Islamic law forbids the construction of new churches. Christians are “forbidden to ring church bells or display crosses, recite the Torah or Evangel aloud, or make public display of their funerals and feastdays, and are forbidden to build new churches” – Reliance of the Traveller o.11.5 (6,7)
“Aceh Christians forced to celebrate Christmas in a tent,” BBC, December 23, 2019:
Christians in the Indonesian province of Aceh are preparing to celebrate Christmas in makeshift tents in the jungle.
Their churches were destroyed four years ago by Islamic vigilante groups and the police.
Indonesia – the world’s largest Muslim population – has a pluralist constitution that is meant to protect the rights of followers of all the major faiths.
But Church leaders in Singkil Aceh say the local authorities are stopping them from rebuilding….
PRCS says
“Indonesia – the world’s largest Muslim population – has a pluralist constitution that is meant to protect the rights of followers of all the major faiths.”
But, those who adhere to ‘unofficial’ religious beliefs–or none at all–are not protected anywhere in Indonesia (as far as I know).
gravenimage says
It’s worse than that, PRCS. Indonesia has six officially recognized religions–Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism (never mind that both Protestantism and Catholicism are just different denominations of Christianity).
All the Churches I’ve heard of destroyed in Aceh have been Protestant Churches–so these *should* have been covered by the guarantees of religious freedom in Indonesia–but they aren’t, because these protections are of course a sham:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_religion_in_Indonesia
Of course, as you note, things are often even worse for those belonging to unrecognized faiths like the Ahmadi and Jehovahs’ Witnesses. The latter has been banned, and a few years ago several Ahmadi were beaten to death while police looked on and did nothing. And Atheists and Agnostics are also persecuted.
Agostino Armo Pellegrini says
Indonesia: Christians celebrate Christmas in tent after authorities forbid rebuilding of churches Muslims destroyed
True and tragic stories like this put the left’s claims to shame. Yes, islam is a great contribution to the West, if you ignore the terror and intimidation that’s occurring on a global scale by muslims. At the very moment some leftist is declaring islam “peaceful” there’s someone in the world getting murdered or viciously oppressed for muslims’ sick religion. The left can’t lie and shill enough for islam, and you know who you are. I’m growing rather tired of these people who hide the rape of our kids because the rapists are muslim, I’m tired of them defending an ideology that is opposed to our fundamental values as free nations. In the old days that used to be called “treason” and traitor, now they call it “multiculturalism” which is just a magniloquent term that means “act like self-destructive pigs for islam.” A great many of these millionaire leftists live in gated communities with private security, but we’re xenophobic racists for wanting a wall against drug traffickers and other criminals like jihad terrorists. The pope has a palace at his disposal behind the highest walls in Europe with a private army to protect him, but we gotta give up our security and neighborhoods or be racists. These people are frauds, and their agenda is the destruction of our nation(s) and our freedoms for their globalist agenda. They can all go to hell as far as I’m concerned. I refuse to be ashamed of my nation for a pathetic and evil religion like islam. Allah’s bigoted “kill the unbelievers” can never be multicultural with “liberty and justice for all.” That’s a poisonous concoction that can only destroy us.
[8.39] Shakir: And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah
That’s what muslims are doing a hundred different ways, with weapons and stealth jihad. I don’t have to respect it and I never will. It’s not a religion, it’s a real world threat more dangerous than communism.
Battle says
Augustino Armo Pellegrini: +100
Agostino Armo Pellegrini says
Just +100? lol, Thanks. Islam brings the best-worst out of me.
Save Europe says
+ infinity 👍
James Lincoln says
Agostino Armo Pellegrini,
A brilliantly written post – my compliments.
gravenimage says
Indonesia: Christians celebrate Christmas in tent after authorities forbid rebuilding of churches Muslims destroyed
……………………
And even worse, some Christians in Indonesia are not allowed to celebrate Christmas even in their homes:
“Indonesia: Christians banned from Christmas home celebrations in West Sumatra”
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2019/12/indonesia-christians-banned-from-christmas-home-celebrations-in-west-sumatra
Agostino Armo Pellegrini says
Islam creates intolerance wherever it goes, as you know. My first reaction when reading this story of Christian oppression is, well, we know that could never happen here. But then one second later I realize it’s already happening, that level of intolerance. We got whole governments and social media giants crushing free speech for islam, and promulgating lies to defend islam while calling us bigot racists for caring. The left is so protective of muslims and islam they won’t even tolerate our anger over the mass rape of our kids. Muslims are also working hard to destroy us in a hundred different ways, using terror and stealth jihad. If we want to foresee our situation under islam all we gotta do is look at Tommy Robinson in the UK. They have done their utmost to destroy that good man because he put them to shame with his good actions. It won’t be long and “Islamic vigilante groups” will be burning churches in Europe and America, too. And the left will still be touting the “virtues” of islam.
Battle says
Augustino Armo Pellegrini: +100
James Lincoln says
Agostino Armo Pellegrini,
Yet another brilliantly written post – again my compliments.
gravenimage says
Grimly true, Agostino.
abad says
Tragic, really.
And given Indonesia’s location – I am not convinced Islam even belongs in Indonesia.
Brian Hoff says
Islamist scholars after the fall of Islamic Empire in the 13 thb century top islamist scholar from than to run the islamist empire. The scholar that went to South Asia and Southeast Asia where given authority to change minor islamist costim and set up sultan government s. they allow singing and music and dancing inside of mosues.
Brian Hoff says
On u trube it any video say Islam spead eaceful in South by five. In the 14 the century the Muslim have no military force to sent to South Asia and Southeast Asia. They where in the middle East fighting the Morgan holder and stop the Morgan advance into Egypt Arabic and turkey .
gravenimage says
Does “Brian Hoff”–really, “DefenderofIslam”–have a problem with his coreligionists persecuting Christians? I doubt it–he has said that he plans just the same for the US if Muslims ever seize power here.
Lydia Church says
Time for another tidal wave upon the muslims over there I see….
Battle says
Agree for a tidal wave of the Holy Spirit to convert all the Islamic intolerant dastards to Christian values of free speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly.
Save Europe says
Perhaps ALL Muslims in Europe should spend next Ramadan in the 2 million tents that house families in Mecca?
All these tents have A/C units.
elee says
Somebody explain to me again why it is such a Good Thing that Indonesia is no longer ruled by Dutch Christians. I keep reading news items like the above and finding it hard to recall.
elee says
It occurs to me on further consideration……..what would happen if Christians throughout the world conducted services in tents in solidarity with these poor folks? Yes indeed I do mean temperate-zone Christians in whatever weather happened that day? What if they did it Sunday after Sunday? If we cant give the place back to the Dutch, we could do this.