Laotian Christians Thrive Under Persecution
Communist drive to stamp out Christianity in Laos is having an opposite effect.
By Baptist Press Staff in Laos | posted 10/01/2000 12:00AM
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The government reportedly identifies Christianity as "the number one enemy of the state." It accuses Christians of undermining Laotian culture, national unity, and the traditional dominance of Buddhism, which reinforces existing social power structures. Laotian sources have reported a new government drive, called "The Program," that aims to eliminate Christianity in Laos by the end of this year and close all Christian places of worship in the countryside.
Some believers renounce their faith under pressure to sign, but the crackdown often backfires:
"The local people say, 'There must be something to this if the government is taking such a strong stand against it. It must be right,'" a Laotian source stated. As for Christians themselves, "We've seen people grow stronger in the midst of persecution. Once they've been refined by it, their faith is just so strong."
"We see this persecution as natural," he reflected. "We're not praying that the government will change. We're just praying that they (Christians) would have moments during this persecution when they can have fellowship with other believers, maybe in jail. Pray for God to give them an extra measure of His grace during this time."
Copyright © 2000 Baptist Press
Related Elsewhere
A fact sheet is available from the Asia Society.
Read Encyclopedia Britannica's country article on Laos.
The U.S. Library of Congress offers a comprehensive country study, and Encarta has a map.
Read a July 2000 press release from the USCIRF designating Laos as a "Country of Particular Concern" for its acts of religious repression.
Also read the 1999 USCIRF country report for Laos.
Previous Christianity Today articles on Laos include:
Enemies of the State | Laotian Christians held in wooden stocks for refusing to recant their faith. (June 5, 2000)
Communist Crackdown Stymies Growing Church | (Jan. 11, 1999)
You've Got Mail | To the Church That Endures Persecution: (Oct. 25, 1999)
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