Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you - 1 Peter 4:12-14
In relation to the Bible passage quoted above, The North Indian state of Uttarakhand is now the eighth state in the country to pass legislation that is officially named "Freedom of Religion Act" but has the allegedly hidden intent to punish those who facilitate religious conversions, especially conversions from Hinduism to Christianity. The latest law carries a jail term of up to two years.
As a follower of Christ, we should encourage ourselves and not to be discourage because it was written in 2 Timothy 3:12 that, ''Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
The Governor of Uttarakhand, Krishna Kant Paul, signed the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Bill of 2018 into law this month, according to local media reports. The law will be in force as soon as the state government, governed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, drafts its rules.
The bill was passed in the state assembly last month.
On paper, the legislation claims to ban conversion by the use of force, fraud or inducement, but these terms are defined loosely to include social work, praying for the sick or even evangelism. It is commonly referred to as an "anti-conversion" law.
The eastern state of Odisha, the central states of Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, the northern state of Himachal Pradesh and the western state of Gujarat also have similar laws in force.
The northern state of Rajasthan, too, has an anti-conversion law on paper, but the bill is pending with the president of India. In the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, it is awaiting implementation.
This week, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom recommended that the U.S. government call on the Indian government to repeal anti-conversion laws.
The commission noted that nearly one-third of India's states were enforcing anti-conversion and/or anti-cow slaughter laws against "non-Hindus." Cows are considered holy by sections of the majority Hindu community.
While hardly any Christian worker has been convicted by a court under the law, members of the minority community are routinely accused of and charged with "forcible" conversions of Hindus. Christians and rights groups say the law is used as a tool by Rightwing Hindu groups to harass and persecute Christians and to restrict Hindus from converting away from their religion.
We the faithful followers and disciples of Christ should not jettison our evangelism zeal because of these dangerous threat being pose on all faithful Christians worldwide, Instead it should increase our love, faith to spread the Good news to all.
Let us encourage ourselves with what is written in 2nd Corinthians 4:8-12, ''We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
For more on this story, visit Christian Post here
India Enacts 'Anti-Conversion' Law Targeting Christians Evangelism
Reviewed by E.A Olatoye
on
April 28, 2018
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Reviewed by E.A Olatoye
on
April 28, 2018
Rating:
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