AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER * CHINESE AUTHORITIES CRACK DOWN ON RIGHTS AHEAD OF BEIJING OLYMPICS * THE NEW EMPIRE OF EUROPE * TENS OF THOUSANDS CONVERT TO CHRIST IN ALGERIA ----------------------------------------------- CHINESE AUTHORITIES CRACK DOWN ON RIGHTS AHEAD OF BEIJING OLYMPICS Christians throughout China fear tough restrictions on their freedom to worship in the coming year following the launch of a government crackdown ahead of the August 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Christians across China are reporting a shortage of Bibles, even in cities where Bibles previously were readily available. There are reports of ongoing house church raids and arrests, and an unprecedented number of foreign Christians have been expelled from China in recent months. The crackdown comes in the wake of several important developments in recent years. These include the publication of the book Jesus in Beijing, which alerted government authorities to the increasing influence of Christianity in academic and professional circles; the release of the DVD series "The Cross," which stressed the growth and commitment of the house church movement in China; and the outcome of a religious survey that in February estimated the total number of religious adherents in China at more than 300 million, three times higher than the official figure of 100 million. Chinese officials have also reacted negatively to media reports that several large Christian organizations - many of them foreign organizations - are planning outreaches during the Beijing Olympics. For example Associated Press has reported the plans of several mission organizations to "send thousands of volunteer evangelists" to the games. Even before the plans for the Olympic outreach were leaked in the Western media, Chinese officials met to address the growing influence of Christianity. An "anti-infiltration" campaign code-named "Typhoon No. 5" was launched that month with the goal of drastically reducing contact between foreign Christians and Chinese believers. For years local authorities had turned a blind eye to foreign Christians working in universities, hospitals, orphanages and business ventures throughout China. Now, however, it seems the government is prepared to revoke visas for any foreign Christian suspected of sharing their faith with Chinese citizens. While foreign Christians are expelled, local Christians face harsher treatment. Officials have forbidden local believers to meet and are watching them closely. A local newspaper recently printed an article about a Uygur believer, naming him as an illegal evangelist and promising to prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law. Another foreign Christian expelled from Xinjiang said authorities accused him of using a legitimate business to "support the illegal propagation of Christianity" and of "endangering national security." His "crimes" included sharing his faith with local believers, baptizing people and distributing Bibles and related materials. While China allows limited freedom for the members of five officially-recognized religious groups raids on house churches have continued unabated this year. On a recent raid on a house church service police took photos of every Christian in the room and asked for names and identification. Most of the Christians were released immediately, but three church leaders were taken for interrogation. Police also confiscated bibles, hymn books and musical equipment without providing a receipt. Members of the underground Catholic church in Hebei province reported a door-to-door police search for underground priests. Once caught, police pressured the priests to join the government-approved Catholic church. Those who refused were arrested or lost their jobs. Police recently arrested 54-year-old Gu Changrong for sharing her faith with the secretary of the local Communist Party. The official called the police and accused Gu of "poisoning Communist Party members" with the Christian message. She was sentenced to one year of re-education through labor for "using evil cult organizations to obstruct the exercising of state laws." At the same time, believers across China are reporting a shortage of Bibles and other Christian resources city where Bibles previously were readily available. Bibles have been deliberately withheld from house church pastors by those within the Government approved Church movement. As preparations continue for the 2008 Olympics, critics around the world are calling China to account for ongoing human rights abuses - including religious freedom abuses. Source: Intercessors Network ----------------------------------------------- THE NEW EMPIRE OF EUROPE It has been two years since European voters rejected the EU Constitutional Treaty, a veritable coup which left politicians and bureaucrats in Brussels scratching their heads. Efforts were made to revive the failed proposal, but to no avail. The people had spoken - or so it seemed. Today, the EU constitution is once again set to become the law of the land. However it is now being called the EU "reform treaty" and this time around its fate may not rest in the hands of the people. The new EU reform treaty is essentially a repackaging of the EU constitutional treaty with critics saying the bulk of the document remains unchanged. As it is not technically a constitution, government leaders may be able to ratify the treaty without submitting it to national referendums. Like the constitutional treaty, the reform treaty establishes a new permanent EU president and a new foreign policy chief. It also abolishes national vetoes in more than 50 areas, strengthens the powers of the European Parliament and European Commission, and gives the EU formal legal "personality" for the first time, enabling it to sign international treaties. For many Europeans the EU constitution represents a loss of sovereignty and national identity. The document itself is enormous, almost 500 pages in the English version, that is supposed to streamline the government. Critics complain that the document is too long and too complex. It is written in highly technical legal jargon that has proved difficult even for experts to understand, much less the general public. Voters rejected the original constitution, but it seems now it is going to be implemented anyway by the backdoor. In recent years the European Union has steadily moved forward in its attempt to unite Europe politically and economically. It has succeeded in unifying and strengthening its economic market, creating a common currency, and establishing both a European legislative and judicial system. It has been suggested by some that the European Union may be the revived Roman Empire. Thus it is interesting to note that the introduction of the Euro is the first time since the days of Caesar and the Roman Empire that Europe has had a common currency, others have tried, most notably Napoleon Bonaparte, but none were successful. We will continue to observe with anticipation the historic developments taking place in Europe. There are still many obstacles the European Union must face on the road to solidarity, but in the eyes of some they have already accomplished the impossible. The once impenetrable wall between east and west, communist and free, is now gone, and in its place is a growing economic and political force. Source: Chuck Missler Ministries ----------------------------------------------- TENS OF THOUSANDS CONVERT TO CHRIST IN ALGERIA For the last 10 years Christian broadcaster Arab Vision has seen many viewers respond to their television programs, but none more so than the Kabyle Berbers in the North-Eastern coastal region of Algeria. A Kabyle policeman came to Christ through the programs, now his father, his wife and his two sisters are sharing the same faith after he witnessed to them. Says a Kabyle policeman who accepted Jesus through the program: "In the beginning, I was anxious and fearful that this faith may cause me more harm than good, especially in relation to my work. However, the Lord Jesus not only comforted me in my faith, but led me in an unusual way to meet other colleagues in the police corps who are also Christians. We now even pray together." The number of Christians among the Kabyle is reportedly growing, with a minimum estimate of 10,000 converts representing both large mainstream and secret 'house group' churches. "The figure could well be four times that. We are not sure," says Arab Vision's North Africa Director. "But what we are sure about is that the response among the Kabyle to the Gospel is uniquely encouraging for this region. Many tell us about dreams and visions they've had, confirming the truth about Jesus. The Kabyle believers are also actively involved in evangelism." Another testimony was reported, by a widow, who recently lost her three sons in a car accident. Blaming God, she one day happened to watch the TV programs, and gradually became convinced that Jesus is the Truth. In the process she was also healed from health problems she had suffered from. Said the woman, "I believe I am restored to a true life; I know I will still miss my sons, but I have a hope to live in peace with God through Jesus Christ. And the zeal of Jesus drives me to witness about him to others with tears of joy." Source: Inspire Magazine
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