When American Christians talk about persecution, usually we’re thinking along the lines of social marginalization, scathing ridicule, and the ever increasing secularization of our society (i.e. hate speech toward us, removing the 10 Commandments from the court, military chaplains being pressured not to pray Christian prayers, etc. etc.)

As much as I lament these trends in our nation, I fear our inward focus makes us oblivious to the fact that Christians are suffering real, physical persecution elsewhere on the globe (I’m talking bloodshed here…)  Being physically assaulted, tormented and killed for Christ is not merely an historical phenomenon, but it is occuring TODAY.  Unfortunately, we don’t hear about this as much as we should. 

As I was browsing the news, I zeroed in on a couple recent stories.  Consider:

FoxeThere are many more stories like this, but you need to dig online in order to find them.  For some reason Reuters, the Associated Press, and CNN don’t find these stories worth mentioning. 

A quality organization that is doing its utmost to bring the world’s attention to Christian persecution is The Voice of the Martyrs.  Please understand, in Christianity a martyr isn’t someone who dies in the act of committing mass murder (as the word is used so often today referring to terrorists).  A Christian martyr is someone who is himself murdered for his faith.  Foxe’s Book of Martyrs is a book that chronicles the stories of numerous Christian martyrs who were killed for their allegiance to Christ.

I’m a supporter of VOM and appreciate what they’re trying to do to spread awareness of the plight of the persecuted church.  Consider signing up for their free email newsletter.  Stay informed.  Visit their blog on Christian persecution at:  www.persecutionblog.com   

By His Grace,

Chaplain