Megatrend 17: Christian activism worldwide
by Justin D. Long
Statistics
12 million persons expelled from their countries per annum
4 billion people unprotected from human rights abuses
45% have human rights violated on a regular basis
154 countries not controlled by popular votes
2.1 billion without political freedom
400 million under oppressive regimes
2.5 billion women denied full rights and equality
4 million political prisoners
1 million religious prisoners
800,000 prisoners of conscience
2.6 billion denied freedom of religion
4.2 billion denied full political freedom and civil rights
2 billion in countries frequently employing torture
100,000 prisoners being tortured
32 million slaves
3 billion denied freedom to travel in own country
4 billion denied freedom to travel abroad
3 billion denied freedom to assemble
3.5 billion denied freedom to teach ideas
150 nations commit human rights violations
130 nations dishonor UN-defined human rights
50 nations responsible for extrajudicial killings
30 nations tolerate local/international murder squads/death squads
180 countries without full political rights of citizens
250 riots per annum
100 countries utilize secret security police
110 nations operate torture
50 states responsible for mass killings
Martyrdom may be the ultimate witness for the faith, but more than martyrs are the persecuted and the oppressed. Some of these are oppressed for their faith, and some for their political beliefs. Some are imprisoned for nothing more than avoiding forced labor, not participating in government corruption, or trying to protect their children from the state.
The very fact that you are able to read this publication means you are one of a priveleged few with freedom: many countries monitor or block e-mail and access to certain web sites. It is an easy task to accumulate the e-mail at a specific point and scan it using search filters. Some Christian workers have reportedy been expelled from countries on the basis of their e-mail.
Christians can stand against the oppression of others, whether they are Christian or not. We have an obligation to oppose these structures of sin. Of course, the best way to change a country is to evangelize it and see it converted to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ; whole structures can be redeemed and renewed in this way. Often, however, we will have to stand against governmental policies that refuse individuals the right of religious freedom.
Getting involved is not difficult. Many people worldwide are already active in this sphere. Getting in touch with a Christian human rights organization such as WEF's Religious Liberties Conference is the first step. Keeping ourselves informed of current issues is the second. Taking a step of action--writing a letter, calling a government representative, urging others to take similar steps--is the difficult point.
Involvement is made easier by the new wave of information and communication made possible by the Internet, e-mail, and the new information "superhighway." For an example, those with Web access could visit http://www.altavista.digital.com and search the Internet for the simple phrase "human rights" or "repression" or "persecution" and see the enormous wealth of information made available.
More than a quarter of the world experiences some form of oppression. This oppression is a form of sin, and it is our responsibility to stand against it.
Suggestions
- Visit the Alta Vista web search engine (http://www.altavista.digital.com) and search for "human rights" and other similar phrases and begin educating yourself on the issue.
- Subscribe to GEM's persecution conference by sending an e-mail message to hub@xc.org with the single line "subscribe gem-persecution" for ongoing information on current cases.
- Get in touch with human rights organizations and ask how you can become involved in human rights issues.
- Begin making your church and denomination aware of persecution, particularly religious persecution, and encouraging others to get involved in the fight against it.
