David W. Cloud, Editor. O Timothy is a monthly magazine in its 14th year of publication. At the behest of Congress, the U.S. Department of State has issued its first report on the persecution of Christians worldwide. The report details the restriction of religious freedom in 78 countries. It also called on Russian President Boris Yeltsin to veto the proposed law curbing religious liberty in that country.
China is one of the persecuting countries listed in the report.
The report explained that a central policy directive was issued by the communist government of China last year which has resulted in a crack down on unregistered churches in 1996 and 1997. Israel is mentioned in the report as persecuting Jehovah's Witnesses. Other countries listed in the report are the Islamic nations of Iran, Sudan, Iraq, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.