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Preacher Shouts 'No Santa' to Children in Mall, 'Jesus is Reason For Christmas'
David Grisham, an evangelical street preacher from Anchorage, Alaska, decided to inform a line full of unsuspecting children at a mall in Texas they were being lied to about Santa Claus. "Kids, I want to tell you today that there is no such thing as Santa Claus," Grisham told people waiting in line for Christmas photos at the Westgate Mall in Amarillo, Tex. "Santa Claus does not exist. The Christmas season is about Jesus."

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Christian Governor of Jakarta Denies Insulting Islam in Indonesia, Faces Prison: Trial Update
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, the Christian governor of Jakarta in Indonesia, denied insulting Islam in the first day of a trial in which he is blamed of blasphemy. As a non-Muslim governor of the capital of Indonesia, Purnama was accused of misusing a Qur'anic verse to gain votes during his pre-election campaign -- a verse that suggests Muslims should not be ruled by non-Muslims. His case is being perceived as a test of religious liberty in Indonesia, which is about 87 percent Islamic and home to 12.

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Elderly Christian Woman Beaten to Unconsciousness, Now Faces Legal Injustice
Representatives of the Organization for Legal Aid (OLA) announced they will represent a Christian woman who was assaulted by an influential Muslim for refusing to clean his house. Bashiran Bibi, 58, allegedly was beaten into unconsciousness after an angry male said Christians couldn't refuse to take orders, stated ACLJ spokespersons.

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‘Moana’ Movie Extends Disney’s 'Faith in Faith' Multicultural Gospel
Disney Studios' new full-length, animated feature, "Moana," expands the ethnic and religious diversity in its heroines, and is likely to impact children in mainstream Christian, Jewish and secular homes in a considerable manner, said Mark Pinsky, author of "The Gospel According to Disney: Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust."

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Christian Unity Displayed Through Vatican's First-Ever Rembrandt Exhibit
Paintings of artistic genius Rembrandt, who traditionally was more associated with Protestant Europe, now are on display at the Vatican Museums -- a first for the popular spot that attracts millions of visitors annually. Titled "Rembrandt in the Vatican: Images Between Heaven and Earth," the show includes 53 artworks from the Zorn Museum in Sweden and the Kremer Collection in the Netherlands. Some of the Dutch artist's best-known works are biblical scenes, such as "The Raising of the Cross" and

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Qatar Evangelical Alliance breaks ground on worship center, witnessing Christ in a Muslim nation
A worship center for evangelical churches has commenced construction in Qatar, marking a significant spiritual milestone in the history of evangelicals in the country.

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Hong Kong's deadliest fire in a Century: churches mobilize and pray to support the community
On 26 November, a severe level‑five fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Early reports said at least 13 people died and 23 were injured. Local churches mobilize to support the community and pray.

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Faith and freedom: USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler shares insights on China’s religious landscape
As China continues to update its religious regulations, changes in the country’s faith environment and space for religious practice have drawn increased global attention. In this interview, USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler responds to questions about religious policy, human rights, and faith, offering her perspectives on China’s current situation and sharing words of support and encouragement for Christians facing challenges.

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U.S. Congressional hearing highlights religious freedom challenges facing Chinese Christians and other faith communities
A recent U.S. congressional hearing cast a spotlight on religious freedom conditions in China, with witnesses sharing firsthand accounts of pressure faced by Christian, Muslim, and Tibetan Buddhist communities.

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Christians gather in Hong Kong to pray for victims of Tai Po Hong Fu Court fire
More than 1,000 Christians gathered in Hong Kong on Dec. 5 for a united prayer service commemorating the victims of the five-alarm fire that devastated Hong Fu Court in Tai Po on Nov. 26, destroying thousands of homes and killing 159 people.
