[Field Story] Voice of the American Martyrs redesignate India as a ‘country with restrictions on religious freedom’
Voice of the Martyrs US (VOM), an organization for persecuted Christians, selected India as a country with limited religious freedom in its annual World Prayer Guide.
This is because Hindu extremism and Christian persecution are increasing under the government of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
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According to the American Christian Post (CP), the group explains that India's situation is unique due to the current government's ideological shift.
In a statement to CP, VOM said that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2019, Christians in India have faced increased opposition and violence despite their constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.
The group said the Modi government had promoted Hindutva, an ideology aimed at creating a purely Hindu nation, which had led to the persecution of religious minorities.
In particular, 12 Indian states have implemented laws against forced conversion and are severely punishing Christian evangelists.
In addition, sharing the Bible or praying with someone can result in long prison sentences, VOM explained.
Anti-forced conversion laws claim that Christians force or offer money or goods to convert Hindus.
The law stipulates that no one can cause ‘holy offense’ or ‘pose a threat’, meaning Christians cannot talk about heaven or hell.
Historically, persecution of Christians in India occurred primarily in areas where missionary activity was active within the Hindu community.
Such persecution has occurred without government approval, and courts have often held perpetrators accountable.
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Chairman Richard said, “The goal of Hindu nationalism includes the elimination of Christians from the so-called ‘Hindu homeland.’ Hatred and violence against Christians have become routine, and those who encourage it have become prominent political leaders.”
VOM USA is providing Bibles and other support to Christians who have lost jobs, had their homes destroyed, and been physically injured as a result of violent attacks in India.
It also provides encouragement to persecuted believers by reminding them of the prayers and support of the religious community around the world.
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Christians, who make up about 2.3% of the population in India, are increasingly oppressed.
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The United Christian Forum (UCF), a group that monitors Christian persecution in India, reported that there were 23 attacks on Christians in the last week of 2023 alone.
In the first half of 2023, violence surged across 23 states in India, with 400 incidents reported.
This is a significant increase from 274 cases the previous year.
UCF blamed false accusations of forced conversion and impunity for mass assaults by vigilantes.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:20-23).
Amen! We praise Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who bore the cross for us that were slaves of sin and made us righteous.
Lord, although India's constitution clearly states that it guarantees religious freedom, we hear that the persecution of Christians has become increasingly severe, and that it has eventually been re-designated as a country with restrictions on religious freedom.
It is said that high-ranking officials are ruling this people with the goal of Hindu nationalism, and are eliminating believers by inflicting violence and oppressing Christians for Hindu nationalism.
God loves India and established the Lord's church in India and is showing that love, but many souls in India do not know the love of the Lord and are persecuting the Lord's children.
Please break the Hindu spirit, the Islamic spirit, and all Satan's delusions and powers that confuse India so that it does not know the truth, and let India become a nation filled with the fruit of life leading to holiness.
We confess that the blood of the Lord on the cross has already purified India.
We proclaim that India has been liberated from all Satan's schemes and has been set free only by the precious blood of the Lord.
Let India become servants of Christ, enjoy the eternal life that God gave as a gift, and become a people who give their all for the kingdom of God.
So now, let us quickly see the day of revival when God's one million army rises up all over India and runs to all nations for Jesus and the gospel.
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