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March 07, 2005:
Bhutan ranks 8th in an annual list 2005, of top
10 countries where Christians are persecuted, Open Doors WWL, Christian
Post Mar 07, 2005.
Click on the report
January 05, 2005 :
Christian Post
Christianity Growing in
Bhutan Despite Repression, Propaganda
''Freedom of
worship is severely restricted with many believers meeting secretly in
private homes, fearing government scrutiny and retaliation.''
The reclusive Kingdom of Bhutan is an
unassuming stronghold of repression of Christians, reported the Religious
Liberty Commission (RLC) of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). In its
most recent release, the RLC reported that although Bhutan was formerly
known as Shangri-La for its tranquil natural beauty, “its serenity belies
its aggressive opposition to the gospel and its faithful believers.”
About 50,000 (or 0.25 percent) of Bhutan’s
predominantly Buddhist population are reportedly Christian, while Buddhists
make up an estimated 2 million. Although Bhutan opened to Christianity in
1965—when most of the country’s Christian adherents came to Christ—the RLC
reports that this freedom has seriously declined unfortunately. “Recently,
government opposition to Christian activities has taken on an apparent
systematic strategy to greatly diminish if not eliminate the practice of
Christianity,” the RLC reported. “Missionaries or Christian leaders are not
allowed into the country and proselytism is strictly prohibited.” The
Commission reports that since 2000, government authorities have engaged in a
sustained campaign against the Christian minority, especially in the south,
which is subject to evangelistic influence from nearby India. Bhutanese
leaving the country report that local authorities aggressively subject
Christians to various forms of persecution and harassment in the form of
public beatings, refusal of access to water and electricity, denying of
travel permits and children’s school, and discrimination in applying for
jobs, promotions, loans and commercial licenses. Buddhist monks and the
government also promote the pretext that Christianity threatens national
identity and unity, the RLC reported.
Freedom of worship is severely restricted with many believers meeting
secretly in private homes, fearing government scrutiny and retaliation.
“Believers have also had their names struck from census records and then are
refused government services,” the RLC stated. “In essence, Christians become
refugees in their own country.” Due to the repression, many flee the
country, often finding haven in refugee camps in eastern Nepal. However, the
RLC reports that Christianity continues to grow in Bhutan, regardless of the
ongoing repression and propaganda. “Despite the Bhutan Kingdom's socially
progressive efforts such as banning tobacco sales and foregoing economic
standards for a 'Gross National Happiness' index, it cannot quench the real
spiritual thirst of its people,” the commission stated.
On the Open Doors “World Watch List,” Bhutan is listed as 8 among the top 50
countries where Christians suffer the most. Kenneth Chan. Copyright © 2004
The Christian Post.
January 05, 2005 :
World Evangelical Alliance
BHUTAN: AN ILLUSION OF PEACE
(By Neal Youngquist)
Religious Liberty
Prayer Bulletin No. 306
The reclusive
Kingdom of Bhutan (or known by locals as 'The Land of the Thunder Dragon')
is an unassuming stronghold of repression of Christians. Formerly known as
Shangri-La for its tranquil natural beauty, Bhutan's serenity belies its
aggressive opposition to the gospel and its faithful believers.
Covering a land area
comparable to Switzerland and situated in the Himalayan terrain between
India and Tibet, Bhutan's predominantly Buddhist population is estimated at
2 million with 50,000 (or 0.25 percent) reported as Christian adherents,
most of whom came to Christ when the country opened to Christianity in 1965.
This freedom, however, has unfortunately declined seriously. Recently,
government opposition to Christian activities has taken on an apparent
systematic strategy to greatly diminish if not eliminate the practice of
Christianity. Missionaries or Christian leaders are not allowed into the
country and proselytism is strictly prohibited. Since 2000, government
authorities have engaged in a sustained campaign against the Christian
minority, especially in the south, which is subject to evangelistic
influence from nearby India. With Buddhist monks and the government
promoting the pretext that Christianity threatens national identity and
unity, local authorities are reported by Bhutanese leaving the country to
aggressively subject Christians to various forms of persecution and
harassment. This takes the form of public beatings; access refused to water
and electricity; discrimination in applying for jobs, promotion, bank loans
and commercial licences; and denying travel permits and children's schooling
– all due to their belief in Christ. Freedom of worship is severely
restricted with many believers meeting secretly in private homes, fearing
government scrutiny and retaliation.
Believers have also
had their names struck from census records and then are refused government
services. In essence, Christians become refugees in their own country. Due
to all this repression, many flee the country (which pleases the
authorities), often finding haven in refugee camps in eastern Nepal.
Regardless of the ongoing repression and propaganda, Christianity continues
to grow. Despite the Bhutan Kingdom's socially progressive efforts such as
banning tobacco sales and foregoing economic standards for a 'Gross National
Happiness' index, it cannot quench the real spiritual thirst of its people.
May Christ, the Living Water and Bread of Life, reveal himself to the
Bhutanese as the author and giver of true life.
Jesus said, 'I am
the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts
no more, ever. I have told you this explicitly because even though you have
seen me in action, you don't really believe me. Every person the Father
gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I
hold on and don't let go. I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim
but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me. (John 6:35-38 The
Message)
PLEASE PRAY
SPECIFICALLY FOR:
-
God to reveal
himself mightily to the Royal Family, government and religious
authorities, and ask that the light of Christ will illuminate darkened
minds, as with Saul's conversion. (2 Cor 4:4-7, Daniel 2:22)
-
trength,
encouragement, and wisdom to undergird Bhutan's Christian community,
asking that God will meet their daily needs. (Phil 2:15, 1 Peter 4:19, 2
Thess 3:2-4)
-
increased entrance
by and openness to the gospel message; especially upholding Bhutanese
youth, some of whom are discontented with an agrarian way of life and
desire a more materialistic lifestyle. (Isaiah 43:18-20)
Neal Youngquist is a
guest writer for RLP. Elizabeth Kendal, our regular researcher and writer,
is on leave.
December 30, 2004 :
The Christian Post
''Border'' Missions Prove Effective in Bhutan:
While some indigenous
ministries operate secretly within Bhutan, others simply ''set up shop''
along its borders
"Border ministries," many
operated by Indian and Nepali missions, have proven very effective in
evangelizing the people of Bhutan according to a Virginia-based missionary
agency. "The
word of the Lord is spreading in this closed country through the faithful
work of native missionaries," wrote Christian Aid, generally considered
to be the first missionary agency to support and promote indigenous mission
groups. Bhutan, a landlocked country between India, Bangladesh and Nepal, is
one of the world's least-evangelized places. Less than one-tenth of one
percent of a population of nearly three million profess to be Christian.
Beliefs other than Buddhism and Hinduism are seen as foreign intrusions, and
attempting to convert a Buddhist or Hindu in Bhutan is strictly prohibited.
"With a history of foreign intrusion by imperialistic powers, Bhutan is
extremely wary of outsiders and their influence," Christian Aid reported.
"Any entry of foreigners, including tourists, is limited." The agency said
that while some indigenous ministries do operate secretly within Bhutan,
others simply "set up shop" along its borders--making the way for "border
ministries". "One such ministry recently held an evangelistic convention in
a border town attended by 600 people, many of whom were Bhutanese," the
agency reported. "A number of attendees who had never received the gospel
before gave their lives to the Lord for the first time." Meanwhile,
Christian ministries that operate within Bhutan carry out their ministry
cautiously but steadily.
According to Christian Aid, new believers come to the Lord every month and
are baptized in remote rivers where those opposed to the gospel cannot find
them. Some have been also been led to the Lord through secret showings of
the "Passion of the Christ" video. And while these men and women are often
ostracized by families and communities for following Christ, Christian Aid
says more and more people in the isolated kingdom are receiving the light of
Christ. "Please remember native missionaries of Bhutan in your prayers, as
well as those missions along the borders," the agency wrote.
Copyright © 2004 The Christian Post
April 29, 2004:
Human Rights Without Frontiers International
Bhutanese house churches
raided after Easter services
Police warn church
members against gathering for worship
Compass (23.04.2004) / HRWF
(29.04.2004) - Email
info@hrwf.net
- Website
http://www.hrwf.org
-- Three house churches in Sarpang district of southern Bhutan were visited
by police on the night of April 11 following their Easter Sunday services.
According to a respected Christian leader in Bhutan, the church members were
warned to discontinue meeting together for worship. The raids seem to
confirm a growing crackdown against Christian activity in Bhutan.
The source, who cannot be
named for security reasons, said police swooped down on three homes in
Gelephu subdivision of Sarpang district after Sunday services. Most of the
church members had already left when the police arrived. Police questioned
the few remaining believers and asked for the names of others who had
attended the meetings. No arrests were made. However the three pastors and
one elder were asked to report daily at 9 a.m. to the administrative office
of Gelephu subdivision. Officials also reprimanded the homeowners and
warned them not to allow their homes to be used as worship facilities. Aside
from this warning, they took no further legal action. According to the
source, police told the believers that their meetings were an expression of
support for international Christian organizations which had been labeled as
“terrorist” groups by the Bhutanese government. Officially, the Christian
faith does not exist in Bhutan, and it is illegal for Christians to gather
for public worship.
Bhutanese authorities say
it is possible to celebrate mass in private homes. However, a report from
the Catholic news agency Zenit in January 2004 showed that Catholics are
also facing greater repression in Bhutan. Until the end of the 1990s,
priests who emigrated from neighboring India and Nepal could celebrate mass
in public. However from the year 2000 onwards, Bhutan outlawed “public
non-Buddhist religious services, and imprisoned those who violate the law,”
according to Indian Bishop Stephen Lepcha, whose diocese includes Bhutan.
Bishop Lepcha said he believed the crackdown was a response to Protestant
pastors who were preaching the gospel and gaining converts. He claimed that
Catholic priests were not trying to proselytize but simply wanted to attend
to the needs of Christians.
Bhutan is still recovering
from a wave of violence that erupted in December 2003. A second source who
works in Bhutan told Compass that severe fighting broke out just before
Christmas between the Royal Bhutan Army and the United Liberation Front of
Assam (ULFA), a group of Indian separatists who had occupied the eastern
districts of Bhutan. The Bhutanese government asked the rebels to evacuate
the land but they refused. Bhutan then asked the Indian government to deploy
forces in a joint effort to push out the Indian insurgents. Because of this
unrest, many believers in the area had to abandon their plans for Christmas
services.
“The pastors I met told me
that some husbands were made to watch their wives being raped at gunpoint by
soldiers of the Indian and Bhutanese armies,” this source explained.
“Countless corpses were fallen on the ground and they were not permitted to
bury or burn them.” “At that point they were afraid that persecution against
the believers might also erupt. In fact, in some places it had already
started. When any natural calamities or untoward incidents take place in
Bhutan, they blame the Christians. They say, ‘It’s because you have believed
in a foreign god that our gods are pouring out their wrath upon us.’” In
February 2004, the source reported, “The situation in Bhutan is still very
tense, but believers are strong in the Lord. The operation against the ULFA
militants is ongoing. This has really jeopardized the life of innocent
people, including the believers.
“Bhutan is in a very
pathetic state at this time. We believe the government of Bhutan is secretly
planning an operation against Christianity. In many ways, Christians are
already deprived of their national rights, like children’s education,
government jobs and even setting up private businesses.
“The Buddhist monks are
persuading the government to enforce this operation against Christians. In
fact, His Majesty of Bhutan is not against the Christians but he is bound by
the religious law in Bhutan. That is, ‘one nation, one religion.’”
Meanwhile, believers in Bhutan have asked for prayer. “Dearly beloved people
of God, we need your prayer support and words of encouragement. Please do
pray for all the believers in Bhutan, that we would remain faithful and
strong in Jesus.”
-----------------------------------------------------------
January 28,
2004:
Zenit. org
Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan
Forbids Public Christian Prayer
Government Fears
Conversions, Says Bishop
THIMPHU, Bhutan, JAN. 28, 2004 (Zenit.org).-
In the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, Christians are forbidden to celebrate or
pray in public and priests are denied visas to enter, says a bishop in
neighboring India. Bishop Stephen Lepcha, whose Diocese of Darjeeling
includes the kingdom, explained that Buddhism is the official religion of
Bhutan, and every other form of religion and mission is prohibited. Until a
few years ago, Christians who had emigrated there from India and Nepal were
free to celebrate Mass in public.
But since the start of the millennium the kingdom has outlawed public,
non-Buddhist religious services and imprisoned those who violate the law,
the bishop told AsiaNews. "Indian priests are denied entry visas," though
other citizens from the subcontinent can get visas, said Bishop Lepcha.
Inhabitants of Darjeeling have Far Eastern features, making them easily
mistaken for Mongols. This makes their entry into the country more
difficult. Priests with different physical characteristics, typical of other
regions of India, enter the country more easily, at least as tourists.
Bishop Lepcha explained that authorities are more reluctant in the cases of
priests with Mongol features, since their physical resemblance to Bhutan's
inhabitants allows them to integrate better into the community -- and
potentially win converts to Christianity. Fear of proselytism is a source of
government "paranoia," said Bishop Lepcha. Officially, Bhutan
authorities say that it is possible to celebrate Mass in private homes. But
"how can Christians celebrate Mass in private, if the authorities don't
permit priests to enter the country?" the bishop asked.
Strict measures against evangelization came when Protestant pastors began to
preach the Gospel to the people of Bhutan -- a kingdom about half the size
of Indiana, bordered by China and India -- and managed to gain a few
converts. The government sounded the alarm and clamped down on
evangelization. Bishop Lepcha stressed that his priests are not trying
to proselytize, but want at least to attend to the needs of Christians.
Source:
Zenit. org
October 11, 2003: Bhutan ranks 7 out of top 10
countries where Christians are persecuted the most according to
World Watch List, October 11, 2003. Please click On the link
Persecution
WWL
March 15, 2003:
Establishment of Bhutan's
first Christian Development Corporation.
Six members of Bhutanese Christians Services
Centre ( BCSC) attended a Conference on Micro-Enterprise Development
held in Indian state of West Bengal March 4-5, 2003. The conference was
organized by the Little River Church, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
Contact address of the organizer of the conference:
dan@himfadco.com. The conference
was attended by a total of twenty four believers
from Bhutan. The Bhutanese believers from different parts of the country
narrated their stories of persecution perpetrated on them by the Royal
Government of Bhutan.
The basic objective of this conference was to
discuss about the setting up a micro finance corporation that would enable
small to medium size businesses to develop among God's people that would
foster self-sufficiency among God's people and slowly remove the dependency
on western giving. Accordingly, the conference discussed about
the establishment of Bhutan's
first Christian Development Corporation.
It is also hoped to establish the trust and
accountability that would encourage other western mission groups to partner
with Bhutanese groups.
An interim Executive Committee comprising four members
was formed. The representative of BCSC was elected to the Executive
Committee.
February 07, 2003:
British
Parliament
discuss the
persecution of
Christians in
Bhutan
LONDON:
Andrew Sellouts, member of House of Commons in United Kingdom, raised the
persecution of Christians
in Bhutan
I want
to consider another example in the same part of the world: the country of
Bhutan. Bhutan has the only Buddhist Government in the world and Christians
in the country face growing discrimination and persecution, which, unlike in
India, comes directly from the national Government. In parts of the country,
state officials, such as district administrators, apply huge pressure on
Christians to force them to renounce their faith. That intimidation includes
severe beatings, imprisonment, verbal threats and forced participation in
de-Christianising rituals. Census officers sometimes mark the names of
Christians in the register and threaten to delete their details if they do
not renounce Christianity. Some observers believe that there is a strong
possibility that, if current trends continue, Christian communities could be
evicted altogether from Bhutan within a few years. The British
Government need to make strong representations on those points to the
Government of Bhutan. I realise that Britain does not have formal diplomatic
relations with Bhutan, but our high commission in India has a section that
deals with Bhutanese issues. Britain also trades with Bhutan, and is an aid
donor to the country. That should provide a useful context in which to raise
issues of religious liberty.
Last
year, the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Andy King) tabled a series
of written questions on the persecution of Christians in Bhutan. As part of
his reply, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and
Commonwealth Affairs, the hon. Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien),
declared that the Government had no reason to discuss the issue with fellow
European Union member states. That is simply not good enough. The Government
claim to put human rights and religious liberty at the heart of their
foreign policy. Various former Ministers, including the present Secretary of
State for Wales when Minister for Europe and the hon. Member for Leeds, West
(Mr. Battle) when Minister of State at the Foreign Office, have reiterated
that. The situation in Bhutan warrants a higher priority in discussions with
other EU countries. That is especially true given that the EU has some links
with Bhutan that are independent of Britain. Also, I gather that the EU is
considering increasing development aid to Bhutan. If that is so, it should
provide a good opportunity for the UK Government to raise human rights
issues with their EU counterparts.
The
Under-Secretary also declared that the form and content of a proposed
Bhutanese constitution is a matter for the Government and people of Bhutan
alone. However, that is not entirely true. The drafting of the constitution
is not purely an internal matter, because Bhutan joined the United Nations
in 1971, and by virtue of its UN membership has pledged itself to bring its
law, including any constitution, into line with the universal declaration of
human rights. Article 18 of that declaration upholds the right to freedom of
religion. The international community has every right—indeed, an
obligation—to ensure that article 18 is upheld and respected in Bhutan.
These are important issues, which I say again I am grateful to have had the
opportunity to put on record. While I have been speaking in this half-hour
Adjournment debate, it is very likely that somewhere in India or Bhutan, or
in both countries, someone has been attacked purely because of their
adherence to their faith. The Minister, whose Government claim to put great
emphasis on religious liberty, should urgently address that. Taking the
steps that I have outlined today would be a good start.
Source:
Balochistanpost
Friday, February 07, 2003
April 2002: The Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)
has published the Bhutan Annual Report 2002 on the situation of
Believers in Bhutan in April 2002 The BCSC
cooperated with the Christian Solidarity Worldwide on the preparation of
this report. Please click on the link
Bhutan Annual Report 2002
January 10, 2003: Missionaries giving finishing touches to master plan in Himalayas. Kathmandu Post January 10, 2003 By
Surendra Phuyal
KATHMANDU, Jan 9:
Christian missionaries have congregated at a quiet resort, on the outskirts
of the capital city, where they are discussing the pros and cons of a
strategic plan, which aims to multiply churches across the length and
breadth of the Himalayas. They plan to achieve this by exploiting the
marginalised conditions of religious communities in the face of the
worsening conflict. The missionaries will work in the Himalayan region,
which includes "any area from the high Himalayan peaks south to the Terai
region, extending into northern India". The region includes Nepal, India (Sikkim)
and Bhutan. More than three dozen senior Christian missionaries, fluent in
Nepali and mainly from the Western countries, are partaking in what they
assert is an ‘INGO Business Meeting’ that kicked off on Janaury 4. The
low-profile gathering will conclude on Saturday, chalking out and finalising
what they call "overarching strategies for the Himalayan region". "We will
work to establish churches in the Himalayan region, and sending churches and
like-minded organisations in bi-vocational holistic ministry" is the vision
statement of the Himalayan Partners, an INGO which is organising the meet.
The Himalayan Partners’ strategic plan, which is being discussed at length
during the weeklong meeting, has a clear roadmap for the Christian
missionaries’. Basically, it underlines three strategies: targeting not yet
reached people groups; targeting the neediest geographic area; and
empowering the national church for missions. The Kathmandu Post has obtained
a copy of the strategic plan. As part of the strategies, the document says
that the Himalayan Partners has selected what it feels is the most pressing
people group to be reached in the Himalayan region. "A key part of reaching
a people is to have the church geographically available," the second
strategy reads. "Currently we have large tracts of land in Nepal, up to
whole districts, without a single church." "These are in geographical areas
including the northern districts (all Tibetan Buddhists), the far west, and
a few areas in the Terai. We have chosen the far west to continue to work."
As part of its third strategy to empower what they call the National Church
for Missions, the document says, "the Himalayan Partners will work with the
National Church to empower, encourage and promote an indigenous Nepali
missions movement in the church. "There are a variety of fronts where
indigenous missions need to be promoted within Nepal. One area of growth
that we will promote are induction of Nepalis in cross-cultural missions,
both within and outside Nepal." And key concepts of what they call
"Himalayan Partners Ministry Philosophy", according to the document, are:
working in the Himalayan region; working in partnership; working in diverse
platforms; working in Holistic Ministry; working to strengthen national
capacity; and working for sustainability. Besides forging partnerships with
"local churches and like-minded organisations", the missionaries have also
emphasised the need to push forward what they call "bi-vocational missionary
approach", meaning "performing a task or job that gives credible presence in
the country, in addition to our church planting vocation." "We believe
that to be a proper witness for Christ," the document says, "we must
maintain excellency in both professions. We encourage the use of non-tourist
visas as a long-term method for maintaining residency, as we believe that it
is easier to live and work in the Himalayan region as a resident expatriate.
We will use any of the visa options below as means to establish residency."
The missionaries’ strategic plan also encourages such institutional projects
as hospitals which - something the document says has been the historical
methodology of TEAM Nepal, a partner of the Himalayan Partners. "We believe
this methodology is valid and effective and will continue to support this as
one of the platforms we use in church establishment," the document says. "In
keeping with TEAM’s philosophy of Health Care Ministry, our health care
initiatives are to facilitate the growth of the body of Christ by restoring
physical, emotional and spiritual wholeness to individuals, families and
community through preventive and curative medical services while
demonstrating the love and compassion of Jesus Christ." The missionaries
also plan to place personnel in national organizations or in
government-sponsored positions, which is "another platform that can make an
impact in church establishment". "A particular placement in a national
organization should fit into the overall strategic initiative being
pursued," it says. Another major strategy of the missionaries is to make use
of student visas. "Initially, access through a student visa is a valuable
way to learn language and culture," the document says. "We encourage new
personnel that are coming for specific initiatives to consider this option
in the beginning as a temporary way to maintain access until other options
become available." And the missionaries plan to establish churches at a
variety of levels. The levels include primary evangelism, discipleship,
leadership development, consultation and finally withdrawal. "We believe
that it is vital for the establishment of an active and growing indigenous
church, to encourage and promote missions as part of the church establishing
effort." For sustainability, the missionaries "believe in ultimately
establishing indigenous reproducing churches". "We believe that missionaries
are most effective when we teach and train nationals rather than doing the
work ourselves," the document says. "In order to foster independence and
sustainability, we must focus on efforts in developing, training and finally
turning over our projects." When contacted for comments, the organizers
refused to divulge details. "This is purely a business meeting, it’s
organized by an INGO," Steve Novel of the Himalayan Partners said in Nepali,
when this reporter, posing as a Kathmandu churchman, queried about the
outcomes of the meeting. "We build hospitals around the country, you know."
Interestingly, the missionaries’ 11-page action plan has used the
conclusions or results of a recent workshop - on implementation of rural
infrastructure projects - such as drinking water facilities - in conflict
situation - which, the document says, was jointly organized by the HMG/ADB,
PPTA and DFID. The Christian Strategic Plan comes hot on the heels of Pope
John Paul II’s recent call for greater evalgelisation in Asia, which has
irked many religious leaders across the Asia Pacific region.
During his
historic visit to India in November 1999, the Pontiff of the Vatican Church
emphasized that Christianity should spread in Asia in the third millennium.
He had recommended "aggressive conversion" in Asia to make that happen - a
move Hindu and Buddhist religious leaders, gathered in Lumbini, the
birthplace of Lord Buddha, shortly after the Pontiff’s India visit,
described as "crime against humanity". Source:
Kathmandu Post January 10, 2003
December 0 4, 2002: BHUTANESE CHRISTIANS
FLEE TO INDIA FOR LIFE.
Bhutan, a neighbour of India is a Buddhist nation. The Christians
of Bhutan are a microscopic miniscule minority community. The
Christians of Bhutan are under severe repression from the state.
It is impossible for the Bhutanese believers to proclaim or profess
their faith publicly. Anyone who dares to reveal their belief in
Christ has no way but to flee the nation. The Bhutanese
government reportedly had begun a religious-cleansing operation and
in the process, they identified 500 Christian families and deported them
The methodology of identification of the
Christians was novel. The government authorities went to the 300 public
schools and offered chocolates to the unsuspecting and innocent school
children. They asked the Christian students to raise their hands. The innocent
juveniles raised their hands. Then the authorities obtained the names
and addresses of the children. With the addresses collected, the
authorities raided the Christian homes
and forced them to flee the country. The terrified Bhutanese
Christians ran for their lives and took refuge in India and Nepal.
Nepal too is a country that is inimical to Christianity. The reports are
that many believers have lost their government jobs and that their children
have been denied education in the government schools. The Royal Bhutan
government has branded the Christian missionaries as subverts and the
Christian churches are being closed down. The Bhutan government issued a
secret circular in April 2001 to the district authorities to contain all
Christian activity. They have been categorically directed to prevent any
evangelical activity including speeches. It is reported that the authorities
have coerced many Christian missionaries to give written undertakings in
this regard. Two young Bhutanese Christians have been languishing for
a long time in the dungeons without proper trial because they were charged
with proclaiming the gospel of Christ. It is believed that these
persecuted servants of the Lord will be deported after their sentences
have been served. Pray for the persecuted church of Bhutan. Pray that
the gates are opened.
Pray for wisdom, boldness and endurance to stand without denying the
Lord Jesus Christ.
RECENT UPDATE: "Presently situation in south Bhutan is very tense, and local authorities
are forcefully asking the believers to put the Buddhist
flag in front of their houses, and bow down before the idols.
Many are in great fear now - pray that the Lord will give them His peace and
grace to remain firm in their faith in Jesus Christ."
Source:
TimothySnodgrass.com
Dec 4, 2002 and
Gospelgo.com
October 30,
2002:
World Wide Religious News
Bhutan
Christians Arrested And Tortured
Maranatha
Christian News Service:
Forty believers from a Gospel for Asia (GFA) Believers Church were arrested
last month and tortured for their faith. According to GFA officials,
authorities told one pastor of the church to stop his evangelistic work or
they would cut off the electricity and water supply to his home.
"I will persecute the Christians and put an end to them in Bhutan," the
official, who was responsible for the Sept. 24 arrest, reportedly warned
church members. Police, who harass Christians for not displaying a statue of
Buddha, have searched the homes of many believers in the country of 2
million people.
About 75 percent of Bhutan is Bon Buddhist, a form of Buddhism with strong
occult undercurrents. "The government subsidizes astrologers in every town,"
GFA officials said. "Pray that God will free the people of Bhutan to know
and worship the king of glory."
But despite harassment of Christians, the gospel is bearing fruit. A
Bhutanese official who had long persecuted and arrested Christians in his
district died recently.
"He never allowed Christians to meet for fellowship," GFA officials said.
"Many Christians were arrested and died in police custody." But on his
deathbed, the man accepted Christ, confessing that his greatest sin was
having persecuted and killed Christians.
Disclaimer: WWRN does not
endorse or adhere to views or opinions expressed in the articles posted.
This is purely an information site, to inform interested parties of
religious trends.
July 21 2002: Kuenselonline.com
The debate in the
National Assembly (un-elected Parliament) of Bhutan
PROSELYTISATION : A
THREAT TO A SMALL SOCIETY
The members of the National Assembly were in unanimous agreement that
proselytisation - exploitation of the poorer sections of society - by some
missionaries could be a divisive factor and was not, therefore, desirable in
a small and vulnerable country like Bhutan. While some members said
that the practice of Christianity itself should be banned, the majority
proposed different strategies to discourage proselytisation and to
strengthen the influence of Buddhism as the strong binding factor for
Bhutanese society. The debate was introduced by the Chukha chimi who
informed the members that the four geogs of Phuentsholing dungkhag alone had
seen a dramatic escalation of conversion into Christianity. “These people
behave and think differently from the rest of the community,” he said.
“Their new views, attitude and action differ creating disharmony within
families and villages.” The Sarpang chimi pointed out that there were two
main religions followed in Bhutan: Buddhism and Hinduism. A third and new
element could upset the close harmony that existed between them and even
change the day to day life style and family values. “Given our small
society, too many different faiths could lead to clashes and, therefore,
affect social stability,” said the Tsirang chimi. The Dagana and Samdrup
Jongkhar chimis agreed that a third religion could sow discord within the
small population. Many Assembly members pointed out that people in the lower
income group were being lured with economic enticement. A growing sense of
materialism was diluting traditional values and leaving people more
vulnerable to cash and material temptations. The Punakha chimi said that
religion had been commercialized to an extent that it broke down age old
values and destabilized societies. The Assembly members also expressed their
concern that unchecked proselytisation could undermine Bhutan’s strength as
a nation by diluting the Bhutanese identity which was drawn from Buddhism.
“People should be made strong from inside so that they can resist external
temptations,” said the Sarpang chimi. With religion being the cause of
many wars, conflicts, and discord throughout the world, Bhutan had existed
in peace and harmony because of the undisturbed influence of Buddhism, said
the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry chimi. Today, it was important
that the Dratshang took steps to strengthen Buddhism and keep the people in
touch with their own religion, especially the youth who were the most
vulnerable. “We do not criticize other religions,” said the Paro chimi. “We
want to protect and promote our own faith which is our cultural and
spiritual legacy. He said that the GYTs and the DYTs should cooperate and
create more awareness of these new developments among the civil servants and
the people. The Dorji Lopon of the Central Monk Body reminded the
Assembly members that Lord Buddha had taught that criticism and condemnation
of other religions should not be done. The problem today was that Bhutanese
youth were losing touch with their parents’ generation because of their
different life style and different beliefs. The Dratshang, he said, had
taken many initiatives to strengthen the faith of the Bhutanese people in
their own religion. The Dratshang had, for example, found ways to help the
poorer sections of society by subsidising religious education and basic
needs. But the issue, he added, was not only religion. It was the question
of strengthening Bhutanese values like tha damtshi and ley jumdrey.
“Religion is nowhere, but in our own hearts,” said the health and education
minister, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup. “It is a personal choice.” What made
Buddhism different from other religions, he added, was the teaching of
tolerance and compassion. Rather than to try and stop other religions by
force, it was more important to preserve these sacred values. The minister
said that there would be no need to worry about other religions if the
people had genuine faith in their own religion which had been the source of
the nation’s strength down the ages. “We are not against Christianity as a
religion, but the strategies used by the proselytisers,” he said. “They are
luring people with money and other enticements to convert the people. This
is not preaching. It is the exploitation of the poor.” The chairman of
the special commission, Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho, said that Bhutanese law did
not ban the practice of any religion. “But proselytisation by some
missionaries, who condemn and criticise Buddhism and Hinduism and cultural
practices in our country, deeply hurts the sentiments of the people,” he
said. As a small and deeply religious nation whose people had always enjoyed
close family ties, such divisive factors could affect families, communities,
and the entire population. He also informed the Assembly members that many
people outside the country were trying to malign the government and the
people of Bhutan by distorting facts and alleging all forms of religious
discrimination which did not exist. Laws alone were not enough to stop
proselytisation, he said. It was important to continue socio-economic
development and to preserve Bhutan’s rich religious and cultural heritage as
it had done in the past. The speaker of the National Assembly noted the
concerns expressed by the members that unchecked proselytisation could have
a disastrous impact on Bhutan’s small population. It could dilute the age
old traditional values and undermine existing systems and establishments
which had evolved from the teachings of Buddhism. He also reminded the
members that this issue had been discussed many times in earlier sessions
and that there was existing legislation on proselytisation. It was important
for a country to uphold its laws to enjoy peace and stability. While the
existing legislation was adequate it was important to enforce it. The
National Assembly resolved that the council of ministers and the Lhengye
Zhungtshog should be responsible for upholding and enforcing the existing
legislation on proselytisation. By Ugyen Penjore
Source:
Kuensel
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