An American Expat in Southeast Asia

Silence as Indonesian Churches Attacked

Just imagine for a moment the outrage in the United States and the Western media if a mosque in a Western country was attacked and stormed by Christian extremists during a religious service. I think it goes without mention that every news reporting agency in the United States would be on the story covering it from every possible angle.

Now imagine for a moment what would happen if a Christian church in a Muslim majority country was attacked and stormed by Muslim extremists during a religious service.

**crickets chirp**

That's just what happened this past Sunday in Indonesia.

In the most recent attack, dozens of unidentified people Sunday broke into Sidang Jemaat Allah church at Gading Tutuka complex in Soreang, Bandung forcing church-goers, including 15 children, to stop their religious activities, which they have conducted weekly since 2000.

The attackers allegedly forced their way into the church at 9.30am Sunday, hit the Reverend's wife over the head with a bible and forced the children's Sunday School activity to stop.

Reverend Robby Elisa, who heads the church, said around 100 hardliners attacked while Sunday school was in session. He said his wife was beaten and that at least four stained glass depictions of Jesus were smashed.

"The men forced a teenage student to spit on the Bible and deny Christ. But when he refused they kicked him in the gut... They sent the kids outside screaming and crying."

In the end, not one newpaper or television station has reported on the story. Kind of makes you wonder now doesn't it?

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