Zprávy HCJB 27.8.2006 - 31.8.2006

 3 PANAMŠTÍ MISIONÁŘI ZAVRHUJÍ OPILECKÉ SLAVNOSTI, APELUJÍ NA OBECNÍ ZASTUPITELSTVO
   Tříčlenná skupina domorodých misionářů kmene Kuna ve východní Panamě se ve smyslu své víry staví proti místním tradicím. New Tribes Mission (NTM) hlásí, že tři muži – Edelfonso, Videncio a Luis - brzy požádají obecní zastupitelstvo o povolení neúčastnit se slavností zasvěcení spojených s povinným pitím, které jsou ve vesnici pravidelně pořádány. Zastupitelstvo, které kdysi nesouhlasilo s přítomností domorodých biblických učitelů, nedávno přece pozvalo křesťanský sbor z příslušníků kmene Kuna, aby ve vesnici žili a učili obyvatele číst a psát. Nicméně po jejich příjezdu zastupitelstvo od nich požaduje měsíční daň 25 dolarů a také, aby všichni tři chodili pít na slavnosti. V jejich novém působišti je to pro misionáře delikátní záležitost, jelikož se již dříve jasně vyslovili proti opileckým orgiastickým zvyklostem, ale za neúčast jsou nuceni platit velké pokuty. NTM vyzývá k modlitbám za moudrost pro tyto misionáře a za to, aby mohli šířit evangelium. (Mission Network News)
 
 PODLE PRŮZKUMU NEJSOU AMERIČANÉ SPOKOJENÍ SE SMĚŠOVÁNÍM POLITIKY A NÁBOŽENSTVÍ
   Podle nejčerstvějšího průzkumu provedeného mezi 6. a 19. červencem organizací Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life je mnoho Američanů nespokojeno s vazbou náboženství a politiky. Průzkum provedený mezi 2003 dospělými respondenty ukázal, že jak liberálové tak konzervativci jsou v této věci na rozpacích. Celých 69% respondentů říká, že liberálové zašli příliš daleko v oddělování náboženství od škol a výkonné moci, ale 49% respondentů vyjadřuje obavy z pokusů křesťanských konzervativců vnucovat druhým křesťanské hodnoty. Demokratická strana čelí vážnému „problému s Bohem,“ když jen 26% respondentů si myslí, že strana je přátelská k věcem víry. Podíl respondentů myslících si totéž o Republikánské straně je mnohem vyšší – 47% , ale před rokem to bylo 55% a tento úbytek je zvlášť výrazný mezi bělošskými evangelikály – 14%. Podle jiných statistik se celkem 63% respondentů domnívá, že americké zákonodárství by měl ovlivňovat americký národ, ne Bible. Opačný pohled ale má 60% bělošských evangelikálů. (Religion News Service)
 
 S PODKOPÁVÁNÍM SVOBODY V IRÁNU SE EXTRÉMNĚ DŮLEŽITÝM OPĚT STÁVÁ ROZHLAS
   Irán pokračuje v ignorování požadavků světa na zastavení programu obohacování uranu, ubývá i dosud zaručených svobod v této zemi. Barbara Shantz z Trans World Radio (TWR) říká: „Nedávno jsme slyšeli, že po celé zemi jsou odstraňovány paraboly satelitních přijímačů, takže ti, kdo vysílají satelitní technologií, mají problém s dosažitelností této země. Dostáváme se zpátky k pozemnímu vysílání, které je opět velmi důležité.“ TWR vysílá do Íránu perskou křesťanskou hudbu a mluvené slovo a zaznamenává velký ohlas. „Možná bych mohla uvést jeden příklad za všechny – tři mladé ženy, které daly své srdce Pánu vytvořily, jak samy říkají, tříčlenný sbor. Poslouchají společně rozhlasové vysílání. Je to jedna z možností pravidelného duchovního růstu,“ dodává Barbara Shantz a říká, že mnoho nových uvěřivších se vydalo za Kristem údajně po předchozím vidění nebo po „pokynu“ ve snu poslouchat rozhlas.
 
 ZNÁMÝ KŘESŤAN OPUSTIL IRÁK A ŘÍKÁ, ŽE SITUACE JE TAM NESNESITELNÁ
   Významný asyrský křesťan Donny George byl prezidentem Iráckého státního výboru pro starožitnosti a historické památky byl považován za barometr pokroku v Iráku. George, který je dobře znám svým vedoucím postavením a prací na údržbě Bagdádského muzea, nedávno opustil Irák a místní situaci nazval „nesnesitelnou.“ Mluvil o dramatickém rozmachu radikálního muslimského a protizápadního prostředí. Ken Joseph z AssyrianChristians.com řekl, že tyto zkušenosti Donny George má již od voleb v lednu 2006, které nebyly „ani svobodné, ani spravedlivé.“ Joseph řekl, že podél hranic s Iránem se objevily asi 3 miliony falešných hlasovacích lístků určených k překroucení výsledků voleb, a že při návrhu volebního systému se OSN velmi starala, aby malé radikální muslimské strany byly ve výhodě. Mnoha asyrským křesťanům a příslušníkům jiných menšin na severu země bylo zabráněno v hlasování buď uzavřením hlasovacích místností, nebo zastrašováním. George patří k asi 100.000 asyrských křesťanů ve městě Ninive – jde o potomky původních obyvatel Iráku. Křesťané v roce 1950 tvořili 20% obyvatel Středního Východu. Dnes je to méně, než 2%. (Assist News Service)
 
 VŠECHNY ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ
   3 PANAMANIAN MISSIONARIES SPURN DRUNKEN CEREMONY, APPEAL TO CHIEFS

A three-man team of native missionaries from the Kuna ethnic group in eastern Panama are taking a stand for their faith by breaking with a local tradition. New Tribes Mission (NTM) reported that the three men, Edelfonso, Videncio and Luis, will soon appeal to village leaders to allow them to forego the drunken rites of passage that take place in the village. Village chiefs, who once opposed the presence of Kuna Bible teachers, just recently invited the Kuna church to send missionaries to live with the group to teach literacy. However, once they arrived both village chiefs insisted on a monthly $25 tax and that the trio participate in drunken ceremonies. It’s a delicate time in the new ministry as believers who previously took a stand against the drunken, orgiastic activity have been forced to pay hefty fines. NTM is urging prayer for wisdom for the men and for open doors to share the gospel. (Mission Network News)

* HOXO, a cooperating radio ministry of HCJB World Radio, broadcasts Christian programming across Panama City 24 hours a day via AM and FM. Although most programming is in Spanish, programs also air in Cantonese and English.

‘TEMPLE TOWN’ IN INDIA BANS PREACHING OF MINORITY RELIGIONS

A town in southern India’s Andhra Pradesh state has decided to enact a law banning the preaching of any religion other than Hinduism in the "temple town" of Tirupati. The town, mostly under the administration of its Hindu shrine, is calling for imprisonment of up to two years and a fine equivalent to US$43 for anyone preaching other religions near the shrine to the Hindu god Venkateshwara. The shrine’s administrative control would also be expanded under the law to include several areas that have had Christian churches operating in them since the 17th century and many Christian families from the Dalit (or "untouchable") caste. Albert Lael, organizing secretary of the All India Christian Council, points out, "We fear that even those who carry Bibles in the town will be prosecuted for preaching." (Compass Direct)

* Radio programs in 17 languages air to India from HCJB World Radio-Australia’s shortwave station in Kununurra. The programs are produced at the ministry’s studios in New Delhi, India.

CHRISTIANS IN IRAQ FALL PREY TO SUNNI, SHIITE SECTARIAN VIOLENCE

With the news media often focusing on the sectarian violence between Shiite and Sunni Muslims in Iraq, the small minority Christian community in Iraq is often ignored by news sources. Brian Padden reported on the Voice of America website that many Christians are fleeing to the relative safety of the northern Kurdish regions of Iraq. The question remains if Christians are specific targets or only random victims of widespread violence. Father Iariq Choucha spoke of a typical suicide bomber who targets a popular market. "Who is in the market?" he asked. "There are Kurds, Christians, Arabs. There are Sunnis and Shias. The terrorist, he has no allegiance." However, others believe there are deliberate strategies in place to intimidate minority groups such as Christians. One doctor from Mosul who wished to remain anonymous said, "The Christians are targeted more there. Our number in the city is small. So when they target a few of us it will be for the population very big." (Assist News Service)

NASHVILLE CHARITY WINS ACTION INSTITUTE’S 2006 SAMARITAN AWARD

The Christian Women’s Job Corps of Nashville, Tenn., is the winner of the Action Institute’s 2006 Samaritan Award for voluntary charitable service. The award includes a $10,000 cash prize for the outreach that works to enhance basic life skills of disadvantaged women and prepare them for employment. The organization serves about 150 women with the help of 250 volunteers acting as job coaches, mentors, childcare workers and instructors. The women receive help with General Education Diploma classes, job skills coaching, Bible studies, childcare and mentoring. Karen Woods, Action’s director of effective compassion, said this year’s Samaritan Award winner is an example of how smaller, private charities can strengthen local communities. "It’s a star among all the great charities in this country," she explained. "They know how to help their challenged neighbors succeed, one step at a time." (Christian Newswire)

ATLANTA BRAVES CELEBRATE CHRISTIANITY WITH ‘FAITH DAYS’

The Atlanta Braves baseball team is openly celebrating religion at its games, calling the celebrations "Faith Days." During Faith Days, popular Christian sports figures such as Atlanta pitcher John Smoltz share intimate, personal experiences of faith along with performances by Christian musicians. Faith Day events began in minor league baseball where the events helped double the average attendance at Nashville Sounds games. The events have been criticized for "ambushing" fans at a secular event. Sportswriter Dave Zirin said, "Religion belongs in Major League baseball about as much as fish belong on bicycles." However, mastermind organization Third Coast Sports President Brent High points out that fans must intentionally stay for 30 minutes after the game in order to attend the event. Derek Schiller, senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Braves, said the prospect of increasing ticket sales was the main factor in his decision to have the club host the events. "Our hope is that we have created an event that got those extra people coming to the game who wouldn’t have otherwise come," he said. (WorldWide Religious News)

© Copyright 2006 - HCJB World Radio - Colorado Springs, CO USA

 
 VŠECHNY ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ
   INNER MONGOLIAN HOUSE CHURCH RAIDED, MISSIONARY SENTENCED

Northern China’s autonomous region of Inner Mongolia has been the target of both a house church raid and the arrest of a female missionary working there. At about 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, numerous local police and government officials raided the Liang Jiagou Church in Wuhai. They confiscated church property such as stools, blackboards and supplies and warned Christians that they cannot gather except in churches affiliated with the government-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement. Mongolian female missionary Wu Guilan was also sentenced on Saturday, Aug. 5, to one year in a “re-education through labor camp” by the local government. She was arrested on July 27 for evangelizing Mongolians and preaching that they should worship the “heavenly God” rather than Genghis Khan. (China Aid Association)

* HCJB World Radio-Australia’s shortwave station in Kununurra broadcasts 16.5 hours of Mandarin and 14 hours of Cantonese programming each week.

UPDATE: MALAYSIAN CONVERT GOES INTO HIDING AFTER DEATH THREATS

Malaysian convert to Christianity Lina Joy has gone into hiding following death threats from Muslim extremists directed at her and her legal team. Joy’s lengthy struggle to change her state-registered religious status from Islam to Christian has become a national debate to determine whether the secular law system or Islamic law (sharia) should rule on cases of conversions out of Islam. If the court orders the National Registration Department to drop the word “Islam” from Joy’s identity card, the move would affirm the supremacy of the country’s secular constitution. Orthodox Muslims favor a status quo decision, however, affirming the supremacy of Islam. Despite the death threats, street protests and heated rhetoric the case has spawned, much of Joy’s motivation seems to be her desire to legally marry her Christian fiancé and have children without being under the jurisdiction of sharia courts. Under sharia, Joy could be sentenced to several years in an Islamic education center for her conversion. (Compass Direct/Worldwide Religious News)

‘VEGGIETALES’ TO DEBUT ON NATIONAL TV IN BOTH ENGLISH, SPANISH

Kid-oriented faith- and values-based “VeggieTales” programming from Big Idea Productions is set to launch at regular timeslots on NBC, Telemundo and the i network. In addition to “VeggieTales,” the program block will include Big Idea’s “3-2-1 Penguins!” and “2D LarryBoy Adventures.” Big Idea has sold more than 52 million videos since it began in 1993. In addition to English, the three programs will debut in Spanish this September on Telemundo. “I am very excited for the opportunity to bring Bob, Larry and their veggie friends to national TV,” said “VeggieTales” creator Phil Vischer. “They help kids learn life-changing lessons in a delightfully wacky way. The positive messages of the stories can now reach a wider audience and, in doing so, affect a new generation of children.” (Religion Today)

NIGERIAN EVANGELIST STARTS SOCCER SCHOOL TO REACH YOUNG PEOPLE

As an avenue to spread the gospel in the metropolitan city of Lagos, Nigeria, Steve Pelemo, an evangelist/pastor at his World Overcomers Church, has started the Neighborhood Football Academy. Aimed at young people who would rather gather together to play soccer than attend church, the academy holds meetings with trainees on Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings with practices on Wednesdays. The academy stresses overall success in life, not just soccer. “Character plus talent plus Christ equals good success,” he said. Pelemo uses examples of soccer stars who have a lot of talent but “no character and no Christ.” He has found his previous audiences receptive to his gospel messages with successful outreaches to hoodlums known as “area boys” in crime-riddled neighborhoods and successful crusades in several other cities. Pelemo is planning a November crusade in Sakete, a border town in Benin where the Oro fetish worship is said to have taken over to the extent that some pastors are afraid to speak out in the name of Jesus. (Assist News Service)

* HCJB World Radio, together with partners In Touch Ministries, SIM and the Evangelical Church of West Africa, began airing weekly half-hour programs to Nigeria in the Igbo language in 2000. In 2003 weekly broadcasts were added in two additional languages, Yoruba and Hausa. HCJB World Radio also has helped with radio ministries in six cities with more in the planning stages.

POLL: AMERICANS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH MIX OF RELIGION, POLITICS

The latest poll conducted July 6-19 by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life finds that many Americans are uncomfortable with the relationship between religion and politics. The poll of 2,003 adults showed that both liberals and conservatives are in trouble. A full 69 percent say liberals have gone too far in keeping religion out of schools and government while 49 percent expressed concern about attempts by Christian conservatives to impose their religious values. The Democratic Party faces a serious “God problem” with only 26 percent saying the party is religion-friendly. While the proportion saying the Republicans are friendly to religion is much higher at 47 percent, this number fell from 55 percent in the past year with a sharp 14-point drop among white evangelicals. Other statistics show that overall 63 percent believe that the American people, not the Bible, should influence U.S. law. This contrasts with 60 percent of white evangelicals who hold the opposite view. (Religion News Service)

© Copyright 2006 - HCJB World Radio - Colorado Springs, CO USA

 
 VŠECHNY ZPRÁVY VANGLIČTINĚ
   RADIO BECOMES ‘EXTREMELY IMPORTANT’ AS FREEDOMS ERODE IN IRAN

As Iran continues to ignore the world’s demands to suspend its uranium enrichment program, the already-limited freedoms within the country are also being removed. Barbara Shantz of Trans World Radio (TWR) says, "We’ve recently heard that satellite dishes are being removed from the country, making it difficult for those depending on that media to reach in to the country. So we’re back to radio being extremely important." TWR beams Persian Christian music and programming into the country, and many are responding. "Maybe I could give one example of three young women (who) gave their hearts to the Lord and have formed, what they call, a church of three," Shantz explained. "They listen to the radio broadcasts. That is one of the ways they are fed regularly." She added that many new believers are coming to Christ after being "instructed" through a dream or vision to tune into the broadcasts. (Mission Network News)

* HCJB World Radio reaches across North Africa, the Middle East and Europe with Christian Arabic programming aired via shortwave, satellite and local stations. The mission’s Arabic satellite network airs programs direct-to-home 24 hours a day. This region has the world’s highest concentration of personal satellite dishes.

4 EAST AFRICANS DEPORTED FROM SAUDI ARABIA FOR EVANGELIZING

Four East African Christians from Ethiopia and Eritrea were deported from Saudi Arabia last month after being arrested while leading a prayer service in Jeddah, a port city west of Mecca. After being arrested on June 9, the church leaders were beaten and imprisoned in terrible conditions for more than a month without notification of the charges against them. Masai Wendewesen, who was deported to his native Ethiopia on July 16, reported that his Saudi work sponsor said the four had been jailed for "preaching to Muslims, planting churches and gathering ladies and gentlemen together for prayer." While in prison, the Christians said that Muslim fellow prisoners could not contain their curiosity about Christianity. "They would wake us up from our bed at night to ask us questions," Wendewesen recalled. "We didn’t think about the pain. We just preached the gospel." Saudi Arabia remains staunchly opposed to allowing foreign Christian workers to build churches. (Compass Direct)

FOX JOURNALISTS FORCED TO CONVERT TO ISLAM ‘AT THE POINT OF A GUN’

One of the two Fox News journalists freed on Sunday, Aug. 27, after two weeks of captivity said they were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint. Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig were kidnapped by a group called the Holy Jihad Brigades with demands for the release of Muslim prisoners held by the U.S. Centanni said the conversion to Islam "was something we felt we had to do because they had the guns." He quickly added he had the "highest respect for Islam." However, Brit Hume, managing editor of Fox News, said, "What an appealing faith these thugs must believe Islam is that conversions have to be effected at the point of a gun!" (Evangelical News/Associated Press)

EVANGELIST LUIS PALAU, CHINESE OFFICIAL RELEASE CO-AUTHORED BOOK

At a packed press conference in Beijing, evangelist Luis Palau and Chinese official Zhao Qizheng released a highly anticipated co-authored book titled Riverside Talks: A Friendly Dialogue between an Atheist and a Christian. At an unprecedented high-profile book signing by an international religious leader, Palau was twice allowed to explain what it meant to be a true follower of Christ. The book was Zhao’s suggestion to Palau two years ago in an effort to build mutual understanding between two cultures. It consists of transcribed conversations between the two leaders during three separate meetings. The book discusses philosophy, history, religion, the Bible, creation, atheism, Confucianism, politics, ethics, Chinese and Western cultures, and the relevance of Jesus Christ to society. Zhao, China’s vice chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and former Minister of Information, said, "Dr. Palau and I are both rather pure species of our two different cultures. Because both of us were very straightforward during our discussions, we were able to breach the barriers posed by different ideologies and exchange views on a wide range of topics. I was deeply touched when Dr. Palau told me he loved China." (Christian Newswire)

NEW ORLEANS BAPTISTS EXPRESS LOVE ON 1ST ANNIVERSARY OF KATRINA

New Orleans Baptists purchased a full-page advertisement in The Times-Picayune metro newspaper on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in order to express their ongoing love for New Orleans. The ad begins, "An anniversary love note from the 85 Southern Baptist churches of metropolitan New Orleans." After a list of many of the 85 churches, many ethnically diverse, and their locations, the ad celebrated the volunteer relief work of the many Baptists who helped by "running chainsaws, gutting out houses, handing out food and water and preparing and serving literally millions of hot meals throughout the area." The ad concluded, "We love you, New Orleans. We’re with you for the duration." (Baptist Press)

© Copyright 2006 - HCJB World Radio - Colorado Springs, CO USA

 
 VŠECHNY ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ
   6TH-GRADER RAISES $3,000 TO BUILD HOME FOR POOR FAMILY

A sixth-grader from Vermont was so moved by the plight of the poor in the Caribbean and Latin America that she decided to chip in to help support the work of Food for the Poor (FFP) in those regions. Audrey Pekarik of Browns River Middle School in Underhill Center, Vt., set as her goal to raise the $2,000 necessary to build a house for a needy family as a tangible expression of God’s love. After a fox ended her egg-selling business, Pekarik began creating bracelets made of precious metals, semi-precious stones and crystals to raise the funds. Pekarik donated $5 from every sale to FFP. In the end, Pekarik exceeded her goal, raising $3,000. (Mission Network News)

WELL-KNOWN CHRISTIAN LEAVES IRAQ, CALLING SITUATION ‘INTOLERABLE’

Prominent Assyrian Christian Donny George, president of Iraq’s State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, was considered by many to be a barometer of how Iraq was progressing. George, well known for his directorship and work preserving the Baghdad Museum, has recently left Iraq, calling the situation "intolerable." He cited the dramatic increase in a radical Muslim and anti-Western environment. Ken Joseph of AssyrianChristians.com has said that George’s experience can be traced back to the January 2006 elections that were "neither free nor fair." Joseph said that up to 3 million false ballots were shipped across the border from Iran to skew election results, and the U.N.-designed electoral system was carefully designed to give small radical Muslim parties an advantage. Many Assyrian Christians and other northern minorities were denied voting access by either closed voting centers or intimidation. George is one of the nearly 100,000 Assyrian Christians in the city of Nineveh -- descendants of the original people of Iraq. Christians comprised 20 percent of the Middle East’s population as late as the 1950s. That number has dropped to less than 2 percent today. (Assist News Service)

CHINESE BLIND CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER SENTENCED TO 4 YEARS, 3 MONTHS

Renowned Chinese blind civil rights activist, Chen Guancheng was sentenced in Shandong province on Thursday, Aug. 24, to four years and three months in prison on charges of willfully damaging property, organizing a mob and disrupting traffic. Chen and two others were tried secretly on Friday, Aug. 18, with only a public defender appointed to him because neither his wife or lawyers were allowed in the courtroom for the trial. Chen’s wife is currently under house arrest. In 2005 Chen exposed the local authorities’ harsh methods in enforcing the one-child policy in Linyi, Shandong province. Chen filed a class-action lawsuit on a woman’s behalf that was rejected by the court, yet drew worldwide attention because of an interview with Time magazine. Just three hours after the interview, Public Security Agents from his hometown abducted Chen. He remained under house arrest for months before being removed from his house in March and then formally detained in June. (China Aid Association)

* HCJB World Radio-Australia’s shortwave station in Kununurra broadcasts 16.5 hours of Mandarin and 14 hours of Cantonese programming each week.

SURVEY: 15 PERCENT OF NEW ZEALANDERS ATTEND CHURCH WEEKLY

A National Church Life Survey in New Zealand has revealed that more people attend church on any given Sunday than attend sporting events. Massey University historian Peter Lineham says that while overall churchgoing may be a minority activity, it’s one of the largest minorities in the country with about 15 percent attending weekly and 30 percent attending at least once a year. Lineham says the survey numbers are limited because most Pentecostal, fundamentalist and ethnic churches, which make up at least 50 percent of Auckland’s churches, were not surveyed. Recent research has put church attendance at between 10 and 28 percent of the population. Taking all the polls into consideration -- along with reservations regarding interpretation of the results -- an estimated 800,000 of the country’s 4.4 million people attend some form of church service. Additional statistics show that about 40 percent of New Zealanders have attended church in the past and dropped out. (Assist News Service)

UPDATE: ‘MILLION-DOLLAR BILL’ TRACT CASE GOES TO FEDERAL COURT

Lawyers for the Texas-based Great News Network (GNN) which was accused of distributing a gospel tract that violates currency restrictions have filed an appeal with a federal court arguing the tract cannot be considered a counterfeit piece of money. In June, Secret Service agents confiscated thousands of the "million-dollar bill" gospel tracts, claiming they violated currency restrictions. Senior trial attorney Brian Fahling with the Center for Law and Policy who is representing GNN said, "They are fictitious bills. They have disqualifying marks such as a gospel message on the back. On the front it says things like, ‘This bill is not legal tender’ [and] ‘from the Department of Eternal Affairs.’" Fahling added that anyone "with a modicum of common sense -- even without common sense" would recognize the bills are not actual currency. Demand for the tracts has skyrocketed since the controversy began. (AgapePress)

© Copyright 2006 - HCJB World Radio - Colorado Springs, CO USA

 

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