Burma: a church under pressure

On my flight to Burma in early October, I read a book about the extraordinary life of America’s first foreign missionary, Adoniram Judson.

He survived starvation, imprisonment and torture, alongside watching friends and family die, in his calling to spread the gospel in Burma. One of the highlights of my visit was to find a Gideon Bible in a hotel in Myitkyina, capital of Kachin State. It was a Burmese Bible which was originally translated 175 years ago by Judson.

He would no doubt have been thrilled to know that his labours had survived the big test of time in Burma. A country that has witnessed the longest conflict in the world alongside significant persecution of minorities and particularly Christians.

Comfort and strength in God

On my visit, arranged by Christian Solidarity Worldwide, I went to a camp, on the outskirts of Myitkyina, for internally displaced peoples (IDP). I saw another tangible result of Judson’s endeavours and the work of the gospel. The camp was run by the Baptist church and the pastor and his church were the focal point. The IDP camp was full of families who had fled the Burmese military three years ago. Food consisted mainly of rice rationed by a UN Food Programme, and healthcare and education were minimal. Cramped huts barely reaching four square metres accommodated 13 people. Where was their comfort and strength? I was told by many that it came from God. Their church motto, inscribed at the front, appropriately quotes Isaiah 45.24: ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength’.

Significant pressures

The direct discrimination suffered by Christians in Burma, whether they be from the states of Karen, Chin or Kachin, seems less intense following the opening up of the country to democratic reform. Restrictions still apply in building new churches but the persecution of previous years is less visible. However, under the surface, Christians are facing significant pressures. In Kachin state I was told by Baptist church leaders of their concern for their young people, with six out of ten getting involved in drugs.

The fear is that the prevalence of drugs is being used by the government to suppress the young Kachins. Sexual violence continues, with the Burmese military being the main culprits and Christians the main victims. I met victims of abuse and exploitation who have waited years for adequate redress.

Christians in government posts suffer the discrimination of being overlooked for jobs or promotion. Despite some progress in securing democratic renewal, I heard reports of an increased military presence which in turn leads to the imposition of Buddhist shrines, without regard to the predominant Christian demographic in the border regions.

I was pleased to meet Naing Thang, the leader of a new group – Myanmar Evangelical Christian Association. He has set up a Religious Liberty Commission. I expected him to tell me about his endeavours to promote freedom of religion and particularly the upholding of the right to convert from any religion or belief. I was however saddened by his report that the main obstacle to the spreading of the gospel was the church itself. The issuing of licences to preach has created a bureaucratic obstacle which has been exploited by some territorial and largely nominal churches. Nyang’s wish list for his 40 member churches is for prayer, biblical resources and biblical training.

Aung San Suu Kyi

Finally, in my meetings with political and community leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, I was inspired by their positive attitude, what they called a ‘culture of dialogue’. Despite years of abuse, imprisonment and torture, the Burmese still have a thirst for democracy and a respect for human rights. The problem is that President Thein Sein appears to be playing games with democratic reform and has even suggested postponing the 2015 elections in view of ethnic and religious conflict. Aung San Suu Kyi is campaigning for a change in the constitution so that she can stand for the presidential election and told me that the 2015 elections must be ‘free, fair and on time’. Pray it will be Christians who take the lead in pursuing a path of peace and reconciliation based upon truth and justice for all.