Intolerance, Discrimination, and Persecution

[Linda VOM]

The Supreme Court in Mexico announced its verdict in August on the Acteal Massacre case of 1997...they started out taking the high road and have now retreated in the face of criticism from the opposition that was to be expected. When the court was getting ready to make its decision practically all the media and commentators were in favor of the release of innocent prisoners commonly acknowledged to be framed by the gov't and leftist propaganda.When the announcement was finally made and we evangelicals were rejoicing with the prisoners, the Presbyterian Church, and the ministry of Open Doors, the opposition from the majority Catholic church and ally as it was of the rebel Zapatistas cranked up a propaganda attack that left the prisoners without a place to return to...victims again, the Supreme Court paralized by the political forces let loose, and evangelicals and Catholics polarized in not only Chiapas where it all started, but around Mexico where each group rose up to defend its own.

We see here intolerance and discrimination on several levels: race discrimination for the abuse by the Mexican Ladino population against the Indigena peoples, religious discrimination and persecution for the implementation of Indigena Uses and Customs Laws that prohibit and punish leaving the majority religion, called Traditonal Catholicism...a blend of native and Catholic practices, and political discrimination by both the Mexican government and the Zapatista rebels who do not tolerate the members of the opposite political party, who is normally voted as a community block, vs. actual Mexican law but general practice. All this has led to massive explusions of Chamula evangelicals (40,000) in the 80's, countless suffering, the Zapatista uprising, the Acteal Massacre, and its aftermath. The persecution goes on.

Tolerance can not be enforced, but constitutional laws can be. Attitudes must be changed...that is usually done through education in the schools, social organizations, but truly comes from the heart through the grace extended by Our Father in Jesus name.

Mexico is going to see more violence...between Catholics and Evangelicals, priistas and perredistas, Zapatistas , other rebel groups, and the government...where is the message of love and forgiveness that the supposed Lord of both groups taught and give His life to demonstrate?

We who are meant to be salt and light to those around us, are seeing this type of intolerance growing around the world...What can and should we do as God's instruments to glorify Him and minister to those in need of the gospel message of Love and Forgiveness, demonstrated by Jesus Himself on the cross? Come join us and lets encourage each other wherever we may be...