"The media is consumed with interest in the most insignificant details of the lives of so-called 'celebrities,' but the killing by the Taliban of two men who did nothing but show love and compassion to the poor and needy in Afghanistan barely rates a mention.' -- Faith McDonnell, IRD Director of Religious Liberty Programs

Contact: Loralei Coyle, 202-682-4131, 202-905-6852 cell, lcoyle@ird-renew.org; Radio Interviews: Jeff Walton, jwalton@ird-renew.org; both with The Institute on Religion and Democracy

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Director of Religious Liberty Programs for the Institute on Religion and Democracy asked Friday why there has been no outrage and scant media coverage of the abduction of 23 South Korean church volunteers in Afghanistan. The Taliban kidnapped Pastor Bae Hyung Kyu of the Sammul Presbyterian Church and 22 church volunteers on July 20. They killed Bae on July 25, his birthday. Another male member of the team, Shim Sung Min, was murdered by his captors on Monday, July 30. Of the remaining 21 hostages, 18 are women. According to Faith McDonnell of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, the western media has largely ignored this latest example of jihad terrorism being waged by the Taliban.

Faith McDonnell, IRD's Director of Religious Liberty Programs commented:

"Why is it that the media finds the brief incarceration of Paris Hilton worthy of 'round the clock vigils, but spares little ink and little air time to tell the world more about these two men who gave their lives while serving the people of Afghanistan?

"Even more disturbing than lack of media coverage though, is the tepid response of the churches to the plight of their brothers and sisters from South Korea.

"No matter what issues currently occupy Christians in the U.S., they should shift their focus to Afghanistan right now and join the churches in South Korea in vigilant prayer for the remaining hostages. This was an opportunity to witness to the world that the Body of Christ is one worldwide Body.

"Christians in the West should always be praying for their persecuted brothers and sisters -- but particularly in this time of crisis, they should look beyond their own interests and pray for the hostages. I challenge Christians to pray daily for the South Koreans, and to include them as a prayer item on church web sites, e-mail conferences, and the blog sites of individuals."

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