Todd Nettleton of The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) says the moderate Muslim government in Uzbekistan took a look at Afghanistan, its neighbor to the south, and decided it did not want a bunch of radicalized young terrorists running the streets.
Its solution, he says, was to ban all religious teaching for all kids.
"No religious instruction for minors – anybody under the age of 18 – and a minor should not be physically present at any religious gathering," Nettleton details.
He says this puts Christian parents who believe the Bible's command to raise up a child in the way he should go in a tough spot.
"As a Christian parent, you're not protected under this law," he notes. "What happens in your own home is not protected activity."
Violators could face severe penalties.
"It could be arrest; it could be prison time," Nettleton explains. "Ultimately, it could be having the government say, 'Hey, you're no longer fit parents.'"
Most people in Uzbekistan are Muslims, but Nettleton says there are a lot of old-style communists in the government, and he attributes this move against religious activity to 'that sort of Soviet idea."
VOM reports that converts from Islam are persecuted by their families, communities, and sometimes by the government. Christians outside the Orthodox denomination are considered religious extremists and have been fined and detained for holding worship services, which the government already considered to be illegal religious activity.
Orthodox churches meet openly and legally, but most Christians meet in unregistered groups. VOM prays for Christians in Uzbekistan, distributes Christian literature there, and equips pastors and evangelists with ministry tools that expand their outreach and other ministry work in the country.
This new law against kids receiving religious instruction was enacted earlier this year.
