Cambodia bans door-to-door evangelism

[cavell]

Cambodia bans door-to-door evangelism [Excerpts]

A new directive has been issued by the government in Cambodia that
essentially eliminates Christian evangelism, according to a report from
Voice of the Martyrs.

Sources told the Christian ministry that works to serve members of the
persecuted church worldwide that the new directive from the state
Ministry of Cults and Religions ordered that Christian groups no longer
are allowed to visit door-to-door in Cambodia.

That, the government concluded, "disrupts society."

The directive also said the distribution of religious literature should
be confined to church buildings, VOM said. And those church buildings,
of course, can only be built with government approval.

Government officials told VOM sources that the ruling was aimed at
reducing Christian evangelism throughout Cambodia, a primarily Buddhist
nation.

"They can do any activity inside their institutions, but are not
allowed to go door-to-door," Sun Kim Hun, a deputy minister of cult and
religion, was quoted as saying.

Authorities said the limit will be applied to all non-Buddhist groups,
but its target is the Christian community, which the government accused
of participating in campaigns such as offering clothing, food or
language lessons, and then introducing people to Christianity.

Reports said in addition to disrupting peoples' lives, such activities
also "cause other insecurities."

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56932

 

[Lynden1000]

awww that's too bad. It prevents people from having the joy of punching annoying Christian door-ringers in the face.

 

[cavell]

awww that's too bad. It prevents people from having the joy of punching annoying Christian door-ringers in the face.

O dear. I am really sorry to hear you say that.

 

[TheManeki]

Does going door-to-door really allow for a meaningful conversion?

If it were actually an effective technique, we'd see more kinds of door-to-door salesmen.

The best way to witness is to live a Christlike life. Too bad it's also the hardest way.

 

[MarcusHill]

As long as they apply it to Buddhists as well, it's great. Door to door sales of any variety are annoying, when the product being sold is of no perceptible use they're doubly so. I can also see the point of banning religious groups from using things like offering language lessons as a back door to evangelism - if the fact you're going to be evangelised to is made clear up front, then that's fine, it's akin to going to a timeshare pitch in order to pick up the free stuff on offer, but if you're not telling folk about the pitch, you shouldn't be offering the freebies. I don't see the problem with leaflets, though, as long as there are adequate recycling facilities available.

 

[The Nihilist]

As long as they apply it to Buddhists as well, it's great. Door to door sales of any variety are annoying, when the product being sold is of no perceptible use they're doubly so. I can also see the point of banning religious groups from using things like offering language lessons as a back door to evangelism - if the fact you're going to be evangelised to is made clear up front, then that's fine, it's akin to going to a timeshare pitch in order to pick up the free stuff on offer, but if you're not telling folk about the pitch, you shouldn't be offering the freebies. I don't see the problem with leaflets, though, as long as there are adequate recycling facilities available.

The OP says it will not apply to Buddhism. I think this just points to something that Christians have yet to learn: that they are, as a people and as a religion, extremely annoying.

 

[Paulos23]

To bad they didn't apply it to door to door salesmen, they could be on to something there.

 

[wanderingone]

The OP says it will not apply to Buddhism. I think this just points to something that Christians have yet to learn: that they are, as a people and as a religion, extremely annoying.

Sorry to annoy you

I'm quite happy to have any door to door salespeople, evangelists etc.. banned from coming uninvited to my door. I don't care for limits on houses of worship and free expression of speech in the public forum. Some years ago it was quite common to be accosted on the streets of NY by buddhists bearing cards with the daimoku on them and try to get you to stop and listen to their enlightened selves... that was pretty annoying, but at least they didn't seem to come to my door like the JW's.

 

[JadeTigress]

Sorry to annoy you

I'm quite happy to have any door to door salespeople, evangelists etc.. banned from coming uninvited to my door. I don't care for limits on houses of worship and free expression of speech in the public forum. Some years ago it was quite common to be accosted on the streets of NY by buddhists bearing cards with the daimoku on them and try to get you to stop and listen to their enlightened selves... that was pretty annoying, but at least they didn't seem to come to my door like the JW's.

I had some JW's come to my house once. My dog ran to the door after I opened it, and started barking super loud like she does when people come over that she doesn't know, and I had to hold on to her collar to keep her from running out the door. After a couple minutes they left because nothing could be heard over my dog.

 

[Rochir]

Good for them!

Would be even better if they prohibited this kind of proselysation by any religion!

 

[Steezie]

WorldNutDaily article, I want to see this from a REAL news source

 

[AuraTwilight]

If this is legit, then only one word is appropriate: Awesome.

 

[cavell]

Folks have such short memories.

A while ago the Christian principle, embraced by the West, played a foundational part in the formation of the USA/UK nations. Nothing to be ashamed of, pride indeed would be better. The Christian principle set the West free. "Love God, and thy neighbour as thyself"

Other principles can never match this.

 

[wanderingone]

Folks have such short memories.

A while ago the Christian principle, embraced by the West, played a foundational part in the formation of the USA/UK nations. Nothing to be ashamed of, pride indeed would be better. The Christian principle set the West free. "Love God, and thy neighbour as thyself"

Other principles can never match this.

Sadly many Christians I know do not love thy neighbor as thyself.. knocking at my door to harass me with a version of Christianity I don't embrace, bugging me on the street with so many pamphlets, cards, tracts, and what not that whole forests of trees are probably sobbing from the loss... if I did these things I would not be loving my neighbor as myself.

There are so many ways to share the things (including faith) that are essential and important to us, being obnoxious and harassing people really isn't acceptable.

 

[Beanieboy]

Who doesn't like a person coming to your door, trying to make you leave your religion for theirs? Don't all Christians enjoy a good Jehovah Witness chat, or having a Muslim tell them that they are following the wrong religion, and should convert to Islam, the one TRUE religion?

And Cambodia??? Wow, that's almost synonymous for freedom. Who'd a thunk it?

 

[Steezie]

Folks have such short memories.

A while ago the Christian principle, embraced by the West, played a foundational part in the formation of the USA/UK nations. Nothing to be ashamed of, pride indeed would be better. The Christian principle set the West free. "Love God, and thy neighbour as thyself"

Other principles can never match this.

Riiiiiiight. Im sure MLK and his constituents would agree on the "Christian" nature of the US in the past years and Im SURE the Native Americans would agree with you and lets not forget the Mexicans.

 

[HaloHope]

Door to door "sales" of any kind should be banned everywhere religious or not.

 

[morningstar2651]

awww that's too bad. It prevents people from having the joy of punching annoying Christian door-ringers in the face.

Who likes uninvited guests?

 

[cavell]

Riiiiiiight. Im sure MLK and his constituents would agree on the "Christian" nature of the US in the past years and Im SURE the Native Americans would agree with you and lets not forget the Mexicans.

Could you be a little more explicit my friend?

I recall MLK...... mighty man, a source of inspiration and dynamic for righteousness to the nation, and the world.. Heartbreaking indeed even now, to recall how his life was taken from him.

Not sure what you imply about the Native Indians, and Mexicans.......Human nature is filled with murder and corruption. The heart is deceitful above all things....who can know it?

Humanity is similar to my garden maybe! I have to cultivate, nourish, what is good and wanted. Otherwise the ugly, unfruitful, wild, take over.

 

[levi501]

The Christian principle set the West free.

fear of xian oppression set the west free.

"Love God, and thy neighbour as thyself"

Other principles can never match this.

Xianity wasn't the first to come up with idea of do no harm.