LONDON – The Thomson Reuters Foundation presented its annual Stop Slavery Award to a company that has been previously criticized for partnering with offshore suppliers who employed underage workers and used employment tactics that fall under the definition of slavery and human trafficking. The award was presented to tech giant Apple, not because of the… Continue reading Apple Receives Thomson Reuters Annual Stop Slavery Award
Tag: Social Injustice Definition
Social Injustice Definition
Humanitarian aid has generally clothed itself in the mantle of so-called social justice. The world has bought into the concept that, while human rights refers to equal opportunity, social justice refers to equal outcome and social injustice means unequal outcome.
The world’s idea of social justice is typically understood in terms of government-mandated redistribution of wealth and resources. This is why so many governmental and non-governmental agencies seek complete eradication of poverty, disease, and injustice.
This popular view of social justice actually propagates social injustices.
The Bible tells us that we will never eradicate poverty. (See Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7, and John 12:8). It is also clear that diseases will continue as part of the curse of sin and describes diseases and plagues to come during the future Time of Jacob’s Trouble.
Which leads us to the Biblical perspective of social justice.
Our Christian mandate is not to eliminate disparities in society. It is to identify those disparities, then to minister with compassion and conviction to those in need on an individual basis.
James 1:27 explains that,
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
We know that the Word of God is the truth. Jesus asked the Father to “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) There is, therefore, no debate over what we are to hold fast to. It is God’s Word that is the “lamp to my feet and the light to my path” that we should follow.
Hope for Asia in the War on Drugs
KOLKATA – The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) released a 138-page report on October 21, 2018, entitled, “Taking stock: A decade of drug policy.” The report used data supplied by the United Nations compiled to evaluate its progress of its 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action on Drugs. The news on drugs is not… Continue reading Hope for Asia in the War on Drugs
The Erdogan Enigma
NEW YORK – Recep Erdogan is the President of Turkey, one of the most complex nations in the world at the moment. His economy is crumbling, he is responsible for holding a North Carolina pastor in jail on bogus charges of attempting to overthrow the Turkish government, and he has made it clear that he… Continue reading The Erdogan Enigma
Pakistan Expels 18 Foreign Aid Groups
ISLAMABAD – The Interior Ministry of Pakistan has given 18 international foreign aid groups 60 days to shut down their operations and leave the country. All 18 agencies had filed appeals in response to an earlier notice from the IM. The first agency to report the news was ActionAid, a Johannesburg-based, international that aims to… Continue reading Pakistan Expels 18 Foreign Aid Groups
Good News from Sudan!
SUDAN – Good news is getting hard to find. It just doesn’t seem to be sensational enough to make compelling headlines. Missions Box News is seeking to change that by reporting the good news that Christians should know. Some exceptionally good news has come out of Sudan over the last several days. Sudan is currently… Continue reading Good News from Sudan!
Simple Story of Village Reconciliation Offers ‘Pathway to Peace’ for Divided World
GFA (Gospel for Asia) shares example of reconciliation to mark International Day of Peace and inspire more peacemakers to prayer and action WILLS POINT, Texas—As political and religious divisions widen and deepen around the world, GFA (Gospel for Asia) hopes that a simple story of reconciliation and forgiveness will inspire more people to pray and… Continue reading Simple Story of Village Reconciliation Offers ‘Pathway to Peace’ for Divided World
The Statement on Social Justice & the Gospel
LOS ANGELES – Last week, more than 3,000 evangelical Christians and churches became signatories along with Dr. John MacArthur to The Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel. The statement grew out of a series of messages by Dr. MacArthur in which he named the growth of “social justice” as a leading threat to the… Continue reading The Statement on Social Justice & the Gospel
“Churches’ Indispensable Role” in India Evident After Kerala Flooding
CHENNAI – Vijay Jayaraj holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of East Anglia in Great Britain. He is a native of India and a resident of Chennai. In a recent op-ed to published by the Christian Post, he lauded the immediate and substantial aid by Christians following the Kerala… Continue reading “Churches’ Indispensable Role” in India Evident After Kerala Flooding
“Lack of Religious Freedom Anywhere Is a Threat Everywhere”
WASHINGTON, DC – Sam Brownback, the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom open the first meeting of a three-day Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom conference in Washington DC sponsored by the U.S. State Department. In his opening speech on 24 July, he said, ‘ The lack of religious freedom anywhere is a threat everywhere.” His… Continue reading “Lack of Religious Freedom Anywhere Is a Threat Everywhere”
The Nations Are Coming to Us
I travel at least once a month between where I live and where my parents live. Every once in a while, as I wait in airports, I see people who are foreigners and do not know the God who loves them. It really breaks my heart, because according to God’s Word, they’re heading to hell… Continue reading The Nations Are Coming to Us
55,000 Displaced Syrian Children Are in Danger
DAMASCUS – Hundreds of thousands of innocent people have been killed in the seven-year-long Syrian Civil War. An estimated 11 million people have been displaced from their homes, creating one of the greatest refugee crises in history. Over 270,000 people have fled to southern Syria during the month of July. The single largest displacement of… Continue reading 55,000 Displaced Syrian Children Are in Danger
Freedom of Religion Endangered by New Law in Laos
VIENTIANE – The constitution of the nation of Laos guarantees its citizens freedom of religion. Specifically, it recognizes their “right and freedom to believe or not to believe in religion.” In addition, Laos is “a state party” to the seven core international human rights treaties under which they are obligated to “respect, protect, and fulfill… Continue reading Freedom of Religion Endangered by New Law in Laos
New Manual for Faith-Sensitive Approach by FBOs Excludes Proselytizing
GENEVA – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) have collaborated to publish a new manual of guidelines for a “faith-sensitive approach” by faith-based organizations (FBOs). The 88-page document outlines guidelines by the UN-affiliated Inter-Agency Standing Committee for acceptable approaches for FBOs offering humanitarian responses to people in need around the globe.… Continue reading New Manual for Faith-Sensitive Approach by FBOs Excludes Proselytizing
Nigeria – Conquering Polio, Playing in World Cup, But Coming Apart at the Seams
ABUJA – The country of Nigeria is an enigma. While, on the one hand, the Nigerian Minister of Health announced today that the country’s efforts to eliminate polio within its borders “are beginning to yield results, considering the fact that we have spent 18 months without a case of poliovirus,” the country stands at the… Continue reading Nigeria – Conquering Polio, Playing in World Cup, But Coming Apart at the Seams
Need for Aid Increasing in Myanmar
YANGON – Life goes on as normal for Christians and Muslims in Myanmar, just as life goes on as normal for Christians and Muslims in America. Normal is the operative word because what is normal for them is at the extreme opposite of what normal is for us. We often refer to normal as “the… Continue reading Need for Aid Increasing in Myanmar
Death Penalty Now Mandatory for Apostasy in Mauritania
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania – On 27 April 2018, The National Assembly of Mauritania passed a law that makes the death penalty mandatory for anyone convicted of “blasphemous speech” and acts deemed “sacrilegious.” Human rights experts from the UN, the African Commission of Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), and more than 20 NGOs have called upon the… Continue reading Death Penalty Now Mandatory for Apostasy in Mauritania
Texas Senator Ted Cruz to Address Capitol Hill Policy Day
WASHINGTON, DC – Texas Senator Ted Cruz heads the lineup of speakers and panelists featured at the Capitol Hill Policy Day at the Capitol Visitor Center on June 5, 2018. The conference, sponsored by International Christian Concern, will focus on “the crisis of violence in Nigeria brought about by both Boko Haram and Fulani militants.”… Continue reading Texas Senator Ted Cruz to Address Capitol Hill Policy Day
Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins Appointed to USCIRF
WASHINGTON, DC – Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council and anchor of the daily radio broadcast Washington Watch, has been appointed to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) upon the recommendation of Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The appointment was announced on Monday, May 14, 2018. Perkins earned a BS… Continue reading Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins Appointed to USCIRF
U.S. Embassy Opens in Jerusalem – The World Reacts
JERUSALEM – News channels around the globe carried live coverage of the official opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, May 14, 2018. Although the move of the embassy operations is intended to be permanent, the embassy will temporarily use the U.S. Consulate building until another location can be built or acquired and… Continue reading U.S. Embassy Opens in Jerusalem – The World Reacts
Scandals of Poverty: Seeing the Poor Through Jesus’ Eyes
“Blessed is he who considers the poor.” – Psalm 40:17 Wills Point, Texas – GFA (Gospel for Asia) – Discussing the scandals of poverty. Nearly everything about poverty is scandalous. The United Nations Millennium Goals include the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. Faith-based organizations and other NGO’s, major businesses, and UN member states have… Continue reading Scandals of Poverty: Seeing the Poor Through Jesus’ Eyes
The Rising Challenge of Stateless Children
WILLS POINT, Texas – It is no secret that the world is rife with problems ranging from terrorism and wars to hunger and health issues. Many of these and other problems spawn floods of refugees seeking safe harbor from potential harm. Many would consider making a successful journey to a safer place a success. However,… Continue reading The Rising Challenge of Stateless Children
Seeking Justice and Defending Human Rights Wherever Poverty and Oppression Exist
Gospel for Asia (GFA World) Special Report on the worldwide issue of extreme poverty Written by Palmer Holt of InChrist Communications More than 80 years after George Orwell wrote in his classic Animal Farm that “all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others,” his barbed observation on disparity rings ever truer for… Continue reading Seeking Justice and Defending Human Rights Wherever Poverty and Oppression Exist
Baptist Pastors Among 8,500 Prisoners Granted Amnesty in Myanmar
YANGON, Myanmar – The President of Myanmar granted amnesty to more than 8,500 people incarcerated in prisons around the county. The action was, in part, associated with an annual tradition in celebration of the Myanmar New Year. Among those being released are 51 foreigners, eight political detainees, and two Baptist pastors. The two pastors, Dumdaw… Continue reading Baptist Pastors Among 8,500 Prisoners Granted Amnesty in Myanmar
International Christian Concern Helps Egyptian Widower Rebuild His Life
ALEXANDRIA – A terrorist attack on two Coptic Christian churches on Palm Sunday 2017 left more than 40 people dead and 125 injured. It also made several men, women, and children widows, widowers, and orphans. One of the deceased was Hanan Dreas, a wife and mother of two children ages six and 10. Her husband,… Continue reading International Christian Concern Helps Egyptian Widower Rebuild His Life
Turkish Prosecutor Demands American Pastor Gets Life in Prison
American pastor Andrew Brunson has been in prison for 18 months in Turkey, accused of ties to an American terrorist. Pastor Brunson had been in Turkey for 20 years before his arrest, in which he was charged with plotting with terrorists for a coup, according to Fox News. He’s also been accused of helping a Kurdish… Continue reading Turkish Prosecutor Demands American Pastor Gets Life in Prison
Instances of Child Marriage Down in India, Up in Sub-Shaharan Africa
WILLS POINT, Texas – “Child marriage is one of the most worrisome problems in Asia. Boys and especially girls, who are supposed to play, learn and live a free life are married off at a very young age, and this not only affects their freedom but also takes a severe physical and mental toll on… Continue reading Instances of Child Marriage Down in India, Up in Sub-Shaharan Africa
NGOs Present Proposal to UN on Religious Freedom in Malaysia
GENEVA – A group of five NGOs met with UN officials on 06 March to discuss the recent case of four Malaysian Christians requesting changes on their national identity cards. The federal court in Sarawak refused to rule on their appeal on 26 February (see “Malaysia High Court Dismisses Christians’ Appeal”). The meeting took place… Continue reading NGOs Present Proposal to UN on Religious Freedom in Malaysia
EU Parliament Grants Pakistan Special Trade Status Despite Human Rights Warnings
BRUSSELS – The European Parliament warned Pakistan last week that the renewal of its favored status trade deal would be dependent upon the government’s release of a woman, Asia Bibi, who has been held on death row on a blasphemy case since 2010. Prior to adjournment, however, the parliament voted to continue to extend economic… Continue reading EU Parliament Grants Pakistan Special Trade Status Despite Human Rights Warnings
Gospel for Asia Observes World Day of Social Justice
WILLS POINT, Texas – Gospel for Asia (GFA) is drawing attention to the United Nations’ 11th Annual World Day of Social Justice (WDOSJ) during February, 2018 by producing a Special Report: Seeking Justice and Defending Human Rights Wherever Poverty and Oppression Exist. The theme of the WDOSJ this year is “Workers on the Move: The… Continue reading Gospel for Asia Observes World Day of Social Justice
Tragedy in Mozambique
HULENE, MAPUTO, Mozambique – At least 17 people died, and numerous others are missing following the collapse of garbage landfill in Mozambique. Many of the dead had been residing in a slum village at the lower perimeter of the garbage pile that is three-stories tall. Early reports include accounts of failed attempts to close the… Continue reading Tragedy in Mozambique
IJM and Local Officials Free 15 from Slavery in Chennai
CHENNAI, INDIA – They work in brick kilns, quarries, fisheries, fields, forests, and factories. They look like any other laborers. But they are different. They are slave labor. According to an International Justice Mission (IJM) Fact Sheet, 40.3 million people are held as forced-labor slaves around the world. Twenty-five percent are children. Nearly half of… Continue reading IJM and Local Officials Free 15 from Slavery in Chennai
300 Child Soldiers Released in South Sudan
On Feb. 7, more than 300 children in South Sudan were released from being child soldiers. Al Jazeera news network reports, “The 311 children, including 87 girls, will now begin reintegrating into their communities, the UN mission in the country (UNMISS) said in a statement on Wednesday.” These children lost their innocence at a very… Continue reading 300 Child Soldiers Released in South Sudan
Sudanese Pastors Remain Homeless
Sudan is ranked as one of the top five countries in which Christians face the most significant persecution. The war-torn country has been named “A Country of Particular Concern” by the U.S. State Department since 1999 due to the persecution of Christians and widespread human rights issues. After South Sudan seceded in 2011 after one… Continue reading Sudanese Pastors Remain Homeless
[UPDATE] Brownback Confirmed as U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON – Earlier this month, we reported that confirmation of President Trumps nominee for the position of U.S. Ambassador-at-Large, Kansas governor, Sam Brownback had been stalled in the Senate. The president had nominated Brownback in July 2017. The nomination expired when Congress adjourned for the holidays without voting on the matter. President Trump resubmitted Brownback’s… Continue reading [UPDATE] Brownback Confirmed as U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
Bolivia’s Article 88.11 May Curb Evangelism
LA PAZ, Bolivia – The National Association of Evangelicals in Bolivia (NAEB) has formed a National Energy Commission in response to the inclusion of Article 88.11 in the country’s new Penal Code. “Whoever recruits, transports, deprives of freedom or hosts people with the aim of recruiting them to take part in armed conflicts or religious… Continue reading Bolivia’s Article 88.11 May Curb Evangelism
France Takes in Libyan Migrants
On Dec. 19, the first refugees from Libya arrived in Paris after France made a declaration to help those caught in a present-day slave trade. CNN reported that the French government “stepped up its fight against slavery as the first group of refugees rescued from Libya touched down Tuesday in Paris from Niger.” France is… Continue reading France Takes in Libyan Migrants
Indonesia’s Christmas Gifts for Christians
JAKARTA, Indonesia – The Indonesian government extended protection for Christians throughout the country and reduced jail sentences for Christians currently confined in penal institutions. Over 180,000 officers were deployed by the National Police and Indonesian Military (TNI) to protect Christians as they gathered to celebrate the birth of Christ. Reports indicate that believers were able… Continue reading Indonesia’s Christmas Gifts for Christians
Prayers Interrupted by Mob in India
A Hindu woman, Anita Masih, traveling to Delhi with six other Christians, stopped in Mathura at the request of her sister Valmiki. She had asked the group to pause on their journey to come to her home to pray for her sick husband. While the Valmiki was gathering water for her guests, a mob of… Continue reading Prayers Interrupted by Mob in India
United Nations Investigates Rohingya Treatment
The United Nations is doing an investigation to see whether the treatment of the Rohingya amounts to human rights violations. Per CNN, “Tens of thousands of members of Myanmar’s Muslim minority have left in this fashion, and their treatment may amount to ‘crimes against humanity,’ warns UN Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee.” About 70,000 people have… Continue reading United Nations Investigates Rohingya Treatment
Chinese Persecution of Religious Groups Getting Worse
Photo by TonySKTO President Xi Jinping came to power in China late 2012. In this time, religious persecution has increased. Per CNN, “Since President Xi Jinping came to power in late 2012, Freedom House said, the scale of religious oppression has increased at all levels of society, despite widespread resistance from believers of all stripes.”… Continue reading Chinese Persecution of Religious Groups Getting Worse
Rohingya Hungry and Mistreated
Photo by Samoano One child named Rosmaida Bibi was born in a Rohingya refugee camp. She is malnourished and hasn’t grown like most children her age do. Per Fox News, “Ever since she was born in this squalid camp for displaced members of Myanmar’s ethnic Rohingya minority, Rosmaida Bibi has struggled to do something most… Continue reading Rohingya Hungry and Mistreated
European Union’s Libya Migrant Policy
There has been resistance in Italy to migrants trying to enter the country from Libya, despite pressure from the European Union to allow those migrants to enter the country. Part of the reason Italy doesn’t want to allow Libyan migrants to enter the country, is to keep smugglers from coming in. Per Fox News, “Italy… Continue reading European Union’s Libya Migrant Policy
Migrants in Libya Being Sold into Slavery
Photo by Roberdan Migrants who are trying to reach Europe are caught and sold into slavery in Libya. Per The Guardian, “The north African nation is a major exit point for refugees from Africa trying to take boats to Europe. But since the overthrow of autocratic leader Muammar Gaddafi, the vast, sparsely populated country has… Continue reading Migrants in Libya Being Sold into Slavery
Fire at Guatemalan Children’s Home
Photo by Willyman In March, a children’s shelter in Guatemala’s capital was set on fire during a riot. Per BBC, “Guatemalan media report that the riot erupted as a result of alleged sexual abuse by staff and frustration with the poor conditions.” While they were rioting, mattresses in the home caught fire. The Guardian reports,… Continue reading Fire at Guatemalan Children’s Home
Sudan pastors put on trial by Islamic-oriented government
Two Presbyterian pastors are on trial in the Republic of the Sudan on charges of waging war against the state, espionage, and undermining Sudan’s constitutional system. Each faces the death penalty if convicted. Sudan is holding two others, Czech aid worker Petr Jasek and Darfuri human rights activist Abduelmoneim Abdulmawla, on charges… Continue reading Sudan pastors put on trial by Islamic-oriented government
Turkey detains thousands of citizens after failed coup attempt
Turkey’s federal government has detained nearly 80,000 military, police and civil service employees after a failed coup attempt this summer that resulted in more than 270 deaths and the shutdown of more than 130 news outlets. The purge, ordered by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, included military, media, education and justice sectors, as reported by The… Continue reading Turkey detains thousands of citizens after failed coup attempt
Atrocities mount against India’s Dalits
The 167 million “untouchable’ Dalits of India continue to face widespread abuse and discrimination with little hope for their human rights, according to the Dalit Network. This abuse and neglect has happened for 3,000 years as the rest of India view them “only to be slaves, to be broken and crushed.” In Chandigarh, a 21-year-old… Continue reading Atrocities mount against India’s Dalits
Quote of the day
“Right now there is another group of people, 250 million strong, for whom the door of opportunity is wide open. Slaves in their own nation of India for 3,000 years, Dalits (“Untouchables”) have been segregated, oppressed and denied basic human rights such as health care, education and access to safe drinking water – all because… Continue reading Quote of the day
Chinese Central Government Orders Arrest of Pastors and Destruction of Churches
China’s President Xi Jinping has ramped up the persecution of Christian pastors and lay leaders while removing crosses and even destroying church buildings that the state had sanctioned. Pastor Joseph Gu Yuese from the Zhejiang province was leading a 10,000 member state-approved church when the government recently jailed him on embezzlement charges. The pastor had… Continue reading Chinese Central Government Orders Arrest of Pastors and Destruction of Churches