Monday, Sept. 24, 2002
American Troops Sent to Ivory Coast to Protect Children
(CNS) Trying to safeguard 100 trapped American schoolchildren, U.S. troops deployed Tuesday to the Ivory Coast after reports of heavy gunfire in and around the school. Sending the troops is answered prayer for James Forlines, director of the Free Will Baptist Foreign Missions, which lobbied the Bush administration to send troops to the International Christian Academy in the central city of Bouake. There were reports of shooting between rebels and government troops on the school grounds, but no indication that the rebels have targeted the children or school staff. The children at the school range in age from 5 to 18 years old. Children of American missionaries populate the school.
Chinese Church leaders Sentenced to Prison for Unregistered Sunday School.
(Voice of the Martyrs) The Voice of the Martyrs has learned 10-leaders of the South China Church have received prison sentences from three to eight years for starting an unregistered children’s Sunday School. The Yun Yang County People’s Court in the city of Chongoing, Sichuan Province, handed the decision down last May 14th. VOM sources in China have only recently learned of the verdict against the SCC leaders. “As many American churches begin their fall Sunday school programs it’s important that we remember Christians who now sit in prison in China for doing the same thing,” said VOM spokesman Gary Lane. Unregistered churches and Sunday schools are illegal in China and children under the age of 18 are not allowed to attend.
Cuban Human Rights Activist Faces Up to Six Years in Prison
(Worthy News) Juan Carlos, a blind Christian human rights activist imprisoned since March 2002 has learned that he could face up to six years in prison. His wife Maritza has been told that he will be charged with 'acts of disrespect towards Fidel Castro, public disorder, resisting authority, and disobedience', according to the Coalition of Cuban American Women. His wife has also received threats for relaying his declarations to the international community. Juan Carlos, 27, is also a lawyer and an active member of the Baptist Church, and has spoken often of his hope for the future of human rights and democracy in Cuba. In a letter from Gonzalez dated July 23, he said: "Politics are not my concern, I only obey orders given to me by God…I do not know what will become of me but I have placed myself in the Hands of God, prepared to die with love this very instant."
Pakistan: Missionary Leaders Harassed
(Christian Aid Mission) Islamic radicals are suspected of being behind several attempts to thwart the ministries of indigenous Christian leaders in Pakistan. Christian Aid received notice of two such incidents within the last week. In one instance, Christian Aid received word that the leader of one ministry effective in its Bible distribution was being accused of blasphemy. Cecil Chaudry, Executive Secretary of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance and Senior Vice Chairman of the Minorities Advisory Council, warned in a memo circulated by Christian Solidarity Worldwide Monday that if America attacks Iraq, the Christian community in Pakistan could face a reign of terror.
Abortion Non-Discrimination Act Comes Before the House
On Wednesday, September 25, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 4691). The act prohibits discrimination against health care providers who choose not to provide abortions. The law would protect not only physicians, but also entities such as hospitals, health plans and individual health professionals. There has been a concerted effort by the abortion lobby to force health care providers to participate in or pay for abortions against their will.
* The Supreme Court of Alaska ruled that some community hospitals must perform abortions against their will.
* In Connecticut a certificate of need was denied to a proposed outpatient surgical center that would have declined to perform abortions, after abortion activists intervened in the proceedings.
* A hospital merger in New Hampshire was halted after abortion activists intervened with the state attorney general.
* In Florida, the City Council of St. Petersburg forced a private hospital to leave a non-profit consortium because the consortium followed a pro-life ethical policy.
It is important for voters to let their Representatives know that discrimination against pro-life healthcare providers based on deeply held beliefs on abortion is unacceptable. The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-225-3121.
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Religion Today News Summaries are a compilation of articles from various media sources. We do not necessarily endorse nor personally adhere to the views represented within them. We simply want our audience to have an understanding of and be alert to what others are saying about matters of religion and faith.
