Cambodia Bans Evangelism; Accuses Christians of 'Disrupting Society'

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070718/28495_Cambodia_Bans_Evangelism%3B_Accuses_Christians_of_%27Disrupting_Society%27.htm

[The Chrstian Post] 19 July 2007--Christians in Buddhist-dominated Cambodia are officially banned from evangelizing because they “disrupt society,” officials said Tuesday.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Cults and Religions declared that “Christians are prohibited from visiting people’s houses by knocking on the door and waiting to say ‘the Lord has arrived,’” in a directive, according to Agence France-Presse.

In addition, Christians are restricted to only distributing religious literatures in churches. Moreover, the ministry demands that it authorize the construction of a church before it is built.
“They can do any activity inside their institutions, but are not allowed to go door-to-door,” said Sun Kim Hun, deputy minister of cult and religion, according to The Associated Press.

The directive was dated June 26 but was distributed on Tuesday, according to AP. It is similar to proclamations issued in 1999 and 2003 and serves as a reminder to Christians. Violating persons and groups face possible prosecution.

Officials noted that although the new order applies to all non-Buddhist groups, its primary purpose is to curb Christian evangelism amid reports of children being tricked into converting, according to AFP.