Asian authorities are forcing Christians to abandon their faith to obtain humanitarian aid
According to numerous international reports, authorities in Southeast Asian countries have ordered Christians to renounce their faith in order not to lose emergency aid during the current pandemic.
Jan Vermeer, director of communications for Asia at the Open Doors organization, says hundreds of Christians have reported that their communities will only help them if they “convert back to their original faith.
“While some have returned to the dominant religion in their country, others have contemplated suicide.”
According to Open Doors, Christians in countries such as Bangladesh, India, Sudan and Malaysia are being asked to renounce their faith in exchange for humanitarian aid.
The situation in Bangladesh
Pastor Sam, who coordinates the work of Open Doors in Southeast Asia, reported on the treatment of Christians in Bangladesh.
“Governments are giving assistance to a lot of people, but many Christians, especially those who come from a Muslim background or a Buddhist background, are not receiving the support when it goes to the villages.”
“The village head normally discriminates against the Christians. They say, ‘Well, you’re Christian. You became a Christian so you are not part of this support,’” he said.
“People may die or convert back to Islam if they don’t have the means to survive,” he added.
He also noted that without the help that Open Doors provides to many Christians during the pandemic, they could die of malnutrition, as well as decide that following Jesus is too complicated.
“Many of these new believers only have a fragile faith and need to become stronger in the Lord,” he said.
At the moment and in the face of the global situation that we are going through, the church of Christ is asked to continue praying for the believers in other nations, so that their faith does not decline and God continues to take control, as He has done until now.
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