Christians are doing it tough in Bali

The air is crisp and fresh in the high mountains of central Bali while the scenery is truly magnificent. Villages huddle along the shores of the crater lake called Batur and Balinese communities dot the mountain slopes as this volcanic landscape falls dramatically into sea.

While the region attracts many Australian and other overseas tourists, life in this area for Bali's tiny Christian community is tough. When a group of Balinese decided to follow Christ in 1984, this Christian community was ostracised and rejected. Their homes were pelted with stones but their faith was not shaken. Since then the Christian community has grown to 17 families and they have formed the Bukitsari congregation.

Now the people want to renovate their little church and on the 10th February the Bishop of the Protestant Christian Church in Bali, Bishop Suyaga Ayub, hoped to lay a foundation stone. Unfortunately there was opposition to this plan and the head of Katung village ordered a delay in the proceedings. Then things turned nasty as a crowd of people attacked the Christian community during the night of 13th February. Eight houses were burnt down and people lost everything. A number of vehicles were also destroyed. Christians fled their village in fear and hid in the nearby bush until they could be re-settled in a safe location.

Other incidents recently took place just north of Denpasar, Bali's largest city, where three Christian families were forced to leave their village. This kind of intimidation is now happening in a number of places around Bali because local people are angry. They feel Balinese Christians are neglecting their traditional responsibilities that involve ancient Balinese Hindu practices. In Bali conversion to Christianity means local people forfeit their rights to land and loose their inheritance. These rights are normally guaranteed through customary law.

Bali's Christian community is doing it tough. The original Christian community settled in inhospitable land surrounded by swamps and forests. Located in western Bali, the area was known as "Alas Rangda" or "the place of the King of Evil". It was "taboo" land where no-one wanted to live because of their fear of evil spirits.

Despite this tough start, the Christian community in Bali is well-known for its resourcefulness and initiative. This is because Christians place a high priority on education and community development. Many Christians are getting on with life and they no longer involve themselves in Bali's widespread habit of gambling.

The Protestant Christian Church in Bali shares in partnership with the Uniting Church in Australia. With a membership of around 20,000 out of a population of 3.7 million the church faces huge challenges in the wake of further possible threats. Christians in the nearby region of Maluku have had a terrible time of conflict and violence during the past three years. Please pray that Bali's Christian minority will be spared this terror. Pray that they will be able to get on with their lives and witness for Christ without the treat, intimidation and violence that so many others have faced and are still facing in Indonesia today.

Rev John Barr Executive Secretary, Unity and International Mission Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly 21st February 2002 .

-- ----------------- Stephen Webb Media Officer Communications Unit NSW Synod, Uniting Church in Australia Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW 1235, Australia email: Phone: +61 2 82674308; Fax: 92674716; Web: nsw.uca.org.au/cu/ & insights.uca.org.au/ ------------------ The Communications Unit publishes the monthly magazine Insights, conducts public relations for the NSW Synod of the Uniting Church, and provides a variety of communications services. These include writing, editing, web consultation and development, desktop publishing and graphic design, public relations and advertising. For a consultation or free estimate on your project call the Communications Unit at (02) 8267 4307.

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