Orissa Attacks Expand Across India

The violence against Christians in Orissa State has continued following the assassination of Swami Laxmanananda Sarawati on August 23. VOM sources report the death toll of Christians has reached 42. Meanwhile relief camps in Orissa have been targeted by extremists attempting to poison water supplies. Six Christians became ill in a relief camp in the town of Rakia after drinking poisoned water and there have been reports of similar attempts in other state camps. Several reports of Christians being threatened with violence if they refuse to convert to Hinduism have also been received. Meanwhile, VOM sources report attacks against Christians are expanding to other states. On September 7, in Madhya Pradesh state, the 86-year-old St. Bartholomew Church building was burned down in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh. Although the church watchman has accepted blame for the arson attack, local Christians argue that the police are protecting the Hindu extremist groups.

In Kolar district, Karnataka state, Hindu extremists stormed into another church building tore up Bibles, hymnals and curtains, and beat several church members present. The extremists seized the pastor and took him to a nearby temple where he was pressured into observing Hindu rituals. He was released only after he gave the attackers a written declaration stating that he would not return to the village or continue any church activities. Pray that Christians under attack will know God's care and provision. Pray for Christians to be strong in the face of pressure to deny Christ. Pray that the international community will voice deep concern for the Christians in India who are being persecuted for their faith.

Source: The Voice of the Martyrs

Demographic Winter: Decline of the Human Family

September 6, 2008 several Buddhist Monks (Bikkus) stormed into a Government Hospital (Piliyandala) and asked the Doctors to stop the family planning project, which was for the low-income families.

There were 50-60 women were there to present for surgical sterilisation. The Bikku accused the project planners of taking measures to exterminate the Sinhala (Majority) race by using, so called, economic reasons as their excuse. This action aroused a heated controversy regarding the duty and role of the Buddhist monk in social context and the rights of women.

This remind me of a newly realized film called “Demographic Winter” which talks about the horrors of decreasing world population. It has been recorded that less than 40 years, the world population decreased by 40%. This is true in all societies around the world. The reasons are complex. The present sexual revolution (contraception, cohabitation, gay and lesbian unions), individualistic attitudes and lifestyles have pushed the society into fertility decline. Resents popular publications have shown the cost to raising a child is approximately between $ 250,000- $ 300,000, which I supposed demoralizing to the general population to have more than one child. This kind of population decrease is not new phenomenon; it has been seen in ancient Rome, which ultimately led to the decline of the great civilization.

P. D. James, Children of Men graphically portrait the modern day chilling experience of living in a dyeing civilization after 25 years of last child birth.

It seems these predictions are slowly but surely coming to true: “The spying still goes on but it is twenty-five years now since a human being was born and in our hearts few of believe that the cry of a newborn child will ever be heard again on our planet. Our interest in sex is waning. Romantic and idealized love has taken over form crude carnal satisfaction despite the efforts of the Warden of England, through the national porn shops, to stimulate our flagging appetites. But we have our sensual substitutes; they are available to all on the National Health Service” [1].

Demographic winter’s website stated:

“One of the most ominous events of modern history is quietly unfolding. Social scientists and economists agree - we are headed toward a demographic winter, which threatens to have catastrophic social and economic consequences. The effects will be severe and long lasting and are already becoming manifest in much of Europe.”

A groundbreaking film, Demographic Winter: Decline of the Human Family, reveals in chilling soberness how societies with diminished family influence are now grimly seen as being in social and economic jeopardy.

Demographic Winter draws upon experts from all around the world - demographers, economists, sociologists, psychologists, civic and religious leaders, parliamentarians and diplomats. Together, they reveal the dangers facing society and the world’s economies, dangers far more imminent than global warming and at least as severe. These experts will discuss how:

The “population bomb” not only did not have the predicted consequences, but almost all of the developed countries of the world are now experiencing fertility rates far below replacement levels.

Birthrates have fallen so low that even immigration cannot replace declining populations, and this migration is sapping strength from developing countries, the fertility rates for many of which are now falling at a faster pace than did those of the developed countries. The engines of commerce will be strained as the workers of today fail to replace themselves and are burdened by the responsibility to support an aging population. ever shrinking work force. The skyrocketing ratio of the old retirees to the young workers will render current-day social security systems completely unable to support the aging population.

The influence of social and economic problems on ever shrinking, increasingly disconnected generations will compound and accelerate the deterioration. Our children and our children’s children will bear the economic and social burden of regenerating the “human capital” that accounts for 80% of wealth in the economy, and they will be ill-equipped to do so.”

Word 650

---

[1] P. D. James, Children of Men. (New York: Warner Books, 2002), 8.

Remembering 9/11

I try to forget about that horrible day,

but its impossible,their's no way,

how could people be so careless,

no one watched the horrible act fearless,

no one thought that this was gonna go down,

we had to worry about in our little town,

but we shed tears for the ones in the towers,

we couldn't stop crying for hours,

some kids come home to no families that day,

to kids like that what do you say,

this war will end one day,

i just wish it was today.

-By felicia handley [1]

Remember 9/11 Prayer

Almighty God, the past year will be indelibly inscribed in our memories.

We looked with horror on the terrorist attacks of last September 11th.
But we looked with honor on acts of courage by ordinary people
who sacrificed themselves to prevent further death and destruction.

We shed our tears in a common bond of grief for those we loved and lost.
We journeyed through a dark valley, but your light has led us to a place of hope.
You have turned our grief into determination.
We are resolved to do what is good, and right, and just.

Help us to remember what it means to be Americans—
a people endowed with abundant blessings.
Help us to cherish the freedoms we enjoy and inspire us to stand
with courage, united as one Nation in the midst of any adversity.

Lord, hear this prayer for our Nation. Amen.[2]

---

[1] http://www.9-11heroes.us/911-poems.php

[2] http://www.appleseeds.org/9-11_prayer.htm

Butt Prints on The Sand

Today Dr. Stephen Bramer talk about a poem call "Butt prints on the Sand". It is a beautiful portrait of disobedience in our part and it remind us to obey God's will at once:

Butt Prints In The Sand

One night I had a wondrous dream,
One set of footprints there was seen,
The footprints of my precious Lord,
But mine were not along the shore.

But then some stranger prints appeared,
And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"
Those prints are large and round and neat,
"But Lord they are too big for feet."

"My child," He said in somber tones,
"For miles I carried you alone.
I challenged you to walk in faith,
But you refused and made me wait."

"You disobeyed, you would not grow,
The walk of faith, you would not know.
So I got tired, I got fed up,
and there I dropped you on your butt."

"Because in life, there comes a time,
when one must fight, and one must climb,
When one must rise and take a stand,
or leave their butt prints in the sand."

-Author unknown

Words 187

Sri Lankan Bikkus (Buddhist Monks) Challenged the Authority of Law

The first week of September 2008 held a hearing of violating a court ruling on the prevention of noise pollution by using public Address system from 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. These regulations were made by the Supreme Court, which considered the highest law in Sri Lanka. However, last week of August the accused Buddhist Monk (Bikku) was summoned by the court. He categorically dismissed the summons by not presenting, which lead to the contempt of court and the very day issued an order to arrest of the Bikku. On the day of hearing over forty Bikkus were present at the court vicinity. At the entrance of the Supreme court Judges including the Chef Justice, all others except the Bikkus stand and respected the court of law.

Immediately afterwards, the Chef Justice said to the open court that the Bikkus have disrespected the court of law and asked the Attorney (Lawyer) to kindly ask the Bikkus to go out and come again to take their seats. However, no Bikku seems to heed the advice of the Attorney, subsequently, the bail appeal for the accused was denied. Chef Justice did not acted harshly toward Bikkus perhaps he is a devoted Buddhist.

This action seems to be a high-hand contempt of the Supreme court and the authority of the common law. Most probably, these Bikkus acted out of ignorance or purposely to show their superiority. However, this action shows the prevailing arrogance of the Bikkus, perceiving themselves above all humans and even over the Court of law.

This challenge further shows the growing ideology in corporate consciousness of Bikkus considering themselves as untouchable higher elite status in the society. One Senior Monk said, Bikkus are liable to respect Lord Buddha, Dhamma (Doctrine), older monks only, not even in the presence of King they should stand.

Bikkus should know that there is a time and place for every thing. At a religious ceremony, higher official, Chief Justice or even President of the country would sit below the standing of a Bikku and listen and participate in the ceremony. However, when it comes to the place of authority of the law, such as the Court of law they should and must respected the authority vested by the law of the country.

I have been several times verbally harassed, ostracized and taken to police by such kind of Buddhist Monks, for the reason of sharing gospel and church work. It’s foreshadows a dangerous development of their self-perception, which could lead to more harassment and violence against Christians in Sri Lanka.

Words: 400

Do you make a difference?

The September Campaign Trailer

Know Your Roots: Evangelicalism Lecture series

In Zondervan blog called Koinonia posted marvelous lecture series of evangelicalism. It is mainly on the perspective of the rise of the American Evangelicalism.

The first lecture is about the historic great-reversal of evangelicalism and its rise from the rock bottom. Dr. Kenneth S. Kantzer (1917-2002) talks about the last educational institution, Princeton Seminary gave away to liberalism which is the beginning of Neo-darkages of American Christianity and the bright dawning of the age of evangelicalism.

He served as the president of the Evangelical Theological Society (1968), editor of Christianity Today (1977-1982) and president of Trinity College (now Trinity International University) (1982-1984), later helped the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School to found its PH.D. Program.

In the second Lecture Dr. Carl F. H. Henry (1913-2003) investigate the theological scrutiny behind the historical theological development and how it impacted the evangelicalism. He talks about the secular humanism which had engulf the Christianity and the resurgence of evangelicalism in para-church organizations like prison fellowship, world vision etc. Dr. Carl Henry is the first editor of Christianity Today (1956-1968) and also took part in launching the National Association of Evangelicals in 1942. He was considered as the prominent evangelical by most of the mass Media.

Lastly two Q & A segments leads by D. A. Carson, which talks about the definition and characteristics of the evangelicalism. The fourth segment is about the future of evangelicalism.

Listen to the lectures:

Lecture I: Definitions and turning points by Dr. Kenneth S. Kantzer (28 minutes)

Lecture II: Modernism & Evangelicalism by Dr. Carl F. H. Henry (28 Minutes)

Lecture III: Q & A-Definitions of the pragmatical terms (28 minutes)

Lecture IV: Q & A-The Future (28 minutes)

Koinonia writer says, "One observation, for what it's worth, is that many of the questions posed in the videos are the very same people are asking 20 years later. What does this say about evangelicalism?." I listen to them all and found very informative.