Villagers pressure officials to halt church’s services

Some villagers pressured local authorities in Indonesia to stop a church’s use of a building, alleging that the church’s activities are causing societal tension.

Members of East Java Christian Church in Dermo village in Indonesia’s East Java province had been worshipping in a traditional prayer house, which doesn’t need a permit, rights advocates told Morning Star News. However, Muslim residents of the village pressured officials of the Pasuruan Regency Legislative Council on July 20 to halt services at the church.

Read more stories on the persecuted church. 

The Muslims claimed the services were causing social tension, the church had no permit and it was located in a predominantly Muslim area and near a Muslim prayer hall.

In a July 28 letter, the Pasuruan Interchurch Consultative Body ordered the church to stop worship activities temporarily. The letter, states Morning Star, resulted from the Muslim residents’ opposition.

Christian organizations and other groups — including East Java Antidiscrimination Islamic Network — decried the decision, saying it restricts religious freedom.

Referencing information from Open Doors, Morning Star notes that “churches involved in evangelistic outreach (in Indonesia) are at risk of being targeted by Islamic extremist groups.”