Rwanda: Thousands of churches shut
Iain Taylor
The Rwandan authorities have begun shutting churches en masse, a process that is being driven by ‘dictatorial paranoia,’ according to persecuted church agency Open Doors. It has revealed that over 6,000 churches, mainly smaller independents, have been forced to close since August, following new legislation, with roughly 15,000 closures in total since 2018.
The laws were purportedly enacted for health and safety reasons, as well as to prevent church corruption. Now churches must soundproof their buildings and install specific canvas ceilings (themselves serious fire hazards). All churches must have lightning conductors and there must be a parking space for each member. Furthermore, every pastor must have a theological degree from an accredited institution and any church wishing to register with the authorities must prove it has at least 1,000 members.
North Korea: ‘Rulers fear Christians’
Iain Taylor
China has subjected hundreds of North Koreans to atrocities in the last year by forcibly returning them home. The North Korean government believes that religion, especially Christianity, is the greatest threat to its power, experts said at a recent US hearing.
Christian Daily International reports that torture, sexual violence, enslavement and murder await those repatriated from China to detention centres in North Korea.
The intense danger of a ‘comfortable life’
How did the church win over so many ancient civilisations, and how could that be done again?
The Libyan Christian martyrs on the beach in 2015 made an immensely powerful witness to the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ. If He offered any of us the opportunity to do the same, would we accept that?