Persecution

Indonesia : Sunday School Teachers Sentenced To Three Years In Prison

[3 women] received the sentence after judges found them guilty of violating the Child Protection Act of 2002, which forbids "deception, lies or enticement" causing a child to convert to another religion. . .The teachers had instructed the children to get permission from their parents before attending the program, and those who did not have permission were asked to go home. . .None of the children had converted to Christianity [and defence attorneys pointed out that several of the Muslim parents had been photographed with their children during the Sunday school activities, proof that they had permitted their children to attend]. . .As they have done throughout the trial, Islamic extremists made murderous threats both inside and outside the courtroom. Hammond said several truckloads of extremists arrived; one brought a coffin to bury the accused if they were found innocent. . .Zakaria, who pastors [a church in West Java] was approached by the school in August 2003 and asked to provide a Christian education program for Christian students, in line with the National Education System Bill that came into effect in June of that year. The women launched the program in September 2003. It proved popular, and Muslim children soon began to attend with the verbal consent of their parents. Muslim leaders have forced at least 60 unlicensed churches in West Java to shut down over the past year [including the teacher's]. (taken from persecution.org)

''Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?'' Romans 8:35

''That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.'' 2 Corinthians 12:10