Myanmar (formerly Burma) has been designated a Country of Particular Concern by the U.S. State Department for its severe religious freedom violations every year since 1999. And in those eight years, conditions for Christians have continued to deteriorate. The Chin and Kachin minorities, who are heavily Christian, are severely persecuted by Myanmar's repressive, pro-Buddhist military regime.

Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, wrote "for many years crosses dotted the mountaintops and villages in the Chins' homeland." However, no crosses remain. Instead, the Chin and other Christians have become "the preferred targets of one of the world's most brutal regimes."

A group of Chin and Kachin activists met with U.S. officials in Washington in February. Their reports included the rape of Chin and Kachin Christians, forced shutdown of churches, and the taking of children from their Christian parents, placing them in Buddhist monasteries to become novice monks under the false pretense of ensuring a good education. Also, government soldiers are driving thousands of minority Christians from their villages. Those hiding from their own government are called Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The number of Bibles allowed for import is limited, and in-country printing of Bibles and Christian literature is restricted. Public evangelism is prohibited in Myanmar, which is 82 percent Buddhist and 8 percent Christian. Most Christian missions were expelled in 1966.

Despite persecution, the church is growing approximately 5 percent a year among Protestants and independents.

In an interview, one Myanmar Christian said he would like to return to the village where he and other young Christians were attacked with stones. He said he would press on despite the risk of hostile crowds or government arrest. He added: "It is dangerous, but God gives us strength deep inside and boldness to move forward."

Persecution Report is presented in cooperation with Open Doors USA, which serves the Persecuted Church through training, Bible distribution, and community development. For more information, call 1-888-5-BIBLE-5 or visit www.odusa.org.

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