Swarens: A little perspective, please, on Christian 'persecution' and RFRA
Early morning, April 2, Muslim terrorists invaded the campus of Garissa University in eastern Kenya. They came with one intent, to kill Christians.
A group of students who had gathered for a prayer service were the first to die. The terrorists then swept through the school, separating students by their faith — Muslims were released, Christians were executed. By the time the assault ended, at least 148 people had been murdered.
A week later, Kenya was still in mourning when my wife and I, along with a good friend, landed in Nairobi as representatives of a Christian organization that works to prevent child sex trafficking. (The East African nation has emerged as a hub for human trafficking in recent years, and, according to a new Kenyan government report, girls as young as 10 are sold to tourists for sex in the port city of Mombasa. The going rate for a child is $600.)
Over the course of several days, we lived, and "praised God in an African way," with Kenyan believers who not only face the threat of real persecution but also endure great physical hardships.
At the home where we stayed, a refuge for 19 vulnerable girls, the children walk 90 minutes to and from school each day, and an hour to church on Sunday. This winter, the girls — and the remarkable 25-year-old "house mom" who tirelessly serves them — lived without running water for two months. That fact was mentioned casually one day as we walked along a dirt road and passed by the ditch that served as their source of water. "We prayed that no one would get sick," the house mom told us.
I've witnessed similar scenes and met similar people in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean over the years. They're always inspiring, challenging, convicting — at least for this fat and comfortable American.
And there's always a reverse culture shock in returning to the United States. Where many Christians continue to speak earnestly and loudly about their perceived hardships and persecution.
On Monday afternoon, thoughts of Kenya and its people crept into my mind as I stood in the Statehouse listening to pastors proclaim that Christians are under assault in Indiana because Gov. Mike Pence and Republican legislators bowed to pressure to "fix" Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Ron Johnson Jr., executive director of the Indiana Pastors Alliance, even went so far as to say that, "We are at a Bonhoeffer moment." (Inspired by his faith, Dietrich Bonhoeffer stood courageously against Nazi barbarism for years; imprisoned and later sent to Buchenwald, he was executed 70 years ago this month.)
Pastor, with all respect, let's get a grip — and some perspective.
Today, Christians are dying for their faith, as Bonhoeffer did, in Kenya, Libya, Egypt, Nigeria and Pakistan. Persecution is undeniably on the rise in many places in the world.
But American Christians who confuse political losses, consequences of the democratic and legislative process, with true persecution dilute the meaning of the word.
And undermine the witness of those who stand firm in the face of evil.
Contact Swarens at tim.swarens@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @tswarens.
