| Few things are more important to a Central | | | | |
| Asian than maintaining cultural traditions. | | | | However, through the prompting of the Holy |
| Throughout the existence of the Soviet Union, | | | | Spirit, more and more Central Asians are |
| they were forced to conform to a Russian | | | | discovering that they have been living under |
| mindset, lifestyle, and even language. Free | | | | false assumptions. And in evangelizing this |
| from this tyranny, Central Asians now cherish | | | | region, one question is turning the tide, |
| the things they can call their own. On the | | | | Why do you profess the religions of your |
| flip side, they are turned off by anything | | | | conquerors, and forget Christianity, the |
| that looks, smells, or acts foreign. | | | | faith of your forefathers? |
| | | | |
| In the eyes of these people, Christianity is | | | | Amazing recent discoveries have shown that |
| an intrusive import from the West. According | | | | Christianity was practiced throughout Central |
| to the Director of one of the leading | | | | Asia long before Islam or Zoosticism, the two |
| Central Asian Christian ministries, it is | | | | predominant religions of today. |
| viewed as a boil, a festering sore, and | | | | |
| causes division. After all, a persons | | | | While visiting a Central Asian home, the |
| religion is not determined by choice, but by | | | | previously mentioned Director saw a pattern |
| the family into which he is born. So to | | | | in the familys rug that demanded his |
| become a Christian is to turn your back on | | | | attention. The design, common in area rugs |
| both your family and culture. And such an act | | | | throughout this region, was full of symbols |
| goes beyond being disrespectful, its crazy. | | | | that told the story of the life, death, and |
| | | | resurrection of Jesus. |
| It is for this reason that Central Asian | | | | |
| Christians are persecuted. On a daily basis, | | | | With the familys permission, the Director |
| they suffer at the hands of those who intend | | | | took the rug to an anthropology professor at |
| to bring them back to their senses. Families | | | | the University of Chicago. Upon further |
| attempt to undo what they think is | | | | study, the directors suspicions were |
| brainwashing by isolating him, denying his | | | | confirmed, the Christian symbols predated |
| rights, or even through intense beatings. | | | | the period when Islam spread to Central Asia. |
| | | | |
| Restrictions from the top | | | | Return to their roots |
| | | | |
| In two Central Asian countries, the | | | | One by one, Central Asians are discovering |
| governments have enacted laws to deter | | | | what Christians around the world have always |
| radical religions, such as Christianity. In | | | | known, God is truth. God is love. And God is |
| these countries, it is unlawful to meet in | | | | longing for Central Asians to return to their |
| churches that have not been legally | | | | ultimate cultural heritage through faith in |
| recognized by the government. However, there | | | | Jesus Christ. |
| are so many rules and regulations in | | | | |
| registering, that few churches are able to | | | | Pray for those Christians throughout Central |
| complete the process of gaining approval. | | | | Asia who are facing the torture of their |
| | | | families and governments, that they will |
| In one Central Asian country, it is also | | | | continue to have the courage to live out |
| illegal to conduct a service in the national | | | | their faith, regardless of the cost. |
| language. This law was enacted to stop | | | | |
| Christians from converting nationals to a | | | | Pray also for their persecutors. Pray that as |
| foreign religion. | | | | Gods Spirit moves they will accept the gift |
| | | | of salvation from the one, true God. |
| Shocking evidence | | | | |