Latin America — Throughout Latin America, Christians are increasingly enduring persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ, often at the hands of communist regimes, drug cartels, and brutal gangs.

Thousands of believers, especially those in countries like Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, and Nicaragua, are caught in a cycle of intimidation and violence.

Cuba’s communist regime retains strict control of religious institutions in the country and forces them to register with the Office of Religious Affairs (ORA) to assemble. Individuals found associating with unregistered religious organizations are viewed as criminals and subjected to harassment and possible detention.

The ORA distributes religious registrations without adherence to a fixed set of standards, allowing it to decide which institutions get a license and which ones must operate illegally without one. It often withholds an organization’s registration if it is deemed unloyal to Cuban authority.

Many Christian institutions are seen as threats to the Cuban government due to their opposition to the regime’s human rights violations. As a result, Christian churches are indiscriminately denied licenses to operate and left open to harassment or being shuttered under false pretenses.

Moreover, a 2024 report from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) stated that a new piece of Cuban legislation allowed for the potential targeting of religious observers. The report states, “In May 2023, the Cuban government approved the Social Communication Law, which codifies broad prohibitions on peaceful expression, including religious expression that is critical of the government.”

Similarly, Nicaragua’s communist regime, ruled by President Daniel Ortega, is threatened by any group or individual who deviates from total loyalty to their retention of power. Many in the Catholic clergy have been outspoken against the human injustices perpetrated by the authoritarian government, making them a target of the regime.

According to the annual USCIRF report, “between December 26 and 31, [2023], the [Nicaraguan] government arbitrarily arrested many … clergymen — particularly those who have criticized the religious freedom and human rights conditions in Nicaragua.”

Additionally, Mexico and Haiti have experienced upticks in Christian oppression largely due to a more prominent criminal cartel presence and escalating gang violence.

Mexico is undergoing persistent threats from drug cartels who continue to challenge the authority of the Mexican government. Christians living in the country who oppose the cartel’s illegal activities are viewed as a threat and become targets of the organizations. As the cartels gain strength and legitimate Mexican authorities lose ground, Christians continue to be vulnerable.

Furthermore, gangs in Haiti have all but seized control of the state, making it difficult for Christians to practice their faith without fear of being caught in the crossfire of gang attacks and crime.

The Haitian government has become increasingly corrupt and more dependent upon street gangs to enforce the law, which has sent Haiti into chaos in recent months. According to the Associated Press, “The most important immediate cause [of the chaos] is … Haitian rulers’ increasing dependence on street gangs. Haiti hasn’t had a standing army or a well-funded and robust national police force for decades.”

Christianity Today reported in April 2024 that some Haitian Christians “risk their lives crossing gang checkpoints on their way to … church.” Haitian authorities rarely punish gangs for their criminal activities, leaving many Christians to feel unsafe.

As communism and lawlessness become commonplace throughout Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, and Nicaragua, it appears as if further attacks on Christians are inevitable.
Sources:persecution

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വാഷിങ്ടൻ ഡി സി : അന്തരിച്ച ബില്ലി ഗ്രഹാമിന്റെ പ്രതിമ യുഎസ് ക്യാപിറ്റളിൽ വ്യാഴാഴ്ച അനാച്ഛാദനം ചെയ്തു. നോർത്ത് കാരോലൈനയിലെ സുവിശേഷകനായ ഇദ്ദേഹം അമേരിക്കയുടെ പാസ്റ്റർ എന്നാണ് അറിയപ്പെട്ടിരുന്നത്.

ഏഴടി ഉയരമുള്ള പ്രതിമയുടെ പീഠത്തിൽ ബൈബിൾ വാക്യങ്ങൾ കൊത്തിവച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു. 12 യുഎസ് പ്രസിഡന്റുമാരുടെ ആത്മീയ ഉപദേശകനായി സേവനമനുഷ്ഠിച്ചിരുന്നു ബില്ലി ഗ്രഹാം.
Sources:azchavattomonline.com

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A seven-foot statue of Evangelist Bill Graham is going to be placed at the U.S. Capitol building Thursday..

A private dedication ceremony is scheduled for May 16 with House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Rev. Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham and president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) with a musical performance by Christian artist Michael W. Smith.

Graham preached the Gospel for more than 80 years, led hundreds of thousands of people to Jesus Christ, and served as a spiritual adviser to 12 U.S. presidents.

“This is a great honor and my father would be humbled and grateful,” said Franklin Graham. “At the same time, he would not want the attention on himself but on God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Each state is permitted two statues in the nation’s capital, and Graham’s replica will replace former North Carolina Gov. Charles Brantley Aycock, a prominent segregationist in the early 20th century who held white-supremacist beliefs, churchleaders.com reports.

Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) worked to bring the statue to the Capitol.

“The legacy of Rev. Billy Graham is based on his simple message of forgiveness based on John 3:16. His lifelong commitment to preaching the Gospel, his fight for Civil Rights, his opposition to communism, and his spiritual guidance provided hope to hundreds of millions,” he said. “His likeness should stand in the U.S. Capitol forever.”

North Carolina sculptor Chas Fagan created the seven-foot bronze statue that describes Graham as “Preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” and shows the evangelist with an open Bible in his hand. John 3:16 and John 14:6 are inscribed at the base of the statute.

“This isn’t just a statue of my father — it represents the One that he surrendered his life to and the message that he preached for more than 80 years, that God loves us and He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins,” Graham told Fox News.

“What I appreciate most is that this is an opportunity for everyone in future generations who sees the statue to be reminded of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness,” he added.

Billy Graham is one of a handful of private citizens to receive three of the highest honors from Congress—the Congressional Gold Medal (1996), to have lain in honor in the Capitol (2018), and to have a statue placed in Statuary Hall (2024).

The evangelist passed away in 2018 at age 99.
Sources:CBN News

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