As Nepal's Deadly Flooding Rages, Another 'Chilling' Issue Is Impacting Christians

As Nepal deals with the horrific toll of tragic flooding that killed more than 1,000 people, at least 20 churches have reportedly been destroyed by the damaging waters. Joel Veldkamp, head of international communications at Christian Solidarity International (CSI), told CBN News that one congregation saw 80 individuals and families lose their homes — and that's just one example. Veldkamp said there's another dynamic unfolding inside the South Asian nation: persecution, an issue gaining steam and attention before the deadly flooding began. "We've seen in the last 10 years ... persecution of Christians has spiked in Nepal," he said. "It wasn't really a big problem before, and today it's still not on the scale like we'll see in India, or Pakistan, or other nearby countries. But there is now a law against conversion, so it's illegal to try to get someone else to change their religion." Veldkamp said this is a violation of human rights standards, but that this law is used to prosecute pastors and missionaries — even Christians who might happen to visit and speak with Hindu friends. "We have seen an uptick in these cases of Christians being jailed on accusations," he said, noting that sharing the Gospel can be enough to spark legal chaos. Veldkamp said there's a new government in Nepal after the previous regime was overthrown in a revolution. An election unfolded in March, which has only added to the uncertainty. India has been reportedly putting pressure on Nepal to embrace Hindu nationalism, funding groups that seek to push Christians to reconvert, among other issues. "There are serious efforts to change Nepal's constitution to make it officially a Hindu country again," Veldkamp said. "And in the current environment, that would mean probably the harassment of Christians. Attacks on churches would only increase because then it would be official that this country does not belong to Christians." With pastors, missionaries, and Christians already under fire, he said there's a "real threat that is having a chilling effect" on believers in Nepal. Support Operation Blessing's efforts in Nepal here: https://go.ob.org/nepalflood-news CBN News. Because Truth Matters Download the free CBN News App: http://cbnnews.com/app SUBSCRIBE to the CBN News Channel for more: http://youtube.com/c/CBNnewsonline/?sub_confirmation=1 SUBSCRIBE to the QuickStart Newsletter by visiting quickstart.news SUBSCRIBE to the Quickstart Podcast. New episodes every morning at 7am: cbn.com/cbnnews/quickstart What's coming up next? Have a look at our program guide: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww1.cbn.com%2Fcbnnews%2Fnewschann&redir_token=3Xja-7LE5ZQebEu1fn-B5ib34tN8MTU3OTg4MjMzMkAxNTc5Nzk1OTMy&v=P0mHVeNNfDw&event=video_description CBN features 24-hour TV news from a Christian perspective. The CBN News Channel provides independent news programming to an underserved audience to enlighten, entertain and inspire Christians around the world. Comments below do not necessarily reflect the views of CBN. Share this live feed with your friends and family: https://www.youtube.com/c/CBNnewsonline Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbnnews/ Like us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBNNews Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbnnews/ Contact News Editors: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww1.cbn.com%2Fcontact%2Fcontact-&redir_token=3Xja-7LE5ZQebEu1fn-B5ib34tN8MTU3OTg4MjMzMkAxNTc5Nzk1OTMy&v=P0mHVeNNfDw&event=video_description Questions about other CBN programs: Visit WatchCBNNews.com or call (888) 700-7000. Questions about supporting CBN News? Visit JoinCBNNews.com or call (888) 700-7000 for more information. Questions about Helping the Home Front? Call: 800-700-7000 https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww1.cbn.com%2F700club%2Fhelping-&redir_token=3Xja-7LE5ZQebEu1fn-B5ib34tN8MTU3OTg4MjMzMkAxNTc5Nzk1OTMy&v=P0mHVeNNfDw&event=video_description #breakingnews #politicalnews #christiannews #christian #christianity #church #breakingnews #cbnnews