Voice Of The Martyrs Web Site
http://www.salememail.com/specialoff...1&archive=true
Local authorities in Phin district, Savannakhet province, have pressured Christians for months to renounce their faith, and now they are threatening to expel believers from their homes if they refuse to perform occult rituals. In September, district police arrested three area pastors and bound their hands and feet in stocks. After provincial authorities declared the arrests illegal and ordered local authorities to escort the men home, the pastors’ families expected their release. But they were never released. On Oct. 19, the same local authorities called the 31 Christian families and 70 non-Christian families together and told them that the Christians would have to perform occult ritual oaths stating that they would adhere to the traditional religion. They were also asked to sign a statement renouncing Christ. The officials have threatened to expel the Christians from their villages if they do not perform the rites. So far, they have refused the authorities’ demands.