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North Korea: How Christians survive in the world's most anti-Christian nation
Fox News ^ | 8-18-17 | Hollie McKay

Posted on 08/18/2017 8:16:58 PM PDT by ReformationFan

For 16 years, North Korea has been ranked the “most oppressive place in the world for Christians,” and this week the U.S. State Department re-asserted it as one of the world’s worst religious persecutors – torturing and executing those even suspected of worshipping God. But that still hasn’t stopped an estimated 36 percent of the population – around 9 million – from practicing Christianity.

“Life is extremely difficult for all North Koreans, but Christians face an even tougher road,” Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern told Fox News.

“Christians are accused of being imperialists seeking to overthrow the government and those who are caught practicing their faith are arrested, horrendously tortured, imprisoned and [sometimes] immediately put to death.”

So how do these brave devotees do it in the most closed country on earth?

On the surface, Christianity does exist in North Korea. Its constitution on paper vows to protect religious freedom and forbids discrimination based on one’s faith. Thus, the capital, Pyongyang, is currently host to five state-controlled churches – the Protestant Bongsu, Chilgol and Jeil Churches, the Catholic Jangchung Cathedral and the most recent being the Orthodox Holy Trinity Russian Church. Yet all are deemed to be little more than fraudulent showpieces for visiting officials and tourists.

Foreign visitors are routinely paraded around these sites, in which aptly dressed church officials clutch Bibles and bow at the altar. But Chad O’Carroll, managing director of the Seoul-based news and analysis firm Korea Risk Group, told Fox News that these are generally just hand-picked state workers whose vocation is to feign religion. The collection plates are passed through congregations and locals appear to donate as foreigners look on, but the plate ends up empty at the end.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Evangelical Christian; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics
KEYWORDS: korean; northkorea; religiousliberty; religiouspersecution

1 posted on 08/18/2017 8:16:58 PM PDT by ReformationFan
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To: ReformationFan

I think the Christianity of a nation is judged in the hearts of its citizens and members.

Yes, the North Korean government oppresses Christian believers, but they may be very fervent. Remove the Kim regime and Christianity would probably burst forth there.

I’ve seen modern places where the anti-Christianity runs much deeper. Places like Berlin, or Amsterdam or Montreal come to mind.


2 posted on 08/18/2017 8:25:21 PM PDT by PGR88
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To: PGR88

[[I’ve seen modern places where the anti-Christianity runs much deeper. Places like Berlin, or Amsterdam or Montreal come to mind.]]

But Christians are not imprisoned and tortured and put to death in those places- NK is so bad that they arrest distant family members who aren’t even Christians and torture and put them to death too-

It’s one thing to have society call you names or berate you and be angry with you because they don’t like the God you serve— but it’s quite another to have your own government torture and murder you for believing in God


3 posted on 08/18/2017 8:28:55 PM PDT by Bob434
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To: ReformationFan

I’ve seen this picture before; at least a year or two ago. Given the Nork government’s hatred of real Christianity, I believe the lead picture in the article is staged. True Christians in North Korea have to be very careful in their worshipping practices.


4 posted on 08/18/2017 10:02:44 PM PDT by miele man
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To: miele man
Sure it is staged.

But the power of God is such that even in a staged event seeds are sown.

5 posted on 08/18/2017 10:18:55 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Not a Romantic, not a hero worshiper and stop trying to tug my heartstrings. It tickles! (pink bow))
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To: PGR88

I remember when John Paul II visited Holland, I was there. You had grafittis greeting him with rewards for his assassination.


6 posted on 08/19/2017 12:15:00 AM PDT by JudgemAll (Democrats Fed. job-security Whorocracy & hate:hypocrites must be gay like us or be tested/crucifiedc)
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To: ReformationFan

Just had a friend who was forced to go back to England because his visa expired. He lamented that only about 5 percent of the population in his village goes to church and no one was interested in Bible study. I felt so heartbroken for this friend. I’m not sure what is worst, living in an area of extreme persecution or in an area where no one cares.


7 posted on 08/19/2017 6:05:56 AM PDT by HarleyD (Ecc 10:2 A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.)
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