Threat of Burning Christians Alive! (Prayers and help needed)

My e-mail | 11/12/05 | Pastor.Johnson Mathews

[MSCASEY]

JMM Urgent Prayer] November 12, 2005 Dear Friend in Christ,

I am asking you today to pray for an extremely critical situation. More than 60 new believers in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh are being threatened with death if they do not convert back to Hinduism! It is not enough that they escaped the spiritual bondage that has oppressed their people for centuries, but now radical Hindus have threatened to burn alive any Christians who do not return to their former slavery.

Here is what happened: On November 4, a pastor was attacked and severely beaten by a group of militants who threatened his life. Now the same group says they will conduct a puja (ritual) on November 20 to forcefully convert the Christians in his church to Hinduism--and burn alive any who do not renounce their new faith.

The pastor has filed a complaint with local police, but the area is dominated by a large temple to the Hindu god Shiva. Thousands of pilgrims come to the temple, so Hinduism is important to the local economy. It is not clear if the police will take any action to protect the Christians.

What is most important now is that we pray for this situation. I urge you to pray for the protection of the men, women and children in that place who have committed their lives to Christ. Pray that God will surround them with His angels and turn back any violence. Please also pray for their attackers, that their hearts will be softened and that God will work a miracle in their lives.

Imagine what a powerful force for good they could become if they surrendered their lives to the Living God instead of gods that do not hear them!

Please share this request with your church and your friends. This is a spiritual battle, and only through prayer and fasting will the enemy be defeated in this stronghold.

I thank you for being a part of what God is doing in Asia. Thank you, most of all, for standing with us and with our brothers and sisters in Himachal Pradesh during this challenging time.

Yours for the lost of Asia,

Pastor.Johnson Mathews

[MSCASEY]

I have heard some of the terrible things about the caste system.

Ms. Casey's Daughter

[SauronOfMordor]

I thought it was to help the newly weds start out. The dowry instead goes to the parents of the groom.

Islam has it going the other way, with a "bride price" being paid to the father of the bride. Since this is often paid in advance, it explains a lot of the rage that some Muslim fathers feel when their (already paid for) daughter refuses to marry the guy arranged for her

[kindred]

Yes, the Hindu religion is also one of the violent religions of the world and has murdered those who convert to Christianity through the centuries. They are the ones who created a caste system in India by beliefs in reincarnation and sacred cows, Uncle Johny may be a cockroach now so don't step on bugs,etc.
Christianity is the most powerful and passive of religions and demands obedience to the will of God and His Christ (thou shalt not kill, etc.)and yet has scared kings,despots,fascists,communists and other murdering terrorists the past 2 millennia.
The democrats are afraid of the faith of Christ also. I really believe that religious zealots and political fascists are afraid of the power of God and His Christ and will do anything to destroy those who believe on Him only for their salvation. The value system of the Lord is abomination to world thought as it condemns those who commit evil.

[Mr. Jeeves]

This surprises me. I didn't think that Hindus were violent and threatening. None that I know of are like that.

Any cult rapidly becomes violent and threatening when:

1) They control an overwhelming majority of the populace.

2) Their beliefs have been written into law.

3) A threat emerges to their power or monthly cashflow.

[ironmaidenPR2717]

Hi again Ms. Casey - I've formulated an email letter to the Indian Amb. (see below) but I don't want to send it until I get your opinion. How does this sound to you? Also, I'm in the process of composing a letter to the U.S. Ambassador to India and wanted to know if Pastor Matthews is a U.S. citizen.

Text of my letter:
Dear Mr. Ambassador Sen,
It has come to our attention that Christian believers in the state of Minachal Pradesh are being threatened with death if they do no convert back to Hinduism. Already, a pastor there has been beaten and the group who beat him are threatening to burn alive any who do not renounce their Christian faith. It is not clear if the police in that area will do anything to protect these people.
On your home page linked to your embassy you are quoted as saying in your address at Western Carolina University's Freshman Convocation on Tuesday (Aug. 23) “Any act of terrorism in the world is an attack on democracy,” and that "in India there is more than just tolerance – there is respect for the beliefs of others". I believe you were sincere in your statements.
Please, if there is any way you can investigate or intervene in this matter, we ask you most respectfully to do so.
Very sincerely..etc.etc.,

[MSCASEY]

That letter sounds wonderful. Pastor.Johnson Mathews
lives in India in the Andhra Pradesh region, he is not a Christian convert because his father was also a pastor.

I have been writing Him for about three years. I have received many different pictures and know that he is for real.
This e-mail was the worst I have received regarding persecution. I know that it was a concern but did not expect this when I opened up my e-mail this morning.

Ms. Casey's Daughter

[WorkingClassFilth]

^

[DuncanWaring]

I guess the "World's Largest Democracy" moniker is a wee bit overstated.

Not necessarily.

Remember, "democracy" is just a fancy word for "mob rule".

[ironmaidenPR2717]

I get VOM and am well aware of the stuff that happens to believers around the world, but your post just grabbed me, ya know? At our Women's Bible study this week, we talked about "putting on" (Colossions 3) the compassion of Christ and I thought to myself when I read your post that I could just pray or I could actually obey the prompting of the Spirit and "go the extra yard" (what a concept, huh?).

Signing off for now, will check back later (the letters were sent)

[Imnotalib]

Here's a question I've asked of many but have gotten no good answers. Most have never considered the question.
Jesus told the disciples if they went to a city and were rejected, to brush the dust off their sandals and woe unto those who rejected Him.
At what point do we dust off our sandals and leave a country to reap what they've sown?
I'm not advocating doing this, I just want to know how this scripture fits with "go ye unto all the world".

[right-wingin_It]

...At what point do we dust off our sandals and leave a country to reap what they've sown?...

My guess is if there is at least one soul in the city that doesn't reject you, then you have your foot in the door at least - Green light. And there are at least 60 of these folks there, so..

[Sender]

One of the primary ways I view any faith or religion is in its tolerance, outreach and compassion to those of other faiths or no faith.

Any faith who would kill or compel others to join against their will is not following the same God I know.

[dsc]

"I wasn't aware that Hindus killed those who chose to follow a different path."

Read some *accurate* history of the Sepoy Mutiny.

[MSCASEY]

Thank you for going that extra mile. It very may help save some lives. If we can help and make a difference I believe the Lord would want us to!

Ms. Casey's Daughter

[MSCASEY]

Most of the people that are suffering persecution were born into those countries and do not have the power to change what is happening there.

I know many times I wonder how come I was so blessed by being born in this country.

Then at other times I look at the faith and the weakness in our country and I fear for us.

The Christians in this country have been lulled to sleep. We financially support the rulers that are persecuting these people and the church does nothing to help. Do you really believe that is what Jesus would want us to do? Ms. Casey's Daughter

[MSCASEY]

I agree with you completely.

Ms. Casey's Daughter

[MSCASEY]

bump

[rimtop56]

I sent this e-mail to both the president and prime minister, for what it's worth:

Dear Ambassador,

I am appalled to learn that 60 Christian believers in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh are being threatened with death if they do not convert back to Hinduism! This is barbaric and reflects poorly on India. I thought that India was tolerant of many religions.

I urge you to intervene in this matter, or at least bring it to the attention of those authorities who have the power and will to stop this evil behavior.

Respectfully submitted,
etc.

Now, I will pray:

O Lord God, we come before you to praise you and to ask for your help for these new Christians in India. Lord, you already know the situation and all its details. We lift up these precious brothers and sisters to you. Please show yourself powerful on their behalf. Let them and everyone around them see your power and your lovingkindness. Please ease the tensions and allow them and other Christians there to freely worship and tell others about your Son, Jesus. We come against the followers of Shiva there and all the false gods. We cast them down by the power of the blood of Jesus. Their knees must bow to you. We cut off their power by the authority of Jesus. We thank you in advance for helping the Christians in this situation. In Jesus' name we pray these things. Amen.

[djreece]

Adding my prayers.

[rimtop56]

Sorry. The "Ambassador" was part of my rought draft. Instead of "Ambassador," I put "Mr. President" or "Mr. Prime Minister."