Struck down, but not destroyed
The church in India faces great opposition – a pandemic, persecution and propaganda
As I hear the stories and see the images on the news about how the Covid-19 pandemic is spreading aggressively through India, I have been so burdened for the people there. It seems that every day the news out of India is more devastating than the day before. In speaking with a friend in Chennai recently, I asked her about the Covid-19 situation where she is located, to which she responded that she felt as if “death is all around.”
As the pandemic rages in India, Christians in the country are experiencing ongoing persecution. Our research shows that over the last five years, persecution has been increasing and the situation for Christians there has been deteriorating constantly. It is becoming increasingly difficult for Christians in India to openly live out their faith without experiencing opposition and, in many instances, violent opposition.
India currently ranks number 10 on the World Watch List, Open Doors’ annual ranking of the most dangerous countries to be a Christian. According to our research, the estimated 67 million Christians in India are in danger of extreme levels of persecution. Believers, particularly those who have converted from Hinduism, are often physically attacked and sometimes killed. Despite the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic in India, violent attacks have continued against Christians.
Vinita* is one of many Christians who have faced frequent opposition from their community due to their faith in Christ. She was repeatedly harassed and accused of “worshipping a foreign god.” One day the harassment turned violent, and Vinita and her sister were beaten by their neighbours. When their pastor and his family came to Vinita’s house to pray for them, the extremists in her community became enraged and stormed her home. The mob attacked the Christians gathered there praying and went around breaking things around the house. Further adding to the horror, they were refused medical treatment at the hospital due to pressure from the attackers.
In the world’s largest democracy, it seems inconceivable that the Church could be destroyed, and yet extremist nationalists are seeking to eliminate Christianity from India. The use of anti-Christian propaganda has led to increasing intolerance, discrimination and violent persecution against Christians. To evaluate the extent of this, Open Doors commissioned fieldbased research conducted independently by the London School of Economics. The full report will be available on our website as of July 1.The report is hard to read, but if the lives of Christians in India are ever to change, we must all do our part to make sure their stories are told and heard around the world.
Our brothers and sisters in India are facing incredible opposition, but we can help change the story. We can help the church in India survive and stand strong. India, and especially our brothers and sisters there, need our prayers! Prayer is powerful and is the most significant way we can support our persecuted family. At Open Doors we have made July a month of prayer for India. We have created a prayer guide with unique prayer points for every day of the month you may use to prompt you as you join with us in prayer. This free resource and information on ways you can take action to support our brothers and sisters in India can be found at www.OpenDoorsCA.org/IndiaInCrisis.
I believe in the words found in 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 and I believe them for our brothers and sisters in India, that though they are hard pressed, they are not crushed; perplexed, but they are not in despair; persecuted, but they are not abandoned; struck down, but they are not destroyed.
Would you believe with me?