Nothing says America like a giant religious tourist attraction that spurs debate and makes money.
CHR Comment: A helpful description of expected visitors and financial aspects of the Noah’s Ark exhibit.
Noisy Churches Shut Down in Nigeria
Christianity is growing so fast and so noisily in parts of Nigeria that the authorities are actually having to shut churches down – to secure peace and quiet for local residents.
CHR Comment: 70 churches were shut down for not complying with local ordinances that are trying to address noise pollution in the city. Mosques and clubs have also been shut down. But the rapid growth of numerous, small local churches alongside large churches like the one pictured above are contributing to overwhelming noise pollution. The article notes the large number of Anglicans in Nigeria and the fact that the population of the country is projected to double by 2050.
The article also mentions a conservative Anglican organization called Gafcon, which stands for Global Anglican Future. For more on Gafcon, see second link below.
Source: Churches forced to shut in Nigeria – for being too noisy | Christian News on Christian Today
Archaeologists Locate Lindisfarne monastery
A crowd-funded archaeology dig has uncovered evidence of the lost medieval monastery where the Lindisfarne Gospels were written.
CHR Comment: The site yields important information about early Anglo-Saxon Christians, examples of their artistry, and the result of attacks by the Vikings. The monastery was founded in 635 AD but researchers had not identified its exact location.
The article mentions the importance of “frith” in Anglo-Saxon names (also spelled “vride”). The word is related to the modern German term “friede,” which means “peace” or “security,” and was an important ideal in Germanic society and law.
Former Prostitute Hopes to Shake Up Dominican Congress
When Jacqueline Montero takes her seat in Congress next month, she will bring not only an unusual past but an unconventional agenda for change in this socially conservative Caribbean country.
CHR Comment: This is a complex and sad story. The end of the article describes the role of Jacqueline’s beliefs, her denominational background, and Universidad Cristiana where she studied theology in the Dominican Republic.
Source: A former prostitute hopes to shake up Dominican Congress – The Washington Post
Bible Scenes Uncovered in Ruins of Ancient Synagogue
On a hill above the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel, archaeologists have discovered one amazing floor mosaic after another.
CHR Comment: These synagogue mosaics are described as “Roman Era,” which makes them contemporary with the rise of Christianity in the Near East. They illustrate the character of Judaism and worship at this time.
Source: Bible Scenes Uncovered in Ruins of Ancient Synagogue
Iraq’s minorities Disappearing
Iraq’s Christian population, which before 2003 numbered as many as 1.4 million, is now under 250,000, according to a report by MRG and other rights organisations.
CHR Comment: The article also reports on the plight of the Yazidis and other non-Christian minorities. Lord, have mercy.
Source: Iraq’s minorities ‘on verge of disappearance’ say rights groups | Christian News on Christian Today
Christian Girls Kidnapped in Egypt
A mass wave of Christian girls and women are being kidnapped and raped by Muslim men in Upper Egypt, a persecution watchdog group has warned.
CHR Comment: The article details the experience of one girl while referring to reports of numerous other incidents. It also refers to the destruction of historic churches in Egypt. In 2015 Al-Our was the proposed site for a new church dedicated to recent Coptic martyrs. However, the proposed project brought violent protests from Muslims. See second link below.
I’ve added a third story below about Al-Our.
Source: Christian Girl Reveals Horrors of Muslim Mob in Egypt Kidnapping, Raping Women
https://churchhistoryreview.org/2015/04/06/al-our-copts-harassed-about-new-church/
Churches at the Forefront as Londoners Say No to Racism
Anti racist actions happened across London during rush hour – organised by London Citizens – which is made up of churches and other civil society groups.
CHR Comment: The end of the article mentions particular denominations involved in Citizens UK.
Source: Churches at the forefront as Londoners say no to racism | Christian News on Christian Today
Christian Woman Gang Raped in Front of 5 Children in “Honor” Attack in Pakistan
A Christian woman in Pakistan was beaten and gang-raped in front of her five children by a Muslim man seeking to avenge his family’s “honor,” because the woman’s sister fell in love and fled with the man’s brother.
Source: Christian Woman Gang Raped in Front of 5 Children in ‘Honor’ Attack in Pakistan
China’s Persecuted Churches Forced to Hand Over Donations to Communist Regime
The Communist Party in China’s coastal Zhejiang province is forcing persecuted Christian churches to hand over all of their tithes and donations to government officials, reports have said.
Source: China’s Persecuted Churches Forced to Hand Over Donations to Communist Regime
church history review 