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Rev. Paul Estabrooks weighs in on the World Watch List of 50 countries that are the worst persecutors of Christians.
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-- backed a spirited debate well it is the usual suspects plus a few additions.
This week he watchdog organization open doors international released its 2013 list of fifty countries the top fifty countries who are the worst persecutor of Christians.
North Korea tops a list with Saudi Arabia Afghanistan Iraq and Somalia rounding out the top five.
Here with more is he reverend Paul east of Brooks the -- -- four and missionary for open doors who joins me now from Toronto Canada welcome.
Good afternoon and this -- comes at every year the report points out that there's been a sharp rise in persecution of Christians in African countries in particular why is that.
Well part of it is because the Arab Spring which many Christians so cold here and winter because there was a tremendous hole.
Two years ago and the Arab Spring began.
And a -- democracies they wanted -- -- -- been in and added that one of the challenges of releases the whole concept of democracy.
Their concept -- strictly maturity rule whereas we understand it in in our western countries.
-- also look protection of minorities and their protection.
Is missing in the Arab democracy that's been Phillips in -- North African country -- so.
Christians have actually felt that there's been a regression in the opportunities they have -- -- open.
In worshipping and serving ruler in their country.
Interstate you know what I -- -- the sharpest rises is -- Ethiopia have that rose from number 38 number fifth.
-- what is happening in Ethiopia.
Pulled the challenges in the eastern part of Africa it relates to its proximity to Somalia.
Somalia has them spirited extremist group -- culture club.
That.
Are attempting to eliminate every Christian in the country that's -- -- -- later and it they're active sponsors and it.
And Ethiopia.
Along the eastern borders there of those countries and creating incredible challenges or questions there.
The other challenge in Ethiopia is Christians persecuting Christians but one -- -- the young people from the orthodox church of Ethiopia.
Desire to have a more vibrant.
-- Sunday.
And then go to an evangelical church for example they they received considerable persecution from those who are in authority of the old church which -- -- An interesting interesting in North Korea it tops the list continually.
And yet we don't hear a lot about what's going on in North Korea and so for.
A lot of people when they hear North Korea on the top of the -- they think my goodness -- -- be more than you know Iraq and Syria and he's almost was as we hear about.
What is going on in North Korea and why don't we hear more about it and because it is -- it's on the top of the list obviously.
So there must be something very very.
-- going on there.
On the couple exploring for eleven years.
Straight running them considerably more than position number two so.
They they merit status almost the world.
-- it it started years and years ago with both the -- on movement after world -- true.
And he's a Demi god who attempts to rule the country about what a strong -- -- -- Kim Jong-Il who just died last year.
If it was his successor now his grandson condone what he is in power.
Then that nothing has changed.
One of the things that I learned on my visit there -- two years ago was that they still consider America.
As the number one enemy of their country.
And they perceive that christianity.
Is America's religion they're -- they don't want any of that in their country in the course -- What happened in Eastern Europe twenty years ago as well where Christians have a tremendous impact then what happened there.
And so they actually put stride or any kind of religious activities -- other people now when you go look forward as I did.
You get to Google and open church that's beautiful they put on a show like you've never seen -- -- -- -- -- Korea.
And the beautiful music and wonderful church building but it's all -- because for their own people they are not allowed have a Bible that are not allowed to meet together.
They're not allowed to have any kind of -- Christian activity at all in the country.
There are at least 50000.
Christians today in labor camps in North Korea just because they are question.
I'll -- that's one of most horrendous things.
What's happening there.
You know I don't question that's come -- from the chat.
That -- -- -- very interesting question is the USA on the list and if so where they fall.
It is and certainly does the US is the USA is the United States of America all that list anywhere.
No no the list only takes the top fifty countries of the world.
Send us over the US would would be the last country on the -- update any list that was made.
Religious persecution.
Yeah and distinct and -- -- last question because you China has actually continues to drop on the list which is interesting too because we think about.
China is being a major persecutor percent of you say it's actually dropping -- -- Well that's the good news story of this year's -- -- -- -- unfortunately these are not great stories that we have -- sure about how persecution is increasing around the world but William.
North Africa and African countries and in the Middle East -- Syria but.
But China is a great good news story and it is.
Five years ago you were to a -- -- -- -- China was in the top ten of persecuting countries.
And it dropped to eleven and throughout the 21 and now it down to 37 Bob.
Amazing amazing that with -- or doesn't mean there's no persecution frankly -- -- -- throughout the country.
Individual.
Incidences that we still report.
There are at least -- hundred Christians increasing further based in China still.
But the attitude of the government seems to be changing significantly.
And what he's seeing.
Yeah I think you so much for being here wonderful -- could probably check it out on open doors.
Dot or is open to open doors dot -- They've got Oregon and -- world watch list.
You're an annual rate you can centered -- you.
And the information about -- -- on their watch what I'll watch list.
On the website thank you so much out of reverend Paul he's the -- with open -- thank you so much.
Could it.
