A Top Ten List to Stay Off

In a day and age when there is a top ten list for virtually everything under the sun, not many of us are familiar with such a list for religious persecution. This is because religious persecution, especially against Christians, is not a very politically correct topic in a world that is pushing cultural diversity and "tolerance." As Christians in a culture where entertainment is given more media coverage than the treatment of our fellow believers, it is no wonder that most of us are probably more geared to recite the top ten college football teams or box office hits than the top ten persecutors. Below is a list of the ten worst offenders in the world, according to Open Doors International:

1. North Korea
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Iran
4. Somalia
5. Maldives
6. Bhutan
7. Vietnam
8. Yemen
9. Laos
10. China

Not having the space to cover each of these nations where our brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering for their faith, let's spend a little time looking over a nation that is given much media attention for its nuclear program and famines, but very little for its persecution of Christians.

Covered in The Voice of the Martyrs' October '06 newsletter, North Korea, also dubbed as "The Hermit Kingdom," is perhaps the most closed nation to the gospel than any other on the planet. Consequently, countless atrocities have riddled this country since its inception over 50 years ago, when Kim Jong Il's father, Kim Il Sung, began his godless communist legacy. Before World War I, Pyongyang, now the capital of North Korea, was called "Jerusalem of the East," as up to 700,000 Christians lived in North Korea at that time. However, communist rule brought about the execution of hundreds of Christians leaders and the outlaw of Christian education and land ownership. After the common border with South Korea closed, coupled with the ending of the Korean War, only 300,000 Christians were left in North Korea, with most of those remaining being imprisoned or murdered.

Today, more than 100,000 North Korean Christians are incarcerated, tortured and malnourished as political prisoners in concentration camps. But despite this oppressive regime led by Kim Jong Il, at least 10,000 Christians belonging to some 500 underground house churches are secretly practicing their faith. To help breathe God's light into this nation with a leader determined to stamp out any trace of Christianity, The Voice of the Martyrs is active in bringing the gospel to North Korea. Scripture balloons, safe houses, biblical training, and Bible smuggling are just a few ways that VOM is helping the Body of Christ fulfill the Great Commission in this darkened land.

Comments

[Camper]

Hi, may I repost ths information to our website? - Youth and Christ [ http://www.youthandchrist.net ]
Thank you!

As for me, persecution is always around us. And that we are always battling for our King. It is of great honor to experience these kind of things knowing that we are growing everyday we survive each.

These things are inevitable as this is a part of our King's plan. And these just prove that He is soon to come. May we be ready and be firm.

[janey]

this is what i'd like to do one day..is to be able to suffer for my King aslong as the gospel reaches the unsaved ears of this world.
im in south afica where no persecution is and free religious practices take place..we tend to take for granted this "opportunity" and fail to see how our Christioan brothers and sisters are suffering...so let us pray for them as they need God's hand on this situation..God bless Them!!!

[Eddie McGarrah]

I would like more info on organizations that can send me on bible taking trips. I have done this once in Vietnam and I am so ready to spend the rest of life doing this. Thanks for any info that can be given.

[bibles at the china border]

With the tyranny which is the top 10 list - we as Christians need to decide if we have any 'special' calling to stay at home when the needs in these countries are horrific. North Koreans escaping their country to be met at the border by either sex traders, slave traders, Chinese police who'll send them back, death squads or prayerfully Christians.

China needs approximately 50 Million Bibles - I pray for more to step out to the China border with a bag full of Bibles, 50 Million is going to take many more workers (who are so so few).