India Christians in Danger as Missionaries are Prosecuted and Killed

Christians in India are reportedly facing persecution from Hindu extremists all over the country. Recent news provided by Gospel for Asia (GFA) has revealed the prosecution of missionaries in Orrisa state and the violent death of a family of six attending a church near Nagpur in Central India.

The High Court in the state of Orissa has ordered the prosecution of Christian missionaries, accusing them of "forced conversions" of Hindu devotees.

An anti-Christian atmosphere has been fanned by Hindu extremists, who in attempt to build a pure Hindu country, are persecuting a number of Christian leaders, missionaries and their families as well.

Conversions from Hinduism to Christianity, even though not forced, but willing, are labelled as "forced conversions." A recent court order has come in response to a petition signed by 269 anti-Christian activists.

The court that ordered this prosecution is the same court that cancelled the death sentence of the men convicted in the murder of missionary Graham Staines and his children in 1999. The court changed the sentence to life imprisonment for one of the men, while the other eleven were acquitted.

Even though there is the "Orissa Freedom of Religion Act" in force, it really does not ensure the freedom to change religion, conversely it is used to deny people's basic human right of religious freedom and change their confession any time during the lifetime.

Also in Central India, near Nagpur, a six member family belonging to the Believers Church was killed and the pastor of the respective church they were attending was warned "to stay away" or he would be killed also.

The pastor identified just as "Kumar" by GFA, is the native GFA missionary working in the area. He planted the church attended by the murdered family as the branch of a larger congregation in the city of Sita Sawangi.

The reports show, that the family included a man, his wife and 3 children, and they were killed by two men with an axe, as the men invaded their home early in the morning. Police have already arrested the suspects.

Pastor Kumar, was at that time attending the pastors' conference outside of the city, and found out about an anonymous warning saying he should not come back; otherwise he would be killed as well. The motive for the killing is not known yet.

GFA is supporting native Asian missionaries, training them and dispatching them to the most unreached areas of Asia. In the district where pastor Kumar works are 300 native missionaries and 17 churches.