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Christian Minorities in Nepal Pray for Religious Freedom

An organisation dedicated to helping persecuted Christians has recently turned its attention to Nepal.

by Courtney Lee
Posted: Saturday, May 6, 2006, 11:42 (BST)
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An organisation dedicated to helping persecuted Christians has recently turned its attention to Nepal.

Christian Freedom International (CFI) announced that it is launching new operations to help minority Christians in the country, which consists of 0.45 per cent of the population.

"Nepalese Christians need a helping hand, especially now. This is the right time for CFI to work in Nepal," said CFI president Jim Jacobson at an undisclosed house church in Katmandu.

Christian minorities in Nepal are growing, despite the persecution and oppression by the Hindu Kingdom, which remains the only officially Hindu country in the world today.

CFI plans to provide the nation with programmes, which includes distribution of medicine, food, Bibles, micro-enterprise or self-help initiatives, and legal assistance. But due to weeks of civil unrest in Nepal, it has become harder for Christian agencies to enter the country.

A pastor, speaking on condition of anonymity, told CFI, "We have many problems, but we must do the Lord's work."

Most churches in Nepal are not registered with the government, which makes it typical for 26 people to worship together in a cramped 7 x 12 room.

"The owner of the building said we must be quiet during worship service, but we are grateful just to have the space. Most landlords will not rent to you if they know you have a church," the anonymous pastor said.

"People who convert to Christianity face persecution from local leaders and sometimes the government," he continued. "There are pastors in custody right now because they tell others about Jesus. The persecution is getting worse. Many Hindu leaders don't want Christianity to spread, but it is spreading fast."

After several weeks of mass public demonstrations, Christians in Nepal have recently held a thanksgiving service in Kathmandu following steps towards the restoration of democracy to the Himalayan kingdom.

But in terms of justice in society, the Christians in the country want introduction to full religious freedom.

“We have to thank God for these political changes," Pastor Philip Gajmer, coordinator of the Valley Christian Council, told the Geneva-based Ecumenical News International this week.

But he added, "We cannot just rejoice and relax. We need to pray and work for full religious freedom."



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The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.

Added: Friday, July 4, 2008, 0:29 (BST)

This kind of article is very successful in drawing the attention of reader and causing mind disturbance. It cannot be truth that christians are treated badly. It is just making an issue and again a step forward to imperialise(in the name of God). Christian people do not tolerate any other religion but itself. There are many videos i have seen. Many people were tortured and tormented by christians just because they hated rest of the religions. I do not say Christianity is Bad. In fact, I watch the movies and read bible. This is so cruel of Christians that they try to converge things towards them by giving food and other stuffs. In order to become christian, you have to tear off the poster of your god. You have to spit and curse your own religion. Hell on christian people. But live on forever the religion.

Dabby, Nepal

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