Theo Ryden
Mrs. Roskamp
LA, 8B
9 March 2017
Christian Persecution in Yemen
A vicious and deadly civil war has been raging in the country of Yemen, exhausting Yemen’s military and hurting civilians. The war is being fought at the civilians’ expense. In other words, civilians bear the brunt of the violent fighting. The war is being fought over humanitarian needs. The definition of humanitarian means to be concerned with human welfare or human benefit. Christians have been persecuted in the past, and are still being persecuted in Yemen. We can, however, find ways to help them.
Persecution of Christians began with the Roman emperor Nero. Nero ruled from 54-68 AD. Before him, James, the apostle, was beheaded by Nero’s mother, Agrippina. He began persecuting Christians in the tenth year of his reign. On the 18th of july, a massive fire broke out in the city of Rome. The fire originated in the wooden bleachers. Thankfully they were empty. However, the angry mobs were looking for someone to blame for the fires. In order to shift the blame away from himself, Nero accused the Christians.There is a somewhat famous passage that goes like this: “Besides being put to death they were made to serve as objects of amusement; they were covered with wild beasts’ skins and torn to death by dogs.”
From there, the persecution of Christians worsened. Nero also persecuted Christians by putting them to death on the stake. Soon afterwards, Peter and Paul (Paul-67 AD) were executed for their faith. In 107 A.D Simeon, Jesus’ cousin, was killed for political reasons.
About 3,000 years after Simeon’s death, Christians are still being persecuted for their faith in Yemen. I do not know how the Christians are being persecuted, but I will take a guess that it is death by guns or swords. The people in Yemen are facing a humanitarian crisis. They are being persecuted by Sunni militant groups such as Al-qaeda and IS (Islamic state). The Christians in Yemen are being persecuted because there is conflict between the Sunni militant groups and the Christians. The civil war in Yemen has been going on for more than two full years now! Christians in Yemen, which is an Arab country in the middle east, are being subjected to cruelty and persecution under islamic rule. The groups want to gain the upper right hand by persecuting Christians. The persecution level in Yemen is at extreme. But the reports show that Muslims in Yemen are turning to Christ with more ferocity than ever before!
The U.S. is helping Christians by sending people as missionaries to help spread the word of God. Stephanie’s grandfather is an example of a missionary. People today are helping the persecuted Christians by sending out missionaries and, well, praying. You could pray that Jesus strengthens them, and gives them hope. Missionaries are taught to educate pastors in foreign countries and lend a helping hand to needy people. I will admit, I think that being a missionary is frightening AND challenging.
Christians have been persecuted in the past, and are still being persecuted in Yemen. We can, however, find ways to help them.
The persecuted Christians not just in yemen but ALL over the world need my, no our help. I can help the people in Yemen by going on mission trips, donating money and PRAYING! Do you think that you can help them? How so?
http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2015/March/Yemeni-Christians-Suffering-Is-Our-Reality
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/yemen https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/
http://www.persecutionblog.com/kids_of_courage/
:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Christians