The following update from China Aid details the sad story of the devastation wrought by China's forced abortion policy. "No one supports forced abortion..." --Reggie LittleJohn, Women's Rights Without Frontiers and ChinaAid WASHINGTON, D.C.--On Tuesday, November 10, 2009, Reggie Littlejohn and ChinaAid presented substantial firsthand body of evidence and research illustrating the abuses and... Continue Reading →
Another ‘Honor’ Killing
No one assumes that every Muslim is violent. Few are asserting that the religion itself is inherently violent. Nevertheless, the appearance to those of us outside of Islam is that it breeds violence. The founder of the religion was himself sometimes violent, and the most vocal adherents of the religion are violent. The tragedy at... Continue Reading →
Today’s Maine Event
There is a big vote in Maine today concerning the nature of marriage. If the measure fails, then Maine will have become the first state to actually vote in gay marriage. As you know the other states had gay marriage more or less imposed on them by judicial fiat. This story from Baptist Press offers a glimmer... Continue Reading →
Christian Persecution Close to Home
Last week, the warning was sounded that President Obama and the Democratic House and Senate had attached the "hate crimes" legislation to a defense appropriations bill. President Obama signed it. Now, it is time to start considering whether we, as Christians, will be silent regarding the truth of sin and redemption. Over the pond in... Continue Reading →
Crushed Legs, Free Spirit
October 5, 2009 WASHINGTON, DC--To celebrate his heroic dedication and perseverance, former Tiananmen Square student leaders will be joining re-enabled Chinese athlete Fang Zheng in a celebration of his receiving new legs, and to witness this human rights hero's stand for freedom. The event will be held in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Room HVC-215,... Continue Reading →
Rifqa Update
Rifqa--the young Muslim from Ohio who fled to Florida because of fears of being killed by her family--is now in a much more precarious situation than before. She is in danger of being deported back to Sri Lanka; it appears that her parents were living here illegally for the past 5 years. The story linked... Continue Reading →
Negotiating Persecution
September 22, 2009 SHANXI--Late on Saturday night, September 19, 2009, local security officials cornered six Fushan Church leaders and brought them to a secret meeting place for negotiations with 20 government officials. Singled out for their influence, the negotiating party included the wife of the Fushan Church pastor. Under pressure from the Central Government, the... Continue Reading →
Persecution or Murder or Both?
One week after she was killed, Pastor Carol Davis' murder is still a horrible mystery. She served as pastor of a small, pentecostal church in Oklahoma. According to this story, her murder is shrouded with bizarre details, such as her being found in a crucifix position. The details do not make clear the motive. On the surface, it... Continue Reading →
Rifqa Update
In case you haven't been following the Rifqa Bary story, here is the latest report, which says that she has been granted a reprieve which will allow her to stay in Florida for now. This 17 year old convert to Christianity has caused quite a stir in the media. We all still await the outcome... Continue Reading →
Remember China Tonight
For any SoCal friends out there, I have an update from Bob Fu which might interest you. He is president of China Aid and actively supports Christians suffering persecution in China. He will be holding a prayer vigil in L.A. at 8:00. He also will speak at the event, which is being held at the... Continue Reading →
Kidnapping or Honor Killing?
This story about Rifqa Bary is interesting on a number of levels. She is in danger. Some say the threat is kidnapping. She claims the danger is from her family killing her. This young woman is only 17; so, she is still considered a minor. It's possible that the pastor in Florida or others helped... Continue Reading →
Pakistan in the News
Linked here is yet another story concerning the on-going persecution in Pakistan. This GR news piece asks some pertinent questions about persecution which any reporter should try to answer. We can't really fault reporters for failing to get the story straight, however, when we, as Christians, aren't generally reading the story of persecution at all.
Tracking Church Crimes
The so-called "hate crimes" laws being considered in Congress and around the country pretend to be concerned about groups that have historically been targeted for crimes. Oddly enough, the list always includes homosexuals, even though it has not been proven that there systemic efforts of violence toward that group. Even more odd is the fact... Continue Reading →
Neda May Have Been Christian
According to this report from Jihad Watch, Neda Soltani, symbol of the Iranian protests, was a Christian. There are many implications from this information. Apparently, the picture of her which circulated around the world originally cropped out the cross she wore around her neck. See the picture and a more complete discussion at Get Religion. ... Continue Reading →
Persecution Updates
From rescuing children who have been victimized in the global sex trade to fighting for freedom in North Korea or caring for orphans in Indonesia, the Jubilee Campaign, a catholic organization which seeks to minister to the suffering and persecuted church, carries on a vast array of projects around the world. You can review some... Continue Reading →
Gregory C. Cochran 