A sound reason why Christians should be well trained in security and defence.
Today I can travel from South Africa to any one of a dozen countries to the North of South Africa by 4x4 vehicle and be in a war zone with in three days. If I fly I can be in a hostile zone or Islamic state with in Hours. A country that burns churches rapes Christian woman and abducts our children, A country where Christen Ministers and Pastors have their heads cut off for no other reason than they are followers of Jesus.
Kenya is just one African neighbour that could export its problems south to us, one of the many. What of Nigeria, South Sudan. A bus ride away. And Pirates can sail down our Eastern seaboard unimpeded. And one day we will see them sailing the Mozambique Channel and possibly doing coastal raids.
What is Christian Persecution?
Christian persecution is any hostility experienced from the world as a result of one's identification as a Christian. From verbal harassment to hostile feelings, attitudes and actions, Christians in areas with severe religious restrictions pay a heavy price for their faith. Beatings, physical torture, confinement, isolation, rape, severe punishment, imprisonment, slavery, discrimination in education and employment, and even death are just a few examples of the persecution they experience on a daily basis.
According to The Pew Research Centre, over 75% of the world's population lives in areas with severe religious restrictions (and many of these people are Christians). Also, according to the United States Department of State, Christians in more than 60 countries face persecution from their governments or surrounding neighbours simply because of their belief in Jesus Christ.
To day in the western world, Europe and the USA there is raising its ugly head a thing call Christian-Phobia, a passionate dislike and hatred of anything Christian.
John 15:18 - If the world hates you keep in mind it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is you don’t belong to the world
Men and woman have been taken to court for the simple act of praying for a work college, an air hostess lost her job because she had a cross around hear neck even though it was under her clothing.
A family lost their catering business as they would not cattier for a homosexual couple’s wedding? And a guest house was closed as they would not give Homosexuals a room with one bed. Persecution takes many forms and we Christians best understand that it is here and now among us. Always remember if a person or group will be verbally abusive to you or your belief’s .That person or group is only one step away from using physical abuse and violence
The Middle East remains one of the most violent areas of the world for Christians. Violence against Christians by the Islamic State and other Islamic terrorist groups increased in countries like Iraq (3) and Syria (4). More than 70 percent of Christians have fled Iraq since 2003, and more than 700,000 Christians have left Syria since the civil war began in 2011. Afghanistan (5) and Pakistan (8) have both increased in persecution.
Africa
For the third year in a row, the majority of African nations on the World Watch List have increased in rank due to Islamic extremism. Kenya made the largest jump, moving up from number 43 to number 19. With no functioning government, Christian persecution remains severe in Somalia, which retained the No. 2 spot on the list. Both Sudan (6) and Eritrea (9) re-entered the top 10 and Nigeria (10) appeared in the top 10 for the first time.
Persecution at a Glance
Christian persecution is defined as any hostility experienced as a result of one’s identification with Christ. Recent examples include imprisonment, torture, be-headings, rape, and loss of home and assets.
While violent persecution is most often reported by media, non-violent persecution is also on the rise. Violence has increased dramatically in Iraq, Syria and Nigeria, but Christians in other countries are experiencing persecution in their personal lives through family, community and national spheres of life. Christians are often ostracized by family exclusion, the loss of a job or even rejection from a community.
1 Corinthians 12:26 - If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured every part rejoices with it.
