The crime of being a Christian

The policemen led Pastor Huy* down the narrow, dimly-lit corridor to a musty prison cell. His wrists were chained together like those of a dangerous criminal. The guards shoved him into a cell occupied by another man. Pastor Huy’s eyes had barely adjusted to the darkness when the other prisoner began to beat him severely.

After several minutes, the cell door opened again and two more prisoners entered. They too proceeded to beat and choke Pastor Huy. With his wrists tied, he had little chance of blocking the kicks and blows to his head and body. More prisoners and more beatings followed.

Finally, Pastor Huy called out, “What’s my crime? What have I done wrong?” They responded matter-of-factly, “You are a Christian. That is your crime.” Then the man of God lost consciousness. . . .

Religious repression

The Vietnamese government is eager to generate favourable trade relations with the U.S. and the World Trade Organization. In response to ongoing concern about documented religious repression in Vietnam, foreign ministry spokesperson Le Dung stated last year, “There is not a so-called ‘religious repression’ to any religion in Vietnam.” Nevertheless, on Nov. 8, 2005 the U.S. State Department added Vietnam to its CPC (countries of particular concern) list as one of the worst religious liberty offenders in the world. Vietnam objected to its inclusion, blaming “distortion campaigns launched by hostile forces against Vietnam” for the negative perception.

Pastor Huy’s troubles began when he tried to register his church with the local authorities. He was told that he couldn’t register because there was no such thing as Christians in his area of the country. Pastor Huy responded, “If there are no Christians in this area, why did you jail four deacons of our church two years ago?” The authorities told him, “We’re going to electrocute you. . . . then you’ll have to decide whether you’re willing to deny Christ or go to prison.”

Worse than opium sellers

Pastor Huy remained chained and in prison for 10 days. He was then sentenced to more than two years in prison for subversive activities. As he awaited sentencing, a police captain said to him, “You Christians are worse than opium sellers. . . .”

Pastor Huy is not an isolated case of persecution. Other Christian workers who seek to abide by the Vietnamese government’s new regulations are met with equal hostility. As a result, they often leave the area and seek to build a new life elsewhere.

Despite persecution and harassment, the church in Vietnam presses on. However, our Asian brothers and sisters cannot survive alone.

What can we do?

International Christian aid organizations are working to help families in Vietnam by providing them with things such as interest free loans to purchase land and seeds, in order to restore their livelihood. In addition to funds and advice in determining the best crops to plant in their new area, families receive spiritual sustenance. Strategic church planting and training of nationals is assisting Christians in rebuilding their lives, sharing the good news with others, and seeing God’s kingdom come in Southeast Asia.

Many Mennonites still recall the struggles they or their ancestors faced when they endeavoured to make a fresh start in Canada after fleeing persecution. They were thankful for all the help they received from neighbours and the community. In the same way, we can be good neighbours to believers living in areas of persecution around the world. Today, let’s reach out to believers in Vietnam (and Lebanon, and Eritrea, and China . . .)!

* Name changed for security reasons.

Daniel Beutler is pastor of congregational life at Linden (Alta.) MB Church.

Note: International Christian Response (ICR) serves persecuted Christians in various parts of the world. Go to their website for more information. Mennonite Central Committee also works in Vietnam; see MCC in Vietnam.