by Staff
May 21, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - On April 20, the family of Uyghur house church leader Alimujiang Yimiti was allowed to visit with him for the first time since his arrest in January 2008.
Alimujiang was sentenced in October 2009 to 15 years' imprisonment for "providing state secrets to overseas organizations". Alimujiang's wife, Gulinuer, their two sons, and his mother and sister were only able to talk for 15 minutes by phone through a glass barrier.
The family reported that Alimujiang was noticeably thinner but in "good spirits." Officials have now granted Gulinuer and other close family members permission to visit him once a month. (Source: ChinaAid)
Enraged by the injustice they have faced, Gulinuer and her mother-in-law, Wushueran, are urging the international community to demand Alimujiang's release. The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to stand with this family by signing a petition from our partner, ChinaAid.
By raising our voices in petition for Alimujiang Yimiti, we the international community can build a brighter, more peaceful future for China and for the world. Add your voice to the thousands around the globe calling for justice today! To sign the petition, learn more details on Alimujiang's case and discover other ways to get involved, please visit www.FreeAlim.com.
Praise God that Alimujiang was able to visit with his family. Pray that authorities will continue to allow this family to meet together. Pray that Alimujiang will be released. Pray that, in all things, he and his family will look to Christ for strength.
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09354.shtml
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Iran drops apostasy charges against women converts
by Michelle A Vu, Christian PostPosted: Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 8:34 (BST)
Two female converts in Iran were acquitted of all charges and arrived safely in another country on Saturday.
Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh were cleared of apostasy, anti-state activities, and participating in illegal gatherings, according to Elam Ministries, an Iran-focused ministry that has followed the case since the beginning.
Iranian authorities warned the women that they faced serious consequences if they continue their Christian activities in Iran.
The founders of Elam Ministries, Sam and Lin Yeghnazar, received the two young women at an airport in an undisclosed country on Saturday. The name of the country was withheld for security reasons.
“It was very emotional when we first saw them,” said Lin Yeghnazar. “Now, we want to see them rest and recover.”
Rostampour and Amirizadeh were arrested in March 2009 on charges of anti-state activity and for “taking part in illegal gatherings”, in other words, involvement with house churches. They were detained in the notorious Evin prison, a facility known for its human rights violations, while their trial took place in Tehran.
The young converts suffered psychological abuse during their detainment, including sleep deprivation and intense interrogation lasting hours. They also suffered from health problems but were denied medical attention.
In prison, they were pressured to renounce their new Christian faith and to return to Islam but they repeatedly refused.
During an August 9 court hearing, they reportedly told the judge, “We love Jesus,” “Yes, we are Christians,” and, “We will not deny our faith.” In October they learned that a third charge of apostasy had been added.
They were conditionally released on November 18, but updates on their condition in April revealed that the two women were still in frail physical condition.
“We are most grateful to everyone who prayed for us,” said Amirizadeh in a statement Saturday. “I have no doubt that God heard the prayers of His people.”
Rostampour also thanked Christians worldwide for their prayers, which she credits for sustaining them throughout the ordeal. She said eventually they would like to share what occurred during their detainment, but for now they wanted to pray and “seek the Lord for His will”.
In Iran it is illegal for Muslims to convert to Christianity, although Christians are allowed to convert to Islam.
Over the past year, authorities have shut down at least three churches and accused them of converting Muslims. None of the three churches have been given permission to re-open yet.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/iran.drops.apostasy.charges.against.women.converts/25960.htm
Two female converts in Iran were acquitted of all charges and arrived safely in another country on Saturday.
Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh were cleared of apostasy, anti-state activities, and participating in illegal gatherings, according to Elam Ministries, an Iran-focused ministry that has followed the case since the beginning.
Iranian authorities warned the women that they faced serious consequences if they continue their Christian activities in Iran.
The founders of Elam Ministries, Sam and Lin Yeghnazar, received the two young women at an airport in an undisclosed country on Saturday. The name of the country was withheld for security reasons.
“It was very emotional when we first saw them,” said Lin Yeghnazar. “Now, we want to see them rest and recover.”
Rostampour and Amirizadeh were arrested in March 2009 on charges of anti-state activity and for “taking part in illegal gatherings”, in other words, involvement with house churches. They were detained in the notorious Evin prison, a facility known for its human rights violations, while their trial took place in Tehran.
The young converts suffered psychological abuse during their detainment, including sleep deprivation and intense interrogation lasting hours. They also suffered from health problems but were denied medical attention.
In prison, they were pressured to renounce their new Christian faith and to return to Islam but they repeatedly refused.
During an August 9 court hearing, they reportedly told the judge, “We love Jesus,” “Yes, we are Christians,” and, “We will not deny our faith.” In October they learned that a third charge of apostasy had been added.
They were conditionally released on November 18, but updates on their condition in April revealed that the two women were still in frail physical condition.
“We are most grateful to everyone who prayed for us,” said Amirizadeh in a statement Saturday. “I have no doubt that God heard the prayers of His people.”
Rostampour also thanked Christians worldwide for their prayers, which she credits for sustaining them throughout the ordeal. She said eventually they would like to share what occurred during their detainment, but for now they wanted to pray and “seek the Lord for His will”.
In Iran it is illegal for Muslims to convert to Christianity, although Christians are allowed to convert to Islam.
Over the past year, authorities have shut down at least three churches and accused them of converting Muslims. None of the three churches have been given permission to re-open yet.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/iran.drops.apostasy.charges.against.women.converts/25960.htm
Friday, May 21, 2010
IAF Targets Terror Tunnels in Southern and Northern Gaza Strip
21 May 2010 , 10:26
In response to rocket fire, the Israel Air Force struck two tunnels intended for terrorists infiltrating into Israel and executing terror attacks against civilians or IDF soldiers
In a joint IDF- ISA activity, The Israel Air Force struck two terror tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip and one terror tunnel in the northern Gaza Strip overnight. The tunnels were dug one kilometer from the security fence and were intended for infiltrating into Israel and executing terror attacks against Israeli civilians or IDF soldiers. Direct hits were identified.
The attack is in response to the two rockets that hit Israeli territory in the past two days, landing in the Eshkol Regional Council and the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council.
Approximately 50 rockets have landed in Israeli territory since the beginning of 2010, and over 330 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel since the end of operation Cast Lead.
source: http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/10/05/2101.htm
In response to rocket fire, the Israel Air Force struck two tunnels intended for terrorists infiltrating into Israel and executing terror attacks against civilians or IDF soldiers
In a joint IDF- ISA activity, The Israel Air Force struck two terror tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip and one terror tunnel in the northern Gaza Strip overnight. The tunnels were dug one kilometer from the security fence and were intended for infiltrating into Israel and executing terror attacks against Israeli civilians or IDF soldiers. Direct hits were identified.
The attack is in response to the two rockets that hit Israeli territory in the past two days, landing in the Eshkol Regional Council and the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council.
Approximately 50 rockets have landed in Israeli territory since the beginning of 2010, and over 330 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel since the end of operation Cast Lead.
source: http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/10/05/2101.htm
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Case against 'homosexuality is sin' preacher dropped
by Nathan Black, Christian PostPosted: Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 8:37 (BST)
Charges have been dropped against a street preacher who was arrested for saying homosexuality is a sin.
After reviewing the evidence, crown prosecutors decided last week to discontinue the prosecution of Dale Mcalpine, as reported by the Christian Institute.
"It was a ridiculous charge, I should never have been arrested," the 42-year-old preacher said. "I’m relieved that they have seen sense."
Mcalpine was arrested in Workington, in Cumbria, last month while preaching to shoppers. He said he refrained from speaking about homosexuality in his sermon but when a passerby inquired on the issue, he told the person it was a sin.
He was then approached by a gay community support officer who took him to the police station where he was detained in a cell for seven hours and charged with causing "harassment, alarm or distress".
The Christian Institute released hidden camera footage of the arrest.
It shows an officer asking Mcalpine, "What have you been saying, homophobic wise?"
Mcalpine responds, saying that homophobia is hatred toward homosexuals and maintains that he is not homophobic.
The preacher goes on to insist to the officer, who is joined by three other officers, that he is not there to break any laws and contends that it is not against the law to say homosexual behaviour is a sin. But the officer quickly replies, saying there is a law prohibiting such speech.
"It's a breach of Section 5 of the Public Order Act," the officer says.
Mcalpine then says that he did not speak of homosexuality while preaching to the public. He only mentioned it when he was talking to one individual.
He adds, "Even so, you know, it still is not against the law."
He was then arrested.
Though the case was dropped, Mcalpine and the Christian Institute are weighing legal options to ensure that the incident doesn't happen again.
"It’s important that we have them to defend our religious liberties," he stated.
Christian Institute spokesman Simon Calvert commented, "Cumbria police can’t just walk away from this. They have arrested and charged an innocent man for no other reason than he peacefully expressed his religious beliefs.
"And it has happened in other parts of the country too. So there is clearly a problem with the system and it has to be put right."
Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Steve Johnson, police commander for West Cumbria, said balancing the law and people's rights isn't easy, especially when opinions and interpretations differ.
While reassuring the public that they respect and are committed to upholding the fundamental right to freedom of expression, Johnson said they are just as committed to "maintaining the peace and preventing people feeling alarmed or distressed by the actions of others in public places".
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/case.against.homosexuality.is.sin.preacher.dropped/25924.htm
Charges have been dropped against a street preacher who was arrested for saying homosexuality is a sin.
After reviewing the evidence, crown prosecutors decided last week to discontinue the prosecution of Dale Mcalpine, as reported by the Christian Institute.
"It was a ridiculous charge, I should never have been arrested," the 42-year-old preacher said. "I’m relieved that they have seen sense."
Mcalpine was arrested in Workington, in Cumbria, last month while preaching to shoppers. He said he refrained from speaking about homosexuality in his sermon but when a passerby inquired on the issue, he told the person it was a sin.
He was then approached by a gay community support officer who took him to the police station where he was detained in a cell for seven hours and charged with causing "harassment, alarm or distress".
The Christian Institute released hidden camera footage of the arrest.
It shows an officer asking Mcalpine, "What have you been saying, homophobic wise?"
Mcalpine responds, saying that homophobia is hatred toward homosexuals and maintains that he is not homophobic.
The preacher goes on to insist to the officer, who is joined by three other officers, that he is not there to break any laws and contends that it is not against the law to say homosexual behaviour is a sin. But the officer quickly replies, saying there is a law prohibiting such speech.
"It's a breach of Section 5 of the Public Order Act," the officer says.
Mcalpine then says that he did not speak of homosexuality while preaching to the public. He only mentioned it when he was talking to one individual.
He adds, "Even so, you know, it still is not against the law."
He was then arrested.
Though the case was dropped, Mcalpine and the Christian Institute are weighing legal options to ensure that the incident doesn't happen again.
"It’s important that we have them to defend our religious liberties," he stated.
Christian Institute spokesman Simon Calvert commented, "Cumbria police can’t just walk away from this. They have arrested and charged an innocent man for no other reason than he peacefully expressed his religious beliefs.
"And it has happened in other parts of the country too. So there is clearly a problem with the system and it has to be put right."
Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Steve Johnson, police commander for West Cumbria, said balancing the law and people's rights isn't easy, especially when opinions and interpretations differ.
While reassuring the public that they respect and are committed to upholding the fundamental right to freedom of expression, Johnson said they are just as committed to "maintaining the peace and preventing people feeling alarmed or distressed by the actions of others in public places".
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/case.against.homosexuality.is.sin.preacher.dropped/25924.htm
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Dalai Lama Brings False Peace on USA Tour
by Staff
May 17, 2010
MADISON, Wisc., (christiansunite.com) -- Despite thousands flocking to see the Dalai Lama during his current USA tour, the Dalai Lama brings false peace.
The Buddhist leader Dalai Lama was in Madison, Wisconsin on Sunday to promote the University of Wisconsin-Madison's opening of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds.
The Center was created to investigate the making of healthy minds in children and adults. The founder of the Center is neuroscientist Richard Davidson.
The Dalai Lama is a Buddhist and claims to be the fourteenth reincarnation of his predecessors. He is the first Dalai Lama to travel West to promote Buddhist teachings. His worldwide approval rating is at 75% according to a recent French poll, which placed him right behind President Obama.
The Dalai Lama promotes reincarnation and has been looking for the reincarnation of his deceased brother who died in Indianapolis in 2008. After many reincarnations to eliminate human desire, Buddhists believe they will reach nirvana, a state of bliss in the afterlife.
On Sunday, the Dalai Lama talked about 'oneness,' a term used to promote pantheism, a belief that says everything is God. The Bible clearly denounces reincarnation and pantheism.
ChristianInvestigator.com believes that promoting religions in the disguise of false meditative techniques is a tool used to get people's focus off of their true problem.
The Bible says man's problem is his sin nature. In order to receive peace, a person has to be forgiven by Jesus Christ. Jesus does not remove the sin nature, but continually gives victory over it as Christians rely on Jesus Christ.
The Lord does talk about peace and meditation in the Bible, but not the types of meditation promoted by false religions endorsed by scientists.
ChristianInvestigator.com President Steve McConkey says, "Christians need to wake up to the fact that false belief systems are coming at a rapid rate. We should never replace the basics of the Bible with practices that are not backed up in the Bible as Satan comes as an angel of light. Also, Satan duplicates what God has outlined in the Bible."
4 WINDS offers ChristianInvestigator.com and 4WINDS.cc. ChristianInvestigator.com, the voice of 4 WINDS APOLOGETICS, is the first news-apologetics site offered by a sports ministry. The ChristianInvestigator.com site was started for athletes, but the vast number of readers are non- athletes. Steve McConkey is the President/Founder of 4 WINDS. He addresses current issues throughout the world through the media.
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09334.shtml
May 17, 2010
MADISON, Wisc., (christiansunite.com) -- Despite thousands flocking to see the Dalai Lama during his current USA tour, the Dalai Lama brings false peace.
The Buddhist leader Dalai Lama was in Madison, Wisconsin on Sunday to promote the University of Wisconsin-Madison's opening of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds.
The Center was created to investigate the making of healthy minds in children and adults. The founder of the Center is neuroscientist Richard Davidson.
The Dalai Lama is a Buddhist and claims to be the fourteenth reincarnation of his predecessors. He is the first Dalai Lama to travel West to promote Buddhist teachings. His worldwide approval rating is at 75% according to a recent French poll, which placed him right behind President Obama.
The Dalai Lama promotes reincarnation and has been looking for the reincarnation of his deceased brother who died in Indianapolis in 2008. After many reincarnations to eliminate human desire, Buddhists believe they will reach nirvana, a state of bliss in the afterlife.
On Sunday, the Dalai Lama talked about 'oneness,' a term used to promote pantheism, a belief that says everything is God. The Bible clearly denounces reincarnation and pantheism.
ChristianInvestigator.com believes that promoting religions in the disguise of false meditative techniques is a tool used to get people's focus off of their true problem.
The Bible says man's problem is his sin nature. In order to receive peace, a person has to be forgiven by Jesus Christ. Jesus does not remove the sin nature, but continually gives victory over it as Christians rely on Jesus Christ.
The Lord does talk about peace and meditation in the Bible, but not the types of meditation promoted by false religions endorsed by scientists.
ChristianInvestigator.com President Steve McConkey says, "Christians need to wake up to the fact that false belief systems are coming at a rapid rate. We should never replace the basics of the Bible with practices that are not backed up in the Bible as Satan comes as an angel of light. Also, Satan duplicates what God has outlined in the Bible."
4 WINDS offers ChristianInvestigator.com and 4WINDS.cc. ChristianInvestigator.com, the voice of 4 WINDS APOLOGETICS, is the first news-apologetics site offered by a sports ministry. The ChristianInvestigator.com site was started for athletes, but the vast number of readers are non- athletes. Steve McConkey is the President/Founder of 4 WINDS. He addresses current issues throughout the world through the media.
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09334.shtml
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)