Troubles for Christians Increasing

Since Pastor Rinaldy Damanik was sentenced to three years in prison on June 16 (see https://www.vomcanada.com/id-2003-06-18.htm for more details), observers have been reporting increasing violence against Christians. According to International Christian Concern (ICC), a Christian was shot to death on July 10 in broad daylight at his plantation. The same day a bomb destroyed a restaurant owned by Christians in another village and two days later a Christian police officer was shot while riding a motorcycle.

The family members of Damanik, as well as his lawyers, have been threatened since the appeal of his conviction was filed. According to Compass Direct, the names of Damanik's supporters were published in local newspapers with threats that they, too, would be arrested. Damanik has been warned that family members and friends will be kidnapped if his appeal proceeds.

Adding to tensions between Christians and Muslims in Indonesia, a law was passed on June 11 stating that any school with more than ten students of a particular faith must provide a teacher of that same faith to teach their religion and provide a place of worship. While the wording appears to be fair, the impact of the law will be felt most by private Christian schools. Few Christian students attend private Muslim schools, but up to 65% of all students in Christian schools are Muslim because of the excellent quality of education offered. These schools will now be required to build mosques and hire Islamic religious teachers. Many schools have said they will ignore the new law.

Pray that Pastor Damanik's conviction will be overturned and that family and friends will be kept safe. Pray that tension between Christians and Muslims in Indonesia will not again build to the point of violence, as seen in recent years.

  • Country Information

    Population
    279,476,346 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Javanese (40.1), Sundanese (15.5), Malay (3.7), Balak (3.6), Madurese (3), Betawi (2.9), Minangkabau (2.7), Buginese (2.7), Bantenese (2), Other (23.8)

    Religion (%)
    Muslim (87.2), Christian (9.9), Hindu (1.7), Other (0.9), Unspecified (0.4)

    Leader
    President Joko Widodo (2014)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system based on the Roman-Dutch model and influenced by customary law

    Sources: CIA World Factbook.

  • Pray for Indonesia

    Pray for the continued growth of the church in Indonesia, despite the intense opposition and persecution that has taken place. May the destructive plans of the enemy to eradicate Christianity be frustrated and nullified.

    Pray that whatever is intended for evil, God will turn around for good – causing such hatred and violence to not only discredit extremism, but to also compel many to seek salvation in Christ... including the perpetrators of persecution.

Indonesia News

  • Children Injured in Mob Violence
    A group of children are smiling and laughing. One is playing an ukulele.
    Children in Indonesia.
    Photo: ILO / Yodhi Prasetyo (cc)

    On July 27th, a violent incident occurred in Padang City, Indonesia, when several men attacked a prayer house, which was established to provide religious education to Christian children. Armed with sticks, the assailants ordered the believers to disperse, and then they proceeded to smash the building's windows. During the attack, two children (ages eight and eleven) sustained injuries after being struck by objects that had been thrown amid the violence.

  • Hundreds of Protestors Oppose Church Construction
    A street is lined with buildings and trees.
    Bulukumba Regency
    Photo: Wikimedia / Midori (cc)

    As the church in Indonesia continues to grow, opposition to the construction of various worship facilities remains a major challenge. One Catholic church in the Bulukumba Regency of South Sulawesi has been waiting for 45 years to receive a building permit. Although the congregation was initially granted permission in 1980, their permit was revoked following public protests. Since then, members of the church have attempted to secure approval for multiple locations, but each application has been met with rejection.

  • Young Boy Dies Following Tragic Bullying Incident
    A young boy is walking down a path surrounded by dense greenery. He is mostly silhouetted by the sunset shining between the trees.
     

    An eight-year-old boy, referred to as "KB" in Indonesia's local news reports, tragically died following a severe beating he received from a group of older male students at a school in Pangkalan Kasai, a village located within the province of Riau. According to various sources, the incident occurred because the boy was a Christian and belonged to a different ethnic group.

  • Christian Graves Vandalized
    Two cross-shapped headstones are surrounded by greenery.
    Photo: PxHere

    In what appears to be a targeted act against the Christian community, at least ten graves were recently vandalized in cemeteries throughout the Yogyakarta region of Java, Indonesia. Each of the graves bore a cross, symbolizing the Christian faith of the individuals interred there. The damages occurred in three different cemeteries between May 16th and 19th.