This is Christianity?

Dateline: Africa – Subtle and not-so-subtle issues tear at the very fabric of Christianity in much of Africa, according to portions of an April report by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and printed in the June 2010 issue of Christianity Today magazine.**  While many within various nations in Africa consider themselves Christians, some of their beliefs are contrary to the teachings of Christ, so they continue practices leading to poverty, epidemics, and even bloodshed.  Some examples follow:

Liberia – Long plagued by civil war, more Christians than Muslims believe defending religion with violence against civilians is justified.

Cameroon – Many Christians associate Islam with tolerance, want to see it have more influence in their nation, and believe Christianity is not the only religion leading to eternal life.

Nigeria – Despite tens of thousands dying recently in religious-based violence, among African Christians polled, here they are least likely to be concerned about religious extremism or to consider Muslims violent.

Chad – Almost half the Christians in this nation practice polygamy, with high relative percentages in support of extramarital sex and prostitution.

This is not a call to judge our brothers and sisters, but to pray for them; however, let it be more than a “bless them” kind of prayer.  Please pray by His Spirit, and ask for these nations as our inheritance.

Pray in faith for our fellow believers:

• for an ever-increasing hunger for the fullness of Truth in the Word of God

• that they will have access to the Word of God

• that they will allow the Word to penetrate their hearts, change their minds, their attitudes, and their actions

• that Christ, not just another religion, will be seen in their lives

**Download the available .pdf to see it more clearly.