Religion and charitable giving plummet in US
Both charitable giving and religious beliefs have declined in the past two decades.
India
Christians in Sri Lanka fear election of new Buddhist leader could mean more persecution
Christians in Sri Lanka are expecting persecution to intensify under a new Buddhist leader whose brother once gave the green light for monks to harass churches.
Christians in India released on bail after languishing in prison for over a decade on false charges
A group of Indian Christians who suffered in prison for 11 years under false charges were finally released on bail, as advocates claimed they had been scapegoated by Hindu nationalists.
Evangelical execs eye Israel deals as rapport with Holy Land matures
Around 650 Christian businessmen from 50 countries, including the US, Europe, China and India, are set to come to Israel early next month to learn how local technologies are impacting the world and to seek business opportunities.
Indian house church pastor doesn’t fear persecution anymore
A house church pastor in eastern India was accosted in his home by Hindu extremists while praying, leading to severe injuries for his whole family and accusations of witchcraft.
Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Plan to Bring Back Death Penalty
A federal judge on Wednesday night temporarily halted the Trump administration’s plans to execute four federal inmates.
Wave of Indian persecution of Christians descends into Kashmir conflict
India’s Jammu and Kashmir state is now shrouded in a 105 day-long internet and communications blackout that has prevented Christians from assembling together without extreme harassment.
BRICS back Paris agreement, oppose Syria military solution
Members of the BRICS group of nations said Thursday that they are committed to implementing the Paris climate agreement and there cannot be a military solution to Syria’s conflict.
American Pastor Arrested and Detained in India
International Christian Concern (ICC) learned that Pastor Bryan Nerren, a Christian pastor from Tennessee, has been arrested and detained in India after being accused of violating the country’s Foreign Exchange Management Act. According to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), Pastor Nerren and two other pastors from Tennessee arrived in India on October 5 to attend two conferences in India and Nepal. The ACLJ reported that Pastor Nerren was then targeted and arrested by Indian customs agents after he told them he was a Christian.
India, Pakistan trade fire over Kashmir
India and Pakistan exchanged fire across the de facto border of the disputed Kashmir region while blaming the other for instigating the shelling that killed at least nine people.
Congress hears testimonies about situation of Christians in India
Human rights groups and groups that monitor persecution worldwide presented statistics to congress Wednesday testifying to the deterioration of the situation for Christians in India.
Statistics for India show Christian persecution rising overwhelmingly since BJP took power
Disturbing statistics are coming out of India, where the fruit of nationalism has been an uptick in severe persecution against Christians.
White House mulling military options against Iran ranging from cyberattacks to war
A White House meeting Friday will see Pentagon officials present President Trump with ‘a broad range of military options’ targeting Iran, AP reports.
Nepali pastor fears to return home following social media backlash for testimony
A pastor in Nepal is facing a social media firestorm that has caused him to flee his home.
US and India on verge of trade agreement breakthrough, officials say
U.S. and Indian officials are nearing a trade negotiation breakthrough, according to multiple administration officials and industry insiders familiar with the talks, hoping to unveil at least a preliminary agreement during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit this week.
Tribal Christians in east India maligned for ‘land-grabbing,’ ‘illegal religious conversions’
Christians in eastern India marched in protest last month against what leaders are calling retaliatory government harassment for their attempt to protect tribal lands.
Modi’s government prepares bill that would make all conversions illegal in India
Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party-led government is reportedly crafting a sweeping national anti-conversion law that would place a ban not only on forced conversions but also on conversions made in good faith.
Anti-conversion rules tighten in northern India, paving the way for Hindutva
One of India’s nine states to have passed an anti-conversion law in recent years tightened restrictions last month on the choice Indians have to turn from one religion to another.
Saffron Flags Usher in Hindu Nationalist India Where Christians Are Not Free to Worship
Christians in India are becoming more hard-pressed to find places where they can worship freely.
Pastor: Believers in India ‘Have Nothing More To Do Except To Go To God In Prayer’
The oxygen is thinning for religious freedom in India following the reelection of the Bharatiya Janata Party in May, with six attacks on Christians recorded in Telangana State alone in July.