Wednesday, January 24, 2007
The Devil in Burma
A secret document drafted by a government ministry in Burma has been leaked, and its contents would be comical if they were not so chilling. The memo, titled "Programme to destroy the Christian religion in Burma", contains point-by-point instructions on how to drive Christians out of the nation. Ironically, the state religion of Burma is Buddhism--a religion (some would argue) even more "peaceful" and "tolerant" than Islam.
Just in the past year, 27,000 members of the predominantly Christian Karen people group have been systematically driven from their homes in the government's attempt to create a racially and religiously homogeneous Burma. A Telegraph article notes: "The text, which opens with the line 'There shall be no home where the Christian religion is practised,' calls for anyone caught evangelising to be imprisoned. It advises: 'The Christian religion is very gentle--identify and utilise its weakness.' "
In its attempt at presenting a disparaging assessment of Christianity, the document unintentionally identifies the very reason Christianity will not be driven from Burma. Like many totalitarian regimes, the Burmese government has not learned from the misled attempts of other such nations (e.g. its large neighbor to the north) to snuff out a religion that has always spread more quickly and become more deeply rooted through the fires of persecution and because of its commitment to turn the other cheek in the face of oppression. Christians do not not fight back because they cannot, but because they need not.
When the Roman emperor Valens threatened church father Eusebius with confiscation of all his goods, torture, banishment and death, Eusebius replied, "He needs not fear confiscation, who has nothing to lose; nor banishment, to whom heaven is his country; nor torments, when his body can be destroyed at one blow; nor death, which is the only way to set him at liberty from sin and sorrow."
The crisis in Burma provides another opportunity to pray for our brothers and sisters, who are separated from us only by miles, that God would protect them, uphold their faith and use the fragrance of their suffering to bring His light to Burma.
Matt Green, editor
Ministry Today
UPDATE: Anonymous commenter below makes a good point. Here are some links to complement your prayers:
Just in the past year, 27,000 members of the predominantly Christian Karen people group have been systematically driven from their homes in the government's attempt to create a racially and religiously homogeneous Burma. A Telegraph article notes: "The text, which opens with the line 'There shall be no home where the Christian religion is practised,' calls for anyone caught evangelising to be imprisoned. It advises: 'The Christian religion is very gentle--identify and utilise its weakness.' "
In its attempt at presenting a disparaging assessment of Christianity, the document unintentionally identifies the very reason Christianity will not be driven from Burma. Like many totalitarian regimes, the Burmese government has not learned from the misled attempts of other such nations (e.g. its large neighbor to the north) to snuff out a religion that has always spread more quickly and become more deeply rooted through the fires of persecution and because of its commitment to turn the other cheek in the face of oppression. Christians do not not fight back because they cannot, but because they need not.
When the Roman emperor Valens threatened church father Eusebius with confiscation of all his goods, torture, banishment and death, Eusebius replied, "He needs not fear confiscation, who has nothing to lose; nor banishment, to whom heaven is his country; nor torments, when his body can be destroyed at one blow; nor death, which is the only way to set him at liberty from sin and sorrow."
The crisis in Burma provides another opportunity to pray for our brothers and sisters, who are separated from us only by miles, that God would protect them, uphold their faith and use the fragrance of their suffering to bring His light to Burma.
Matt Green, editor
Ministry Today
UPDATE: Anonymous commenter below makes a good point. Here are some links to complement your prayers:
# posted by Matt Green : 12:34 PM
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pray? how about lobbying your government to do something about it? or donating to a burmese charity? praying is all very well, but it's not going to feed or clothe karen refugees or anyone else for that matter. after reading your post, i wondered, does he want martyrs or to help people? if it's martyrs you want, just sit back and do nothing. the junta will martyr them for you. if you want to help them, reach into your pocketbooks and do some real good. http://www.prospectburma.org/
http://www.freeburmarangers.org/
http://www.freeburmarangers.org/
# posted by 
: 4:17 PM
: 4:17 PM
We too could do with much needed funds to assist the with the assitance!
www.livingwatercenter.org
donations@livingwatercenter.org
Please Donate Here Now!!!
www.livingwatercenter.org
donations@livingwatercenter.org
Please Donate Here Now!!!
Doesn't look like the above link worked...
Please try this one....
Please Donate Here Now!!!
General Website for more information as to what we do to assist:
Living Water Center Website
Or Email:
info@LivingWaterCenter.org
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Please try this one....
Please Donate Here Now!!!
General Website for more information as to what we do to assist:
Living Water Center Website
Or Email:
info@LivingWaterCenter.org
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