THE WEST: PERSECUTION LOOMS

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin

(By Anneta Vyssotskaia)

Despite centuries of Christian history, European countries and Western nations in general are gradually turning from their Christian roots and accepting secularistic positions obviously opposed to religious thinking. It is now more difficult for Christians to freely express their faith and for Christian ministers to preach from the Bible without being criticised, fined, sued or even sent to prison.

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'Christianity persecuted? It is somewhere in Muslim or Communist countries but definitely not where I live. We celebrated Christmas this year as usual: enjoyed lots of food, Christmas gifts and decorations and all the family coming together.' So think most Westerners.

However, in many post-Christian countries the word 'persecution' may soon be a stark reality as a Christian religious majority gradually becomes an unwelcome minority. This trend is not so muc
due to large numbers migrating from non-Christian countries as to the reluctance of the population to maintain their former Christian heritage. Whilst a post-Christian humanistic society may still accept Christian cultural traditions as being entertaining and relaxing, the Christian moral and spiritual traditions are rejected as intolerant and old-fashioned.

In recent years some Protestant and Catholic leaders have expressed a mounting concern for declining Christian global influence and the world's growing hostility to the Christian faith. In March 2004, Rev. Bob Frost, President of Release International, said of Britain and Europe, 'We are closer to persecution today than at any time in my life.' He thinks that Christians must be prepared for persecution soon as growing restrictions are being imposed on religious freedom in many countries across Europe. (European Institute of Protestant Studies)

When Vatican Cardinal Paul Poupard spoke to the Italian daily 'Avvenire' in July 2004 about coming persecution against Christians in Europe, he said modern-day attacks on believers may take more subtle forms. In Europe today Christians are mocked for their faith; many young couples are ostracised socially if they want a lot of children; those who oppose same-sex 'marriage' are considered intolerant.' (CWNews.com / LifeSiteNews.com) A common target is the Biblical view on homosexuality. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger warned, 'We have gone from a Christian culture to an aggressive secularism with intolerant traits.' In his opinion, God remains marginalised in modern Europe. (La Repubblica)

In October 2004, Liberty Legal Institute (LLI) presented some US Senate members with a Hostility to Religious Expression Document, detailing cases of discrimination or hostility towards believers. The specialists of LLI think there is a campaign aimed at purging any religious expression from public life. For instance, a 12-year-old student was reprimanded at his school in St Louis for quietly saying a prayer before eating. A schoolgirl in Colorado was banned from bringing a Bible to school. Teachers also can suffer because of their faith.

This growing secularism and intolerance is especially obvious at all levels of education. In November 2004 it was reported that a Californian history teacher was prohibited from referring to

historical documents where God is mentioned, such as parts of the Declaration of Independence and George Washington's journal. (Reuters)

Increasingly, Western Christians need to be aware of the coming danger and prepare for it. The imperative is true spiritual revival in the West.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* God to bring true repentance to the once Christian and now backslidden nations of the West.

* the churches in the West to stand firm for the Lord and Christian values.

* Christians to be strengthened by the Lord to speak God's truth even when persecuted.

'You say, "I am rich, I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing," but you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in fire, so you can become rich, and white clothes to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness, and salve to put on your eyes so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am!' (Rev 3:17-20)

http://www.evangelicalalliance.org.au/rlc/