India (MNN) — In a swell of violence in Uttar Pradesh last week, a Hindu extremist group physically forced a Christian church led by a Gospel for Asia missionary to shut down. The group plans to build a Hindu temple in place of the church.
The extremist group plans not only to advocate their religion, but to force people to it at all costs. According to a Gospel for Asia report, the group's leader is dedicated to both physically and mentally torturing Christians until they deny Christ and convert with reverence to Hinduism.
In order to accomplish their goals, radicals have recruited several Dalits, or untouchables, to attack and kill Christians. Within the Hindu caste system, Dalits cannot associate with members of other castes, and it seems that extremists will likely discard them when they have served their purposes. The group has intentionally drafted young Dalit boys who are easily impressionable and able to be enticed by offers of acceptance.
The violence in Uttar Pradesh is slowly rising to levels of horror seen usually just in Orissa. Many Christians who were never Hindus to begin with have been physically forced into the religion by anti-Christian radicals. Hundreds of thousands of believers are left hiding in the jungle, barely hanging on to their lives.
Please continue to pray that there would be an end to this terrible violence. Pray that the faith and stability of the Christians in India would draw extremists away from Hinduism and toward Christ.
"All men will hate you because of Me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:22).
