Rowland Croucher
2004-07-11 23:53:54 UTC
Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2004 2:19 AM
Subject: [HCJBDaily] 9 July 2004 Update From HCJB World Radio
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Today's Headlines:
SWEDISH PASTOR IMPRISONED FOR 'OFFENDING HOMOSEXUALS' IN SERMON
CHRISTIANS IN RURAL AREA OF ETHIOPIA FACE INCREASING PERSECUTION
DEAN THREATENS TO EXPEL UZBEK STUDENTS FOR TIES TO 'BANNED SECT'
WORLD VISION TO PLAY KEY ROLE AT INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE
PROPOSED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM LAW IN U.S. GETS DIVERSE SUPPORT
ARTIST SPONSORS FIRST NATIONAL CHRISTIAN ART COMPETITION IN U.S.
Today's News Stories:
SWEDISH PASTOR IMPRISONED FOR 'OFFENDING HOMOSEXUALS' IN SERMON
A Swedish court has sentenced Pentecostal pastor Ake Green to a month in
prison after he was found guilty of "offending homosexuals" in a 2003
sermon. Green had described homosexuality as "abnormal, a horrible cancerous
tumor in the body of society." Responding to the sentence, Soren Andersson,
president of the Swedish federation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender rights, said that religious freedom could never be used as a
reason to offend people. "Therefore," he told journalists, "I cannot regard
the sentence as an act of interference with freedom of religion." Sweden
passed a constitutional amendment in 2002, including sexual orientation in a
list of groups protected against "unfavorable speech." A similar law (Bill
C-250) was passed recently in Canada. While opinions based on a religious
text were excluded from the Canadian law, many advocates fear that this
clause may prove insufficient to protect Canadian clergy from similar
action. (Voice of the Martyrs/Ecumenical News International)
CHRISTIANS IN RURAL AREA OF ETHIOPIA FACE INCREASING PERSECUTION
A number of Christians in Ethiopia have been imprisoned or remain in hiding
because of their faith in Christ, said a member of Voice of the Martyrs who
recently visited the town of Alaba, 200 miles southeast of the capital of
Addis Ababa. During his visit to the predominantly Muslim area, he met with
various persecuted Christians. Two months ago five church leaders were
imprisoned by local authorities, accused of speaking against Islam, the
Koran and the religious leader of Alaba. Mohamed, a convert to Christianity,
has been held in prison for a year without any formal charges. Another
believer, Ajee Sheka Osman, remains in hiding. He is being chased by his
sons who have been promised money and a trip to Mecca by Muslim leaders if
they kill their father. Church leaders are helping hide Osman to protect his
life. Muslim leaders in Alaba are working to eradicate Christianity in the
community, which they consider to be a holy place. Christian youths are
regularly harangued as Muslim scholars engage them in conversations,
deliberately intending to confuse them and turn them from their faith.
(Voice of the Martyrs)
DEAN THREATENS TO EXPEL UZBEK STUDENTS FOR TIES TO 'BANNED SECT'
Protestant students continue to face pressure in the town of Nukus, capital
of the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan in northwestern Uzbekistan. In
June, Dina Mamyrbayeva, dean of the Romance and Germanic literature faculty
at Karakalpak University, summoned three Protestant students and told them
she had received a letter from the country's National Security Service
(NSS), identifying the students as members of a "banned Protestant sect."
She threatened them with expulsion if they didn't stop visiting "sect
members." University Rector Kuanyshbai Niyazov refused to confirm or deny
the threats, but no students have yet been expelled. On June 5 police
officers raided the home of another Nukus Protestant, Miyrasa Uralbayeva,
warning that if she didn't stop preaching Christianity she would have drugs
planted on her and be put in prison for years. (Forum 18 News Service)
WORLD VISION TO PLAY KEY ROLE AT INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE
World Vision, one of the world's largest Christian humanitarian
organizations, will play a key role in the 15th annual International AIDS
Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, July 11-16. World Vision staff members were
on the planning committee -- some are plenary speakers while others are
chairing workshops. This will be the first time that faith-based
organizations will be featured at the conference. Many such groups
attending the conference two years ago faced hostility, and there is concern
that this could happen again. Asia has become a major battleground for AIDS.
Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand have been fighting the epidemic for more than
a decade with mixed success. (Mission Network News)
PROPOSED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM LAW IN U.S. GETS DIVERSE SUPPORT
A proposed law could make it easier for employees to express their religious
beliefs at work. The Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2003 (Senate Bill
893) is expected to get plenty of attention in the U.S. Congress this
year -- and that's just fine with Nathan Diament who directs the Union of
Orthodox Jewish Congregations in America. "It will encourage, not mandate,
employers to allow employees to have flexible scheduling so they can observe
religious holy days, to wear religious clothing to the workplace, and to
observe other religious practices, provided they don't compromise the
workers' abilities to perform the essential functions of their job," he
explains. Diament says the legislation is being supported by a diverse
coalition of religious groups ranging from Southern Baptists to Orthodox
Jews. (Religion Today/Agape Press)
ARTIST SPONSORS FIRST NATIONAL CHRISTIAN ART COMPETITION IN U.S.
Kentucky artist Stephen Sawyer is sponsoring the first National Christian
Art Competition in an effort to encourage artists of all ages to "use and
showcase their gifts for God's glory." Sawyer, perhaps best known for his
paintings of Christ as part of his "Art for God" series, says Christian
artists have a huge responsibility. "What we can accomplish in serving the
kingdom through art is phenomenal -- and the responsibility that goes with
talent, I think, is commensurate with that." Sawyer is looking for the
creators of "contemporary, radical and compassionate Christian art." He adds
that the competition is the "first to honor and award schools, churches and
teachers as well as the artists." Sawyer and his wife, Cindy, fellow artist
and co-owner of Art for God, will judge the entries. More than $8,000 in
cash awards will be handed out. Deadline for entries is Oct. 15. For details
visit www.art4god.com. (Religion Today/Agape Press)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
Subject: [HCJBDaily] 9 July 2004 Update From HCJB World Radio
Thanks for choosing to receive e-mail from HCJB World Radio.
Please add HCJBDaily-***@list.hcjb.org to your e-mail address book or safe
sender list to ensure that you receive these e-mails.
Today's Headlines:
SWEDISH PASTOR IMPRISONED FOR 'OFFENDING HOMOSEXUALS' IN SERMON
CHRISTIANS IN RURAL AREA OF ETHIOPIA FACE INCREASING PERSECUTION
DEAN THREATENS TO EXPEL UZBEK STUDENTS FOR TIES TO 'BANNED SECT'
WORLD VISION TO PLAY KEY ROLE AT INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE
PROPOSED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM LAW IN U.S. GETS DIVERSE SUPPORT
ARTIST SPONSORS FIRST NATIONAL CHRISTIAN ART COMPETITION IN U.S.
Today's News Stories:
SWEDISH PASTOR IMPRISONED FOR 'OFFENDING HOMOSEXUALS' IN SERMON
A Swedish court has sentenced Pentecostal pastor Ake Green to a month in
prison after he was found guilty of "offending homosexuals" in a 2003
sermon. Green had described homosexuality as "abnormal, a horrible cancerous
tumor in the body of society." Responding to the sentence, Soren Andersson,
president of the Swedish federation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender rights, said that religious freedom could never be used as a
reason to offend people. "Therefore," he told journalists, "I cannot regard
the sentence as an act of interference with freedom of religion." Sweden
passed a constitutional amendment in 2002, including sexual orientation in a
list of groups protected against "unfavorable speech." A similar law (Bill
C-250) was passed recently in Canada. While opinions based on a religious
text were excluded from the Canadian law, many advocates fear that this
clause may prove insufficient to protect Canadian clergy from similar
action. (Voice of the Martyrs/Ecumenical News International)
CHRISTIANS IN RURAL AREA OF ETHIOPIA FACE INCREASING PERSECUTION
A number of Christians in Ethiopia have been imprisoned or remain in hiding
because of their faith in Christ, said a member of Voice of the Martyrs who
recently visited the town of Alaba, 200 miles southeast of the capital of
Addis Ababa. During his visit to the predominantly Muslim area, he met with
various persecuted Christians. Two months ago five church leaders were
imprisoned by local authorities, accused of speaking against Islam, the
Koran and the religious leader of Alaba. Mohamed, a convert to Christianity,
has been held in prison for a year without any formal charges. Another
believer, Ajee Sheka Osman, remains in hiding. He is being chased by his
sons who have been promised money and a trip to Mecca by Muslim leaders if
they kill their father. Church leaders are helping hide Osman to protect his
life. Muslim leaders in Alaba are working to eradicate Christianity in the
community, which they consider to be a holy place. Christian youths are
regularly harangued as Muslim scholars engage them in conversations,
deliberately intending to confuse them and turn them from their faith.
(Voice of the Martyrs)
DEAN THREATENS TO EXPEL UZBEK STUDENTS FOR TIES TO 'BANNED SECT'
Protestant students continue to face pressure in the town of Nukus, capital
of the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan in northwestern Uzbekistan. In
June, Dina Mamyrbayeva, dean of the Romance and Germanic literature faculty
at Karakalpak University, summoned three Protestant students and told them
she had received a letter from the country's National Security Service
(NSS), identifying the students as members of a "banned Protestant sect."
She threatened them with expulsion if they didn't stop visiting "sect
members." University Rector Kuanyshbai Niyazov refused to confirm or deny
the threats, but no students have yet been expelled. On June 5 police
officers raided the home of another Nukus Protestant, Miyrasa Uralbayeva,
warning that if she didn't stop preaching Christianity she would have drugs
planted on her and be put in prison for years. (Forum 18 News Service)
WORLD VISION TO PLAY KEY ROLE AT INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE
World Vision, one of the world's largest Christian humanitarian
organizations, will play a key role in the 15th annual International AIDS
Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, July 11-16. World Vision staff members were
on the planning committee -- some are plenary speakers while others are
chairing workshops. This will be the first time that faith-based
organizations will be featured at the conference. Many such groups
attending the conference two years ago faced hostility, and there is concern
that this could happen again. Asia has become a major battleground for AIDS.
Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand have been fighting the epidemic for more than
a decade with mixed success. (Mission Network News)
PROPOSED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM LAW IN U.S. GETS DIVERSE SUPPORT
A proposed law could make it easier for employees to express their religious
beliefs at work. The Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2003 (Senate Bill
893) is expected to get plenty of attention in the U.S. Congress this
year -- and that's just fine with Nathan Diament who directs the Union of
Orthodox Jewish Congregations in America. "It will encourage, not mandate,
employers to allow employees to have flexible scheduling so they can observe
religious holy days, to wear religious clothing to the workplace, and to
observe other religious practices, provided they don't compromise the
workers' abilities to perform the essential functions of their job," he
explains. Diament says the legislation is being supported by a diverse
coalition of religious groups ranging from Southern Baptists to Orthodox
Jews. (Religion Today/Agape Press)
ARTIST SPONSORS FIRST NATIONAL CHRISTIAN ART COMPETITION IN U.S.
Kentucky artist Stephen Sawyer is sponsoring the first National Christian
Art Competition in an effort to encourage artists of all ages to "use and
showcase their gifts for God's glory." Sawyer, perhaps best known for his
paintings of Christ as part of his "Art for God" series, says Christian
artists have a huge responsibility. "What we can accomplish in serving the
kingdom through art is phenomenal -- and the responsibility that goes with
talent, I think, is commensurate with that." Sawyer is looking for the
creators of "contemporary, radical and compassionate Christian art." He adds
that the competition is the "first to honor and award schools, churches and
teachers as well as the artists." Sawyer and his wife, Cindy, fellow artist
and co-owner of Art for God, will judge the entries. More than $8,000 in
cash awards will be handed out. Deadline for entries is Oct. 15. For details
visit www.art4god.com. (Religion Today/Agape Press)
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Web: http://www.hcjb.org
http://www.beyondthecall.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Editor's Note. Feel free to forward this to any interested friends. Our
lists are distributed for information purposes and to encourage prayer.
HCJB World Radio does not necessarily endorse or support the activities
on which it reports.
--
Shalom!
Rowland Croucher
http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
(now 13,000 articles)
http://ameliasgranddad.blogspot.com/
Shalom!
Rowland Croucher
http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/
(now 13,000 articles)
http://ameliasgranddad.blogspot.com/