AgapePress, October 10, 2005
U.S. Believers Called Upon to Protest Indonesian Christians'
Persecution
By Allie Martin
(AgapePress) - The president of a human rights group reports that there is growing
evidence of religious persecution against minority Christians in Indonesia.
Jim Jacobsen is president of Christian Freedom International (CFI), an
interdenominational human rights organization that helps persecuted believers
worldwide. He recently took part in a fact-finding mission to the Muslim-dominated
country of Indonesia.
CFI vice president Vickie Koth says Jacobsen is urging the Indonesian government to
allow religious freedom and to denounce a radical Islamic group that has used
intimidation, fear, and threats in order to force church members to close down their
churches.
In a number of the churches Jacobsen visited, she says members reported that the
radicals "would come in at sword point and force them to sign a document promising
that they would not have worship service anymore -- that they would rearrange the
building. They could use it for the community, but it was not to be used for Christian
services."
The CFI spokeswoman encourages Christians in America to get involved in advocacy
on behalf of the persecuted Indonesian Christians. "We can go to our media," she
says, "go to our congressmen, go to our supporters and ask our supporters, 'Call your
congressmen. Call the Indonesian Embassy and tell them this needs to stop.' The
police could do something. We need to put the pressure on."
Up until now, Koth notes, the Indonesian government has not taken any measures to
protect Christians in that country from such harassment. She says it is time for the
authorities to put a stop to the rampant persecution of the Christian minority
members.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family
Radio News, which can be heard online.
© 2005 AgapePress all rights reserved.
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