
Gaza and Bethlehem Celebrate First Christmas in Years Amid Ceasefire and War
Gaza's Christian community, which has nearly halved since 2023, is celebrating Christmas for the first time in three years due to a ceasefire bringing calm to the region.
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Gaza's Christian community, which has nearly halved since 2023, is celebrating Christmas for the first time in three years due to a ceasefire bringing calm to the region.

Gaza's small Christian community is celebrating their first Christmas in years without constant conflict, amid a fragile ceasefire, with hopes for lasting peace despite ongoing hardships and damage from recent wars.

Jewish settler violence in the West Bank has escalated, targeting the Christian village of Taibeh with arson, land damage, and threats to its ancient Christian sites and community, prompting calls from local church leaders for international intervention and documentation of the deteriorating situation.
Tensions are rising in southern Lebanon as Hezbollah's support for Hamas in the conflict with Israel has drawn the region into a precarious situation, with Christian villages caught in the crossfire and facing the threat of displacement. The Christian community, critical of Hezbollah's actions, fears the deepening political divisions and economic hardships exacerbated by the conflict, prompting concerns of a Christian exodus. The situation reflects the broader power struggles and sectarian dynamics in Lebanon, with Hezbollah's influence and control over the system causing unease and discontent among the Christian population.

A Colorado pastor and his wife are charged with creating and selling a cryptocurrency, INDXcoin, to their Christian community, allegedly promising wealth based on God's instruction, but the cryptocurrency was practically worthless. The couple admitted to squandering $1.3m raised through the scheme for personal luxury purchases, including a home remodel, despite claiming the money would help widows and orphans. Civil fraud charges have been filed, and the couple is scheduled to appear in court.

Pastor and wife charged with fraud for creating and selling a cryptocurrency called INDXcoin to Christian communities, allegedly using the proceeds to support their lavish lifestyle. They targeted Christian communities in Denver, claiming that God told them investors would become wealthy, but the coin was found to be unsafe, unsecure, and riddled with technical problems. The Regalados are accused of dissipating investor funds while promoting the coin as a low-risk, high-profit investment, resulting in millions of dollars in losses for investors. Authorities are urging anyone who invested with INDXcoin or the Regalados' other entities to contact the Colorado Division of Securities.

A video showing ultra-Orthodox Jews spitting on the ground near a procession of Christian worshippers carrying a wooden cross in Jerusalem has sparked outrage and condemnation. Concerns have been raised about the increasing harassment of the city's Christian community since Israel's conservative government came to power. The incident has drawn rare outrage from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior figures. Activists have documented a rise in attacks against Christians, including spitting, stone-throwing, and vandalism. Critics argue that the government's ultranationalist members have emboldened Jewish extremists and created a sense of impunity.

A video showing ultra-Orthodox Jews spitting on the ground beside a procession of Christian worshipers carrying a wooden cross in Jerusalem has sparked outrage and condemnation. Concerns have been raised about the increasing harassment of the Christian community since Israel's conservative government came to power. Many believe that Jewish extremists have been emboldened, creating a sense of impunity. The incident violates Israel's commitment to freedom of worship and sacred trust over holy places. The video and a comment by an ultranationalist settler leader defending the spitters have spread on social media, leading to a chorus of condemnation. Activists have highlighted the rise in attacks against Christians and questioned the government's response.

Two Christian brothers have been arrested in Pakistan on charges of blasphemy after a Muslim mob burned churches and houses, accusing the brothers of desecrating the Quran. Pages of the Quran with derogatory comments were found in the street, with the suspects' identities attached. Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan, and accusations are sometimes used to settle scores. The violence lasted for 10 hours, with thousands of Muslims carrying weapons. The police have arrested 128 people involved in the mob attack, and caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar has promised to protect minorities.

Over 10,000 Christians signed a petition condemning the banning of Montana's first transgender lawmaker, Representative Zooey Zephyr, from the House floor after she spoke against a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors. The petition was launched by Faithful America, an online community of Christians advocating for social justice. The group accused the GOP of using fascist tactics to silence marginalized communities and undermine democracy. Zephyr was barred from the House floor for breaching decorum, but she launched her reelection bid for 2025.

The Biden White House has been criticized for ignoring the victims of the recent Nashville shooting at a Christian school, which appears to have been a hate crime targeted at the Christian community. Instead, the White House has been focused on promoting transgender rights, with President Biden issuing a proclamation declaring March 31 as “Transgender Day of Visibility” and Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice holding a “White House Roundtable Affirming Transgender Kids.” Critics argue that the administration is using the transgender issue as a political tool to demonize Republicans and promote their own agenda, while ignoring the tragedy that occurred in Nashville.

After a mass shooting at a Christian academy in Nashville, the city's Christian community is grappling with the role of guns in their religion. Some leaders argue that prayers, not politics, are needed, while others say their religion is being used to distract from calls for gun restrictions. Tennessee is the third-most-religious state in the US, and Nashville is known as the "buckle of the Bible Belt." The shooting has prompted some to call for mental health checks and other gun restrictions, while others argue that taking away guns is not the answer.