EU to hold atheist and freemason summit
Brussels is to hold an EU summit with atheists and freemasons in the autumn, inviting them to a political dialogue parallel to the annual summit the bloc holds with Europe's religious leaders. While the EU is a secular body, the three European presidents of the commission, parliament and EU Council, alongside two commissioners, on Monday met with 24 bishops, chief rabbis, and muftis as well as leaders from the Hindu and Sikh communities. The annual dialogue, which has taken place since 2005, is for the first time this year made legally obligatory under Article 17 of the Lisbon Treaty. Under pressure from Belgium, which constitutionally protects and financially supports humanist organisations as well as churches, the EU has been forced to hold a mirror-image summit, but of atheists, scheduled for 15 October. However, in a move that perplexed and annoyed humanist groups, the EU atheist summit will also welcome under the rubric of ‘non-religious groups', the Freemasons, the secretive fraternal organisation, according to commission spokeswoman Katharina von Schnurbein. Pray: that this recognition will not lead to a further breakdown in Europe’s Christian roots. (Lk.3:6)
Audio Scriptures could reach 200,000 with the Gospel
Five more Audio New Testaments have been completed and released to reach tens of thousands of people with the Gospel, reports Mission Network News. These new Audio New Testaments represent 184,000 people throughout Mexico, Guinea, Papua New Guinea and Colombia. The five new releases bring the number of audio Scripture recordings released by Faith Comes By Hearing to 521. The Audio New Testaments that have now been made available are: Chinanteco de Tepetotutla, Ipili, Mazateco de Ayautla, Ticuna, and Yalunka. The production of these five audio Scriptures will not only make the Gospel available to a host of people, literate as well as illiterate, but it also brings Faith Comes By Hearing closer to its goal of recording audio Bibles in 2,000 languages by the year 2016. People often receive Audio New Testaments from Faith Comes By Hearing in the form of solar-powered Proclaimers, which contain the entire New Testament and can be hand-cranked or set in the sun to work. Praise: God as the people receive audio Scriptures that they would understand and embrace the His Word. (Heb.4:12)
Audio Scriptures could reach 200,000 with the Gospel
Five more Audio New Testaments have been completed and released to reach tens of thousands of people with the Gospel, reports Mission Network News. These new Audio New Testaments represent 184,000 people throughout Mexico, Guinea, Papua New Guinea and Colombia. The five new releases bring the number of audio Scripture recordings released by Faith Comes By Hearing to 521. The Audio New Testaments that have now been made available are: Chinanteco de Tepetotutla, Ipili, Mazateco de Ayautla, Ticuna, and Yalunka. The production of these five audio Scriptures will not only make the Gospel available to a host of people, literate as well as illiterate, but it also brings Faith Comes By Hearing closer to its goal of recording audio Bibles in 2,000 languages by the year 2016. People often receive Audio New Testaments from Faith Comes By Hearing in the form of solar-powered Proclaimers, which contain the entire New Testament and can be hand-cranked or set in the sun to work. Praise: God as the people receive audio Scriptures that they would understand and embrace the His Word. (Heb.4:12)
Nepal: HCJB installs new radio station
Local volunteers spent months building, connecting electricity, and finishing groundwork all for one big project. A third HCJB Global FM radio station which has finally been opened in Nepal. The new station has a range that should enable it to reach roughly 200,000 people with its broadcasts. This is an especially welcome feat in an area which, according to HCJB, has ‘few Christians and even fewer churches.’ The introduction of democracy in the country provided a host of opportunities for HCJB partnerships in Nepal. In 2009, HCJB supplied equipment, installation, and training to put its first two partner stations in motion in Nepal. The new station has aroused excitement among local Christians, 11 of whom volunteered for on-air training. HCJB's Nepali partner who initiated this station hopes to plant churches now that the station has been set up. Praise: God for this wonderful news and the opportunities that it will bring. (Is.42:7)
Nepal: HCJB installs new radio station
Local volunteers spent months building, connecting electricity, and finishing groundwork all for one big project. A third HCJB Global FM radio station which has finally been opened in Nepal. The new station has a range that should enable it to reach roughly 200,000 people with its broadcasts. This is an especially welcome feat in an area which, according to HCJB, has ‘few Christians and even fewer churches.’ The introduction of democracy in the country provided a host of opportunities for HCJB partnerships in Nepal. In 2009, HCJB supplied equipment, installation, and training to put its first two partner stations in motion in Nepal. The new station has aroused excitement among local Christians, 11 of whom volunteered for on-air training. HCJB's Nepali partner who initiated this station hopes to plant churches now that the station has been set up. Praise: God for this wonderful news and the opportunities that it will bring. (Is.42:7)
Kyrgyzstan: Authorities targeting Uzbeks
First the violence, now the fear. Uzbeks in southern Kyrgyzstan report that Kyrgyz authorities are rounding up Uzbek men without probable cause. Many of the arrests are taking place during the pre-dawn hours. In some cases, Uzbeks say they are paying a ransom to secure their loved ones’ release. Several deaths in custody have been reported. Those living in predominantly Uzbek areas of Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s southern capital, say they now dread the onset of night. ‘We have decided to guard our streets at night between about 23:00 and 05:00 so we can somehow try to put a live shield against the Kyrgyz military and police, who rush into our neighborhoods at night and take away our sons, husbands and brothers,’ Minura, a 45-year-old Osh resident, told EurasiaNet.org. Like most sources discussing the ongoing ethnic tension in Osh, she asked her last name not be printed. 'They took away my husband about a week ago after searching our house’ she said. Pray: for a breakthrough to the healing of relationships that would bring lasting peace following the conflicts. (Ps.28:5)
Pakistan: City tense after 'blaspheming' Christians shot
Police reinforcements have been called into the Pakistani city of Faisalabad a day after two Christians charged with blasphemy were shot dead outside court. Clashes broke out in the city, home to a large Christian community, after the brothers were gunned down. Pastor Rashid Emmanuel, 32, and Sajid, 24, were accused of writing a pamphlet critical of the Prophet Muhammad; a rights activist said they were framed. Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law carries the death penalty for such an offence. A police officer who was escorting the brothers from a district court on Monday was critically wounded when the unidentified gunmen opened fire and then escaped. At least 10 people were reportedly injured as stone-throwing and rioting broke out in a Christian neighbourhood of the city afterwards. Police reinforcements from nearby districts have been called in to restore order. The brothers, from the Waris Pura area of Faisalabad, were arrested earlier this month. Pray: to the Lord that He would send His angels to protect His saints from the enemy. (Mt.13:41)
Nigeria: CSW calls for ‘urgent’ security review
The head of Christian Solidarity Worldwide has called upon the Nigerian authorities to urgently review security arrangements for the volatile Plateau State after another deadly attack on Christians last Friday. Ten people, including children, are believed to have been killed in the attack on Mazah village by Fulani Muslims in the early hours of Friday morning. The attackers frightened villagers out of their homes by firing gun-shots before hacking them down with machetes as they attempted to flee. They also burned homes and churches to the ground. CSW said the attackers focused on important residents in the village, attacking the homes of the local councillor, the village head and a church leader. Villagers claim that although security forces arrived at the village in time to stop the attackers, they stood back and remained outside the village until the attack had come to an end before entering. Pray: that God would equip His saints and put His protection around them. (Eph.6:10-18)
Philippines: Peace talks
Benigno Aquino III, the newly-installed president of the Philippines, won the office by the largest plurality in the nation's history. Perceived as a lacklustre senator for years, the son of the nation's two icons of democracy now has Filipinos believing that he may just be able to work miracles. Two of Aquino's most popular decisions to date have been his appointments to the embattled justice department and the previously unimpressive peace adviser's office. As well as sending feelers out to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the communists, Teresita Deles, the new presidential peace adviser, has also sat down with the media to outline the government's plan for building a lasting peace. Such transparency - which contrasts sharply with the previous administration's preference for keeping its cards close to its chest - has made many in the Philippines feel part of the process and opened the door to constructive discussion. Pray: that the new government will put God at the centre and seek peace and reconciliation. (Job.21:22) More: http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2010/07/201072163220859727.html
Afganistan: Kabul conference objectives a challenge
Although the war-weary Afghans have welcomed holding the international conference on Afghanistan, the Kabul Conference, in their soil as a good omen for their future, they doubted it would achieve its goals set out at the one-day forum. Outlining his government's plans at the conference, President Hamid Karzai said that he wants the international community to channel at least 50 percent of the funds contributed to Afghanistan through the Afghan government, to support his reconciliation programme and help to fight corruption as part of efforts for ensuring good governance. However, achieving these ambitious goals, the reconciliation with Taliban militants and bringing them into the mainstream of society seems the most challenging task. Taliban insurgents who had regrouped in 2006 and staged a violent comeback after being driven out of power by a US-led military campaign in late 2001 have repeatedly rejected any offer for talks. Pray: that the objectives laid down, although challenging, will be successful in bringing agreement and reconciliation. (Ps.133) More: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2010-07/21/c_13408126.htm