Buddhist Extremists Attack Christian-Run Children’s Home in Sri Lanka
Christian Solidarity Worldwide has reported of attacks by extremist Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka on a children's home in the country run by the Dutch Reformed Church.
by Daniel Blake
Posted: Monday, August 14, 2006, 17:43 (BST)
A 200-man mob, accompanied by extremist Buddhist monks, has attacked a children’s home, which was being run by the Dutch Reformed Church in central Sri Lanka at the beginning of August.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a human rights organisation which specialises in religious freedom, has reported that the mob fiercely attacked the home, following which, they climbed to the roof and planted a Buddhist flag on the roof.
CSW reported that the mob forced their way into the children's home in Balana, Kandy District, assaulted staff and threatened to kill the “house parents”. They threw stones at the house and broke roof tiles and rainwater gutters. The fence surrounding the property was completely destroyed.
The attack came after posters were put up demanding that the Dutch Reformed Church cease renovation work on the orphanage. The building was under renovation at the time of the attack, and no children were present.
According to a report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL), the staff of the children's home were warned that if they did not leave the premises, they would be "burned alive". The house parents fled on Sunday night.
The children's home was founded in 1982 and is built on land owned by the Dutch Reformed Church, one of the oldest denominations in Sri Lanka with a history of over 300 years.
The incident has been reported to the police.
The NCEASL said: "It is imperative that the Sri Lankan Government take immediate action to prevent such acts of violence and intimidation."
Tina Lambert, Advocacy Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), said: "We are extremely concerned about the continuing violence against Christians in Sri Lanka. This latest incident, in which child care workers have been threatened, is unacceptable and we urge the Sri Lankan authorities to bring the perpetrators of such violence to justice."
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Added: Monday, July 30, 2007, 9:58 (BST)
I have done research on buddhism. I understand all paths of buddhisim to be peacefull, loving , and accepting. Violence against any living thing is considered morally wrong in the buddahist faith. I have never heard of buddhist extremists. I am guessing this is more of a political thing descised by these people as a religious thing.
I am a christian (United Methodist) and I am verry liberal. I am not totally sure how true this is. Accordint to james dobson, jerry fallwell, pat robertson, and christian media. I am a sex crazed perv. I am a drug user and an alcholic. and I am a danger to children. Because I am gay. When it comes to christian news I am a bit sceptical of what there saying is truthfull. If any one can point me to a non christian (or non right wing media) I will believe this a little more.
-God BLess
Ritchie Dotson, White Pine, Tennessee, USA
Added: Thursday, June 7, 2007, 6:04 (BST)
I'm a Sri Lankan Christian (Roman Catholic)
I'm really worrying that some christian organizations are destroying the real values of the sermons of Jesus Christ.
They are trying to convince poor people by giving them jobs and benefits not the real faith
Misguiding some one has been a common practice of them and is an unethical, illegal and brutal.
I have been associating many more Buddhists they are moderate in these things but I hate such kind of activities especially by those who say they are the sons of God.
I feel they are not the sons of god but evil like convincing children for money is a serious damage to my religion and faith.
Please note that if not that Buddhists, we would be in real danger. Our fathers in services too are condemning some acts of these organization.
prasanga dilip, Marawila
