Author:
Publication: Baptist Fire
Date: May 20, 2000
URL: http://www.baptistfire.com/articles/other/mexico.shtml
Many Bible believing Christians
in the United States are often shocked and puzzled when they hear tales
of persecution in neighboring Mexico. After all, Mexico is a big trade
partner and borders on the freest country in the world. Is it really true
that Bible believing Christians are being persecuted for their faith just
beyond the U.S. border?
Yes, it's really true. As is the
case in many countries where the overwhelming majority of the population
is Roman Catholic, Christians in Mexico who hold to the Bible alone on
matters of faith and who refuse to pray to Mary are often tortured for
their faith. Many are killed. History tells us this was a common practice
during the Middle Ages when Rome controlled most of Europe. Most people,
however, are unaware that persecution is still common today.
While "officially" Mexico claims
to stand for freedom of religion, in practice such is not the case. Most
of the torture and killing is not officially sanctioned by the Mexican
government but is rather done at the local level, by local villagers. The
perpetrators of these crimes against Christians are rarely arrested and
prosecuted. Local officials, if not involved themselves, turn a blind eye
when Christians are run out of their homes, turn up missing, or get their
limbs hacked off with machetes.
But why physically attack someone
for their faith you say? Because the Lord is moving mightily among the
Mexican people! Thousands are being saved. The Roman Catholic institution
is losing influence. Pope John Paul II himself, upon his recent trip to
Mexico, urged the Mexican people to "vigorously defend their faith" against
Protestants.
"Vigorously defend their faith"?
"Surely, he doesn't mean violence," you say. Perhaps not. But why didn't
he call for an end to the violence, which has been well reported in the
media? Why didn't he issue a call to "non-violently defend their faith"?
We've long heard that Pope John Paul II says one thing in countries with
majority Catholic populations, and another in non-Catholic countries. It's
worth noting that he issued no such call to "defend the faith" to Catholics
in the United States.
But would a Pope really tolerate
violence to maintain a strong influence in a country? If you don't think
so, then you need to brush up on your history. It's been done before. Is
it being done now? Are we crazy? Before you decide, make sure you read
the news links below.
BaptistFire urges believers in the
United States to do three things:
1) Pray, pray, pray for Mexico!
This country is right on our border, and is spiritually in the dark ages.
2) Support missionaries and evangelists
who work in Mexico.
3) Consider going on a mission trip
to Mexico yourself. Get to know the situation firsthand. American churches
get rightfully excited about mission trips to Africa and Russia. Yes, we
need to spread the gospel around the world! But Mexico is right on our
doorstep, and the need is great. Let's not forgot about our close neighbor.
Don't forget: Pray for Mexico.
[BaptistFire editor's note update
- March 04, 2000: Since we first issued this special report, Pope John
Paul II has visited both India and Egypt. Religious-based tensions exist
in both countries but especially in India as Roman Catholics aggressively
attempt to convert the native Hindu population. During both visits, the
Pope issued calls to stop the violence. In India he even went so far to
say that the right to convert to another religion was a "basic human right."
We are thankful for Pope John Paul
II's denunciation of violence. However, we found it odd that during his
popular visit to Mexico he did not issue a similar call to end religious-based
violence. Rather, he told the Mexican people to "vigorously defend their
faith" against Protestants.
Since we don't know the Pope's intentions
we cannot speak with certainty. The timing and location of his carefully
worded speeches, however, sent out a message loud and clear -- if you want
to convert to Catholicism, you have a "basic human right." If you want
to convert from Catholicism, you're on your own.]
