Image: Godfrey Yogarajah is the General Secretary of Evangelical AAlliance in Sri Lanka and Deputy Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance.
Why did Muslim extremists attack Christians in Sri Lanka? The Muslim minority has been persecuted by nationalist Buddhist monks, but not by Christians.
– VAt first glance, these attacks are certainly surprising. But the attacks must be placed in a global context where violence and radical Islamist ideology is spreading. As you know, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the bombings in Sri Lanka. It seems they have shifted their focus to South and Southeast Asia. This suggests that of are now going for a global insurgency model, with Sri Lanka becoming a new frontline on their ever-expanding battlefield.
The attacks are not just about hadand against the Christians that stem from their ideology. Attacking churches also brings global attention to Islamic State. At the same time, churches are an easy target for attacks.
Should the Christians in Asian countrieswhere there is no Muslim majority, now prepare for the risk of similar attacks from international Islamic terror networks working with small local partners?
– Yes, it's true. As I mentioned, after losing the Caliphate, the Islamic State is no longer limited to Syria and Iraq. New fronts are emerging every day. Such as and part of their global insurgency model, it is likely that similar attacks on Christians will continue in other countries that do not have a Muslim majority - at least provided that there have been environments in these countries where young people have been radicalized and where extremists have had the opportunity to promote it Salafist Jihadist ideology.
How did the church respond to the attacks?
– The Church in Sri Lanka has responded with forgiveness and compassion. Prest i Zion Church i Batticaloawho was the victim of a suicide attack, even publicly forgave the attackers. In addition, the church has also stood with the Muslim community, which has faced a violent backlash following the Easter attacks, and has called for the whole country to stand together in this time of crisis.
- They may hate us, but we will love them
Kan of Christians forgive the terrorists?
– Yes, we can. At the end of the day, people can violate and attack us, infiltrate us and even hate us. But that will not change us as Christians. Despite the wrong they do, we will Continue to do the right thing. They may hate us, but we will love them. They may want us to react, but we will only trade with compassion, grace, forgiveness and love. This is the core in our faith, and we can and will live out It.
Church FatherandTertulliana wrote that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Will the Church prosper despite the attacks?
– Background. The Church in Sri Lanka has been through some very difficult trials - from a thirty-year war to natural disasters like the tsunami and continued persecution from extremist groups. While the Easter attacks were unprecedented and the first of their kind against churches, we are confident that the Lord will continue to lead His church in Sri Lanka, even now. And, as history shows us, the church has always survived persecution as long as it was firmly rooted in Bible teaching and discipleship. I also believe this is the key to the future of the Sri Lankan church. If we continue to equip the Christians to be steadfast in the face of persecution, we will not only get through it, but thrive no matter what opposition we face.
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