Persecution watch -- Christians in Burma targeted for genocide

Presbyweb pointed to this article from England's Daily Telegraph newspaper. The headline: Burma 'orders Christians to be wiped out'.

The military regime in Burma is intent on wiping out Christianity in the country, according to claims in a secret document believed to have been leaked from a government ministry. Entitled "Programme to destroy the Christian religion in Burma", the incendiary memo contains point by point instructions on how to drive Christians out of the state.

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."

Its discovery follows widespread reports of religious persecution, with churches burnt to the ground, Christians forced to convert to the state religion, Buddhism, and their children barred from school.

The story goes on to tell of Buddhist monks who lead the charge in burning churches and intimidate Christians.

What is a rational Christian do to? First, let's get more informed -- the situation in Burma is bigger than violence against Christians -- as the Human Rights Watch website shows, there's a history of violence, oppression, and abuse in Burma. Meanwhile Christian Solidarity Worldwide has a more in depth profile of the nature of religious persecution in Burma -- with abundant links. Christian Solidarity provides information about how to contact appropriate governmental officials to express concern:

Write to your Senator at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510, or your representative at U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515. (Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to find out your Congressperson’s name). Ask your Congressperson to raise your concerns with both the Congress and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and to additionally raise this in appropriate international forums.

Secretary of State CondoleezzaRice U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 Fax: (202) 261-8577 Phone: (202) 647-4000 Email: secretary@state.gov

In addition to these sites, you can also view the PBS Religion and Ethics Weekly report on persecution in Burma (with photos and video).

These are just a few of the links that come up with a Yahoo search on Burma/persecution.

Soli Deo Gloria
Russell