May. 15, 2014 | Uzbekistan
Pray for Families Fined for Illegal Religious Activities
Four believers were fined in late April after being caught holding unregistered religious services. Authorities had previously confiscated property, including a car, vacuum cleaner and other household items, from the Christians’ families because they had refused to pay fines received in 2012 for the same offense. Uzbek authorities stated that the two families will have to pay the fines if they expect their property to be returned. Unregistered religious activities are illegal in Uzbekistan, and offenders are frequently fined several months’ wages.
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Living On Tilt 
This is just one account of Christians being persecuted for their faith around the world. Let’s hope we stand up and prevent the same thing from happening here.
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How true. In fact, the constitution of Uzbekistan states that their government is secular. Our constitution says no such thing, but the administration’s policies make it very clear that their values derive from a purely secular worldview. What we call persecution in Uzbekistan is not much different from the US government requirements to act and pay for acts contrary to Christian conscience.
In Uzbekistan people suffer for worshiping or praying with friends in unauthorized locations under unauthorized leadership. It is okay to worship in a registered building under a licensed pastor in a church that has turned in your name to the government. Don’t, however, have the temerity to gather with friends in their home, open your Bibles on your own, and pray in a group without permission, especially not with children present.
The government of the US extends conscience exemptions to people who work for a church certified as 501(c)3, as employees in support of worship or church education. Other Christians who are so bold as to live according to conscience in other settings are subject to heavy fines for non-compliance with the government rules.
Both of these countries tolerate religion inside a building. Neither of them wants religion to come out and freely roam the streets.
US experience is very, very similar to the experience of Christians in secular Uzbekistan.
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