Protestants in Vietnam

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Protestants in Vietnam are a small religious minority in Vietnam, constituting only 1.2% of the population, or one million persons, and is the fastest growing religion in Vietnam, growing at a rate of 600% in the last decade.[1]

[edit] Origin

Protestantism was introduced in 1911 at Da Nang by a Canadian missionary named Dr. R.A. Jaffray. As part of the Christian Missionary Alliance, over 100 missionaries were sent to Vietnam, assisting the faiths growth in the country. The first Protestant organization recognized by the government was the Evangelical Church of Vietnam: North in 1963.[1]

Several protestant church properties were confiscated during the communist takeover of Vietnam in 1975, including the seminaries in Nha Trang and Hanoi. Hundreds of protestant churches were also destroyed in this period.[2]

[edit] 21st century

More than half of the members are part of evangelical house churches.[3] Growth of the faith has been most dramatic among ethnic minority peoples such as the Mnong, Ede, Jarai, and Bahnar.[2] Pressure has reportedly put on Protestants in several northwestern villages to recant their faith in 2005, though there are fewer reports than in years past.[1] Unsanctioned church meetings are routinely broken up and its members detained and harassed. In April 2001, the government gave official recognition to the Southern Evangelical Church of Vietnam.[3] In 2005, hundreds of house churches that had been ordered to shut down in 2001 were quietly allowed to reopen.[1] Over 100 refugees fled to Cambodia in the wake of a crackdown over large protests against land confiscation and a lack of religious freedom.[4] In 2001, a historic Protestant church built in 1936 which was being petitioned for return to the local christian community, was demolished.[5] At least 54 people remain imprisoned due to their faith, including some Protestants.[6] The New Life Fellowship, which has been seeking official recognition for 8 years, was denied access in 2005 from meeting in Ho Chi Minh City.[7] A Protestant pastor was forced to spend 12 months in psychiatric hospital on the disputed reason that he is delusional.[8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2005 - Vietnam. U.S. Department of State (2005-06-30). Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
  2. ^ a b Compass Direct (2002-09-20). Vietnam Protestants Call Conference 'Miraculous'. Christianity Today. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
  3. ^ a b Vietnam. US State Department (2002-09-07). Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
  4. ^ Minorities fleeing Vietnam to Cambodia. BBC (2001-05-04). Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
  5. ^ Name Hidden (2002-09-09). Vietnam's Hidden Tragedy. Christianity Today. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
  6. ^ RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN VIETNAM. Voice of America (2004-09-27). Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
  7. ^ Vietnam bans Protestant Group. ABC Radio Australia (2005-09-09). Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
  8. ^ Vietnam releases protestant pastor from hospital. ABC Radio Australia (2005-09-19). Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
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