Categories: uncategorized
Date: 11 January 2008 19:09:20
I have just finished reading Secret Believers by Brother Andrew.
It is a book about the problems facing the church in the Middle East and the persecution that they face. This especially applies to Muslim Background Believers (MBB) and the particular pressures that are put to bare on them when they become Christians. Islam is supposedly a peaceful and tolerant religion but you would not believe this after reading the book.
It is a "factional" book because they do not want to name names and bring further pressure to bear on believers. They have therefore set the book in an imaginery Arab country and amalgamated events and characters to further protect those who are effected.
Many of the stories that are related within are regular occurences in the Arab world; from kidnappings, forced conversions, attacks on churches and, in extreme cases, murder. Even at the most basic level believers are persecuted by not being allowed to change their ID cards to show their new allegiance. There is no other religion than Islam and you cannot officially convert.
Many Muslim countries have signed up to the UN Human Rights Accord, which guarantees freedom of religion and the freedom to convert. Yet, as domestic law states that any ruling not based Sharia Law is sinful, then it is ignored and unenforced. This is common right across the Muslim world.
Contrast this with the more liberal laws in the West and you see how lucky we are to be able to preach, convert and live out our faith. As a "born" Christian you are more tolerated there than a "convert". Yet Muslims are always complaining about their treatment in Western society but quiet about their treatment of others.
One of the big problems is that Muslims see the West as being Christian and the TV programmes, books etc that we publish are seen as being examples of Christian values. Is it any wonder that Muslims believe that Christians are faithless?