MARY, OUR MOTHER: Open Doors USA Launches Campaign to Help Defeat U.N. Resolution that Could Worsen Plight of Persecuted Christians

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Open Doors USA Launches Campaign to Help Defeat U.N. Resolution that Could Worsen Plight of Persecuted Christians

Free To Believe

SANTA ANA, Calif., Oct. 6 /Christian Newswire/ -- Two months ago Muslim extremists rampaged for several days through a Christian area in Gojra, Pakistan. The violence killed at least seven Christians, caused 19 injuries and left more than 100 houses looted and burned, according to Compass Direct News.
The rioting was touched off by an unsubstantiated rumor of "blasphemy" of the Quran, reported Compass. Muslims use blasphemy laws in Pakistan against Christians and other minorities in land and other disputes. Under these laws, no evidence is required to accuse and have someone arrested on a charge of blasphemy.
The persecution of Christians goes far beyond Pakistan, and their plight may worsen if a resolution ostensibly against intolerance is approved at the United Nations this fall.
The Defamation of Religions Resolution, introduced annually at the UN, seeks to criminalize words or actions that are deemed to be against a particular religion, namely Islam. Although proponents justify the "defamation of religions" concept as protecting religious practice and promoting tolerance, it really promotes intolerance and violates the freedoms of religion and expression for religious minorities -- especially Christians -- in these countries.
The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), an inter- governmental organization of 57 countries with majority or significant Muslim populations, has been the driving force behind this resolution. The OIC is expected to introduce another Defamation of Religions Resolution to the UN General Assembly.
"Many Christians living in these countries are already severely impacted by restrictive laws -- especially those living under strict Shariah law," says Open Doors USA President/CEO Carl Moeller. "From the right to worship freely to the ability to share the Gospel, the Defamation of Religions Resolution threatens to justify local laws that already marginalize Christians. As Americans, we have enjoyed a long tradition of religious liberty. The Defamation of Religions Resolution is a blow against religious freedom."
While the Defamation of Religions Resolution has been introduced and passed by some countries in the past, it is expected to be brought up again in November or December. Policy experts at the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom believe there is a real opportunity to defeat it this year. Members of Congress and non-profit organizations will be urging countries to vote against the resolution. Also, the U.S. government does not support pas
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sage of the resolution.
Open Doors USA is helping to lead the advocacy effort at the United Nations to prevent this non-binding resolution from passing. Open Doors will lobby key countries which will vote, organize a petition drive for Open Doors supporters to campaign against the resolution and speak on this issue to the media. The Open Doors advocacy campaign is called "Free to Believe."
To join the Open Doors advocacy team, go to www.OpenDoorsUSA.org. A Free to Believe petition invites signers to "Say NO to the UN resolution that suppresses religious freedom." The Open Doors advocacy team will be conveying the level of support by our members against the resolution as the team interacts with the countries which have abstained from voting on this issue in the past.
"You can make a difference in the lives of thousands of persecuted believers," says Moeller. "It is crucial that this resolution is defeated. Join our advocacy team now. We need to stand in the gap for our brothers and sisters in Christ."
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.

(For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org).

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Quotes from 'The Glories of Mary':

‘I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head.’

(Gen. 3:15)

“Since the devil is the head of original sin, this head it was that Mary crushed: for sin never had any entry into the soul of this Blessed Virgin, which was consequently free from all stain.”

Saint Augustine

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PSALM 71 SPEAKS TO MY HEART

Forsake Me Not When My Strength Is Spent

In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame!
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me, and save me!

Be to me a rock of refuge,
to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;
you are he who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.

I have been as a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.
My mouth is filled with your praise,
and with your glory all the day.
Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
forsake me not when my strength is spent.

For my enemies speak concerning me;
those who watch for my life consult together
and say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue and seize him,
for there is none to deliver him.”

O God, be not far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
with scorn and disgrace may they be covered
who seek my hurt.

But I will hope continually
and will praise you yet more and more.
My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
of your deeds of salvation all the day,
for their number is past my knowledge.

With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;
I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come.
Your righteousness, O God,
reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
O God, who is like you?

You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
you will bring me up again.
You will increase my greatness
and comfort me again.

I will also praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy,
when I sing praises to you;
my soul also, which you have redeemed.

And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,
for they have been put to shame and disappointed
who sought to do me hurt.

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Open Doors USA Launches Campaign to Help Defeat U.N. Resolution that Could Worsen Plight of Persecuted Christians

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