Difference between revisions of "Christian persecution"
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==India== | ==India== | ||
| − | In India, Hindus form the religious majority. Hindu nationalists | + | In India, Hindus form the religious majority. Hindu nationalists in India have made several attacks on Chrisitans. In India, Christians have faced repeated attacks from Hindus<ref name=FOXHEAIC>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,318549,00.html Hindu Extremists Attack Indian Churches, Torch Home of Prominent Christian]</ref> |
==PRC== | ==PRC== | ||
Revision as of 13:56, February 5, 2008
Christian persecution has occured from the very beginnings of Christianity and continues today. Currently more than 200 million Christians around the globe suffer imprisonment, abuse and sometimes death because of their faith.[1] In 1998, the publication The Voice of the Martyrs named 42 countries where Christians are facing persecution in various forms such as arrest, imprisonment, physical torture and death.[2]
Early Christian persecution was severe in Ancient Roman. In Ancient Rome, Christians were most commonly murdered by crucifixion and being put in arenas with lions. The emperor Nero was one of the most notorious persecutors. Christians continue to be persecuted around the world today in communist countries like China, Islamic countries and Hindu majority countries like India.
This persecution continued up through the fourth century, when Constantine's Edict of Milan in 317 A.D. promulgated a doctrine of religious tolerance. In 393 A.D., Christianity became the state religion of Rome, gaining strength after Constantine's conquest of Rome from his fellow caesars of the time.[3]
Deep divisions remained within the Empire. Examples include:
- The Altar of Victory affair.
- The removal of avowed polytheists from office.
Persecution generally ended in the Roman Empire in 317 A.D., with the Edict of Milan.
During the Protestant Reformation many martyrs to the faith were persecuted and murdered by the Roman Catholic Church.
In contemporary period, Christian persecution occurs in many countries. In South Asia, Christians are persecuted in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.[4]
Pakistan
Christians in Pakistan have come under increasing attack in recent years.[5] In 2004, three Christians were killed due to attacks by Islamists.[5] Several Christian leaders in Baluchestan received threats.[5] The Blasphemy Laws of Pakistan under Section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code is used as a tool for Christian persecution.[5] Some of the madrassas in Pakistan promote Islamic terrorism.[5] President Pervez Musharraf recently in a speech called for scrutiny of the Blasphemy laws and to reform the madrassas.[5]
India
In India, Hindus form the religious majority. Hindu nationalists in India have made several attacks on Chrisitans. In India, Christians have faced repeated attacks from Hindus[6]
PRC
References
- ↑ http://www.greaterthings.com/News/Christian/Persecution/
- ↑ http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/1096.htm
- ↑ "... in 391 AD, Christianity became the official, and only, state religion of the empire." The Legacy of Rome
- ↑ South Asia
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Religious freedom update - Pakistan
- ↑ Hindu Extremists Attack Indian Churches, Torch Home of Prominent Christian