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JULY 2015
PERSECU ION
The
Plight of Pakistani
Christians
A mother and father remember their son who saved hundreds by detaining a suicide bomber
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est atch “Bible Man” Expelled from Tennessee School Assemblies
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n Tennessee’s Grundy County school district, assemblies led by a character called “Bible Man” have officially been banned. Horace Turner, better known by his pseudonym, has led assemblies within the school district for nearly 40 years by singing, presenting Bible stories and passing out Christian literature to students. Due to the faith-based nature of the assemblies, attendance has always been voluntary for students.
In March, a parent complained to the atheist organization Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF), which sent an official letter of complaint to the school district stating the assemblies were unconstitutional. In the letter, FFRF called the presentations “explicit” and referred to Turner as a “wolf.” The assemblies have since been halted as the school district looks for religious alternatives for students that would not be implemented school-wide, such as after-school clubs.
Atheist Group Demands Investigation of Christian Speaker
T Support Albert Hardison
A young boy rallies with students and parents to support a principal condemned for quoting Scripture in a school newsletter.
he atheist group Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) has requested an investigation into a recent speaking engagement at a public high school in Georgia. The speaker was Eric Hovind, the widely known speaker and debater in the sphere of biblical creation. In spite of the fact that Hovind claims that he did not once men-
Louisiana Principal Under Fire for Citing Scripture
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fter a Louisiana elementary and middle school principal, Albert Hardison, publicly quoted Scripture in a newsletter to the school’s parents and on the school district’s website, he quickly felt the repercussions of his actions. Hardison quoted from Philippians 4:13, which states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” as students were getting ready to take their state exams. Shortly after, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wrote an open letter to the superintendent, condemning Hardison’s words as unconstitutional. While the school district announced that they would be conducting an investigation into the matter, thousands of students, parents and other community members have spoken out in support of the principal. Hundreds attended a public prayer rally in early April, and a “Support Albert Hardison” Facebook page was created that has already garnered over 8,500 likes.
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tion his religious beliefs or perspective on creation, the request for an investigation still stands. Rather, Hovind has stated that his presentation to the school’s debate class was a general presentation about critical thinking. However, the FFRF has expressed concerns about Hovind’s mere presence in addressing the students due to his background, rather than the actual content of his discussion. When they were informed of the incident, the FFRF sent a letter to the school district’s superintendent requesting the investigation and implying a violation of the First Amendment. Shortly after learning of this interaction, the Center for Religious Expression, located in Tennessee, sent a follow-up letter to district officials advising them to ignore the demands of the atheist group.
New Jersey School Keeps “Under God” in Pledge
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n 2014, the atheist legal group American Humanist Association (AHA) filed a lawsuit against a New Jersey school district for the use of the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. After being informed of the situation, high school student Samantha Jones reached out to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. The Becket Fund has long been outspoken in its efforts to protect the presence of this phrase in the pledge. After the matter was brought to court, Judge David Bauman granted the motion to dismiss the case in February, stating that the words were not being used in a religious manner, but rather as part of a patriotic prac-
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tice. On April 13, 2015, the Becket Fund announced that the AHA officially dropped the lawsuit, resulting in the school allowing the words to remain.
JULY 2015
Professor Fails Student for Christian Answers
Public Library Denies Lecture Space to Christian Group
race Lewis, a teenage student taking virtual classes from Polk State College, has found herself in the middle of controversy surrounding her humanities course. Lewis, despite having a 3.9 GPA, received four consecutive zeroes for answering the professor’s open-ended assignments according to her beliefs. The questions ranged from the morality of homosexuality to the divinity of Jesus to the purpose of the Reformation. When Lewis answered the questions according to her Christian faith, she received a failing grade on the assignments. While her professor has stated that he is simply grading her essays according to the course guidelines, Lewis believes that his anti-Christian perspective led him to give her failing grades. When Lewis decided to take the matter to her dean, she was told that the professor’s actions were acceptable and that the class shouldn’t be seen as a challenge to her faith because it was not being taught from a religious perspective. Shortly after, Lewis contacted the Christian legal group, Liberty Counsel, who has since demanded an apology, an investigation and assurance that students will not be discriminated against for their faith in the future.
he Christian legal group, Liberty Counsel, has filed a lawsuit against North Carolina’s Cameron Village Regional Library. After trying twice to obtain lecture space within the library, Liberty Counsel was denied solely because their presentation would be categorized as “religious instruction.” Liberty Counsel offers presentations across the country primarily focused on the influence of Christianity on the origins of the United States. Even after clarifying the subject matter of the lecture for fear of being disrupted by library staff, the library’s representative rejected the reservation. The first instance occurred in early 2013, and the second took place at the end of 2014, when Liberty Counsel applied again, hoping the policies had changed since the initial rejection. The legal group has since taken the issue to court by filing a federal lawsuit, claiming neglect of their rights found in the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
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Grace Lewis
A Christian student sought legal help when she received failing grades for answering assignments and essays according to her faith.
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Chaplain Threatened with Discharge from Navy for Sharing Christian Beliefs
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n December 2014, United States Navy Chaplain Wes Modder received complaints and was threatened with discharge after allegedly voicing his beliefs on sexual morality during counseling sessions. During these sessions, Modder spoke out against homosexuality and sex outside of marriage. In February, Navy Captain Jon Fahs stated in a detachment for cause letter that Modder was intolerant and would not be able to “function in the diverse and pluralistic environment.” Fahs then made a recommendation that Modder be officially removed from his position. When Modder submitted a request for religious accommodation, he was denied when he was told that his freedom to practice his religion was not infringed upon. Rather, he was told that he was not being sensitive enough during his counseling sessions. In response to the matter, 35 members of Congress signed a letter defending Modder and stating that he should not be punished for voicing his faith. The letter argues that even if the counselees do not agree with the chaplain, the chaplain is still entitled to preach according to his or her denomination’s doctrine.
Discrimination Against Christians Grows in Europe
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ccording to various reports, discrimination against Christians throughout Europe is increasingly overlooked by legal officials. Multiple cases have involved Christians being forced into positions in which they seemingly condone homosexuality, including one in which a woman was asked to read a story about a homosexual couple to young children and another in which a marriage registrar was forced to carry out duties condoning same-sex marriage. Another workplace incident of discrimination occurred when Shirley Chaplin, a British nurse and Christian, was banned from wearing her cross while at work. The Council of Europe has since issued a statement calling for “reasonable accommodation” for the beliefs of Christians on controversial subjects such as homosexuality. In spite of an ironic demand for “tolerance” and political correctness, Christians throughout Europe are facing intolerance simply for defending their beliefs.
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Your Dollar$ at Work Victim of Abuse Uses Sewing Machine to Change Future for Other Girls Save our Sisters
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hile traveling in Pakistan, ICC’s staff visited with Shafila, a Christian woman ICC had completed a project with in 2013. In 2013, Shafila was still traumatized by the persecution she had faced because of both her religious identity and her gender. Back then, a Muslim man had taken notice of Shafila and asked her to have sex with him. When Shafila refused his advances, the Muslim man became angry because he was being refused by a Christian woman, an individual he believed was beneath him. Because of this, the Muslim man abducted Shafila and kept her drugged and hidden away in a place where he was able to rape her repeatedly. By God’s mercy and provision, one day, the Muslim man left the door of his hideout open and Shafila was able to escape. Months after the incident, ICC assisted Shafila by providing her with counseling and with a single sewing machine. Since then, Shafila has taken the small assistance ICC provided her and turned it into a great success. Upon receiving the sewing machine, Shafila immediately began filling orders around her neighborhood. When she had enough profits saved away, she bought a second sewing machine and hired a Christian friend to help her fill even more orders. Now, Shafila is a co-owner of a sewing operation that fills industrial orders, employing herself and eight other employees. When ICC’s staff visited her, she said, “I really want to continue to expand. I want to hire more Christian girls who faced persecution like me so that I can give them a dignified living and counsel.” Shafila’s story is just one of many that prove how a simple gift like a sewing machine can change the lives of many who are facing persecution around the world.
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JULY 2015
Barber Shop Bringing Hope
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Hand of Hope
n 2013, Anwar was working as a barber in Pakistan. Being a Christian, he enjoyed listening to Christian music while he worked. One day, he was told by local Muslims that he could no longer play his Christian music because the barbershop was located too close to a mosque, and his music was defiling the area. Despite this, Anwar continued to listen to his Christian music. When local Muslims discovered this, they attacked Anwar, beat him and damaged his barbering business. In 2013, ICC assisted Anwar by opening up a new barbershop in a new location. Anwar has been so successful that he has been able to hire five other Christians to work at his shop, including several Christian boys who could no longer go to school. “We are working really hard to improve the shop and help employ other Christian boys who need jobs,” Anwar told ICC. Please keep Anwar and his shop in your prayers!
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Remembering Educating the Those in Prison Next Generation
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Suffering Wives & Children
ritrea is one of the most difficult places on earth to live as a Christian. Brothers and sisters are arbitrarily jailed and face unspeakable torture. Prisoners endure extreme hot and cold temperatures, are crowded into small cells and metal shipping containers, and pressured to recant their faith in Christ. That’s why ICC is partnering with the Nehemiah Project, a Christian ministry that works in Eritrea to provide financial support to 15 families of imprisoned Christians. Though they remain under constant persecution, the families ICC has assisted praise God for His provision. “We are always thankful for the gifts and thank you for your caring provision in this time of trouble,” said the “Johannes” family. Please pray continually for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Eritrea and “remember those who are in prison, as in prison with them” (Hebrews 13:3).
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Kids Care
n September 22, 2013, two suicide bombers from the Pakistani Taliban attacked one of the oldest churches in Peshawar as local Christians exited the church following the normal Sunday service. Over 100 Christians were killed and an estimated 250 more were injured. ICC stepped in and initiated the All Saints Church Schooling Project. After identifying 30 of the most vulnerable Christian children, ICC, in partnership with Voice of the Martyrs USA, committed to providing these children with Christian education until they graduate from high school. Without this vital assistance, many of these children would have been forced to drop out of school. While there have been positive strides taken by the children in the program, many still suffer psychologically from the bombing. In response, ICC has provided trauma counseling for all of these children in an effort to see them emotionally whole.
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Your Dollar$ at Work
Rebuilding in a Devastated Kenyan Village Community Rebuild
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he same Islamic terrorists that perpetrated the deadly attack on Garissa University College on April 2 have been targeting Christians since well before that tragedy. On the night of July 5, 2014, gunmen from the Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab assaulted Hindi, a village in eastern Kenya, murdering every man in sight and setting the town ablaze. Since the attack, ICC has been working to rebuild Hindi and restore hope for 15 families that lost their homes, many of whom also lost fathers and husbands. Battling the season’s heavy rains, ICC has assisted six widows, one pastor and nine other families devastated in the attack by constructing new houses for them. We also helped seven families to plant new crops to provide food for their future.
Providing Sustained Medical Care Hand of Hope
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he Christian community of Peshawar, Pakistan, continues to deal with many issues caused by the bombing of All Saints Church. One of those issues is the continued medical care of many Christians permanently maimed by the suicide blasts. Meriam (right), a young Christian girl in kindergarten, is one of these Christians. Due to the bombing, Meriam’s body is covered in burns. She requires a great deal of medication and has had several skin grafts in the past year and a half. Sadly, she will likely need more as her body continues to grow. While visiting Peshawar, ICC was able to provide Meriam and her family with vital medicine that Meriam requires as she continues to heal. ICC is committed to helping Christians like Meriam and the many others who were injured in the All Saints Church Bombing and require long term medical care.
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JULY 2015
Your Dollar$ at Work
Fifty Urdu Bibles to Pakistan
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Two SOS Center Graduates Start Beauty Salon
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Bibles to the Persecuted
or many Christians in Pakistan, owning a personal copy of the Word of God is something out of reach. Due to widespread discrimination and persecution, Christians are stuck in the lowest economic classes in Pakistan. While on a recent trip to Pakistan, ICC gave Urdu Bibles to 50 Pakistani Christians who
wouldn’t have otherwise been able to afford a copy of their own. These Bibles were distributed as part of the Easter morning service in several small churches located outside of Lahore. “We are so thankful for ICC’s wonderful project providing the precious gift of the Bible for many in our area,” a local pastor told ICC. Thank you to all who donate to ICC’s Bible fund.
Save Our Sisters
ince establishing the Save Our Sisters (SOS) Vocational Training Centers in 2013, ICC has helped train over 150 Christian girls and young women to become skilled seamstresses and beauticians. Many are from poor families and were forced to help earn money by working as domestic workers in Muslim homes, as day laborers in fields or at brick kilns. For many, harassment and sexual abuse were constant threats. While in Pakistan, ICC visited two Christian girls, Sarah and Alisha, who graduated from the first class ICC trained to become beauticians. After graduating, Sarah and Alisha decided to pool their resources together and have opened their own beauty salon. Using the training ICC provided, these girls are now able to earn enough to support their families and avoid working in high-risk situations. “We are now able to make 5,000 rupees each month,” Sarah and Alisha told ICC. “We are very happy with the training we have received at the SOS Centers.”
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Firewood Business Sustains Family
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Hand of Hope
n a trip to Pakistan in 2013, ICC met Shahbaz, a Christian who had been accused of blasphemy. At that time, Shahbaz was living in hiding due to the accusation made against him. Forced to live separated from his family for his and their security, Shahbaz often missed out on important family affairs, including his sister’s funeral.
In 2013, ICC helped relocate Shahbaz and his family so they could live together in peace and security. As a part of the relocation, ICC helped Shahbaz start a firewood business to help support the family financially. Shahbaz is just one of many Christians accused of blasphemy who ICC has assisted in Pakistan. Please pray for his continued success and for ICC as we continue to try to meet the needs of Christians in Pakistan.
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