Radical Islamist Herdsmen Kill 500 Nigerian Christians Over Month; Villagers Afraid to Bury Their Dead

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Radical Islamist Herdsmen Kill 500 Nigerian Christians Over Month; Villagers Afraid to Bury Their Dead

Nigeria children (Photo: Reuters/Afolabi Sotunde)

Christian Post Report – Women and children rescued from Boko Haram ariving at the IDC camp in Yola, Adamawa State in this undated photo.

Radical Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria have killed close to 500 predominantly Christian farmers in Benue state in central Nigeria in a series of attacks over the last month, and are reportedly still hiding out among villagers, making survivors too afraid to return and bury the dead.

“In the last three weeks, Aku, Odugbeho, Aila, Okokolo and Ikobi have been utterly destroyed and over 300 people have been killed,” Steven Enada, a development advocate campaigning against the killing of the Agatu people, told Morning Star News.

“We have corpses littered in the field like a war fought in the Roman Empire by Emperor Nero,” he added, with survivors too afraid to return to bury the dead.

International Christian Concern said on Tuesday that in total close to 500 people have been killed over the past month, and thousands have died in clashes since 2001.

The Fulani herdsmen launched a heavy attack against the Agatu farmers on Feb. 22, and a week later had killed over 300 people in the slaughter.

Ikwulono John Anthony, an indigene of the affected Christian communities, said that some of the attackers are still in the villages.

“I took the risk and came to Agatu together with the delegation from the presidency of Nigeria, where we visited Obagaji, Egba, Aila, Adagbo, Okokolo, Akwu, Ugboju, Odugbeho and Odejo,” he said.

“Entire villages were burned down completely by Fulani herdsmen. Unidentified corpses of these Christians were discovered, properties were looted by these Fulani invaders. As I speak to you, Fulani herdsmen are living in the deserted villages. I couldn’t believe what my eyes saw.”

Fulani leaders are apparently accusing farmers of killing up to 10,000 cows, something which the local villagers deny.

Emmanuel Ogebe, a human rights lawyer, told Morning Star News that the villagers would not even have the means to slaughter such a large number of cows.

“Such a mass slaughter would take weeks, and the skeletal remains of the cows would completely dot the landscape of Agatu, and the stench would permeate the air,” he said.

Ogebe added that he feels there is religious motive behind the attacks, with the radicals waging jihad to take over the villages.

ICC has noted that although there are historical tensions over land rights for cattle grazing versus farming in the region, it would be wrong to conclude that the mass killing of Christians is due only to tribal conflicts.

“We must not allow the frequency and heightened brutality Christians continue to endure in this region to desensitize us to the real human loss and suffering they experience,” Troy Augustine, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, said back in February.

“Nigerian officials should follow their first mandate in protecting all Nigerians against violent threats to life and property, whatever the source, instead of allowing these crimes to continue unpunished and conveniently explained away through the lens of resource wars and historical tribal tensions.”

The attacks have continued despite President Muhammadu Buhari ordering an investigation into the clashes between the Fulani herdsmen and the Christian farmers, expressing his “deep shock” at the level of violence that has been committed.

The ongoing attacks have also displaced close to 7,000 villagers from their homes.

Source : Christian Post

ISIS Recruits Child Jihadis After Suffering Losses From US Airstrikes

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ISIS Recruits Child Jihadis After Suffering Losses From US Airstrikes

ISIS (Photo: Reuters/Stringer)

Christian Post Report – Militant Islamist fighters wave flags as they take part in a military parade along the streets of Syria’s northern Raqqa province June 30, 2014. The fighters held the parade to celebrate their declaration of an Islamic “caliphate” after the group captured territory in neighboring Iraq, a monitoring service said. The Islamic State, an al Qaeda offshoot previously known as Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, posted pictures online on Sunday of people waving black flags from cars and holding guns in the air, the SITE monitoring service said.

The terrorist organization known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is recruiting children to fill the ranks of their armed forces.

In response to setbacks over the past couple months from US-led airstrikes, ISIS, also known as Daesh, IS or ISIL, has stepped up its usage of child soldiers, according to the Middle East media outlet ARA News.

“The militant group has been losing strength and territory over the past few months, beside a remarkable decrease in the salaries of its militants to nearly the half,” reported ARA News.

ISIS(Photo: Screengrab/YouTube/English Alarabiya)Saudi national Abu Obadya al-Abassi, 10, who was reportedly named the “Cub of Baghdadi” by members of ISIS, was allegedly killed in battle, according to a YouTube video via English Alarabiya posted by the terror group.

“The U.S.-led coalition’s airstrikes on the group’s vital positions and resources have also paralyzed movement of ISIS jihadis.”

ARA News interviewed activist Mohammed Dujana, who noted that this increased focus on recruiting minors was taking place in Northern Iraq in particular.

“As many fled from the militant group’s ranks, Daesh forced dozens of children to join its jihadi training camp in Mosul,” said Dujana to ARA News.

ISIS’ usage of child soldiers is not new. In October 2014, the group garnered headlines over the reported death of 10-year-old Abu Obadya al-Abassi, dubbed the “Cub of Baghdadi.”

Last month, Fox News reported that according to Kurdish and other sources, ISIS was using a growing number of children and drugged adults to defend their positions in Mosul.

“ISIS in Iraq is propping up its fighting ranks by bringing in more ‘reserve fighters’ – many as young as 13 – but who have little or no combat experience, according to Kurdish military leaders who clash frequently with the terrorist army on the frontlines around Kirkuk,” reported Fox News.

“ISIS has compensated for the loss of seasoned soldiers by drugging those it radicalizes or forces into service, said a Peshmerga official stationed near Mosul Dam, some 30 miles up the Tigris River from Mosul.”

ARA News’ report comes as the United States has officially assessed that a senior ISIS official named Omar al-Shishani died of wounds sustained following an airstrike.

“The initial U.S. assessment was that he was ‘likely killed’ in the strike, but further assessments led them to understand he had been injured and only later died, according to U.S. officials,” noted CNN.

“Shishani has had a reputation as one of ISIS’ most capable commanders. There has been a $5 million reward on his head from the U.S. State Department.”

Source : Christian Post

ISIS Targets Christian Books

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ISIS Targets Christian Books

ISIS Targets Christian Books

Christian Post Report – In its continued assault against Christianity and the religion’s history, the Islamic State has released a video that shows its jihadis burning hundreds of Christian books last week in the Iraqi city of Mosul on the grounds that they are the “books of infidels.”

The terror group, which conquered Mosul and much of the Nineveh Plains during the summer of 2014, published a video through the affiliated Amaq news agency, showing IS militants in its largest Iraqi stronghold tossing hundreds of Christian textbooks into a large bonfire.

The video was obtained by media activists and posted to YouTube by an Assyrian Christian media group so that it could be circulated as additional proof of IS’ attempt to destroy Christianity and other religions in Iraq and Syria.

According to the the Kurdish media outlet ARA News, the militants’ reasoning for burning the books, which had crosses on their covers, was because they belonged to “infidels.”

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/isis-burns-hundreds-christian-textbooks-cultural-cleansing-christianity-infidels-159149/#HW6OCkZrLoxe3cgB.99

Source : Christian Post

Kirk Franklin Questions ‘Evangelical Friends’ About Fruits of Donald Trump’s Spirit

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Kirk Franklin Questions ‘Evangelical Friends’ About Fruits of Donald Trump’s Spirit

Donald Trump (Photo: Reuters/Joe Skipper)

Christian Post Report – Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives to give a victory speech after the Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois and Missouri primary elections during a news conference held at his Mar-A-Lago Club, in Palm Beach, Florida, March 15, 2016.

Kirk Franklin asked his Christian friends to observe Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s spiritual fruit.

Kirk Franklin(Photo: Reuters/Danny Moloshok)Gospel singer Kirk Franklin arrives at the 54th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, February 12, 2012.

Franklin, the 46-year-old gospel music artist, songwriter and producer questioned if the Republican presidential candidate had any evidence of the fruits of the spirit described in Galatians 5:22.

“I hope all my evangelical friends who are considering Trump also remember one of fruits of the spirit is kindness … where’s the apples,” Franklin tweeted.

While Trump’s rallies have been resulting in violence due to his supporters fighting protestors, the billionaire real estate tycoon turned presidential candidate has publicly urged them to do so.

“If you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you,” Trump, 69, told his supporters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa last month. “Seriously, OK? Just knock the hell — I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees.”

Last year, Franklin spoke out against Christian pastors who decided to publicly stand with Trump. The minister of music engaged in a Twitter rant against Trump’s pastoral supporters after the presidential hopeful reportedly called for the banning of Muslims entering the United States.

“Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on,” a press release from the Trump campaign said, according to CNN.

After the information was released, Franklin spoke up.

“To every pastor that stood next to Donald Trump.. I hope you now see why we’re losing respect as Christians in the world…While you were so busy wanting ‘camera time,’ you didn’t ‘take time’ to examine his character,” Franklin tweeted last December. “Banning Muslims does not reflect our country, Or our Christ. I am very disappointed in people that say they believe what I believe compromise that for contaminated influence. I’m done.”

Franklin is not the only Christian figure to speak out against Trump. Pastor Jamal Bryant of Empowerment Temple in Baltimore, Maryland used “prostitute” to describe black preachers supporting Trump.

“Prostitutes for Trump…don’t let black pulpit become a pole,” Bryant tweeted.

Source : Christian Post

Washington Church Mulling Whether to Remove Pre-Nazi Swastika Floor Tile

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Washington Church Mulling Whether to Remove Pre-Nazi Swastika Floor Tile

swastika (Photo: Screengrab/YouTube/KOIN 6)

Christian Post Report – Longview Community Church of Longview, Washington includes a swastika in its tiling.

A church in Washington State is debating whether or not to remove a swastika image put on the floor of its sanctuary before the Second World War.

Longview Community Church’s sanctuary was constructed during the 1920s, before the swastika garnered its malevolent reputation as a symbol of Nazism.

The San Francisco Gate reported Sunday that the congregation of Longview Community is not of one mind about what to do, if anything, about the imagery.

“Some members want to remove the swastika tiles, which they say is a reminder of the horrors of Nazi Germany (although the Nazi swastika is oriented differently),” reported SF Gate.

King Victor Emanuel III, (R) Adolf Hitler (C) and Benito Mussolini (L) watch fascist troops march past from a balcony in central Rome in this 1941 television file footage.REUTERS/Reuters TVKing Victor Emanuel III, (R) Adolf Hitler (C) and Benito Mussolini (L) watch fascist troops march past from a balcony in central Rome in this 1941 television file footage.

“On the other side, members do not want to strip the building of its history. The swastika tiles are original to the church, which was built in 1925, eight years before Hitler and the Nazis came to power in 1933.”

This is not the first time the images have been debated. For example, last June KOIN news channel 6 did a story about the architectural controversy.

In an interview with KOIN last year, the Reverend Dr. John Williams explained that “whenever we have done any kind of construction, we have tried to mimic what existed before.”

“If they’re offended at the doorstep, then I don’t even get a chance to say ‘you know, God really loves you’,” continued Rev. Dr. Williams.

“We have, sad to say, more and more younger folks who have a very, very thin veneer of world history.”

Williams was alluding to the millennia-long history of the symbol, whose name derives from the Indian Sanskrit word svastika, often translated into English as “good fortune” or “well-being.”

“To this day it is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Odinism. It is a common sight on temples or houses in India or Indonesia,” noted the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s website.

“In the beginning of the twentieth century the swastika was widely used in Europe. It had numerous meanings, the most common being a symbol of good luck and auspiciousness.”

Although church leadership recently approved the idea of changing the tile, many in the congregation have been critical of the decision.

Longview is still looking into getting congregational feedback, having held two town halls in which most attendees spoke against changing the tile.

“Beyond preserving the church’s history, some opponents questioned the cost of replacing the tiles and wondered if the church would have to change every time someone is offended,” noted the SF Gate.

“The negative pushback likely means the church probably will forgo removing the tiles. Williams expects the board to reverse its earlier decision within the next couple of months.”

The Christian Post sent multiple queries to Longview Community Church, but did not receive a response by press time.

Source : Christian Post

Megachurch Pastor Perry Noble Offers Tips for Inviting People to Church for Easter

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Megachurch Pastor Perry Noble Offers Tips for Inviting People to Church for Easter

Perry Noble(Photo: Courtesy of NewSpring Church)Perry Noble is the founding and senior pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson, S.C.

Christian Post Report – Ahead of Easter Sunday, Pastor Perry Noble of NewSpring Church in South Carolina has offered helpful tips for Christians when inviting a new person to their church.

In a March 15 post on the megachurch pastor’s blog, Noble explains that while it may feel “awkward” to invite a first-timer to Easter Sunday service, there are things to remember that will encourage a Christian to do the “big ask.”

First, Christians must remember that “everyone will spend eternity somewhere,” and ultimately “someone will thank you one day for not giving up on them.”

“There is amazing peace when you know that someone you loved has been made new and is in the presence of Christ,” Noble explains.

Second, while Christians may make up excuses for not asking someone they know to attend their church, ultimately they should resist the urge to “say no” for someone.

“All too often when I really do feel the Lord pressing into me to invite someone to church, whether it’s a server in a restaurant or someone I have a relationship with for a while, I want to make an assumption and just say ‘no’ for them in my mind,” Noble explains.

However, the pastor writes that despite this desire to say “no,” he has found through past experience that a person can be an invite away from attending church and accepting God as their savior.

Lastly, Noble references Philippians 4:13 to remind Christians that while they are responsible for the “ask,” they are not responsible for the “answer.

“The same power that brought Jesus back from the dead is living inside of me […] and IN HIM I can do ANYTHING that He commands me to do!” Noble proclaims.

If Christians have someone on their mind who they’ve wanted to invite to church for a while, Noble explains that this is God communicating to them to ask that person to church, saying that Christians are in a partnership with God to spread the Good News to others.

“God has called our church to provide an environment where people can come and hear the message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand,” Noble explains, adding that now Christians must simply invite others to attend this rewarding environment with them.

Noble, whose church attracts a weekly attendance of 32,000, has spoken on the importance of evangelism before, writing in August 2011 that telling others about God is a “command issued by Christ himself.”

“It’s not easy, it does cause us to get uncomfortable, people will think you are crazy and following the command of Christ will create tension at times,” Noble explains, adding that “nonetheless we are still called and empowered to do this!”

When listing “six things Christians need to understand about evangelism,” Noble explains that spreading Christianity is not just about doing good deeds, it involves talking about Christ.

“The BIBLICAL definition of evangelism is when we PROCLAIM CHRIST […] and unfortunately a cowardly church culture has turned it into a whole lot of things that Jesus never intended for it to be,” Noble writes.

The megachurch pastor notes that when evangelizing, Christians must not allow themselves to get sidetracked. Instead, they must always bring the conversation back to Christ.

“It HAS TO come back to Christ […] we can’t allow the conversation to get sidetracked with political and sociological issues […] no one EVER surrendered their lives to Christ because they had all of their questions answered!!! Always bring it around to JESUS!!!” Noble encourages.

Source : Christian Post

Jeremy Lin Calls on Prayer Warriors Amid Frustrations With Lowest Stats in NBA Career

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Jeremy Lin Calls on Prayer Warriors Amid Frustrations With Lowest Stats in NBA Career

Jeremy Lin (Photo: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports/REUTERS)

Christian Post Report – Nov 18, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) drives past Brooklyn Nets guard Jarrett Jack (2) during the first half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Jeremy Lin is calling on his prayer warriors for help after experiencing a frustrating season that has seen his lowest stats since his NBA career began.

The 28-year-old Charlotte Hornets point guard has been shooting at a little over 40 percent from the floor and 31.8 percent 3-pointers which are his lowest stats since joining the NBA. On Monday, he made none of the three baskets he attempted in only 19 minutes of playing.

In his 16th email sent to his digital prayer group, Lin expressed his frustrations.

“Please pray for me as recently I have been frustrated with my jump shot and overall performance. The new shooting form has been one of the most frustrating things of my career,” Lin wrote.

“I know it will pay off in the long run but going through the adjustment process has been harder than I anticipated, so prayer for the right mindset, great muscle memory and a pure heart that shoots/plays solely for God’s approval would be greatly appreciated!”

In the beginning of the 2015-2016 season, Lin praised God for helping him find peace with his career.

“First, is a praise to God for softening my prideful heart to have recently found supernatural peace and rest, regardless of my circumstances,” Lin wrote in the email titled, “Jeremy’s Prayer Requests 13.” “As I start my sixth year in the NBA, I’d say I’ve enjoyed the first couple months of this season more than any other season, mainly because God is showing me more and more the intricacies of understanding that my identity as a person isn’t in my job or performance, but in Him.”

Even when he felt peace, Lin asked fans to pray that he maintain that mindset.

“Please pray that I would stay in this state of mind,” he wrote. ” As a very emotional person, I know it can be a quick change from being in a great place mentally/spiritually to worrying and being anxious about my life and future.”

In his latest email, the Christian athlete praised God for his team’s continued Bible study and the All-Star break that allowed him to heal. He went on to solicit prayers for his injured teammates, the world, and Christian revival for Asian-Americans.

Last year, Lin introduced the digital prayer group to fans who receive his prayer requests in an email format every couple of months. Lin said he decided to start his prayer group after a number of his supporters inquired about ways they could intercede on his behalf.

“The journey I’ve been on has had its ups and downs and I appreciate all of your support throughout. Some of you have asked how to pray for me so I decided to start a prayer group where I can send out requests for those that want to pray and support,” Lin wrote on his website last year. “Please feel free to share with others you think would be interested. So much of what happens is out of our control, but prayer has been a place I have consistently found peace with God.”

Source : Christian Post

James Fortune: I Am Not a Supporter of Domestic Violence

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James Fortune: I Am Not a Supporter of Domestic Violence

James Fortune (Photo: Reuters/Fred Prouser)

Christian Post Report – Gospel singer James Fortune performs a song he dedicated to Michael Jackson and his family at the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards in Beverly Hills, June 26, 2009.

Despite admitting to assaulting his wife, gospel artist James Fortune insists he does not believe in domestic violence.

In a public apology posted on Facebook, the 37-year-old minister of music said the media is accusing him of being something he is not.

“I want to make a public apology to my family, friends, and supporters for not being above reproach. Please pray that during this process God continues to perfect and restore me so that I become a better man, Father and Christian,” Fortune wrote. “Despite the accusations and media embellishments, I am not a supporter of domestic violence. I do take full responsibility for my participation in the altercation and have been seeking out spiritual and professional guidance to improve my anger management and emotional discipline for over a year now and will continue to do so. Thank you for your continued prayers.”

Last week, ABC 13 revealed that Fortune was sentenced to five days of jail, five years of probation, 175 hours of community service and would have to complete a batterer’s intervention program after pleading guilty to a third degree felony charge for assaulting his wife.

Fortune’s wife Cheryl Fortune suffered from broken bones and internal injuries at the time of his arrest in October 2014, according to ABC reports. The news reports come three years after Fortune was sued for $5 million by his stepson’s father who alleged that the singer burned the boy in hot water as an act of discipline 11 years prior.

The Grammy-nominated recording artist admitted that he needed to overcome some issues, but denied that the details published in media reports were all true.

“Where I was last October, a lot of people did see what was alleged in the news and of course the media just completely blew the whole situation out of proportion,” Fortune said on “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show” last year. “But more than that, I needed to work on me.”

While Fortune was grateful that God offered him forgiveness, the singer needed to overcome his anger issues in order to be renewed.

“A lot of times you’ll always say what you’ll never do but when you can’t control your anger anything can trigger and make you do something that maybe you felt like you would never do. For me I ask God, of course I thank God for forgiveness but for me it was more than just forgiving,” Fortune said. “I wanted to be better. I wanted to be changed. I wanted God to do something on the inside of me so that my story, my testimony could help someone else.”

For Fortune, anger manifests itself into more than just physical violence. He spoke about intimidation, mental and psychological abuse that can impact children and family members.

Growing up as a preacher’s son, Fortune said he understood that some people in the Christian community might shy away from the thought of undergoing therapy outside of the church. However, Fortune explained why prayer alone did not work for him.

“(Anger) festers and sometimes you don’t even know where it’s coming from. That’s why what has helped me in therapy is understanding some of the things that have happened throughout my life as a child that has contributed to me being able to have this problem,” he said. “I wanted to go to a therapist, I wanted to go to some classes. I still am, I’m still allowing God to finish some work in me.”

Source : Christian Post

Jennifer Garner, T.D. Jakes and More Describe What Miracles From Heaven Are (Interview)

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Jennifer Garner, T.D. Jakes and More Describe What Miracles From Heaven Are (Interview)

Jennifer Garner (Photo: Youtube/ChristianPost)

Christian Post Report – Jennifer Garner at the Dallas premiere of “Miracle From Heaven”, Texas, 2016.


DALLAS- While on the red carpet promoting the upcoming film “Miracles From Heaven,” actress Jennifer Garner, Bishop T.D. Jakes, the Beam Family and Devon Franklin all give their take on miracles.

“Miracles From Heaven” narrates the real-life story of 12-year-old Annabel (Kylie Rogers), the daughter of Christy Beam (Jennifer Garner). Anna suffered a pseudo-obstruction motility disorder for years and was unable to eat, using feeding tubes for nutrition. One day, after a near-death fall from a tree she is subsequently cured of her disorder – a miracle the Beam family accredit to God.

“I’m so in line with the way this movie talks about miracles, that miracles happen everyday, they happen all around your life and if you don’t appreciate the little ones then you’re just letting miracles go by,” Garner told the Christian Post.

In the film Garners character Christy, is shown God’s faithfulness throughout trying times. Little random acts of kindness and ultimately her daughters inexplicable healing are all considered miracles.

“So, somebody that you don’t get along with becoming one of your closes friends, a sunrise, a baby being born, a perfect avocado, there all miracles!” Garner explained.

Watch CP’s full interview with the cast and creators of “Miracles from Heaven” below.

The Beam family had their own definition of a miracle. Annabel, although a living miracle herself, gave all the gloryto God when explaining what she thought.

“A miracle is something that only God can do. A miracle is something that no man can do and can only be produced by God,” the young girl maintained.

Her younger sister Adelyn also chimed in, “A miracle is something that can change someone’s life. It can happen to anyone and sometimes little small things are miracles.”

Bishop T.D. Jakes serves as a producer for the film and has seen first hand with his last film, “Heaven is For Real” how much people enjoy watching real life phenomena’s. The sleeper hit was made on a modest $12 million budget and went on to gross over $100 million worldwide. “Miracles from Heaven” is on coarse to follow suit.

“I think a miracle is an occurrence for which we can take no human credit for,” Bishops Jakes said. “In it’s simplest form it is the things in our lives that benefit us and are somehow yet beyond us.”

DeVon Franklin who joined Jakes as producer for “Miracles From Heaven” expounded on his meaning of the unfathomable.

“A miracle is any act of love, kindness and peace that comes from God. It’s amazing that I can be a miracle to you; you can be a miracle to me. I think the miracle is the vehicle in which God speaks to us, to let us know that we’re not alone,” Franklin concluded.

“Miracles From Heaven” is scheduled to hit theaters March 16th. For more information visit sonypictures.com

jeannie,[email protected]

Source : Christian Post

Pakistani Parliament Finally Criminalizes Sexual Assault of Children, Child Porn

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Pakistani Parliament Finally Criminalizes Sexual Assault of Children, Child Porn

Pakistani Christians (Photo: Reuters/Mohsin Raza)

Christian Post Report – Members of the Pakistani Christian community hold candles during a protest rally to condemn Sunday’s suicide attack in Peshawar on a church, with others in Lahore, September 23, 2013. A pair of suicide bombers blew themselves up outside the 130-year-old Anglican church in Pakistan after Sunday mass, killing at least 78 people in the deadliest attack on Christians in the predominantly Muslim country.

The Pakistani Parliament has finally passed legislation that criminalizes sexual assault of children, child trafficking and child pornagraphy, although Christian rights activist are skeptical that such a law will protect Christian girls from being kidnapped and raped by Muslim men.

The upper house of Pakistan’s national legislative body approved a measure last Friday that will make any sexual assault against minors punishable by up to seven years in jail, several Pakistani news outlets have reported.

The legislation also makes the crime of child pornagraphy punishable with a fine of up to about $7,000 and up to seven years in jail. Additionally, the measure makes all child trafficking in Pakistan a crime. Previously, sex traffickers were only prosecuted if they removed the child from the country.

The legislation will go into law once it is ratified by President Mamnoon Hussain.

The passage of the legislation comes after the largest child porn ring in Pakistani history was uncovered last August. The porn ring victimized nearly 300 children in over 400 different videos.

Although approximately 20 arrests were made in connection to the operation, only acts of rape and sodomy were punishable under existing law, AFP reports.

“This is a very important step to realise the obligations of Pakistan under the Convention on the Rights of the Child,” Sara Coleman, chief of child protection at the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund, told AFP.

Although the passage of the legislation is an “important step” in the right direction, human rights advocates will focus on how the law will be implemented and enforced in the 96 percent Muslim-majority nation.

As a 2014 report by the “Movement of Solidarity and Peace in Pakistan” finds that over 700 Christian girls each year are kidnapped, raped and forced into Islamic marriages, the Pakistani Christian community can only hope that such legislation will help protect religious minority girls from the seeming impunity given to Muslim abductors.

However, Wilson Chowdhry, the president of the London-based humanitarian organization British Pakistani Christian Association, told The Christian Post on Tuesday that he doesn’t believe this law will be enforced in a manner that protects vulnerable Christian girls.

“Pakistan has created numerous laws that have failed to protect the very citizens the laws were designed to help,” Chowdhry stated. “For instance bonded Labour was ostensibly abolished under the Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act 1992, yet this modern-day slavery in recent years has increased in frequency and is ubiquitous across Pakistan.”

Chowdhry, whose organization shelters and protects Christian girls and women who have been kidnapped and raped by Muslim captors, believes that the passing of the law won’t stop the nation’s unreliable legal system from its common practice of overlooking crimes committed against Christians.

“I cannot fathom any change in the current situation for Pakistani Christian women as crimes reported by them are ignored by local police authorities, who either detest Christians or take bribes from the perpetrators,” Chowdhry said. “With such insouciance from statutory authorities implementation of these news laws will extremely difficult.”

“Moreover the laws will be superseded by text in the Quran that is being misinterpreted in a nation seeped in religious extremism,” Chowdhry added. “Imams In Pakistan are preaching that Muslim’s can gain a special place in heaven by abducting, raping and forcibly converting Christian girls and women. Often they quote Quranic scriptures such as; Quran (4:24) — ‘And all married women (are forbidden unto you) save those (captives) whom your right hands possess.'”

As the BPCA currently pays for a safe house inside Pakistan to shelter Pakistani Christian women, girls and their families who are on the run after being abducted, raped and forced into Islamic marriages, the non-profit organization is collecting donations to help it reach its fundraising goal of $35,000. So far, the organization has raised only $6,000.

Follow Samuel Smith on Twitter: @IamSamSmith

Source : Christian Post

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