Letter urges genocide designation in Myanmar
Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear joined a coalition of leaders asking U.S. officials to label persecution in Myanmar “genocide.” In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, more than 70 humanitarian and faith leaders said Myanmar’s military-led campaign against Rohingya Muslims and other religious minorities qualifies as genocide and “crimes against humanity.” The group wrote, “We urgently encourage you to take immediate action by articulating a moral, political, and policy designation respecting the dignity and safety of victimized Burmese individuals.”
> Related: Christianity Today reports Christians in Myanmar also are in danger, although their plight is less well-documented and hasn’t received much response from the global church.
Officials pledge more aid for Iraqi Christians
The Trump administration has pledged $178 million to help religious minorities in Iraq, bringing the fiscal year total to nearly $300 million in aid for Christians and others persecuted by ISIS in the country.
Five statistics on global hunger
The Southern Baptist Convention designates one Sunday each October as Global Hunger Sunday, an opportunity to pray for and give to ministries that help relieve hunger, a global problem that affects around 795 million people worldwide.
Judge dismisses sexual abuse charges against Pressler
A Texas court has dismissed charges of sexual abuse, conspiracy, and negligence against Paul Pressler, who helped lead the Southern Baptist Convention’s return to conservative theology in the 1980s and 90s. The Southern Baptist Convention also had been named in a lawsuit filed by plaintiff Gerald Duane Rollins, but Judge R.K. Sandhill’s Oct. 15 order dismissed the charges against the SBC because the statute of limitations has run out, Baptist Press reported.
Study details America’s shifting theology
While more than half of Americans believe only those who trust in Jesus alone as Savior receive eternal salvation, a new survey by LifeWay Research found, an even larger percentage believe most people are good by nature.
Sources: Christian Post, Christianity Today, Baptist Press, LifeWay Research
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