Here's one more example of government intrusion into church business - and harassment/persecution.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Monday, June 08, 2009
When Will They Ban Your Bible Study?
First it was San Diego. A neighborhood Bible study was banned by the government. Although the ban was retracted and a letter of apology sent, this was still harassment - and a warning shot. Why was the ban lifted? I don't suspect that it was out of a sense of doing what is right in the eyes of the law. Rather, I believe that it was because of the public outcry. We need more of that.
Now it's Tulsa. You can read the story here, but the summary is that Child Evangelism Fellowship has been told that they can no longer hold Bible studies in the housing projects. They've been there for decades, both leading Bible studies and helping children of the poor.
It's only two stories, but how many more Bible studies and Christian activities have been banned? How many cities of towns have said, "you can no longer do that in schools or public buildings"? How many church plants have received notice that they are no longer welcome in school auditoriums?
We live in an era in which it is not only fine to harass the Christians (while building new foot-washing basins, at public expense for Muslims), but the latent distrust for and anger at Christians is rising to the surface.
In 1 Corinthians 15:58 we read,"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
Stand firm. We already know the outcome. Persecution may be on the horizon, but beyond the horizon is eternity.
Stand up. Name the Name of Christ. Be different. Let the pagan world KNOW that you are one of Christ's.
If you know of other incidents of harassment in "the land of the free," share them with us. Let us all be praying for our brothers and sisters.
Monday, June 01, 2009
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