Faith Facts

• Christian schoolchildren in Sri Lanka, particularly those from evangelical families, face systematic bullying and discrimination from peers and teachers
• A study by the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka documents the targeting of children whose parents serve as pastors in non-traditional churches
• The persecution highlights the ongoing challenges faced by religious minorities in the predominantly Buddhist nation

Christian families in Sri Lanka are sounding the alarm over a disturbing trend that has placed their children directly in harm’s way. A comprehensive study conducted by the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) reveals that Christian schoolchildren—especially those whose parents serve as pastors in evangelical and non-traditional churches—are being systematically targeted for their faith.

The persecution these young believers face comes from multiple directions. Both fellow students and teachers have reportedly singled out Christian children for bullying and discriminatory treatment, creating hostile learning environments that challenge their ability to practice their faith freely.

This troubling situation underscores the broader religious freedom crisis facing Christian minorities in Sri Lanka, a nation where Buddhism holds a privileged position. The targeting of children represents a particularly concerning dimension of religious persecution, as these young people are among the most vulnerable members of the Christian community.

The NCEASL study sheds light on the daily struggles these families endure simply for maintaining their Christian witness in a society that increasingly marginalizes their beliefs. Parents who have answered the call to pastoral ministry find that their commitment to spreading the Gospel comes at a cost—one their children bear in the classroom.

For American Christians observing from abroad, this serves as a sobering reminder that religious freedom remains under assault in many parts of the world. The courage displayed by these Sri Lankan families in maintaining their faith despite persecution reflects the enduring strength of the global Christian community and the ongoing need for prayer and advocacy on behalf of persecuted believers.

This situation calls for increased attention from international religious freedom advocates and prayer from the global Church. These children and their families need the support of believers worldwide as they stand firm in their faith against adversity.

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Faith Facts

• A Pakistani court granted custody of a 13-year-old Christian girl to the Muslim man accused of kidnapping, forcibly converting, and marrying her
• The ruling represents another case of Pakistan’s failure to protect its religious minorities despite constitutional guarantees
• Christian families in Pakistan continue to face threats of forced conversion and abduction, particularly targeting young girls

A devastating court decision in Pakistan has shocked the international Christian community and human rights advocates worldwide. On Saturday, a Pakistani court delivered a ruling that defies both morality and justice, granting custody of a 13-year-old Christian girl to the very man accused of abducting her, forcibly converting her to Islam, and coercing her into marriage.

The case represents yet another example of the persecution Christians face in Pakistan, where religious minorities live under constant threat. Despite Pakistan’s constitution theoretically guaranteeing religious freedom, the reality on the ground tells a far different story — one of systemic discrimination and violence against Christians and other minority faiths.

This young girl’s nightmare began when she was allegedly kidnapped from her family. According to reports, her abductor then forced her to convert to Islam and marry him against her will. Rather than rescuing this child from her captor and returning her to her family, the court sided with the accused kidnapper.

The ruling highlights the dangerous intersection of religious persecution and child abuse that Christian families in Pakistan navigate daily. Young Christian girls are particularly vulnerable to abduction schemes where predators exploit legal loopholes and systemic bias against religious minorities.

Pakistan ranks among the most dangerous countries in the world for Christians. Each year, hundreds of Christian girls are reportedly kidnapped, forcibly converted, and married to Muslim men. Many of these cases receive little attention from authorities, and when they do reach the courts, justice is rarely served.

The international community must take notice of this travesty. American Christians should pray for this young girl and her family, and advocate for policies that hold nations accountable for protecting religious minorities. Religious freedom is not merely a Western value — it is a fundamental human right that transcends borders and cultures.

This case also serves as a sobering reminder of the freedoms Americans often take for granted. While we face our own challenges to religious liberty, the persecution Christians endure in countries like Pakistan puts our struggles in perspective and calls us to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ worldwide.

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Faith Facts

• Theologian Wayne Grudem argues Israel’s 2025 military response to Iran represents both legitimate self-defense and fulfillment of biblical principles of divine justice
• Since 1948, Israel has faced persistent claims of illegitimate occupation despite biblical and historical evidence supporting Jewish claims to the land
• The theological framework for understanding modern Middle East conflicts includes both Scripture’s promises to Israel and biblical teachings on righteous warfare

A prominent Christian theologian has entered the contentious debate over Israel’s right to exist and its recent military actions, offering a perspective rooted in Scripture and historical analysis. The argument challenges the prevailing narrative that dominates much of international discourse about the Jewish state.

Wayne Grudem, a respected voice in evangelical theology, presents a comprehensive case examining both the biblical covenant promises and the documented historical record. His analysis addresses fundamental questions about territorial rights, national sovereignty, and the role of divine providence in contemporary geopolitics.

The discussion comes at a critical moment when Israel faces renewed scrutiny over its military operations. Critics have long maintained that Israeli presence in disputed territories constitutes occupation, but this theological perspective offers a counternarrative grounded in ancient texts and modern realities.

Grudem’s argument rests on multiple pillars of evidence. The biblical record, he contends, establishes clear covenant promises regarding the land boundaries given to Abraham’s descendants. These promises, repeated throughout the Old Testament, form a theological foundation that cannot be dismissed by those who claim to take Scripture seriously.

Beyond theological considerations, the historical case examines the documented presence of Jewish communities in the region spanning millennia. This continuity challenges the notion that modern Israel represents a colonial imposition rather than a restoration of indigenous presence.

The recent military campaign against Iranian targets has sparked particular controversy in international forums. Critics characterize it as aggression, but defenders point to the sustained threats and proxy attacks Israel has endured from Iranian-backed forces throughout the region.

From a biblical worldview, Grudem argues, the response represents more than strategic self-defense. It reflects principles of justice that Scripture upholds, including the right and responsibility of governments to protect their citizens from those who seek their destruction.

The Iranian regime has openly declared its intention to eliminate Israel, funded terrorist organizations dedicated to that goal, and pursued nuclear capabilities that would enable unprecedented destruction. These facts, supporters argue, create not just a security threat but a moral imperative for defensive action.

The partnership between Israel and the United States in confronting Iranian aggression reflects shared interests and values. Both nations face threats from regimes that reject fundamental principles of human dignity, religious freedom, and peaceful coexistence.

Grudem’s framework includes the biblical concept that God works through nations to accomplish His purposes in history. This doesn’t mean every military action is divinely ordained, but it does suggest that righteous governments can serve as instruments of justice against oppressive regimes.

The theological perspective acknowledges complexity while maintaining moral clarity. Innocent suffering in warfare is tragic and should be minimized, but the responsibility for violence lies primarily with aggressors who initiate conflict and those who deliberately target civilians.

Critics of this viewpoint often argue that religious justifications for military action are dangerous. However, defenders respond that acknowledging God’s sovereignty over nations and His standards of justice provides essential moral grounding that secular frameworks lack.

The question of Israel’s legitimacy extends beyond mere politics into the realm of covenant theology. For Christians who believe Scripture reveals God’s redemptive plan through history, Israel’s restoration as a nation carries theological significance that transcends contemporary diplomatic arrangements.

This doesn’t mean uncritical support for every policy decision, but it does establish a baseline recognition that Israel has a right to exist and defend itself. The alternative—accepting the elimination of the Jewish state—would contradict both biblical promises and basic principles of justice.

The American church faces important questions about how to engage these issues faithfully. Supporting Israel’s right to exist and defend itself doesn’t require ignoring Palestinian grievances or opposing diplomatic solutions, but it does mean rejecting narratives that deny Jewish historical and biblical connections to the land.

As geopolitical tensions continue, Christians must navigate these complexities with both conviction and compassion. The call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem includes praying for justice, security, and ultimately the reconciliation that only comes through Christ.

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