Category: modern church

Immigration History and the Current Discussion of Syrian Refugees

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A wave of migrants from the Mediterranean meets a hostile reception from many Americans. The migrants are seen as alien in religion, culture, politics, law. So different in fact that some Americans argue that they can never be assimilated. They are the Italians, in the 1890s.

CHR Comment: The article uses the example of Italian Catholic immigration to predominantly Protestant America in the nineteenth century to argue for changes in attitude toward Syrian immigrants today. Americans at that time were afraid of Sicilians and mafia due to acts of violence. The comparison seems inexact since the Sicilians weren’t killing people for religious reasons.

Source: A brief history of America’s hostility to a previous generation of Mediterranean migrants — Italians | Public Radio International

Christian Militias in Central African Republic

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Shocking probe by UN human rights investigators comes days ahead of visit by Pope Francis.

CHR Comment: The anti-balaka (“anti-machete”) militias are fighting with Muslims Seleka rebels over power in Central African Republic. Government troops make up a third force in the nation. People in this region are superstitious about witchcraft. According to a United Nations report, Christian groups have extorted money from people by accusing them of witchcraft, then gathering a bribe from them. Some who cannot pay are burned. A local clergyman who intervened was likewise injured. However, according to a Voice of America article from 2014, the anti-balaka groups may have Christians or practitioners of native religion. Their actions are not so much religious as political and vigilante. The nation is supposed to have an election of new leaders in December.

The second and third links give further information about Central African Republic.

Source: Christian militias in Central African Republic ‘burnt witches at stake’, says UN report – Telegraph

http://allafrica.com/stories/201402190037.html

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34956969?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-11-27/despite-security-risks-pope-francis-plans-visit-central-african-republic?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews

Baby Left in Manger in New York Church

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A mother who left her newborn baby in a manger in a nativity scene in a New York church has been found and will not be charged, officials say.

CHR Comment: New York has a law that allows babies to be left at churches anonymously. However, the mother was supposed to present the child to someone rather than leave it in the manger of a nativity scene. This story illustrates the long standing role of churches as havens of mercy.

Source: New York nativity baby: Mother found and will not be charged – BBC News

Religion in Sub-Saharan Africa

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Pope Francis celebrates Mass with many thousands of people in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, on his first visit as pontiff to Africa.

CHR Comment: The segment and video on the changing demographics in Africa and Catholicism is helpful. You will find it near the end of the article. Otherwise, the report is about the enthusiasm of Africans for the Pope’s visit.

Source: Pope Francis celebrates rain-soaked Mass in Kenya – BBC News

Mapping ISIL’s Attacks in 2015

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In 2015, more than 50 attacks, in which almost 1,000 civilians were killed, were committed in the name of ISIL.

CHR Comment: The number of Christians martyred by ISIS in 2015 is not readily available. Among those mentioned on this map infographic would be the 21 Coptic Christians abducted this January in Libya. The Huffington Post story below gives a detailed account of some these men’s lives. The USA Today article includes another map as well as a point by point description of ISIS attacks. ISIS also targets non-Sunni Muslim groups, Yazidis, and anyone who stands in their way. Lord, have mercy on Your Church and all who face these terrorists.

Source: Mapping ISIL’s attacks in 2015 – Al Jazeera English

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/18/isis-christians-killed-_n_6703278.html

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/11/25/islamic-states-reach-extends-far-home/76379144/

Two Sudanese Lutheran Churches and a Church of Christ Destroyed within One Month

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Christians in the predominantly Muslim country of Sudan continue to suffer intense persecution, with the government engaging in a systematic destruction of churches, a conservative law group has warned.

CHR Comment: The Sudanese government is applying narrow interpretations of Sharia law to destroy church buildings and to persecute pastors. Some Muslim groups are also targeted. Since 2003, war in the region has led to more than 300,000 deaths.

Source: 3 Churches Destroyed in 1 Month Amid Rampant Christian Persecution in Sudan

Religious People Are More Likely to Be Veterans in the U.S.

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Religion and military service go hand-in-hand. Here’s the data.

CHR Comment: Tobin Grant demonstrates that American veterans are significantly more likely to be church goes than those who are not religious. Evangelical Protestants and members of historically Black Protestant churches are most likely to be veterans.

Source: Religious people are more likely to be veterans: Two graphs on veterans in American religion – Corner of Church and State

Pope Francis Due in Kenya at Start of African Tour

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Pope Francis is due in Kenya at the start of a three-nation visit to Africa, with thousands expected to come out to welcome him on his first visit to the continent.

CHR Comment: According to the article, the chief topics that Pope Francis will address are corruption, poverty, and religious conflict. In some of the nations he will visit, Muslims have attacked Christians (e.g., Kenya). African Catholics are gaining influence at the Vatican due to their increasing numbers. The article notes that one out of six Catholics lives in Africa.

Source: Pope Francis due in Kenya at start of African tour – BBC News

Vatican to Try Five, Including Reporters, over Leaks Scandal

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The Vatican on Saturday ordered five people, including two Italian journalists, to stand trial for leaking and publishing secret documents, in the latest development in a leaks scandal which is rocking the papacy.

CHR Comment: The leaks involved financial information, which the reporters described as representing the values and interests of the Vatican, resulting in mismanagement, greed, and corruption. The leaked or stolen information was recently published in two books titled Avarice and Merchants in the Temple. The latter is available in English and is currently ranked as a best seller in Italian history.

Source: Vatican to try five, including reporters, over leaks scandal | Reuters#qgoX7TFPEl4pddRW.97

Refugee Resettlement Process Leaves Syrian Christians in the Cold

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President Obama said Monday there should be no religious test for refugees fleeing the crosshairs of a bloody Syrian civil war and the expanding reach of ISIS, but critics contend the current refugee placement process is rigged against Christians and the administration has turned a blind eye to the bias.

CHR Comment: Christians are not going to the United Nations refugee camps that would allow them to apply for asylum since those camps include groups that would persecute Christian refugees. As a result, fewer Christian refugees are accepted into the United States. According to reporter Cody Derespina, even though Christians make up 10% of Syrian refugees, Christians only represent 1.6% to 3% of refugees granted asylum since the civil war started in 2011.

Source: Refugee resettlement process leaves Syrian Christians in the cold | Fox News#.VlJvt2Az9g4.email