World View: Chiapas, Mexico

World View: Chiapas, Mexico

A brief look at what our Christian brothers and sisters are facing in other parts of the world. This information comes from Voice of the Martyrs

At the southernmost end of Mexico is a lush and beautiful land. With rain forests, mountains, valleys, highlands and coastal regions, it could be called a paradise. When you look at pictures of the area, it is easy to see why the Aztecs valued it. Today, it is the economically poorest part of Mexico.

Chiapas is the most malnourished region in the whole country, and because it shares a border with Guatemala, it is the entry point for illegal immigrants and Central American gangs. Also, because of how isolated the towns are from one another, it is largely uneducated.

Like most of Latin America, Catholicism has a long tradition with the people in Chiapas. As a culture, most people claim afflation to the Catholic church. However, the theological and spiritual beliefs of the people are more pagan than Christian. The Catholic structure there is more about power than it is about Christ. As a result, it feels threatened when evangelical groups come in spreading the gospel. These groups weaken the stranglehold the Catholic church has on the people.

The true Christians there face real persecution from the so-called “church”. Radio stations have been torn down and people have been detained because they would not participate in Catholic rituals.

Though this is a “Christian” area, believers are under attack. These brave Christians need our prayers as they brings the message of Christ and hope to some of the neediest in the world. Please lift them up this week.