Unite against Internal terror in the name of God!

There's terror stirring within our nation, within the same brotherhood.. where in the name of religion and 'so-called' injustice one community is turning against another and terrorizing the lives of thousands in Orissa. We've all heard the extremists (led by Sangh Parivar) rioting against tribal people (Christian converts) where many were killed and thousands were forced to flee for their lives from their homes and even villages and districts. There are so many finding shelter in refugee camps living in the shade of the sword, terrorized by a group of extremists who go about seeking their death and strike 'em off from the face of the land.

In a protest (yet again) against the murder of Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati (who was leading the Hindutva / VHP movement) .. extremist groups are planning to carry out a state-wide 'Bandh' (Strike) on December 25, 2008 (when Christians across celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ).

It was on December 24, the last year that these fanatics had entered into clashes with the local Christians during Christmas celebrations and raked up the violence, and even today the impact of that fire of hate can be seen in the hearts of so many homeless and suffering innocent. The violence got even worse this year through August and September which also spread into other states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra Gujarat, Karnataka among others. It was a well schemed attack against the Church and innocent Chritstians, and yet this time, they dare to do so. The Orissa government as usual is sleeping over the issue and perhaps will not even awake after any mass destruction (GOD FORBID) that may occur!

Christmas is an event which has changed the course of time, redefined many political, social, legal frameworks for the better.. It celebrates the Divine Gift of God to Man. Love was embodied that day in the form of a child, which was Jesus Christ. And on that day, we seek to hate and kill.

Join in fighting the terror within our nation which is causing a brother rise against another, and creating a hate, violence and disaster struck nation... Pray for the Christians in Orissa and other parts of the country who're constantly facing the threat and live in fear of death from extremist groups who're contributing in no better way but planting seeds of violence and hatred in our wonderful nation..

Raise your voice against this manner of terrorism. There can be no justification for terror, no matter what! To read an account of attacks in Orrissa against Christians by Tehelka, click here: In the name of God

Coming up...

I've happened to finally find my notes (and Amit Paul Kerketta's) of UESI's 1999 CMTC camp at Kotagiri, and want to soon publish the best of them, especially on Relationships, Finding God's will apart from the DIY of Quiet Time, Personal & Group Bible study.. and yes.. with all the attacks happening on Christians in India, there was also a session on 'Christian response to persecution' which I'd like to share.. All of them coming up on http://youngpeopleinchrist.blogspot.com

Attacks on Christians: Phobia or Hatred!?!

After the Orissa row of killing Christians and destroying Churches, it's spread over to Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and many other places which the mainstream media has failed to feature and provide adequate cognizance to the general public.

I woke up to the news which reported "7 churches were attacked in Karnataka". I look up on the internet, and the numbers range from 10 - 14 churches being vandalized, and nothing less than that. From the gruesome Graham Staines' killing nearly about 10years ago, and the raping on nuns, and ransacking Christian homes and churches working in tribal areas in various parts of certain states, the violence has been only setting ablaze more parts of the nation with hatred against Christians and their activities.

The response from Christian community against the accentuated persecution has not come as strongly (without any violence) as against how other religious communities would have come back. Nevertheless, the Church in India took a stand when they announced all Christian institutions will remain closed on August 29, 2008 as a sign of protest against the killings that took place in Orissa after a Hindu leader named Laxmanananda Saraswati was murdered.

This one act of peaceful protest has called for the State Government's show-cause notice demanding explanation as to why the schools were shut, and threatened to withdraw funding and dire consequences. Well, if the state gets involved in the harrassment, what say?

Phobia and Hatred, I believe they are the cause and consequence of each other. Here, the issue in question is Christianphobia and Hatred against Christians. Given the outcome of these attacks, the inhumane acts against humanity and the unapologetic faces of the people involved only point to one thing - Wickedness! And none can justify the cries on the suffering lips! Is this not the shame of unethical religion? Is this someone's religion?

By the very Hindu philosophy of Karma, they shall surely reap the fruits. But Christians, we pray for their forgiveness. We pray that even the persecutors be touched by the love of Jesus which keeps us marching onward in fulfilling our cause towards all humanity!