Religion Today Summaries - Oct. 25, 2007

Help Arrives for Calif. Wildfire Victims

The Christian Post reports that thousands of Californians forced from their homes by raging wildfires are being served hot meals and offered counseling by Christian relief workers deployed in the affected areas. The Salvation Army has sent nine mobile canteen units and mobilized another six additional units as of Tuesday. The canteens have provided more than 15,000 meals and 15,000 drinks to thousands of individuals impacted by the disaster. Salvation Army noted that it had completed its recovery efforts for the 2003 southern Californian wildfires only weeks ago before again sending out workers to respond to this week’s wildfires.

Muslim Officials Dismiss Christians from Posts in Nigeria

Asabe Ladagu, a Christian widow in capital city of Borno state, has survived without income the past 16 months, Compass Direct News reports. It was that long ago, the former librarian told Compass, that Muslim administrators at Ramat Polytechnic forced her into early retirement – without pay – after she and others requested land to build a chapel. “We were branded as dangerous people because we are Christians,” Ladagu said. She had put in 35 years of government service as Ramat Polytechnic’s librarian and chief lecturer. “Other Christian brethren too have either been forced out or have been the subjects of witch-hunts,” she said. The Rev. Joshua Adamu, chairman of the Borno state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, asserted that persecution of Christians has become a state policy.

NAE Puts Forth a Statement of Conscience Concerning the Dalits

ASSIST News Service reports that the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) Board of Directors on Thursday, October 11, 2007 unanimously agreed to put forth a “Statement of Conscience Concerning the Dalits.” This Statement is the third Statement of Conscience from the NAE and the first dealing with the crisis of Caste abuse and Untouchability in India. The Statement was written in conjunction with the Dalit Freedom Network (DFN) and was presented to the Board by DFN International President Joseph D’souza. 'Souza encouraged leaders to rise to the challenge of facing the world’s largest and oldest form of mental and spiritual slavery. “The response was overwhelming,” said Dr. D’souza. “NAE’s leadership understands the critical nature of anti-Dalit persecution and has risen to face it with this strong statement.” “There are those who suggest that to judge the practices of another culture is unsuitable, and a violation of tolerance. But moral absolutes do exist, there is justice and injustice and evangelicals intend to stand up and demonstrate Christ’s own love for the poor and the oppressed around the world,” said Richard Cizik, NAE Vice President for Governmental Affairs.

Mayor in Argentina Closes Ministry Center

A pastor in Argentina has received threatening letters and had posters of his face displayed in Quilmes after the city’s mayor closed down the congregation’s newly constructed ministry center, Compass Direct News reports. The Rev. Raul David Caballero said the closure for alleged building code violations in March was part of a harassment campaign mounted against him for exposing corruption in the administration of Sergio Villordo. The pastor of the 1,200-member Church of the Encounter is also editor-in-chief of Perspectiva Sur, which has published articles critical of Villordo. Church of the Encounter has appealed the closure decision, but Caballero said a prompt resolution is unlikely as Villordo controls the municipal court.