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Persecution
is Coming to the West Concealed
Affliction May Soon Turn Into Open Persecution Dresden,
October 19, 2006 (idea) |
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Blankenburg, October 19 (idea) –
Under the guise of tolerance, Bible believing Christians of all confessions are
subjected to suppressive intolerance, warns a declaration issued at the
Ecumenical Confessional Convention in Blankenburg,
East Germany.
The event with 130 Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox representatives was
convened by the evangelical missiologist Prof. Peter Beyerhaus. The so-called Blankenburg
Proclamation speaks of a dangerous anti-Christian influence on legislation,
academic life and school education.
Scientists, who believe in God as the creator, were subjected to public
defamation. Christians, not willing to compromise
their faith, had to face ridicule, intolerance, stigmatization and career
obstacles.
The declaration refers specifically to the plight of German homeschoolers. Approximately 150 families were subjected
to fines or jail, because they refused to send their children to state
registered schools and thus broke the German law.
According to the proclamation this “concealed affliction” may soon turn into
open persecution. The threat could come from several directions - from
globalization favoring the formation of totalitarian regimes, from growing
syncretism, and from Islam.
Europe could be subjected to an enforced Islamization
accompanied by the introduction of Sharia law. This
danger was increased by the fact that the indigenous population is shrinking.
The proclamation also makes reference to the correlation between faith and
suffering. It was part of the nature of the Christian faith to endure
disadvantages and persecution for Christ’s sake. The 20th century had been the
bloodiest in church history.
According to estimates by human rights organizations 200 million Christians
suffer discrimination for their faith. Every year 170,000 Christians
die a martyr’s death.
Evangelical
news agency idea. Wolfgang Polzer
Tel: +49-6441-915102, Fax: +49-6441-915118
E-Mail: Wolfgang.Polzer@idea.de
- Internet: www.idea.de
Postal address: idea, PO Box 1820, 35528 Wetzlar,
Germany