team Mangalorean, Mangalore
MANGALORE, September 15, 2008: This coastal city which had led a harmonious life since 1495 till 1997, its secular credential now stands questionable. And it appears that changing political system has had so much to contribute. If one can recall BBC's Correspondent Mark Tully's commentary on the day Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated that sums up the condition of India. He had said on that fateful day "With Rajiv Gandhi gone the face of India is going to change -the political floor is now open for the communal parties and forces to walk all over the face of the country".
To quote late Prime minister of England Winston Churchill who was the prime minister when India attained independence "These scoundrels will tear apart the country and disintegrate it in fifty years." Both Tully and Churchill were not ordinary people they were known to be the authorities on Indian socio-political conditions. The prophecies are now coming true as our politicians have started disintegrating the country for their own political gains.
In the recent times since the BJP's presence in the Parliament and the state assemblies has become more prominent the communal riots have become a common feature. At any part of time at any given time three major communities namely Hindus, Christians and Muslims are at loggerheads and the common factor appears to be the Sangh Parivar and their political arm BJP.
Monday Morning at Vamanjoor Church
Mangalore appears to be barometer of communal hatred. The 1998 communal riots in Surathkal was undoubtedly the worst situation when 17 people died. This was the time when the BJP had come to prominence in the state assembly and that was the first time when inflammatory speeches against other communities were openly made. The Surathkal police records show that was the first time families were attacked by both communities.
After that incident in 2006 October the city went into a week long dawn to dusk curfew for the first time in the history. In the intermittent period between 1998 and 2006 several incidents at much smaller and medium scales were taking place regularly and according to the police there were 36 incidents that had communal colour.
"Black Sunday"
But what happened on the "Black Sunday" on 14th September 2008 was a totally new chain of incidents. It is no less than the series of Bomb blasts that terrorists planted in Delhi a few days back. The series of well co-ordinated attacks on the minority community shrines and prayer halls were nothing less than exploding communal bombs. The Bajrang Dal is exactly trying to do that in their own ways.
It was a step towards making Karnataka a Gujarat the first one will be to tame the minorities deprive them of their social security and cow them down. This had happened in Gujarat when the majority community was pressurized to politically, socially and economically rusticated.
It is significant to note that the peace loving Christians have now been added to the list of Bajrang Dal for their nefarious designs for the political gains. Christians had never came to a street fight but this time they had no other way but to protest in some way. All the peaceful protests have been met by violent actions from the administration like caning them and arresting them and tear gassing them. These measures should have been taken by the police on the rioters.
The rioting, stone pelting, tyre burning and road blocks continued unabatedly on Sunday and the situation appeared to be calmer on Monday morning. But with the public transport system coming to a halt the normal life will not be possible for the Mangaloreans even on Monday. Schools and Colleges, banks, business establishments and markets may not function with their full girth on Monday also.
According to the bus operators they will not resume the operations till fully safety of their vehicles and crew are ensured by the police.
Monday morning was not normal
Even as the city wore a deserted look the people were trying to normalize the life in the city. The Milk delivery was normal, few vegetable shops, bakeries and few medical shops were open, but behind this veil of normalcy there was tension.
Christian devotees had begun to gather in their respective Churches and the Church bells were ringing unabatedly and according to leaders of the community, they are afraid even today as they feel threatened and terribly insecure. Churches were the institutions that offered tremendous solace and strength but the motives behind the attacks on Churches had made them conscious of their safety in the city.
The people gathered at Bendur, Bijai, Valencia, Milagres, Ashoknagar, Nagori etc in front of the church entrances. There were also a number of people praying inside the church.
Most of the public transport has been reduced to a minimum. The few buses which were on the roads in the morning were stopped by the crowd. The police have been deployed at all the churches.
At Bendur church, the parish priest Fr. Noronha spoke along with Sr. Agnesia, Fr. Vincent and Leslie Rego. They stressed that it was time for the Christians to fight for their rights and to make their voice heard not just at the State level but right up to the Central Government level from where strict action was expected.
At Valencia church a large crowd had gathered as well. The parish priest, Fr. Bonaventure Nazareth and Arun Raj Rodrigues spoke demanding the arrest of the activists who had already taken responsibility for the atrocities committed yesterday. They also called for a complete ban of the Bajrang Dal in the State.
The Churches of South India which has its head in Bangalore has sent its top people to Mangalore and its Bishop Francis Jackson who is also the leader of the JD(S) in the state has appealed to the people not to take any drastic action.
The Bajrang Dal activists however have indicated that the attacks will continue till such a time the CSI churches especially the New Life sect stops forcible religious conversions.
Monday Morning at Bendur Church
More attacks
The latest list of attacks on late Sunday was the Padua chapel was attacked at 9.15 pm as some youth on motorcycles threw stones and banged the gates. They targeted the glass parts of buildings.
In another attack on Sunday evening miscreants desecrated a statue located in front of Carmelites' house in Katkere, near Koteshwar in Udupi district according to the police. The attacks appear to be coming in waves and in well co-ordinated modus operandi.
The Christian communities in Chikmagalur mainly in Basavanahally, Rathnagirinagara, Azadnagar have confirmed that there was intense tension in the city for the last two days and they have felt that youths were being mobilized for some nefarious activities.
A Christian organization in Tumkur district have also reported an attack on a church in Tiptur but the police have no information on that.
The Bajrang Dal state convenor Mahendra Kumar had clarified on Sunday only the New Life sect prayer halls were attacked but on Sunday the Padua chapel has been targeted for attack comes as a shock to the Catholic church. The Vishwa Hindu Parishat however was quick to react and said the attack on Padua church was a mistake. This chapel is located in the premises of Padua pre-university college at Nanthoor. According to the Kadri police have given protection to the chapel says Superintendent of Police Satheesh Kumar.
The Adoration Monastery behind the Milagres Church has been given adequate security also.
To end this analysis it is pertinent to quote Karl Marx who has said " Religion is the opium of the people" Die Religion ... ist das Opium des Volkes"(in German) in his Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right.
It looks like Bajrang Dal activists have taken an overdose of the religious opium to unleash such barbarism on world culture.
Posted by Christian Persecution India at 1:18 AM
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