{"id":5908,"date":"2015-10-07T09:04:18","date_gmt":"2015-10-07T13:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/?p=5908"},"modified":"2015-10-07T09:18:00","modified_gmt":"2015-10-07T13:18:00","slug":"5908","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/?p=5908","title":{"rendered":"World News Briefs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Missions-Catalyst-no-tagline_large\"<\/a>\"IDOP<\/a>More than 100 million Christians face daily persecution for their faith. Will you pray for them on November 1 and 8, 2015?<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

In This Issue: Praying for the Persecuted<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. SYRIA: Christian Workers Persevere, Receive Crown<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. INDIA: Pastor Beaten Unconscious<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. CENTRAL ASIA: 21st Century Media Strategies<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. WORLD: Genuine Concern or Misleading Skepticism about the Syrian Refugee Crisis?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Greetings,<\/p>\n

    Christian persecution is getting some mainstream news coverage, lately. The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church<\/a> less than one month away, but you still have time to prepare. You might start by downloading Open Doors\u2019 latest annual report on Christian persecution, The World Watch List<\/a>. See also the new Paper.li publication World Evangelical Alliance\u2019s Religious Liberty Commission is using to curate news of the persecuted church around the world<\/a>. If you like apps, search your store for WEA RLC to get the news on your mobile device.<\/p>\n

    I recently had a conversation with someone about homophobia. Very early into the conversation I realized we were working with different definitions. I suggested the element of fear was required (hence phobia) but he thought it meant anyone against homosexuality. I said this would make them anti-homosexual, not homophobic.<\/p>\n

    That conversation, though, along with the recent shootings in Oregon, got me thinking about when and why Christians are persecuted. Would it be helpful to talk about Christophobia? Let me know<\/a> if you think the concept is helpful.<\/p>\n

    Do the following stories have something in common? A fear of Christianity? Can you suggest helpful ways to respond?<\/p>\n