Crosswalk.com a popular Christian website, posted this tragic
story about Father Adriano Franchini, a Catholic
Priest in Turkey
who was stabbed to death by a 19 year old Muslim youth. The killer supposedly influenced
by a TV series titled Kurtla Vadisi’ (Valley of the
Wolves),”that portrayed missionaries as political infiltrators who pay
poor families to convert to Christianity. If people are changing their religion
for money it does not speak much of their previous faith, does it?
This type of religious fanaticism that sparks killings is evident in many
countries and during the last few weeks alone many had been killed in Nigeria and churches have
been burnt in Orissa India.
One wonders what human rights activists are doing about this particular issue
as the right to worship is one of the most fundamental rights of any
individual. People will take to the street if trees are cut in South America or for some other
endangered species. But for the sake of Christian persecution I am sad to note that no one
in the West hold banners or placards demanding a stop to killings and burnings.
In the name of safeguarding their religion the majority groups in many
countries today lashes out at Christians whom they consider as a major threat
to their religion. What is God’s name are they afraid of? Why are they so
insecure? Whilst thousands are converted to Christianity every day as many are
persecuted. They are hunted down in many countries, imprisoned, and beaten up,
fundamental rights taken off them and even killed. So are Christians an
endangered species in the world today? During the last century many who were
born Christian walked away from their faith disillusioned about church politics
and hypocrisy they experienced within the church hierarchy. I must say that
ones eyes should be focussed on God not on the worldly institutions which will
and may disappoint us. However during the later part of the 20th
century revival was also seen in many countries, where charismatic and
fundamental Christians with their evangelical drive drew people by the
thousands back to their folds or to new folds. Along with
This church growth also came in persecution. I could understand the
insecurity of the main line religions that seemed to be sidelined. But the
interesting fact is that despite persecutions these churches grew by the day. I
had the opportunity (Or I should say the misfortune) to speak with a hard lined
“religious activists” who seemed troubled by Christian activity in our country.
Nevertheless he made an interesting point which was “The more we harass
Christians they grow in numbers”. Well Christians may be an endangered species
but Christianity will go on.
The website clearly shows love and concern
about the present situation but it is not viewed as a deep crisis. There is a
fine display of faith and confidence in all their reporting. Surely they will
overcome.