Myanmar
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Official name: Union of Myanmar |
DEMOGRAPHY
ECONOMY |
LIFE & LIBERTY |
Contents |
[edit] Geography
[edit] Location
- Myanmar is the largest country by geographical area in mainland South-east Asia. Myanmar is bordered by China on the north, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, with the Andaman Sea to the south, and the Bay of Bengal to the southwest.
[edit] Climate
- Disasters: More than 130,000 people are dead or missing as a result of Cyclone Nargis that devastated five provinces on 2 May. Pray for all those affected by the cyclone, particularly those who have been bereaved and those who have been left homeless. Some entire Christian villages were swept away. Pray for the church and that it can provide a healing touch and Christian witness at this time. Read many more details at Cyclone Nargis 2008.
[edit] Natural Resources
[edit] Demographics
[edit] Peoples
- The Karen: up to 40% of the people are Christians, the rest Buddhist and animist. Currently facing desperate conditions, living as displaced people within Myanmar due to atrocities committed by the army. Many refugees along the border in Thailand. The Karen want to live in peace and safety, may the Christians to be bold in witnessing, and have courage and endurance in the face of persecution.
- Of the Bamar, Shan, Mon and Rakhine peoples less than 1% have become Christians.
[edit] Languages
- Languages spoken in Myanmar, see GRN
[edit] Provinces
[edit] Life
[edit] Economy
[edit] Government
- The people of Myanmar have suffered internal warfare and military oppression for more than 30 years. After decades under a brutal military regime, a widespread movement towards democracy culminated in the massacre of thousands of demonstrators in the late 1980’s. The demonstrations of 2007 were put down brutally and the war against the ethnic peoples continues. More than 50% of the national budget are being spent on arms, while the Myanmar people slide deeper into poverty. Most of the world’s heroine comes from Myanmar. Once one of the riches countries in Asia, Myanmar is now one of the poorest in the world – and has one of the worst human rights records.
- In spite of oppression, the people of Myanmar have not given up. They need prayer, immediate protection, humanitarian assistance and support for their pro-democracy organizations.
- Pray for the end of attacks against ethnic peoples such as the Karen by the army. The attacks and atrocities have gone on for many years and are designed to terrorize and subdue the minority groups. Pray for political reforms that will bring about freedom, peace and justice for all the peoples of this oppressed land.
- There is no open society and no religious freedom for all peoples of Myanmar.
[edit] Religion
- Buddhists make up 82.9% of Myanmar’s population, while Christians comprise only about 8.7%, Islam 3.8%, Other 4.6%. Myanmar’s citizens began peaceful protests for better living standards in mid-August 2007 in response to a sudden rise in gas prices in Myanmar. After several hundred Buddhist monks joined them, the government responded with arrests, a media crackdown and night raids. It is unclear how many people have been killed in the crackdown.
[edit] Islam
[edit] Buddhism
- Buddhists total 82,9% of the population (47 million). Buddhist animism carries great influence in daily life. The dictatorial regime has isolated the country and is carrying out a campaign of genocide against ethnic minorities, many of whom had moved toward Christianity. The strongly Buddhist Bamar majority has been difficult to reach and the church has remained very divided.
[edit] Christianity
- An estimated 7% of the Myanmar people are Christian, largely among ethnic minorities. Religious differences are being used to stir up internal divisions and hatred. Persecution is widespread and includes ethnic minorities as well as majority Bamar people.
[edit] Challenges for Christians:
- Highly repressive, authoritarian military regimes have ruled the country since 1962. Constitutional protection of religious freedom has not existed since 1988, after the armed forces brutally suppressed massive pro-democracy demonstrations and abolished the constitution. Two ethnic groups — the Karen and the Chin — have historical ties to Christianity. The U. S. State Department estimates that 3% of the country’s 47 million people are Baptist. Myanmar’s Christians have been specifically targeted by the regime. The military regime actively promotes Buddhism and there is much discrimination against Christians. The military regime has tried to wipe out the Church, but it still continues to grow. Pray that Christians would be able to stay faithful to God as they are persecuted and have courage to share their love of God with others. March 2007, Christian Solidarity Worldwide obtained a leaked government document entitled “Program to Destroy the Christian Religion in Burma.”
[edit] History
[edit] Churches
[edit] Church and State Relations
- According to the World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission, the junta has escalated its efforts — as its official policy states — to “destroy the Christian religion in Burma.” The junta also represses and persecutes the mostly Christian ethnic minorities and is waging a genocidal war against the ethnic Karen in the east.
[edit] Mission
- Gospel cassettes are distributed among these language groups of Myanmar: Kanpetlet Cho, Dai Chin, Chinbon and Yindu Dai. Global Recordings Network workers want to record at least 10 new languages year 2008.
[edit] Broadcasting
[edit] Councils and Networks
[edit] Future Trends
[edit] For More Reading
[edit] More information
- Christians Concerned for Burma publication, e-mail: ccb@pobox.com
