Orissa Christians: Attacks will glorify God and bring people to Christ
by Jenna Lyle
Posted: Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 9:30 (BST)
Christians in the Indian state of Orissa are refusing to abandon their faith in spite of weeks of killings, beatings and attacks on their homes and churches.
Hindu extremists have killed dozens of Christians and burned down hundreds of homes and churches since the killing of Hindu leader Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati last month. Although Maoists have claimed responsibility, Hindu extremists insist that Christians are behind the killing. Around 13,000 Christians are sheltering in government refugee camps or hiding out in surrounding forests.
Orissa state leader for Gospel for Asia, Juria Bardhan, said he had seen missionaries and Christians being beaten and killed. Yet he remains unwavering in his faith.
"We know the Lord is in control," he said.
Bardhan said that the persecution had been embraced by his pastors who see it as an opportunity to share in Christ's sufferings.
"Many of our pastors have said, 'Even if they kill us, no problem. This will cause thousands to come to Christ,'" he reported.
Bardhan said that Christianity has continued to flourish in Orissa in spite of years of persecution.
"The encouraging thing is that the attackers themselves acknowledge that Orissa used to be only 2 per cent Christian, and now it's 28 per cent Christian," he said. "They don't understand that by doing this, the church will grow by leaps and bounds, and this will cause thousands to come to Christ."
Gospel for Asia said at least 24 of its missionaries had been attacked, whilst 27 GFA-related churches and more than 800 Christian homes had been ransacked and destroyed since the outbreak of violence.
There are unconfirmed reports of a planned march by Hindu extremists through villages in Orissa with the ashes of their slain leader. Bardhan said he suspected the march was a plot to trigger more violence.
Youth With a Mission workers have, meanwhile, joined a hunger strike being staged by hundreds of Christians in New Delhi, India, in protest against the Orissa violence and what they regard as the government's failure to respond. India's Supreme Court last week ordered Orissa state officials to report on what action it has taken to put a stop to the violence.
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Added: Saturday, October 11, 2008, 17:51 (BST)
Orissa, anyone who travels through the interior stretch of the landscape will be surprised to see hundreds of ethnic and linguistic groups living in inhuman conditions and under oppression with century old practices and superstitious beliefs.
May the Lord continue to heal the land send His deliverance to the oppressed and harassed. May the persecuters experience a touch from the Lord!
Philipose Vaidyar, Nilambur, Kerala, India
Added: Monday, September 22, 2008, 9:15 (BST)
We heard of the this recent killings through Pastor Steve in Dudai. We are praying for your faith not to weaver. Remember the saints in Hebrews 11:35-40? The Lord is good and will keep you to honour His Name ever.
OBOT AFFIA, ENUGU, NIGERIA
Added: Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 9:12 (BST)
The only reason attacks continue is because extremists do see the christian population growing. Brothers & Sisters in Christ we pray for you.
Be not afarid or dismayed by reason of this great multitude for the battle is not yours, but God's.
2 Chronicles 20 : 15
Keith Cameron, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Added: Saturday, September 13, 2008, 2:04 (BST)
To H. Wilson from Sydney. Who said God encourages this killing? What they are saying, I think rather clearly, is that God will turn this situation into good, to glorify Himself.
Some will choose to do evil (murder, rape, and assault of innocent people) but God's will always prevails, much like a chess match between a novice and a world champion. The novice may take a few of his opponents pieces, but in the end he will lose.
They believe in something bigger than themselves and can see the end result of their current situation. We call this faith. Would you put money on the novice or the world champion? You talk like God caused the Hindu extremists to attack the Christians just to bring more followers. If He wants to control everything, why do we have a free will at all?
Maybe the protest makes more sense now? Though we of course don't want to see our brothers and sisters suffer, it is encouraging to hear their level of trust and faith in our Holy God.
Brothers and Sisters in India, we are trying to spread the word about the persecution you have been caused to endure, we are praying for you!
Chris, Nashville USA
Added: Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 12:53 (BST)
It is very true. The evil things that others do towards true Christians God will surely turn it around and use it to glorify Christ. Not that God plans such evil things for God is good, but what evil others do, God will turn it around and use it for saving many more precious souls who are lost. God remembers all the suffering and pain his Children endure for their belief in Him. It is our duty to remember these persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ in our prayers daily.
Anon, India
Added: Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 5:08 (BST)
Its true,God s gonna arise thousands of soul to Christ over every death of a believer....Prayin For a great Revival to Sweep across dis land every nook and corner....Not gonna leave God till i see revival in,around and through me in dis land....
DOROTHY, MANIPAL UNIVERSITY,KARNATAKA
Added: Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 1:30 (BST)
I have never read such a shocking lot of rot about the glory of people being killed and damaged.
What a vile world you must all live in if you truly believe that God encourages all this killing... just so 'thousands will come to Christianity'.
And if this is what you all believe, how come ther are other Christians on a hunger strike protesting about the killing?
How can they protest about God's plan?
Maybe they should be stoned to death too?
Take a Bex and have a nice lie down... and grow up a bit.
H Wilson, Sydney Australia
Added: Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 13:17 (BST)
While Stephen was stoned, Paul was watching the horror as a bystander,
but God caught Paul to become the greatest person of Christianity. Now,
the most persecuted Christians of Orissa are the Dalits, and 300 million
Dalits of India, irrespective of their religious background and upbringing
is watching before a great Christian revival spreading among them from
north to the south and east to the west. 9/11 sent a great revival among
the Muslims around the world; likewise, God is going to do something great in
His divine plan, and the greatest growth of Christianity will take place in
Orissa and some of the cities of Orissa will be 100% Christians. Even though
the majority concentration of Christians are in the south, God will elect the
north to start the fire of revival in India. God never makes any mistake, and
we as humans can't read the blueprint of God's masterplan through the
depth of suffering.
A.S.Mathew, Ringgold, GA, U.S.A.
