Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin – No. 253 – Wed 31 Dec 2003

—————————- SRI LANKA: SPIRALLING STRIFE —————————-

RLP 252: Threats of Christmas Terror (23 December 2003) reported the tense situation in Sri Lanka since the death a week before Christmas of the prominent and much revered Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, Ven. Soma Thero, a champion of Buddhist nationalism. He died of a heart attack in Russia, but anti-Christian hostility soared when Buddhist monks labelled his death as a Christian conspiracy.

Rioting marked his 24 December funeral. False rumours spread that Tamils were denigrating the dead monk. According to TamilNet, four people mistakenly identified as Tamils were then attacked. A fifth man, initially thought to be a Tamil, was violently assaulted by a mob after being identified as a Christian. Police trying to restore order were also attacked. Altogether, 15 people were wounded.

On Sunday 28 December, two Christian churches in Puvakpitiya (60km east of Colombo) – a Pentecostal Hall and the Roman Catholic Church – were attacked at the close of morning worship. There are no immediate reports of casualties, but property damage was extensive. Fifteen people have been detained for questioning and arrests are expected. Police security has been stepped up around Christian churches, particularly in vulnerable areas.

On Monday 29 December, dozens of Buddhist monks protested ‘unethical conversions’ by Christians and demanded anti-conversion laws be enacted immediately. Colour posters have appeared in Colombo’s main streets with Soma claiming NGOs (non-government organisations) such as World Vision are the instruments of a ‘diabolical conspiracy’ by Christian forces to convert and corrupt the nation. (World Vision was attacked on 13 November.) The posters read ‘Let’s defeat the NGO mafia’ and show the Ven. Soma walking with the Sri Lankan army. (See http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=10812 )

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* security to be restored in the streets, for dangerously provocative posters to be removed, and for Christians, churches and NGOs to be kept safe and have an international voice.

* the Sri Lankan government to defuse the situation by resurrecting TRUTH and removing blame and anger from the grief.

* God to intervene in the future of Sri Lanka by changing the hearts of the political leaders, and keeping Sri Lanka from the religious oppression that condemns Christians to a life of suffering and millions of others to a life without Jesus Christ. (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

* great spiritual wisdom and courage for the Sri Lankan Church. ‘Preach the word of God. Be persistent whether the time is favourable or not.’ (2 Timothy 4:2) The word of God is the weapon of choice of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 6:17)

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SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ————————————————————

STRIFE SPIRALS IN SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka has witnessed spiralling strife since the death a week before Christmas of the prominent and much revered Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, Ven. Soma Thero, a champion of Buddhist nationalism. He died of a heart attack in Russia but Buddhist monks labelled his death as a Christian conspiracy. Riots marked his funeral on 24 December, and on the Sunday 28 December, Buddhist mobs attacked a Pentecostal Hall and a Roman Catholic Church in Puvakpitiya, 60km east of Colombo. On Monday 29 December, Buddhist monks demonstrated demanding the immediate enactment of anti-conversion laws. Dangerously provocative propaganda posters have appeared in the streets accusing NGOs of being part of a Christian conspiracy to convert and corrupt the nation. The situation is tense and dangerous – please pray.

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The WEA Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this RL Prayer List to help individuals and groups pray specifically and regularly for religious liberty issues, and in particular to uphold the Church where it is suffering persecution.

RL Prayer is moderated by Ron Clough, a commissioner of the WEA RLC and convenor of the Australian EA RLC.

Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored this message.

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• Pray for the World (January 31, 2012)

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