Blessed are you when people…falsely say all
kinds of evil against you because of me. Matthew 5:11
This stage of persecution is characterized by unchecked
ridicule and disinformation against a targeted group (Christian or others) most
often spread through media. In this stage Christians are robbed of their good
reputation and the right to answer the accusations made against them. Media,
politics, entertainment, publications and schools are most often the avenues
used to spread such insinuations or lies.
If disinformation about any group is disseminated long
enough, no one will help in later stages because of this negative brain-washing
about them. It essentially dehumanizes the person and is a pattern of thinking
that may make it easier for milder wrongs to ignite a chain reaction of events.
It creates an “us-versus-them” mentality.
A classic historic example is the gross disinformation the
German Nazis spread about the Jews which then developed into a literal negative
symbol when Jewish homes and businesses were marked with Stars of David and
then targeted.
This also can result in verbal stereotyping. In the Rwanda
genocide, the term “cockroach” became a negative classification of all Tutsi as
conspirators against the government.
There are many significant global examples of
disinformation used against our Christian brothers and sisters. The influence
and impact of negative television programs against Protestant Christians in an
autonomous region in Central Asia is very strong. A local pastor was shown on
TV and, without reference to any evidence, labelled “an enemy of the state.”
His family members’ pictures were also shown at the same time causing them to
be despised by their community.
Recently a Christian woman who was shown on TV was not able
to continue her work in a kiosk in the market. Other vendors forced her to
leave the bazaar.
One local pastor says, “Since the program is shown
regularly on TV, persecution has become worse. Some people have left the church
out of fear. When you start to preach (to the public), people close up and say,
we have heard about you, we don’t want to listen.”
In North Korea, the entire society is controlled by
propaganda and disinformation. Persecution is so severe that in many Christian
families, children are not even told about the family’s faith in Jesus until
they are young adults because they are encouraged and expected to inform on
their parents while in their school years. Christians are considered enemies of
the state and the disinformation about this is wide spread.
Similarly, in countries like Laos, the government
disinformation is that Christianity is an American religion being used to
infiltrate their country rather than the former military methods. All
Christians are thus portrayed as being traitors and working for America.
RESPONSE: Today I will work for truth and quash
all attempts at disinformation against followers of Jesus everywhere.
PRAYER: Lord, grant Your blessing today on Your
followers suffering from lies and untruths.
Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a
daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors
International. Used by permission.
Originally Posted HERE
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