Indian State Wants To Ban Prayer For The Sick

A report published in March by Christianity Today detailed how state lawmakers in India are looking to stop evangelism by placing a ban on what they call “magical healing,” which ultimately could stop Christians from praying for those who are sick.

Lawmakers in the northeastern Indian state of Assam introduced a bill in January that many Christian leaders say specifically targets our community’s practice of praying for those who are sick or unwell. The lawmakers are leaning on language that would designate prayer as a “non-scientific” practice, limiting people’s ability to do it in a medical setting. (LEARN MORE: Biden Is ‘Killing Cures’ In Medical Industry)

The proposed ban passed in February, and reads: “No person shall take any part in healing practices and magical healing propagation for treatment of any diseases, any disorder or any condition relating to the health of a person (relating to the human body) directly or indirectly giving a false impression of treatment to cure diseases, pain or trouble to the human health.”

What Happens When You Break This Law?

Under the new law, a first-time offender could face anywhere from one to three years in prison, as well as a possible 50,000 rupee fine (roughly $600 at the time of writing). Anyone who is seen to break this law a second time or more could see five years of prison time and a 100,000 rupee fine. The law still has to be ratified by the president of India in order to become a full-blown act.

“We want to curb evangelism in Assam, so in that direction, the banning of healing … will be a very, very important milestone,” chief minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a statement shared by the outlet. “Healing is a very, very dicey subject, which is used to convert tribal people. We are going to pilot [this bill], because we believe that the religious status quo is very important. Whoever is Muslim, let them be Muslims; whoever is Christian, let them be Christians; whoever is Hindu, let them be Hindus, so there can be a proper balance in our state.”

What Is The Truth?

“Prayer is a universal practice across religions, used to invoke divine healing,” the Assam Christian Forum said in a statement. “Labeling it as magical healing oversimplifies the profound spiritual dimensions of faith and life.” (LEARN MORE: Female Mass Shooters & The Rise In Transgenderism)

Another local convert told Christianity Today that her “family was surrounded with bouts of sicknesses and illnesses. Since I have begun to follow Christ and my family has joined me, we have gotten rid of the bondage of illness.”

India Is Not Alone

Did you know that under the leadership of President Joe Biden, the Department of State has opted to ignore the 52,000 or more deaths of Christians in Nigeria for the third year in a row?

Violent attacks against Christians in Nigeria are on the rise, according to the Washington Stand. On Christmas Eve 2023, a group of gunmen killed an estimated 160 people and wounded countless others. As of 2023, 5,621 Christians were killed globally, 90% being in Nigeria. (LEARN MORE: Conservatives Warn Of Terror Vulnerability from U.S. Open Border)

But since 2009, an estimated 52,250 Nigerian Christians have been slaughtered in their home state. As a result of these attacks, the Trump Administration placed Nigeria on the “Countries of Particular Concern” list in 2020.

Protecting religious freedoms is not just an American right, but a right to all of God’s men and women who walk this Earth. Sign up for www.millionvoices.org today (text MV to 80550) and share this article with your friends and family so they can stay informed.