Three Protestant Pastors in Orissa Arrested For Conducting a Full Immersion, River Baptism Service
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Pastor Dale Morgan
Jun 10, 2010, 2:25:43 AM6/10/10
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Faith Under Fire......
Published: June 09, 2010
Three Protestant Pastors in Orissa Arrested For Conducting a Full Immersion, River Baptism Service
Police arrested three pastors on conversion charges in Amapalli Deogarh, Sambalpur, district of Orissa today at around 12 noon while conducting a full immersion river baptism service.
According to the source All India Christian Council (AICC), some villagers of the Amapalli village requested Pastor Lamuel Patnaik, Pastor Philemon Naag, and Pastor Sudhir Nag to do a baptism. While they were in the process of giving the baptism to those who have already embraced Christianity earlier, a group of villagers came and objected at around 12 noon today. The matter was reported to local police and a team of local police led by the Superintendent arrived at the spot and stopped the baptism ceremony.
Police have arrested all three pastors and taken them into police custody for further investigation. General Secretary of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, Mr. Arun Panalal, while condemning the incident, says, "The fundamental rights of the villagers to practice the religion of their choice have been stifled."
While speaking to the Christian Council, Mr. Panalal says, "The Chhattisgarh Christian Forum has demanded that the Government of Orissa gives protection to the pastors and ensures the baptism ceremony takes place under police protection."
The Kandhmal in Orissa shook the world with religious persecution faced by the Christian minority from Hindutva fascist forces. During violence which lasted until mid-October of 2008, the AICC recorded: 315 villages damaged, 4,640 Christian houses burnt, 54,000 Christians homeless, 70 people killed (including least 6 pastors and one Roman Catholic priest killed) and another 50 missing and presumed dead, 10 priests/pastors/nuns seriously injured, estimated 18,000 Christians injured, at least two women (including a nun) raped, an estimated 300 churches and "prayer halls" destroyed (252 according to the state government), and 13 Christian schools and colleges damaged.
Orissa has the 1967 Freedom of Religion Act, which is anti-religious freedom in nature. Under this law, Christian minorities have been attacked by religious fanatics. The Freedom of Religion Act of 1967 does not allow any civilian to change their choice of religion without prior information given to the district magistrate. This law is against the fundamental and Indian constitutional rights.
The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The AICC is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders.
Related Link:
Revealing Testimony! Do You Need To Be Properly and Scripturally Baptized?
http://www3.telus.net/thegoodnews/baptized.htm
Published: June 09, 2010
Three Protestant Pastors in Orissa Arrested For Conducting a Full Immersion, River Baptism Service
Police arrested three pastors on conversion charges in Amapalli Deogarh, Sambalpur, district of Orissa today at around 12 noon while conducting a full immersion river baptism service.
According to the source All India Christian Council (AICC), some villagers of the Amapalli village requested Pastor Lamuel Patnaik, Pastor Philemon Naag, and Pastor Sudhir Nag to do a baptism. While they were in the process of giving the baptism to those who have already embraced Christianity earlier, a group of villagers came and objected at around 12 noon today. The matter was reported to local police and a team of local police led by the Superintendent arrived at the spot and stopped the baptism ceremony.
Police have arrested all three pastors and taken them into police custody for further investigation. General Secretary of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, Mr. Arun Panalal, while condemning the incident, says, "The fundamental rights of the villagers to practice the religion of their choice have been stifled."
While speaking to the Christian Council, Mr. Panalal says, "The Chhattisgarh Christian Forum has demanded that the Government of Orissa gives protection to the pastors and ensures the baptism ceremony takes place under police protection."
The Kandhmal in Orissa shook the world with religious persecution faced by the Christian minority from Hindutva fascist forces. During violence which lasted until mid-October of 2008, the AICC recorded: 315 villages damaged, 4,640 Christian houses burnt, 54,000 Christians homeless, 70 people killed (including least 6 pastors and one Roman Catholic priest killed) and another 50 missing and presumed dead, 10 priests/pastors/nuns seriously injured, estimated 18,000 Christians injured, at least two women (including a nun) raped, an estimated 300 churches and "prayer halls" destroyed (252 according to the state government), and 13 Christian schools and colleges damaged.
Orissa has the 1967 Freedom of Religion Act, which is anti-religious freedom in nature. Under this law, Christian minorities have been attacked by religious fanatics. The Freedom of Religion Act of 1967 does not allow any civilian to change their choice of religion without prior information given to the district magistrate. This law is against the fundamental and Indian constitutional rights.
The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The AICC is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders.
Related Link:
Revealing Testimony! Do You Need To Be Properly and Scripturally Baptized?
http://www3.telus.net/thegoodnews/baptized.htm
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