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More on the Non-Christian Violence in Orissa India
By Julie | January 23, 2008
A couple weeks ago we posted on the non-Christian violence that broke out in Orissa India on Christmas day. Since then I’ve been trying to find more information, but I haven’t come across much. Most of what I read repeats what has already been said. It’s hard to find new information. It’s strange to me: a tragedy of this magnitude is not being covered thoroughly.
But, I wanted to share with you the few things I have found. And, I ask again, that we remember the victims, the perpetrators, and the region, in our prayers. These people are fellow Christians, persecuted for their faith. For me, that alone is worthy of prayers. But, even if they weren’t Christians, no one deserves to have their churches, and homes destroyed, while others in your group are killed. Jews, Muslims, Hindus, atheists, agnostics: no one deserves this kind of treatment. It should never be tolerated.
The following video was posted to youtube.com on January 30, 2007. It summarizes the events that took place. But, it’s even more moving to see the region, and faces of people involved. Husbands, wives, moms, dads, and children, are homeless.
Three weeks after the attacks, 100’s of victims were still hiding, 2000 were in refugee camps. (January 17, 2008)
This link also has a very chilling video. The article and video in the link summarize how Hindus believe their country should be a Hindu nation. They aren’t happy people are converting, and one group intends to use violence to stop Christianity from spreading.
A quote taken from the article:
“This is my message to the Christians: Stop your conversions or you will learn a lesson from the Hindu society!” said Hindu Umasankar Acharya
And a statement from one of the Christians he’s threatening:
“We are asking the Lord to give us more boldness, to give us the strength to bear His name and to stand strong in the face of terrible persecution,” Dalit convert Sunderson Digal said.
It’s very powerful. I pray for strength in dealing patiently and lovingly with my kids. No matter how I do, we have always gone to bed each night safely in a warm house, and awake from a peaceful night’s sleep in the morning. But the strength this man is praying for may get him killed before he can sleep at night. If he makes it through the day, does he even have a bed, or was his one of the homes that was destroyed?
Last week I discovered Christian relief agencies were blocked from aiding refugees in Orissa.(January 15, 2007). Here’s an excerpt:
“We are extremely disappointed that despite your personal assurance during our visit, Church organizations have been prevented from providing relief supplies to the victims of the violence,” lamented Abraham Mathai, the president of Indian Christian Voice, in an open letter to Patnaik.
The article also mentions “two infants have died due to lack of baby food and other provisions for nursing mothers sheltered in a Christian refugee camp in dilapidated school buildings”
The next link is the latest information I’ve found on the crisis:
The article reports Christianity has grown in this area from 2.1% to 5.5%. As stated in the link:
Sampson says their faith is strong. He says, “Hindu fundamentalists are visiting house to house asking believers to renounce their faith. But these believers are not willing to give up Jesus Christ. And as a result, they’re facing more persecution.”
I hope I would have the courage to do the same. These innocent people are living the test, and passing. In May of 2007, 34,000 bibles had been distributed in Orissa. In the recent violence, many of them have been destroyed. Christians are left to face persecution, without the comfort of God’s Word.
If you would like to help out:
“World Bible Translation Center is asking you to help provide a new easy-to-read Oriya Bible to one of the displaced Christians in Orissa. $6 provides a complete Bible — God’s Word that will provide comfort and encouragement to a persecuted believer there.”
If you are interested in donating, click here and select “India Bible Project as heard on Mission Network News.”
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