Missionaries Face Fines for Sharing Their Faith
Last night I was at a dinner meeting where I heard a great testimony from a man who went to Africa to hand out bibles and share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and one story I heard pierced my heart, as it was about 800 African children who walked 20 miles with their 3 teachers, after getting up at 3 AM to start their journey. The reason these kids walked 20 miles was because they were going to a place where they were told they would receive a free New Testament.
And so as I read this story today from The Moscow Times, I am thankful that the missionary I heard last night, didn't have to worry about being fined, and yet I am concerned that once again we see religious persecution for those who are being bold in their faith and sharing Jesus as missionaries.
Now here's a question for you - if you knew you'd be fined for sharing your faith, would you do it?Ordinary believers face fines for sharing their faith with strangers in the metro or on the street under amendments drafted by the Justice Ministry that are stirring worries among Protestant groups about a clampdown on religious freedom.
Under the proposed changes to the Law on Religious Activity, only leaders of registered religious groups and their officially authorized missionaries would be allowed to pass out religious literature, preach and talk about their faith in public, according to a draft of the amendments published in Kommersant on Wednesday.
Anyone else who shares their faith would face a fine of 2,000 rubles to 5,000 rubles ($65 to $170) for individuals and 5,000 rubles to 7,000 rubles ($170 to $230) for legal entities.
Currently, no permits are required for missionary activities. Read more, as this is amazing.