Something about that combination of words seems to portend bad news.
But despite the fact that bad news markets well in our day (“If it bleeds, it leads”), a fast search shows this one not getting much attention out there:
Why is Christian persecution in Saudi Arabia ignored?
I happened to recently stumble on an obscure government document on the Internet from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). It turns out what I read in the USCIRF 2012 Annual Report was one of the most important documents I have read in many years.
USCIRF is tasked with reporting to the president, Secretary of State and Congress on international human rights abuses of religious freedom. Their recommendations are either acted upon or the country is given a waiver.
[…]
The USCIRF report also says, “On December 15, 2011, approximately 35 Ethiopian Christians were detained for holding a private prayer gathering … Some have alleged physical abuse during interrogations.”
[…]
If our nation wants to be the leader to spread freedom around the world we cannot have double standards. Saudi Arabia has been granted human rights religious abuse waivers by our government since 2005. The Ethiopian Christians presently incarcerated by the Saudi government for simply having a prayer gathering is an international abomination. The media may not find reporting about poor third world Christian black workers in Saudi Arabia being jailed unfairly as glamorous celebrity news, but it is news that should be in the headlines.
And here’s a brief, already-old news bit: Update & Photos: Protesters Demand Saudis Release Jailed Ethiopian Christians
I offer this post, not as a call to any sort of social or political activism, but as an information-based reminder to God’s people to pray.
My question to you ain’t complicated: For what should we Christians pray?
HT: Persecution.org