Captivity

On August 31st of this year (2011), Pastor Zhang Rongliang was freed from a Chinese prison where he has been held since December 2004. His plight and that of other persecuted Christians worldwide is highlighted on the Open Doors website and media releases. It is always heartening to read of the faithfulness of these people of God in the face of torture, imprisonment and often death.

Their captivity is tangible, often tragic, and open in the persecution of them for their faith in Christ Jesus. The work of the Enemy is so very visible and the call to prayer so easy to heed.

In “civilized” nations where this type of persecution would raise a secular hue and cry, the Enemy’s tactics are no less effective – just different. How much is made about the “influence” of religion and beliefs in our Presidential campaign? The negative influence? Do you ever hear a news anchor talk about the positive aspect of actually having some set of principles that one adheres to even if imperfectly (and it will always be imperfectly)?

The majority of Christians in the United States and other developed countries do not infringe on others rights anymore than do Muslims or Hindus or people of other faiths. Yet they are held captive by political correctness and denied freedom of speech that is at least in the United States, “guaranteed”. It is no more appropriate to judge Christians by the fringes than it is to judge Muslims by the terrorists.

Perhaps Open Doors needs to highlight those in the “free” world who are held captive by societal pressures that are inequitably applied. Perhaps the prayer for release from captivity is needed just as much.