India (MNN)–Believers in Chhattisgarh, Central India, face a harsh conversion law.
It forces Christian workers to jump through many hoops. As it is, the law requires anyone who changes their religion to prepare an affadavit, personally appear before a district commissioner and submit several documents for approval. Following this, the commissioner has to conduct an enquiry through the police to verify the process.
Already a complicated process, the government is working toward revising its “freedom of religion” act to fine-tune it further to the region. According to GFA, the state’s current law is left over from before the state was separated from Madhya Pradesh state in November 2000.
Current violations involve jail time and fines. While that doesn’t sound harsh, news sources indicate the jail term for such missionaries could involve up to 10-years behind bars and a monetary penalty of Rs. 500,000 to Rs.1 million (US$10,000-20,000) for those found guilty of illegal conversions.
Yet, a Gospel For Asia partner launched 27 churches, a home Bible college, a Bridge of Hope center and the recording of Gospel radio broadcasts in his language.
Pray for his ministry and for the other missionaries in his state who’ll face tougher obstacles daily.
