Persecution And Church's Response To World Poverty

Question 1

what is persecution?

Answer 1

• estimate that 80% of all acts of religious discrimination oday are aimed at christians
• persecution in countries like north korea, somalia, iraq and syria
  persecution may involve:
• forced to pay extra tax
• job discrimination
• cant build churches
• attacks and murder of christians

Question 2

What do Christians believe about persecution?

Answer 2

• Not all persecution has a totally negative effect. It may also help Christians to develop their faith and strengthen their convictions as believers,
• When their beliefs are challenged Christians have to decide whether or not to be fully committed to their faith
• Whether faced with verbal of physical abuse, Christians are still encouraged to show love (“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with Good”)

Question 3

What do the Christian Solidarity Worldwide do?

Answer 3

Campaigns for religious freedom by:
1 Documenting and raising awareness.
2 influencing government who affect oppressed.
3 Offering training in human rights’ law
4 Helping oppressed speak up.

Question 4

How do the Barnabas Fund help persecution?

Answer 4

Sends financial support to projects that help Christians suffering from discrimination, oppression and persecution because of their faith.

Question 5

Why should Christians respond to the problem of World Poverty?

Answer 5

• To follow the teaching and example of Jesus in working to relieve poverty. Jesus told a rich man to sell everything and give to poor.
• Christians believe that they should present Jesus to the world through helping the disadvantaged.
• The Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches the importance of caring for others
• Jesus often cared for and helped those outcasted like lepers and the mentally ill.
• parable of the rich man and lazarus shows that rich man goes to hell for ignoring a beggar

Question 6

What is Christian Aid?

Answer 6

• Christian aid is the official relief and development agency for 41 church denominations in Britain and Ireland. Begun in 1945
• they aim to encourage sustainable development
• supplies emergency aid
• provide long term aid to help communities become self - reliant
• supported through donations, events and prayer
• stop poverty and provide emergency relief in Africa, Asia, the middle east, south America and Caribbean

Question 7

What is the Tear Fund?

Answer 7

• A organisation called the evangelical alliance launched Tear fund - known at first as the evangelical alliance relief fund. - - Across the UK, churches donate, hold fundraising events , pray and raise awareness to make possible the work of Tear fund.
• Tear fund works closely with local churches to enable the world’s poorest people to work themselves out of crushing poverty.
• works with 90,000 churches worldwide to help lift people out of poverty
• emergency aid after conflcts and natural disasters
• campaigns to end poverty

Question 8

What is CAFOD?

Answer 8

An official aid agency. Brings hope and compassion to all faiths and non in poor communities in Africa, Asia, the Middle east and south America. Catholic Church believes that action needs to be taken to remedy the injustice of people suffering while others have so much.
They increase access to clean water and education and healthcare. It helps those who have lost everything rebuild their lives.
- works with local organisations to train, supply and support communities to work way out of poverty
- gives short term aid
- lobbies uk goverment for decisions that respect the poorest
- encourages catholic schools to pray, campaign, give money and campaign for justice