Endangered Species

Recent developments, according to the (Irish) Independent:

Dozens killed in attacks on Nigerian Christians

"A FRESH wave of violence against churchgoers in Nigeria has left at least 27 people dead and heightened fears over security in Africa 's most populous country.

The religiously motivated massacres -- three since last Thursday -- targeted Christians in Mubi and Gombe, towns in the north-east where a state of emergency was declared by President Goodluck Jonathan last week. Some 17 other deaths have been reported in other regions.

There is growing concern that the government's inability to tackle the rising levels of sectarian violence, blamed on radical Islamic group Boko Haram , may result in hundreds of people fleeing their homes.

The group is now carrying out weekly attacks on churches and police stations in northern and central areas.
Islamic clerics who speak out against the violence have been assassinated."-more

And from Ecumenical News International there's this:

Sudan churches encounter more hostility after independence

Christians and churches in Sudan are facing increased restrictions and hostility, since the secession of the southern part of the country six months ago, according to some church leaders.

The leaders are highlighting arrests and abduction of Christians and threats directed at clergy, while warning of more challenges when the country implements Sharia (Islamic law).

“Restrictions in Sudan are not new, but we are worried things are getting harder since the secession of the south. With Sharia law we expect things to get even harder,” the Rev. Mark Akec Cien, the Sudan Council of Churches, deputy general secretary of the told ENInews on Jan. 20 in a telephone interview."-more

In Pakistan Christian women are kidnapped, raped, forced to convert to Islam and then forced to marry their rapist.  Others are brought up on false blasphemy charges and executed.  We send billions of dollars to Pakistan yet they won't even grant the basic human right of freedom of worship.

In Iran Pastor Joseph Nadarkhani is being tortured as you read this.  Being tortured so that he will renounce Christianity and embrace Islam. And we are being told by Muslims that there is no compulsion in religion.

In Indonesia no church is allowed to operate without government approval and special taxes (Jizya) paid to the government.  Churches have been burnt by angry Muslim mobs.

All over the world Christians are being persecuted. Yet President Barack Hussein Obama is quiet on this.  Not one word in his latest State of the Union.  Yet President Obama will speak loudly if a Mosque is not being built or one of his Harvard buddies hit a cop.

We cannot be silent!  The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states this:

Article 5.

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 16.

(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

Article 18.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

To become a member of the United Nation every nation had to agree to these principles.  It is time that the world enforce the meaning of them on the offending nations, or throws them out of the United Nations.

It is time to speak up loudly for those being persecuted for their faith and ignoring those who claim persecution when there is none.