North Korea, where Christians suffer the greatest persecution.

North Korea.

North Korea is first on Open Doors International's “World Watch List” of nations where Christians suffer persecution. It is the nation where all religious activity is labelled as insurrection to the socialist principles. Even though the government is losing it's iron grip on society and Kim Jong Il's health has worsened after his stroke the situation is harsh for Christians. Read more...

© Ken Glasgow 2010

This page was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

Hindu nationalists plan "religious cleansing" of runing all Christians out of Madhya Pradesh.

Hindu nationalists hope to 'clean house' by 2011.

Posted: 13 August, 2010
Source: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/14592

India (MNN) ― In May, we covered a story of a plan in Madhya Pradesh to do a "religious cleansing."

Compass Direct News and the regional Patrika newspaper first broke the story. They also reported that Hindu leaders announced a list of pre-festival objectives, which included a concerted effort to drive away Christian pastors, evangelists, and foreign aid workers. Read more...

As always I encourage my readers to seek more information by reading the Bible.

Son Jong Nam died for following Jesus

Son Jong Nam.ⁱ

“From 1973 to 1983, he served in the Korean People's Army as part of the presidental security service, rising to the rank of master sergeant...” “In 1997, his wife, pregnant with their second child, was arrested for allegedly insulting Kim Jong-il's mismanagement of the economy and blaming him for the North Korean famine.”ⁱⁱ Read more...

As always I encourage readers to seek more information by reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2010

This page was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

iPicture: http://www.prisoneralert.com/graphics/uploads/prisoner_176_image.jpg

ii8 July 2010, “Son Jong-nam”, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_Jong-nam

Light of the world

Jesus' followers as light.

John's Gospel introduces Jesus as the Word and as light.ⁱ Jesus told His followers that they were the light of the worldⁱⁱ…

For further information I recommend reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2010 Last edited 14 March 2021

This page was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

iJohn 1:1-5, & 6-14.

iiMatthew 5:14-16.

Christians drew wrath by objecting to sexual assaults

Muslims Order Christians to Leave Village.

Source: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/21375/

Christians drew wrath by objecting to sexual assaults on girls and women.

KHANEWAL, Pakistan … read more.

For further information I recommend reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2010

This page was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

Jesus' followers as salt.

“Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.”¹

“What could they do in so large a province as the whole earth? Nothing, if they were to work by force of arms and dint of sword; but, being to work silent as salt, one handful of that salt would diffuse its savour far and wide...” The teaching of the Gospel is salt.²

Could it be that the Church is despised in the western world because, to a large extent we have lost our saltiness?

In Scripture, salt is used for, seasoning food³ seasoning sacrifices⁴ ratifying covenants⁵ and strengthening new-born infants⁶.⁷ Elisha used salt to purify the water in a well at Jericho.⁸

“Salt sôlt (מלח, melaḥ; ἄλας, hálas, ἄλς, háls): Common salt is considered by most authorities as an essential ingredient of our food. Most people intentionally season their cooking with more or less salt for the sake of palatability. Others depend upon the small quantities which naturally exist in water and many foods to furnish the necessary amount of salt for the body. Men and animals alike instinctively seek for this substance to supplement or improve their regular diet. The ancients appreciated the value of salt for seasoning food. So necessary was it that they dignified it by making it a requisite part of sacrifices. A 'covenant of salt' is mentioned.⁹ This custom of pledging friendship or confirming a compact by eating food containing salt is still retained among Arabic-speaking people. The Arabic word for 'salt' and for a 'compact' or 'treaty' is the same. Doughty in his travels in Arabia appealed more than once to the superstitious belief of the Arabs in the 'salt covenant,' to save his life. Once an Arab has received in his tent even his worst enemy and has eaten salt (food) with him, he is bound to protect his guest as long as he remains.

Salt was used not only as a food, but as an antiseptic in medicine. Newborn babes were bathed and salted, a custom still prevailing. The Arabs of the desert consider it so necessary, that in the absence of salt they bathe infants in camels' urine.”¹⁰

“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God---what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.”^{11 12}

I have referred to several English translations of the Bible in writing this which is made easy by e-sword, a free downloadable program. For further information I recommend reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2010 Last edited 14 March 2021

This page was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

1Matthew 5:13, “The Message” paraphrase of the Bible.

2Matthew Henery's commentary on the Whole Bible.

3Job 6:6.

4Leviticus 2:13 & Ezekiel 43:24.

5Numbers 18:19 & 2 Chronicles 13:5.

6Ezekiel 16:4.

7R. A. Torrey's New Topical Text Book.

82 Kings 2:18-21.

9Numbers 18:19 & 2 Chronicles 13:5.

10See also: Leviticus 2:13, Ezra 6:9 & 7:21-22, Job 6:6, Ezekiel 16:4 & 43:24,

11Romans 12:2, the Good News Bible.

12International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.

Thank cops

Let's Hear it for the Traffic Cops.

Some examples cited are a few years old but the principle remains the same. The cop you just saw could have saved your life in the ordinary course of duty.

Hoon runs out of luck.
A HOON had a double stroke of bad luck when he decided to "smoke it up" in a suburban Palmerston street early on 30 April 2010. He blew a tyre, kept driving on the rim and the police were watching. The driver was under the influence of alcohol and had a suspended licence for unpaid fines. He was arrested on the spot.ⁱ

Tip for 'Pizza Boys'.
We have in Darwin's Northern Suburbs another example of a traffic cop enforcing the law on what many people would consider to be a relatively minor matter. (I would like a dollar for every driver who shows by their actions that they think exceeding the speed limit by 20 Km/hour is acceptable.) An anonymous police officer pulled a 'Pizza Boy' over for doing 100 Km/hour in a 80 Km/hour zone then found that the driver was not licensed to drive and pressed charges appropriately.ⁱⁱ

The tip: GET A DRIVER'S LICENSE BEFORE YOU DRIVE.

I have a friend woman who was a single mother to three children and had been trying to get a driver's license for many years, she told me that she had driven her children to school. I warned her to never do it again because sooner or later the police would catch her and she would get no sympathy from me when they did. That was years ago and as far as I know she has never done this again, nor to my knowledge has she got a driver's license.

Traffic Cops Make Ecstasy Bust.
Police uncovered more than 100 ecstasy tablets and $2,300 in cash while searching a car pulled over for avoiding a breath test and for “speeding”. It appears from “reading between the lines” that a driver avoided a random breath testing station in Sydney and followed this with exceeding the speed limit. It is likely that at least part of the reason for the driver exceeding the speed limit was to elude police who were in pursuit. “A 29-year-old Guildford man was charged with supplying a prohibited drug, possessing a prohibited drug, and having goods in custody.”ⁱⁱⁱ

In a separate incident a 24 year old driver was found to be in possession of more than 2000 allegedly illegal DVDs in similar circumstances, while pirated DVDs do not normally endanger people's lives, try telling the music or movie making industry that it is not a serious crime.^iv

This article raises 2 issues:

1. It appears that this person first came to the attention of police who were quietly enforcing a law (a very good one that deals with the major cause of death and trauma on the road) that does not relate to the possession or sale of illicit drugs. There have been plenty of other examples of people being busted for possession of drugs after coming to the attention of police for committing a traffic offense. In my former capacity as a taxi driver I met plenty of people who were caught driving under the influence of alcohol because a police officer observed them committing another traffic offense and noticed the smell of alcohol after pulling them over.

2. Given the fact that drivers pulled over for relatively minor traffic offenses are sometimes found to be committing much more serious offenses I consider the value of “automated” traffic offense detection devices (such as speed and red light cameras) to be questionable.

Random breath testing stations are used to remove drivers who endanger their lives and those of other people by driving under the influence of alcohol from the road. The police officers who work them deserve the co-operation of drivers. Who knows you may be alive today because a constable quietly doing his job, removing unsafe drivers from the roads prevented an accident.

Please be polite to police, they do a difficult job.

© Ken Glasgow 2010

This page was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

i“Hoon runs out of luck”, http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/04/30/143911_ntnews.html

ii“COP THAT”, http://www.ntnews.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,17338004%255E13569,00.html

iiihttp://ntnews.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,16779444%255E421,00.html & http://ntnews.news.com.au/ (1. October 2005)

ivhttp://ntnews.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,16779572%255E421,00.html

The basics of Christianity.

In the beginning, God created all things.¹

The first humans, Adam an Eve though God had said not to, they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, at that point sin entered the world.²

Every person has sinned³. There is a price for sin, death. “Sin pays off with death. But God's gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 Contemporary English Version of the Bible) Sin can not remain in the presence of God.

At the right time God sent His Son,⁴ Jesus Christ born to a virgin named Mary.⁵ Jesus lived without sin⁶, was crucified and died⁷ to pay the price for the sins of all.

On the third day Jesus was raised⁸ and seen by many witnesses⁹ before being taken up¹⁰ into Heaven (Jesus also appeared to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus¹¹ after His ascension to Heaven), giving us an assurance that those of us who believe in Him as the Scriptures say will be raised and go to Heaven for ever.

“You see, God loved all the people in the world. He loved everyone so much that he sent them his only son, his special son. God sent him to die instead of them, so that if anyone trusts him God will not finish them up, but they will live with him for ever.” John 3:16 Plain English Version

In the “Sermon on the mount” Jesus made several points:

• We need to be dependent on God.

• There's a place for mourning.

• Humility is a virtue.

• Commitment to God is important.

• The merciful are blessed.

• Our thoughts are important to God.

• God values peace makers.

• Go blesses those who are persecuted for following His way.

 

For those who would like to get right with God I suggest a simple prayer:

• God I admit that I have sinned and fallen short of your standards.

• Thank you that you sent your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die for me, paying the price for my salvation from sin, to be raised on the third day and to later ascend to Heaven. as an assurance

• I choose to place my faith in your Son, Jesus Christ.

• Thank you that Jesus' ascension to Heaven is my assurance that you will take me to live with you there forever after my life on Earth is over.

You should now develop a habit of reading the Bible and talking to God every day. You should also join a Bible believing church (that does not add any other books to it) and fellowship there regularly¹².

1Genesis 1-2

2Genesis 3

3Romans 3:23

4Galatians 4:4

5Luke 1:26-38

6Hebrews 4:15

7John 19:16-30

8John 20-21

91Corinthians 15:6-7

10Acts 1:6-9

11Acts 9:3-6

12Hebrews 10:25

For further information I recommend reading the Bible.  I have refered to several English translations of the Bible in writing this which is made easy by e-sword, a free downloadable program. For further information I recommend reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2010 Last edited 11 March 2021

This page was written using Open Office 3, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

Jihad, Holy War of Purification.

Objective. I have set myself one objective for this post, to explain why Muslims engage in Terrorism. I believe this is not possible without understanding Jihad. The readers should be able to gain a basic understanding of Islamic terrorism from this page, little if any of this is relevant to other forms of terrorism.

Background. This was originally written by myself in 2005 as a page for my personal web site.

Poverty is often said to be the root cause of terrorism, however Mohammad said that the rich will refuse to go to Jihad because they are content with what they have and that Allah has sealed their hearts so they do not understand (Sura 9:86-89).¹ Therefore financial and material contentment is seen by Mohammad as the source of disobedience to the Qur'anic teachings.

It is not surprising that the Islamic world has caught the fever of nationalism, Muslims throughout the world are feeling that the purposes of Allah have not been served as they have a right to expect.² Unlike other religions the Shari'a, (law) regulates every aspect of life, this is mainly true of Sunni Islam.³ Although there is no authoritative translation of the Qur'an from the original Arabic to any other language.⁴ I will however, use translations into English to aid my understanding of Islam.

Jihad. What is known as Islamic terrorism or simply terrorism in the west is known to Muslims as Jihad: “An internal struggle or striving for personal purity. An incumbent religious duty to wage holy war continuously against all non-Muslims to advance Islam.”.⁵ Holy warriors are described as superior to other Muslims, with a higher rank (Sura 4:95).⁶ The believers are told to think of Allah much in Jihad so t hey will be successful (Sura 8:45).

Israel is cursed by Allah for failing to pay for Holy War (Sura 7:140).⁷ Because Christians have not used their money to finance Jihad Allah will use their (red hot) gold to brand them with, on their faces, sides and backs (Sura 9:34-35).⁸

Jihad requires that when the situation arises men will go to war to spread Islam or defend it against the infidels. The test of a true believer is the willingness to fight for Allah, against unbelievers, who are said to be fighting for Satan (Sura 4:76-77).⁹ True Muslims will fight for Allah in holy war with their wealth and lives without seeking leave from Jihad, only disbelievers do this (Sura 9:42-45).¹⁰ This holy war is to continue until everybody becomes a Muslim people will be converted out of fear of Muhammad and his followers, and because they can not run away or hide (Sura 9:2-5, 33).¹¹ Holy warriors are to plunder only non Muslims (Sura 4:94).¹² Jews and Christians are allowed to pay a tribute and be humiliated in order to avoid becoming the victims of Jihad (Sura 9:29).¹³ The Qur'an says to deal gently with those who are afraid of Jihad to prevent them breaking away from Islam (Sura 3:159), but if you return alive you are not to permit them to go on an easy campaign nor should you pray for them at their death (Sura 9:81-84).¹⁴ The teaching is that whoever dies in Jihad is guaranteed eternal life in Paradise (heaven).¹⁵ According to the Qur'an the believer is only accepted by Allah after dying willingly in Jihad, Muslims are not assured of Allah's acceptance until death (Sura 3:142-143).¹⁶ Those who are slain in Jihad will be admitted to paradise (Sura 22:58-59).¹⁷ Those who refused to go to Jihad will make excuses, but the returning holy warriors are instructed not to believe them and that those who refused to go to Jihad will go to hell (Sura 9:94-96).¹⁸ Believers are to make war on the infidels who live around them. “It is not right that all the faithful should go to war at once.”¹⁹ This would go some way toward explaining why not all Muslims are actively engaging in Jihad.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year and the time when Mohammad is believed to have received the Qur'an from heaven.²⁰ Ramadan is a time for closer adherence to the teachings of the Koran, for jihad with the objective of toppling the enemy of Islam: the West.²¹

Although there is no doubt that Muhammad was kindly in his disposition, he could be cruel and vindicative towards his enemies and would stoop to assassination.²² Muslims are commanded to strike fear into the hearts of the disbelievers before striking their heads off. The believers are further instructed to dismember the opponents of Allah starting at the last joint of the fingers and working up the arms one joint at a time finishing by cutting the head off. True Muslims punish their enemies according to the commandments of Allah (Sura 8:12-13).²³ By contrast Christians are instructed by Jesus Christ (who is recognised as a prophet by Mohammad in the Qur'an) to love their enemies, this is recorded in two Gospels.²⁴

See also: Jihad Watch: www.jihadwatch.org The Islamic Legitimacy of “Martyrdom Operations”: www.islam.org.au/articles/16/martyrdom.htm “Usamah Bin Mohammad Bin Laden 'The New Powder Keg in the Middle East' ”: www.islam.org.au/articles/15/LADIN.HTM “The Termination of 'israel' a Qur'anic Fact”: www.islam.org.au/articles/20/termination.htm

© Ken Glasgow 2010

This post was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

1Scot, D, 2004, A Summary of the Qur'an (page 45), Ibrahim Ministries International, Stafford City, Queensland, Australia.

2McDowell, J. & Stewart, D. 1983, Concise Guide to Today's Religions (page 369), Scripture Press Foundation, United Kingdom

3McDowell, J. & Stewart, D. 1983, Concise Guide to Today's Religions (page 371), Scripture Press Foundation, United Kingdom

4McDowell, J. & Stewart, D. 1983, Concise Guide to Today's Religions (page 374), Scripture Press Foundation, United Kingdom

5Robinson, Stuart, 2004, Mosques & Miracles Revised Edition (page 340), Queensland, Australia.

6Scot, D, 2004, A Summary of the Qur'an (page 21), Ibrahim Ministries International, Stafford City, Queensland, Australia.

7Scot, D, 2004, A Summary of the Qur'an (page 35), Ibrahim Ministries International, Stafford City, Queensland, Australia.

8Scot, D, 2004, A Summary of the Qur'an (page 43), Ibrahim Ministries International, Stafford City, Queensland, Australia.

9Scot, D, 2004, A Summary of the Qur'an (page 20), Ibrahim Ministries International, Stafford City, Queensland, Australia.

10Scot, D, 2004, A Summary of the Qur'an (page 43), Ibrahim Ministries International, Stafford City, Queensland, Australia.

11Scot, D, 2004, A Summary of the Qur'an (page 41 & 43), Ibrahim Ministries International, Stafford City, Queensland, Australia.

12Scot, D, 2004, A Summary of the Qur'an (page 21), Ibrahim Ministries International, Stafford City, Queensland, Australia.

13Scot, D, 2004, A Summary of the Qur'an (page 42), Ibrahim Ministries International, Stafford City, Queensland, Australia.

14Scot, D, 2004, A Summary of the Qur'an (page 14 & 44), Ibrahim Ministries International, Stafford City, Queensland, Australia.

15McDowell, J. & Stewart, D. 1983, Concise Guide to Today's Religions (page 377), Scripture Press Foundation, United Kingdom

16Scot, D, 2004, A Summary of the Qur'an (page 13), Ibrahim Ministries International, Stafford City, Queensland, Australia.

17Scot, D, 2004, A Summary of the Qur'an (page 70), Ibrahim Ministries International, Stafford City, Queensland, Australia.

18Scot, D, 2004, A Summary of the Qur'an (page 45), Ibrahim Ministries International, Stafford City, Queensland, Australia.

19McDowell, J. & Stewart, D. 1983, Concise Guide to Today's Religions (page 370), Scripture Press Foundation, United Kingdom

20McDowell, J. & Stewart, D. 1983, Concise Guide to Today's Religions (page 384), Scripture Press Foundation, United Kingdom

21“A call to hate and to prayer”, http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17131122%255E28737,00.html

22McDowell, J. & Stewart, D. 1983, Concise Guide to Today's Religions (page 364), Scripture Press Foundation, United Kingdom

23Scot, D, 2004, A Summary of the Qur'an (page 38), Ibrahim Ministries International, Stafford City, Queensland, Australia.

24Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:35 (checked in the Message paraphrase of the Bible).

Godly commitment provokes persecution.

“You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution.”ⁱ

“God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right. They belong to the Kingdom of Heaven. God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.”ⁱⁱ

“PERSECU'TION, n. The act or practice of persecuting; the infliction of pain, punishment or death upon others unjustly, particularly for adhering to a religious creed or mode of worship, either by way of penalty or for compelling them to renounce their principles.”ⁱⁱⁱ

“In all ages, in one form or another, the people of God have had to suffer persecution. In its earliest history the Christian church passed through many bloody persecutions. Of subsequent centuries in our own and in other lands the same sad record may be made.”^iv

“Happy are you, when men have hate for you, and put you away from among them and say angry words to you, turning away in disgust at your name, because of the Son of man. Be glad in that day, and be lifted up for joy, for your reward in heaven will be great: for their fathers did these same things to the prophets.”^v

“Be exceeding glad - Αγαλλιασθε, leap for joy. There are several cases on record, where this was literally done by the martyrs, in Queen Mary’s days.”^vi

“Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven - They have evidence that they are Christians, and that they will be brought to heaven.”^vii

The ultimate persecution of the righteous was suffered by Jesus Himself. The great reward is that some of us have chosen to give our lives to Him.

There's a lot more on the subject of persecution of the righteous, some of it will be included in other posts.

I have referred to several English translations of the Bible in writing this which is made easy by e-sword, a free downloadable program. For further information I recommend reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2010

This post was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

iMark 5:10a "The Message" paraphrase of the Bible.

iiMark 5:10-12 Contemporary English Version of the Bible.

iiiWebster's 1828 Dictionary.

ivEaston's Dictionary of the Bible.

vLuke 6:22-23 The Bible in Basic English.

viAdam Clarke's commentary on the Bible.

viiAlbert Barnes' notes on the Bible.

Blessed are the peacemakers

Peacemakers.

“Blessed are the peacemakers! For they shall be called sons of God.”ⁱ

I heard, years ago that the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Police in the Australian state of Victoria had a plaque of this verse in the head office. At the time they had a reputation for making peace by unloading the magazines of their guns into anyone who disturbed the peace. This is not the peacemaking Jesus was referring to.

Everybody can do something to prevent contention, strife and war. To use their influence to reconcile opposing parties, prevent family and or community hostilities and/or lawsuits. God is the author of peace and all who endeavor to promote peace are like Him.ⁱⁱ

One of the first recorded acts of Moses was to attempt to make peace between two Hebrew slaves.ⁱⁱⁱ

“Peace in the Scripture sense implies all blessings temporal and eternal. The peace makers - they that out of love to God and man do all possible good to all men.”^iv

The most important peace to make is peace with God. God sent His only begotten Son, to die on the cross, so that we could make peace with Him through faith in Jesus Christ.

I have referred to several English translations of the Bible in writing this which is made easy by e-sword, a free downloadable program. For further information I recommend reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2010

This page was written using Open Office 3.2.1, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

iMatthew 5:9 Literal Translation of the Holy Bible.

iiAlbert Barnes' explanatory notes on the Bible.

iiiExodus 23:13-14.

ivJohn Wesley's explanatory notes.

Gao Zhisheng's Life in Danger - Please Help Now!

Gao Zhisheng's Life in Danger - Please Help Now!

WHERE IS GAO ZHISHENG? READ THE TRUTH. ADD YOUR VOICE.

It's been a while since I mentioned Gao Zhisheng.

Supporters around the world were shocked on March 27, 2010, when Gao Zhisheng spoke with his family for the first time since he was abducted on February 4 last year. Media buzzed with news of his reappearance, as Gao Zhisheng connected with friends, family, reporters and colleagues. But even this brief reprieve from silence was not free.

"Gao was being held under tight security during the time he spoke with his family," says President of ChinaAid Bob Fu. "When I spoke with him on the phone in March, he was being closely monitored, not at liberty to give details about his location or condition."

On April 15 and 16, Gao Zhisheng visited his in-laws in Xinjiang, telling them he would be flying home to Beijing at 10 AM on April 20. Gao never arrived home at his apartment, and has not been seen or heard from in more than 8 weeks. See the media reports on Gao Zhisheng's forced "Re-Disappearance."

Now that he has disappeared again, it is clear that Gao's life is in danger as long as he is in the custody of the Chinese government. During this complex and difficult time, efforts are already in progress to push for Gao's release from China and for a safe reunion with his family in the United States.

"We continue to denounce the Chinese Government's brutal and unjust treatment of Gao Zhisheng!" says Bob Fu. "We will not rest until Gao is released and allowed to reunite with his wife and children in peace."

Christian human rights Attorney Gao Zhisheng was seized by a dozen police officers and last seen in public on February 4, 2009. Gao has been repeatedly kidnapped, arrested, imprisoned and tortured by Chinese authorities for defending the persecuted. He has been an unyielding and iconic advocate for justice in the Chinese courts and was even nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008.

On January 21, 2010, the Chinese government publicly acknowledged Gao Zhisheng to be in their custody, for the first time since his abduction more than 365 days ago. In response to a reporter's inquiry, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu said: "The relevant judicial authorities have decided this case, and we should say this person, according to Chinese law, is where he should be." Mr. Ma then added, "As far as what exactly he's doing, I don't know. You can ask the relevant authorities."

The Ministry's comments brought a glimmer of hope to Gao supporters around the world. Since December 2009, rumors of Gao's death from torture in prison have spread uncertainty. Just one week before Mr. Ma spoke to the media, Gao's older brother, Gao Zhiyi, was informed by a police officer that Gao Zhisheng had gotten "lost and went missing while out on a walk" in September, 2009. The news of his death, then alleged disappearance, devastated Gao's wife and children.

Finally, on January 20, 2010, an Australian newspaper reported from an inside source that "Gao is still alive at present ... he's not missing."

From this and other inside reports, ChinaAid believes Gao Zhisheng is still alive in the custody of the Chinese government, but continues to suffer extreme emotional and physical pain.

More reports:

• U.S. Department of State's Response to Attorney David Taylor's Inquiry about Gao Zhisheng, 1/25/2010.

• CAA Press Release: Police Officer Says Gao Zhisheng Went Missing, 1/14/2010.

• Latest Media Reports on Gao Zhisheng.

• Read Gao Zhisheng's letter to the U.S. Congress in 2007.

• Read Gao's account of 50 days of torture in 2007.

• Attorney Jiang Tianyong's Public Testimony on Defending Gao Zhisheng.

• Read the Congressional Letter to President Hu Jintao, 9/8/2009.

• Read Senator Dorgan's speech from the Senate floor.

ChinaAid thanks the 126,200 people who signed the Petition to Free Gao, the thousands of supporters who sent 469,500 e-mail inquiries to Chinese businesses and government offices, the more than 11,200 individuals who contacted their U.S. Representatives, and the countless others who faxed and called the Chinese Embassy for Gao's release last year in 2009.

Now, join ChinaAid as we take Gao’s case to the next level. In the coming months, we will be expanding the campaign to target international bodies, like the United Nations and the European Union. Urge others to add their voice to the petition, and continue contacting their representatives, as we press the Chinese government to Free Gao Zhisheng.

STEPS TO ACTION.

1. Sign the petition

Add your voice, and encourage your friends to sign the petition, to make the Chinese government aware that the world is watching this situation and to call them to account for their inhumane treatment of Gao Zhisheng. ChinaAid will continue to gather names and submit them to the Chinese authorities until Attorney Gao is free. So far, 137,005 people have signed the petition. (updates every 15 mins.)
Sign the petition now.

Click here to forward to your family and friends.

2. Send a message to leaders.

For U.S. Residents: Send a message to your U.S. Representative

Your representative was elected to protect and enable the will of the people - that means you! Send a message to your U.S. Representative requesting their support to call for Gao Zhisheng's release. Encourage the leaders and members of your community to participate, and together we will send a resounding message to the Chinese government that the United States has not forgotten the power of freedom and human rights. So far, 13,857 people have sent messages to their local U.S. Representative. (updates every 15 mins.) Click here to commit to contacting your U.S. Representative.

Click here to forward to your family and friends.

For U.S. & International Citizens: Contact U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Last year, 18,516 people sent over 469,500 e-mails to Chinese businesses and local governing officials inquiring about Gao Zhisheng. Now it's time to raise your concerns to the next level. Call on the United Nations to uphold its commitment to human rights, and encourage U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to personally and publicly urge the Chinese government to make Gao's whereabouts and condition known. So far, 2,952 people have sent messages to the Office of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. (updates every 15 mins.) Click here to contact U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Click here to forward to your family and friends.

3. Donate to serve the persecuted
in China.

There is a current need to provide help for the persecuted in China. Your support enables ChinaAid to provide well-timed legal advocacy for Christian prisoners, as well as basic needs for their families. Most of all, your gift is a sign of encouragement to the persecuted church in China that they do not walk alone. Donate Now.

For more ways to take action . . .

• Call The Chinese Embassy

• Send E-mails

Sources: http://www.freegao.com/index.html?refnum= & China Aid email

© Ken Glasgow 2010

“Blessed are those whose thoughts are pure. They will see God.”

Pure Thoughts.

“Blessed are those whose thoughts are pure. They will see God.”ⁱ

There's a lot to be said for purity of thoughts, I will include a bit of it in this post. Purity of heart is more than actions, but the motivations behind the actions, which are visible only to God.ⁱⁱ To see one's face or to be in one's presence, to Jews were expressions of great favour. In this context to see God is to “be his friends and favorites, and to dwell with him in his kingdom.”ⁱⁱⁱ

Webster's Dictionary includes 12 definitions of “pure”, I will comment on only a few:

2. Free from moral defilement; without spot; not sullied or tarnished; incorrupt; undebased by moral turpitude; holy.

Of course that means absolutely free from moral defilement and there are none who meet this criteria except for Jesus Christ. The Pharisees were outwardly righteous, but inwardly were full of impurity.^iv Jesus saw through their facade and let them know that God held them accountable for more sins than they probably imagined.^v

3. Genuine; real; true; incorrupt; unadulterated; as pure religion. James 1.

At a glance this could appear to be an alternate route to Heaven however Jesus says He is the only way. Besides there is none who have lived free of sin. Again Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites, because they abandoned the Word of God for human traditions.^vi

5. Free from guilt; guiltless; innocent.

As mentioned earlier there are none who are guiltless before God. All therefore rely on salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

6. Not vitiated with improper or corrupt words or phrases; as a pure style of discourse or composition.

The religion of any person who can not control their own tongue is worthless.^vii Though people can tame all sorts of wild animals nobody is able to tame the tongue. We use it both to praise God and to curse our fellow man.^viii

9. Free from vice or moral turpitude. Titus 1.

Nice, but just like freedom from sin and moral defilement Jesus Christ is the only one.

Because even our best efforts to purify ourselves fall short of God's standard we need to rely on faith in Jesus Christ who lived without sin, died for us and was raised on the third day so that we can be put right with God through faith in Him.

I have referred to several English translations of the Bible in writing this which is made easy by e-sword, a free downloadable program. For further information I recommend reading the Bible.

© Ken Glasgow 2010

This page was written using Open Office 3, open source software from the www.openoffice.org this software is available to download for free.

iMatthew's Gospel chapter 5 verse 8, “God's Word” translation of the Bible.

iiAlbert Barnes notes on the Bible, & Jamieson Fausset & Brown commentary.

iiiAlbert Barnes notes on the Bible.

ivJohn Gill's exposition of the entire Bible.

vMatthew's Gospel chapter 23 verses 23-36.

viMark's Gospel chapter 7 verses 5-13

viiThe letter of James chapter 1 verse 26

viiiThe letter of James chapter 3 verses 7-10.