Orrissa Update: Christians flee to forests as mob violence escalates in Indian State

Star123 · 08-30-2008, 11:04 AM

Latest Update: Thursday 29, 2008

Christians Flee to Forests as Mob Violence Escalates in Indian State:

Mob violence in India's Orissa state continues to escalate, and reports coming from Gospel for Asia leaders in Orissa say that as many as 20 GFA-related churches were destroyed and hundreds of Christian families have been burned out of their homes. At least a dozen members of GFA-related churches have been murdered, but no one knows the overall death toll.

"The Christians in Orissa have fled for their lives into the forests," GFA President K.P. Yohannan said, "and some have been in hiding for three days without food or water.

"Several of our pastors are in the forest along with their church people, and one said that he could have escaped, but would rather die with his people than leave them."

Dr. Yohannan called the situation "unprecedented in his 30 years of ministry in South Asia."

"I have never seen persecution so bad in my life," Dr. Yohannan said, "and I have seen a lot of opposition to the Gospel over the years."

Orissa, the state where Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons were burned to death by anti-Christian militants in 1999, has a long history of opposition to the Gospel.

"Yet this past year, we have seen more people place their faith in Jesus Christ in Orissa than in any other Indian state," Dr. Yohannan noted. "So it is no surprise that opposition is increasing."

The latest reports coming in include a long list of specific attacks against pastors, missionaries and their followers—including Christians being hacked to death. One believer's body was cut into seven pieces.

"They are raping Christian girls—and some gang rapes are taking place," Dr. Yohannan said. "We are praying that the young women on our Bible college campus will remain safe. There are 250 students there, and 90 of them are girls. A handful of police officers are trying to protect them, and that is a blessing. But we have had people come on campus and attack students in the past, so I am asking for all Christians to pray for their protection."

The violence began after the Saturday night murder of Swami Laxmananand Saraswati, a top leader of the VHP (World Hindu Council) and an outspoken opponent of Christianity. He was killed in an attack by 20 men armed with guns and hand grenades. While the murderers are suspected of being Maoist rebels, the Hindu radicals seized on the killing as an excuse to incite violence against the area's Christian community.

"What is most disturbing," Dr. Yohannan said, "is that the radicals have not only incited this violence, but they are also orchestrating it. And the latest reports are that they are bringing in militants from Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and other states to carry out their evil plans."

Because the swami's goal was to stop the spread of Christianity, especially among tribal and lower-caste Indians, an attack on him last December incited a similar wave of violence—again targeting Christians.

"Between December 24 and January 15, some 730 Christian homes and more than 100 churches were destroyed," Dr. Yohannan recalled. "Several dozen Christian women were sexually assaulted, and more than 40 shops owned by Christians were looted."

"Most of the victims were Dalits, formerly known as Untouchables," he noted.

"Basically, what we are facing is genocide—ethnic cleansing—against Christians, and so far, no government has spoken out against it."

Dr. Yohannan asks that concerned people in the West call on their government officials—as well as those in India—to intervene in this disaster.*

"But most important is prayer," Dr. Yohannan emphasized. "Please pray that God will intervene in this situation, that His peace will descend on the people of Orissa, and that His message of love will fill the hearts of all of India's people.

Gospel for Asia Founder and President K.P. Yohannan
Related Information:
Christians Protest; Government Trying to Take Control in Orissa.
Pastors Attacked, Believers Killed, Churches Destroyed in Anti-Christian Rampage.
Pastor Attacked, Churches Burned in Wake of Swami's Death.
Those who wish to help meet the needs of the suffering believers in Orissa may give to GFA's Persecution Relief Fund.

©2008 Gospel for Asia - "Reaching the most unreached" - 1-800-WIN-ASIA (800-946-2742)
Gospel for Asia Founder and President K.P. Yohannan

Star123 · 08-30-2008, 11:31 AM

Pcola Girl · 09-08-2008, 03:16 PM

I pray that God will intervene in this situation soon.

08-30-2008, 11:04 AM	#1
Star123 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: B.C., Canada Posts: 1,223 Gallery: Star123 Stats: 192/192/145 WOE: You on a diet; low carb ;) Start Date: restart Jan. 1, 2009	Orrissa Update: Christians flee to forests as mob violence escalates in Indian State Latest Update: Thursday 29, 2008 Christians Flee to Forests as Mob Violence Escalates in Indian State: Mob violence in India's Orissa state continues to escalate, and reports coming from Gospel for Asia leaders in Orissa say that as many as 20 GFA-related churches were destroyed and hundreds of Christian families have been burned out of their homes. At least a dozen members of GFA-related churches have been murdered, but no one knows the overall death toll. "The Christians in Orissa have fled for their lives into the forests," GFA President K.P. Yohannan said, "and some have been in hiding for three days without food or water. "Several of our pastors are in the forest along with their church people, and one said that he could have escaped, but would rather die with his people than leave them." Dr. Yohannan called the situation "unprecedented in his 30 years of ministry in South Asia." "I have never seen persecution so bad in my life," Dr. Yohannan said, "and I have seen a lot of opposition to the Gospel over the years." Orissa, the state where Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons were burned to death by anti-Christian militants in 1999, has a long history of opposition to the Gospel. "Yet this past year, we have seen more people place their faith in Jesus Christ in Orissa than in any other Indian state," Dr. Yohannan noted. "So it is no surprise that opposition is increasing." The latest reports coming in include a long list of specific attacks against pastors, missionaries and their followers—including Christians being hacked to death. One believer's body was cut into seven pieces. "They are raping Christian girls—and some gang rapes are taking place," Dr. Yohannan said. "We are praying that the young women on our Bible college campus will remain safe. There are 250 students there, and 90 of them are girls. A handful of police officers are trying to protect them, and that is a blessing. But we have had people come on campus and attack students in the past, so I am asking for all Christians to pray for their protection." The violence began after the Saturday night murder of Swami Laxmananand Saraswati, a top leader of the VHP (World Hindu Council) and an outspoken opponent of Christianity. He was killed in an attack by 20 men armed with guns and hand grenades. While the murderers are suspected of being Maoist rebels, the Hindu radicals seized on the killing as an excuse to incite violence against the area's Christian community. "What is most disturbing," Dr. Yohannan said, "is that the radicals have not only incited this violence, but they are also orchestrating it. And the latest reports are that they are bringing in militants from Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and other states to carry out their evil plans." Because the swami's goal was to stop the spread of Christianity, especially among tribal and lower-caste Indians, an attack on him last December incited a similar wave of violence—again targeting Christians. "Between December 24 and January 15, some 730 Christian homes and more than 100 churches were destroyed," Dr. Yohannan recalled. "Several dozen Christian women were sexually assaulted, and more than 40 shops owned by Christians were looted." "Most of the victims were Dalits, formerly known as Untouchables," he noted. "Basically, what we are facing is genocide—ethnic cleansing—against Christians, and so far, no government has spoken out against it." Dr. Yohannan asks that concerned people in the West call on their government officials—as well as those in India—to intervene in this disaster.* "But most important is prayer," Dr. Yohannan emphasized. "Please pray that God will intervene in this situation, that His peace will descend on the people of Orissa, and that His message of love will fill the hearts of all of India's people. Gospel for Asia Founder and President K.P. Yohannan Related Information: Christians Protest; Government Trying to Take Control in Orissa. Pastors Attacked, Believers Killed, Churches Destroyed in Anti-Christian Rampage. Pastor Attacked, Churches Burned in Wake of Swami's Death. Those who wish to help meet the needs of the suffering believers in Orissa may give to GFA's Persecution Relief Fund. ©2008 Gospel for Asia - "Reaching the most unreached" - 1-800-WIN-ASIA (800-946-2742) Gospel for Asia Founder and President K.P. Yohannan __________________ ~ Tammy ~ ~ New Year Challenge 2009 ~ 2 lbs lost!!! Last edited by Star123 : 08-30-2008 at 11:12 AM.

08-30-2008, 11:31 AM	#2
Star123 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: B.C., Canada Posts: 1,223 Gallery: Star123 Stats: 192/192/145 WOE: You on a diet; low carb ;) Start Date: restart Jan. 1, 2009	Message from K.P. Yohannan Last edited by Star123 : 08-30-2008 at 12:06 PM.

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09-08-2008, 03:16 PM	#3
Pcola Girl Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 3,295 Gallery: Pcola Girl Stats: Start-325 Today-225 Goal 160 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Sarted Nov. 2000---Restarted New January 2008	I pray that God will intervene in this situation soon.