Religion Today Summaries - March 18, 2010

Nigeria: Fulani Muslims Murder 12 Villagers

Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that religiously-tinged violence continued in Nigeria on Wednesday, when 12 people were killed. Six women, four children and two men in Byei village near the city of Jos were attacked by Fulani Muslims, just over a week after around 500 Christians were massacred with machetes by a similar group of attackers. Most of the victims were attacked in their beds. One women and her son had their tongues cut out, while another was burnt alive in her home along with her two young children. Four further victims were hospitalized, two with gunshot wounds allegedly from AK 47s, and the others with machete wounds. Twelve houses were also burnt in last night's attack, which took place 4 kilometers away from Riyom Local Government Council. Victims say some attackers were dressed in military uniforms.

Christians Launch Appeal over Expulsion from Morocco

Christian Post reports that Christian foster parents expelled from the country last week have publicly launched an appeal to the Moroccan government, hoping to be reunited with their foster children. Morocco accused Village of Hope workers last Monday of proselytizing and demanded they leave the country immediately. The foster parents, who cannot legally adopt their foster children in Morocco, left behind 33 orphaned and abandoned children. "In doing this we are not trying to shame Morocco or the people," said Herman Boonstra, director of Village of Hope, according to the Gibraltar Chronicle. "We simply want to be reunited with our children and we are worried about their welfare." Many of the children didn't remember any other parents. "The eviction process was the most painful situation imaginable and was one of the hardest experiences of my life," Boonstra said.

Open Doors to Provide Emergency Relief in Nigeria

Christian Newswire reports that Open Doors USA is planning to send $65,000 of emergency relief to Christian victims of the recent massacres in the Jos area of Nigeria. A Muslim attack on the Christian village of Dogo Nahawa left between 300 and 500 dead, hundreds wounded and families mourning the loss of loved ones. Seventy-five homes were also destroyed. On Wednesday, 12 more people were killed in the small Christian village of Byie, all but one of them women and children. "Persecuted Christians in the Jos area need emergency relief now," says Open Doors USA President/CEO Carl Moeller. "Open Doors is committed to long-term rebuilding of Christian communities through holistic care, but first we must stop the bleeding." Moeller adds the Open Doors co-workers on the scene at Dogo Nahawa report that the situation is grim. "They report it was an extraordinarily disturbing scene."

Dobson Speaks against Health Care Bill's Abortion Coverage

The Christian radio broadcaster and former head of Focus on the Family ended his radio show just a few weeks ago, but he renewed his radio presence this week to speak against impending health care legislation. Dr. James Dobson told radio host Janet Mefferd that President Obama and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi are "lying" to the American people regarding the bill's coverage of abortion. "[T]hose who know tell us that this will result in federal money—yours and mine—being allocated for the support of abortion—and I can't live with that," he said. "[T]he legislation that President Obama is pushing provides federal subsidies for health plans that cover abortions, authorizes plans that cover elective abortions and funds community health care centers to the tune of $11 billion taxpayer dollars, without any restriction." He encouraged Christians to speak against the bill to protect the sanctity of life.