U.S. Believers Called Upon to Protest Indonesian Christians' Persecution
by Allie Martin
October 10, 2005
(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.
