Tag: Persecution

China pulls Bibles from online bookstores

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2018-04-04 No Bible Sales

China this week announced it is restricting the sale of Bibles from online bookstores as part of a policy it says will protect religious freedom.

A report published by the Australian Broadcasting Company says a paper released by the government, titled China’s Policies and Practices on Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief, says Chinese religious communities, “should adhere to the direction of localizing the religion, practice the core values of socialism, develop and expand the fine Chinese tradition and actively explore the religious thought which accords with China’s national circumstances.”

Bibles began disappearing from online bookstores as the statement was released.

William Nee, a China researcher at Amnesty International re-tweeted a government notice saying as of March 30, Bibles are banned from sale on Taoboa, Dangdang, the Chinese version of Amazon and others.

UCA News, a catholic publication, reports that the Chinese government white paper on religion is the first issued in over 21 years.  It says the ban of on-line sales has been in place, but is now being enforced.  Bibles can only be sold in churches licensed to sell them.

Colorado congregation holds Easter Sunday service after vandals cause $80K in damage

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File: Vandals damage the sanctuary of the North Huron Christian Center.

The sanctuary of a Colorado church was filled with the sounds of worship and praise just days after three people were arrested for causing over $80,000 in damage to the building.  The congregation of the North Huron Christian Center and Destiny Outreach Ministries held an Easter Sunday service in spite of the senseless vandalism.

Sarah Crawford, a church member, posted online, “WOW!! It’s been amazing to be a part of the cleanup efforts at Destiny Outreach Ministries over the past few days!! All the generosity of time, resources, and finances has blown us away!”

The three people arrested for causing the damage face felony charges including second-degree burglary and criminal mischief.  Police have not released a motive for the vandalism.

A Gofundme page has been set up to help the church cover the cost of the damage.

NJ congregation targeted by vandals for third time

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2018-03-30 CHURCH VANDALISM
Photo: Vandalism suspect caught on surveillance video

A New Jersey congregation is victim of vandalism for the third time.  It’s something that leads church members of Our Lady of Victories Church in Jersey City to believe they are being targeted.  WABC television Thursday aired surveillance video of a man ripping a Ten Commandments display from the building. Previous attacks have involved the destruction of statues.

Rev. Michael Gubernat told NBC New York, “It’s happening a lot more and that’s a dangerous sign.”

Jersey City Police have not yet determined a motive behind the attacks. Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to call the department at 201-547-5477.

UPDATE: Three arrested in Colorado church vandalism

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(Photos: Thornton, Colorado police department)

Police in Thornton, Colorado say three 15-year-olds have been arrested for causing over $80,000 damage to a church the week before Easter.  According to the Denver Post, two were arrested Tuesday evening and one was arrested Wednesday morning. The identity of the suspects has not been released because of their age.

The trio broke windows, punched holes in walls and destroyed musical instruments at the North Huron Christian Center. A tweet from the Thornton Police Department described the act as, “malicious destruction of church property.”  A police spokesperson has not said why the three wanted to damage the church.

According to TexasGospel.com file stories, Pastor Renee Coventry says the congregation will hold Easter services in the building.

A Go Fund Me page with a modest goal of raising $5,000 to help the church has been set up.  As of early Thursday morning, the fund has reached $3,877.

Go Fund Me page set up to help GA church after vandals trash sanctuary days before Easter

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church damage
Vandals heavily damage sanctuary in Colorado (Photo: Go Fund Me)

Smashed musical instruments, shattered glass and holes punched through the walls greeted the congregation of a Colorado church as they discovered the handiwork of vandals who attached the church building early Monday morning.

Investigators believe the damage was done around 3 a.m. Monday. According to a report in the Denver Post, police are looking for three teenage boys who were seen running from the church building of Destiny Outreach Ministries.

“Words can’t describe how heartbreaking this is. You give your life to a community and you invest in the community’s children and their people. This is not our community. This is not the City of Thornton,” Pastor Renee Coventry told Denver’s CBS television affiliate.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help the church.  Damage is estimated in the thousands.