Christians Threatened by Opposition as Sikkim Prepares for Dalai Lama Visit

December 23, 2010

Many Buddhists live in Sikkim, India. Their worldwide leader is visiting the state this week, and Christian missionaries are asking for prayer during this critical juncture.

The pastor of a church in Sikkim, India, is asking for prayer today as Buddhists in his area are hosting a visit by the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader is visiting this Himalayan state to participate in a conference.
Pastor Nandan Reddiar said that, while his congregation is growing, they are facing strong opposition from other religions in the area, and opponents are taking advantage of the Lama's visit to increase the pressure.


"Some in this society are trying to convert our believers to their faith, either by threats of violence or by enticing them with worldly things," pastor Nandan said.
GFA President K.P. Yohannan said it is ironic that "among those opposing the Christians are followers of the Dalai Lama, who preaches a message of non-violence and has been awarded the Nobel Peace prize."
Invited by State
The Sikkim state government invited the Buddhist leader to come and lead a conference on "Cognitive Sciences and Eastern Contemplative Traditions." The seminar, leaders say, is expected to lay the foundation for the state's efforts to introduce morality and ethics into its school and college curricula.
The Dalai Lama will also visit the state's Tibetan community, conduct a "teaching" in a sports stadium and bless a massive statute of Buddha now under construction. He will spend time at several Buddhist monasteries across Sikkim, including one in the city where Pastor Nandan serves. In fact, the government is building a special retreat center for the Dalai Lama at that location.
Prayer Needed
Pastor Nandan is asking Christians around the world to pray for the believers in his city during this time.
"Please pray that this visit will not cause problems for our church," he asked, "and please pray that our people will have strong faith to face and overcome any problems."
Dr. Yohannan also called for prayer for the Sikkim believers.
"Pray for Pastor Nandan and his congregation as they witness to the love of Christ among the people of Sikkim," he said. "They have a strong desire to share the Good News among those who have not heard, so let us pray that the Lord will fulfill that desire of their hearts."

AHMADINEJAD FIRES FOREIGN MINISTER: Replaces with Iran’s nuclear chief

“President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad fired Iran’s foreign minister on Monday, a move that caught many here by surprise and appeared to reflect a strengthening of the president’s power, reports the New York Times. “Mr. Ahmadinejad said in a presidential order that he had dismissed the minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, a career diplomat who has for many years been Iran’s face to the West. Mr. Mottaki was on an official trip to Senegal on Monday and did not immediately react to the news, which appeared to catch even the state-run Iranian news media by surprise….[Some experts] said the move signaled the rising prominence of nuclear matters in Iran’s foreign policy. Mr. Ahmadinejad’s choice for acting foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, is the head of Iran’s nuclear program and has also served as ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear watchdog. Mr. Salehi, who is fluent in English, graduated from the American University in Beirut and earned a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. With a new round of talks over Iran’s nuclear program scheduled for January and the prospect of new Western sanctions looming, it was not immediately evident how the new appointment would affect Iran’s posture in negotiations over its nuclear program, which the West suspects is aimed at producing nuclear weapons. Tehran says it is for peaceful purposes only. It is possible that Mr. Salehi is only a fill-in. Some Iran observers speculated that Mr. Ahmadinejad might try to replace him with a permanent candidate from his inner circle.”
and into His family.

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