Marcham Conference on Women and Persecution, March 2016
Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra
Christianity Today
This Sunday, many American churches will observe “Stand with the Persecuted,” a day of activism sponsored by the Family Research Council, Open Doors, the Institute on Religion and Democracy, Voice of the Martyrs, In Defense of Christians, Christian Solidarity Worldwide–USA, International Christian Concern, and the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative.
A survey of 192 countries has demonstrated scientifically what many have long known anecdotally to be true: Christian women are more religious than Christian men.
The lesser known fact: those women bear the brunt of persecution in the 50 countries where it is hardest to be a Christian.
“Increasing numbers of women face a double blow today—violent attacks against them because of their Christian faith, and because they are women,” said Kate Ward, an organizer of an international conference that met last month to seek answers to the growing problem.
The lesser known fact: those women bear the brunt of persecution in the 50 countries where it is hardest to be a Christian.
“Increasing numbers of women face a double blow today—violent attacks against them because of their Christian faith, and because they are women,” said Kate Ward, an organizer of an international conference that met last month to seek answers to the growing problem.
The conference was sponsored by Release International, Open Doors, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, the International Institute for Religious Freedom, and the Religious Liberty Partnership.
“While steps must be taken to stop future atrocities from occurring, provide aid to those whose lives have been upended, and to plan for their future, we must also recognize and nurture the solidarity that we as American Christians share with our brothers and sisters overseas,” wrote Ken Blackwell, former US ambassador to the UN Human Rights Commission, and Thomas Farr, director of the Religious Liberty Project at Georgetown University, in a joint op-ed.
“To advocate for them we must love them. And to love them we must know them,” wrote Blackwell and Farr. “Without this enriched relationship being developed over the long term, advocacy will languish. Just as importantly, we will miss the opportunity for spiritual participation in their suffering as members of the Body of Christ, and the joyful solidarity that results.”
Read more: http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/
Contact your pastor and ask him to participate in "Stand with the Persecuted"
this Sunday, April 24, 2016.
Contact your pastor and ask him to participate in "Stand with the Persecuted"
this Sunday, April 24, 2016.
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