Categories: christianity
Date: 14 March 2009 02:21:16
Today we are thinking about Jordan
Languages: Arabic
Archaeologists believe that they may have found the remains fo the oldest church building dated 33-70 AD in Ribab, northern Jordan, suggesting that this might have been a meeting place of Jesus' first followers, although nothing has been proven yet.
The percentage of Christians in the country is declining steeply and they now number fewer than 3% of the population. In the past couple of years around 30 foreign Christian workers, all long-time residents have been deported, denied re-entry or refused renewal of residency.
Christian communities are tolerated in the country but sharing one's faith is prohibited and converts are often socially ostracised and lose their civil rights. In June 2006 the government published a covenant on civil and political rights that stated that everyone should have the freedom to adopt a religion or belief of his or her choice. Legistlation is required to make this stated freedom a reality.