Day: June 3, 2013

Culture Clash (Ataturk vs Erdogan) – Britons warned to steer clear of Turkey – Daily Mail Re-Blog

Britons warned to steer clear of Turkey as 1,700 protesters arrested after riots rock the country for a third day

  • Protests erupted again today against Turkey’s conservative government
  • Thousands took to the streets in rallies and demonstrations in three cities
  • Britons warned to avoid all but essential travel to parts of Turkey

By SUZANNAH HILLS

PUBLISHED: 11:24 EST, 2 June 2013 | UPDATED: 05:36 EST, 3 June 2013

Tens of thousands took to the streets in the country’s four biggest cities yesterday – the third day of anti-government protests – with demonstrators clashing with riot police, who repelled them with tear gas.

The unrest initially erupted on Friday when trees were torn down at a park in Istanbul’s main Taksim Square under government plans to redevelop the area. But they have widened into a broad show of defiance against the Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP).

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Blaze: An anti-government protester holds Turkey's national flag with a portrait of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk on it Blaze: An anti-government protester holds Turkey’s national flag with a portrait of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk on it
Gas: Police use water cannon as protesters run to avoid tear gas during the third day Gas: Police use water cannon as protesters run to avoid tear gas during the third day
Choke: Turkey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected claims that he is a 'dictator,' dismissing protesters as an extremist fringeChoke: Turkey’s prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected claims that he is a ‘dictator,’ dismissing protesters as an extremist fringe
Riot: A protester falls down as he tries to throw back at police a tear gas canister Riot: A protester falls down as he tries to throw back at police a tear gas canister

Prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed the main secular opposition party for inciting the crowds, and said the protests were aimed at depriving his ruling AK Party of votes as elections begin next year.

Erdogan said the plans to remake the square, long an iconic rallying point for mass demonstrations, would go ahead, including the construction of a new mosque and the rebuilding of a replica Ottoman-era barracks.

TURKEY: Mangled vehicles on the streets following two nights of…

And he said the protests – which were started by a small group of environmental campaigners but mushroomed when police used force to eject them from the park on Taksim Square – had nothing to do with the plans. Continue reading “Culture Clash (Ataturk vs Erdogan) – Britons warned to steer clear of Turkey – Daily Mail Re-Blog” →

Please pray for Christians in Vietnam – World Watch List #21

Please pray for the Persecuted Church in Vietnam – World Watch List #21 (Open Doors USA)

Vietnam Map
Vietnam

VIETNAM (Wikipedia)

Population: 89.7 million (9.7 million Christians)
Main Religion: Buddhism
Government: Communist state
Source of Persecution: Communist oppression/dictatorial paranoia

Vietnam womenChristians are perceived as Western agents and the state, with the help of tribal leaders, watches churches closely. The government requires permits for larger gatherings and issues them last minute – if at all – to deter people from attending. Converts from Buddhism come under pressure from family and community, and authorities in tribal areas often hire gangsters to harass pastors and new believers. The government has begun placing more restrictions on Christians in the wake of the Arab Spring.

Vietnam woman and childPLEASE PRAY: More than a dozen believers were imprisoned in 2012.

  • Pray for strength and perseverance for Christians in prison.
  • Pray for Christians from ethnic minority groups, like the Hmong, who face great pressure to return to traditional beliefs.
  • Pray for safety for those distributing Open Doors’ Illustrated Children’s Bible. Importing Christian materials is prohibited.

PERSECUTION DYNAMICS

Vietnam streetVietnam is one of the remaining countries in the world following a Communist ideology. The authorities still perceive Christianity as a foreign influence and Christians from a tribal background like the Hmong face pressure to return to traditional faith, especially in rural areas. Gatherings are suspected as meetings to plot against the government and are closely monitored.

Obtaining recognition for churches or permission to renovate a church building is a long process. In 2012, at least seven churches, all Catholic, were confiscated. Training of leaders has to be done secretly and integrating converts has to be done very cautiously. Importing Christian materials is prohibited. Christians face violence and are sent to prison, not officially because of their faith, but because of ‘anti-government’ propaganda. It is unlikely that the situation will change substantially in the coming years.

ANECDOTAL ACCOUNT – “Vietnamese Authorities Hire Gangsters to Harass Christians” (Open Doors)

Pastor Training
Pastor Training

“Kneel! Kneel!” shouted a village thug. Unfazed by the threats, Pastor Vinh* stood his ground. In Vinh’s culture, kneeling is seen as an admission of guilt. Although authorities prohibited planting of new churches, Vinh would not allow their threats to stop him from spreading the gospel message.

“He was one of the most promising students in the class,” explained by Vinh’s spiritual mentor. “He was very passionate to share God’s word and had a deep love for Jesus.”

The leader of the gang began battering Vinh’s knee with a lead pipe in an attempt to force the pastor to his knees. The tall and well-built, 24-year-old Bible school student endured the series of blows and still refused to kneel. Continue reading “Please pray for Christians in Vietnam – World Watch List #21” →

Amazing Story of Jeff Markin and Obedience in Prayer

Peanut Gallery: With God, all things are possible when we follow the leading of his Spirit. Watch this amazing story…

Who needs your prayer today? Pray now….

Morning Reading: Acts 3.1-11 NLT – get up and walk

Reading: Acts 3:1-11 NLT

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service.

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As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money.

But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk!

Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.

When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Forgive my timidity… my self-consciousness… my unbelief. I am so worried about looking foolish if nothing happens, that I don’t even try to offer healing in your name… especially in a public setting like the Beautiful Gate. And in the end, everyone loses… no one gets healed… no one’s life is changed… no one praises God… and no one sees your power at work in real life.

Holy Spirit – Give me the heart and mind of Peter and John… to discern the real problem… and, with boldness, to offer a healing solution. Help me to get over myself, and focus on what you want to do.

Heavenly Father – May I honor you in all things… and bring glory to your name. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Healing Rain” – Michael W Smith