Persecution of Christians and List of mobile network operators: Difference between pages

Revision as of 11:06, 10 May 2004

Revision as of 22:49, 6 October 2005

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[[Christianity|Christians]] have experienced persecution throughout the [[history of Christianity]]. Persecution may refer to unwarranted arrest, imprisonment, beating, torture, or execution. It also may refer to the confiscation or destruction of property, or incitement to hate Christians.

This is a '''list of [[mobile phone]] [[mobile phone network|network]] operating companies'''.

== Persecutions in the New Testament ==

{{TOCright}}

The [[New Testament]] reports that the earliest Christians suffered persecution at the hands of the [[Jewish]] leadership of the day, commencing with [[Jesus]] himself. It also reports the beginning of persecutions by the Romans.

== World ==

These are the world's '''largest mobile network operators''', by number of subscribers (and by proportionate subscribers, if the company has holdings in other operators). The largest in the world by turnover is [[Vodafone]].

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

=== Persecutions by the Jews ===

|-

According to NT accounts, [[Judas Iscariot]] was paid by the priesthood and officers of the Temple to lead them to Jesus when he was alone and away from the crowds ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 22:4-6). He was then arrested (Luke 22:54) and taken before the [[Sanhedrin]] (ecclesiastical court) (Luke 22:66), who then took him before the Roman governor [[Pontius Pilate]], claiming that he was subverting Roman rule (Luke 23:2). According to the NT, Pilate did not want to give Jesus the death penalty, but Jewish crowds convinced him to have Jesus executed (Luke 23:13-24, 33). According to Matthew 27, Pilate's wife told him of a dream warning him against any dealings with Jesus, which may be supposed to have influenced his judgement.

! Rank !! Company !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in [[million]]s)</small> !! Subscribers<br><small>(including minority stakes)</small>

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[China Mobile]] ([[China]]) || [[GSM]] || 231.01 ||

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Vodafone]] ([[United Kingdom]]) || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 165.01 || 450.90

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[China Unicom]] ([[China]]) || [[GSM]], [[CDMA]] || 122.99 ||

|-

|align=right| 4 || [[T-Mobile]] ([[Germany]]) || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 80.88 || 120.00

|-

|align=right| 5 || [[América Móvil]] ([[Mexico]]) || [[GSM]], [[TDMA]] || 73.76 ||

|-

|align=right| 6 || [[Telefónica|Telefónica Móviles]] ([[Spain]]) || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]], [[CDMA]] || 69.94 || 85.27

|-

|align=right| 7 || [[Orange SA|Orange]] ([[France]]) || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 66.74 || 69.55

|-

|align=right| 8 || [[Cingular Wireless|Cingular]] ([[United States]]) || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]], [[TDMA]] || 54.00 ||

|-

|align=right| 9 || [[NTT DoCoMo]] ([[Japan]]) || [[Personal Digital Cellular|PDC]], [[FOMA]] || 50.82 ||

|-

|align=right| 10 || [[Mobile TeleSystems|MTS]] ([[Russia]]) || [[GSM]] || 48.33 ||

|}

==Americas==

Historians dispute the picture of Pilate painted in the New Testament. Sources outside the New Testament state that Pilate was known for callous disregard toward public opinion, crucifixions of hundreds of Jews, and brutal suppression of Jewish revolts. Some historians speculate that the New Testament account may have been purposely distorted by its authors to curry favour with Rome, by switching primary responsibility for Jesus' execution from the Roman authorities to the Jews. However, other historians point out that Pilate's earlier brutalities were committed while he still enjoyed the protection of his [[patronage|patron]] [[Sejanus]]. Following Sejanus's execution in AD [[31]], Pilate would have been more likely to keep the peace with local leaders, rather than risk civil unrest.

===Argentina=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

The country had in [[August]] [[2005]] 18,758,335 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

| [[movistar]] || [[GSM]] || 6.73 || [[Telefónica|Telefónica Móviles]]

|-

| [[CTI Movil]] || [[GSM]] || 4.92 || [[América Móvil]]

|-

| [[Personal (mobile phone service)|Personal]] || [[GSM]] || 4.81 || [[Telecom Argentina]]

|-

| [[NEXTEL]] || [[iDEN]] || 0.43 || [[Sprint Nextel]]

|}

===Brazil=== (as of [[August]] [[2005]])

According to the New Testament accounts, persecution of Jesus' followers continued after his death. Peter and John were imprisoned by the Jewish leadership, including high priest Annas, who however later released them (Acts 4:1-21). Another time, all the apostles were imprisoned by the high priest and other [[Sadducees]], only to be freed by an angel (Acts 5:17-18). The apostles, after having escaped, were then taken before the Sanhedrin again, but this time Gamaliel (a [[Pharisee]] well known from Rabbinic literature) convinced the Sanhedrin to free them (Acts 5:27-40), which the Sanhedrin did, after having flogged them.

The country had 78,947,332 subscribers in total, or a 42.85% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|colspan=4 align=center|'''National operators'''

|-

| [[Vivo (mobile phone network)|Vivo]] [http://www.vivo.com.br/]|| [[CDMA]], [[TDMA]] || 28.79 || [[Telefónica|Telefónica Móviles]] and [[Portugal Telecom]]

|-

| [[Telecom Italia Mobile|TIM]] [http://www.tim.com.br/]|| [[GSM]], [[TDMA]] || 18.01 || [[Telecom Italia]]

|-

| [[Claro (mobile phone network)|Claro]] [http://www.claro.com.br/]|| [[GSM]], [[TDMA]] || 17.12 ||[[América Móvil]]

|-

|colspan=4 align=center|'''Regional operators'''

|-

| [[Oi (mobile phone network)|Oi]] [http://www.oi.com.br/] || [[GSM]] || 8.72 || [[Telemar]]

|-

| [[Telemig Celular]]/[[Amazônia Celular]] [http://www.telemigcelular.com.br/]|| [[GSM]], [[TDMA]] || 4.23 || [[Telpart]]

|-

| [[Brasil Telecom GSM]] [http://www.brasiltelecom.com.br/]|| [[GSM]] || 1.64 || [[Brasil Telecom]]

|-

| [[CTBC]] [http://www.ctbc.com.br/]|| [[GSM]], [[TDMA]] || 0.35 ||

|-

| [[Sercomtel Celular]] [http://www.sercomtelcelular.com.br/]|| [[GSM]], [[TDMA]] || 0.09 || [[Londrina]] city ([[Paraná]])[[State-owned]] [[Sercomtel]]

|-

|colspan=4 align=center|'''Specialized Mobile Radio'''

|-

| [[NEXTEL]] [http://www.nextel.com.br/]|| [[iDEN]] || || [[Sprint Nextel]]

|}

===Canada=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

The New Testament recounts the stoning of Stephen (Acts 6:8-7:60) by the members of the [[Sanhedrin]]. Stephen is remembered in Christianity as the first [[martyr]] (derived from the Greek word "martyros" which means "witness"). Stephen's execution was followed by a major persecution of Christians (Acts 8:1-3), led by a Pharisee named [[Paul of Tarsus]] (also called Saul), throwing many Christians into prison. According to the New Testament, this persecution continued until Paul converted to Christianity, after reportedly seeing a bright light and hearing the voice of Jesus on the road to Damascus, where he was travelling to carry out more imprisonment of Christians (Acts 9:1-22). Acts 9:23-25 reports that "the Jews" in Damascus then tried to kill Paul. They were waiting for him at the [[town gates]], but he evaded them by being lowered over the [[city wall]] in a basket by other Christians and then escaped to [[Jerusalem]]. Understandably, he had difficulty at first convincing the Christians in Jerusalem that he, their persecutor, had truly converted and was now being persecuted himself (Acts 9:26-27). Another attempt on his life was made, this time by "the Grecians" (KJV), referring to a group of Hellenistic Jews (Acts 9:29), whom he debated while in or around Jerusalem.

{{main|List of Canadian mobile phone companies}}

The country had 15,583,039 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Rogers Wireless]] || [[GSM]] || 5.71 || [[Rogers Communications]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Bell Mobility]] || [[CDMA]] || 4.44 || [[Bell Canada]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[TELUS Mobility]] || [[CDMA]] || 4.15 || [[Telus]]

|-

|align=right| 4 || [[Microcell Telecommunications|Fido]] || [[GSM]] || || [[Rogers Wireless]]

|-

|align=right| 5 || [[Aliant Mobility]] || [[CDMA]] ||0.67 || [[Aliant]]

|-

|align=right| 6 || [[SaskTel Mobility]] || [[CDMA]] || 0.32 || [[SaskTel]]

|-

|align=right| 7 || [[MTS Mobility]] || [[CDMA]] || 0.30 || [[Manitoba Telecom Services|MTS]]

|-

|align=right| 8 || [[Virgin Mobile]] || [[CDMA]] || || [[Virgin Group]]

|}

===Chile===

There is some debate over why Paul, before his conversion, persecuted Christians. One possibility is that he was punishing Jews who no longer observed [[Halakha|Jewish Law]]. This seems unlikely, though, in part because the arrival of the messiah was not at that time a reason for abandoning the law; indeed, some scholars believe it was not until after Paul converted that Christians began preaching this. Moreover, there is evidence that the apostles observed at least parts of Jewish law for some time. Another possibility is that he was punishing Jews who were blaspheming God by claiming God became a man, and who were slandering Jewish authorities by accusing them of killing both God and the prophets who foretold His coming. Another possibility is that he was punishing Gentiles who did not observe Jewish law. This is less likely, since Jews never expected Gentiles among them (even visitors in their synagogues) to observe Jewish law. Another possibility has to do with intense missionary activity on the part of Christians in the years immediately following Jesus' death. Jesus was crucified as a rebel; for Christian missionaries to use synagogue pulpits to preach the claim that he would soon return, leading the armies of Heaven, to establish his kingdom, would have made the Jewish community vulnerable to accusations of treason, and thus to Roman punishment. Jewish leaders would have to suppress any apparent insurrection, or risk Roman wrath.

The country had in [[June]] [[2005]] 10,572,000 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Operator !! Technology !! Ownership

|-

| [[movistar]] || [[GSM]], [[CDMA]], [[TDMA]] || [[Telefónica Móviles]]

|-

| [[Entel PCS]] || [[GSM]] || [[Hurtado Vicuña]]

|-

| [[Smartcom]] || [[CDMA]] || [[América Móvil]]

|}

===Colombia=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

A separate article exists on [[Jews in the New Testament]].

The country had 15,581,389 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Comcel]] || [[GSM]], [[TDMA]] || 9.17 || [[América Móvil]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[movistar]] || [[GSM]], [[CDMA]], [[TDMA]] || 4.76 || [[Telefónica|Telefónica Móviles]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Ola]] || [[GSM]] || 1.65 || [[Empresas Públicas de Medellín]] and [[Empresa de Teléfonos de Bogotá]]

|}

===Ecuador=== (as of [[August]] [[2005]])

=== Persecution of Early Christians by Romans ===

The country had 5,221,535 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Porta]] || [[GSM]], [[TDMA]] || 3.38 || [[América Móvil]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[movistar]] || [[CDMA]], [[TDMA]] || 1.65 || [[Telefónica|Telefónica Móviles]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Alegro PCS]] || [[CDMA]] || 0.18 || [[TELECSA]]

|}

===Mexico=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

According to the [[New Testament]], Jesus' crucifixion was authorized by Roman authorities and carried out by Roman soldiers. The NT also records that [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]] on his missions was imprisoned on several occasions by the Roman authorities. Once he was stoned and left for dead. Finally he was taken as a prisoner to [[Rome]]. The New Testament account does not say what then became of Paul, but Christian tradition reports that he was executed in Rome by being beheaded. Christian tradition reports that [[Peter]] was likewise executed in Rome, by [[crucifixion]] (upsidedown, at his request because he did not feel he deserved the 'honor' of dying in the same way as Christ died).

The country had 42,530,100 subscribers in total, or a 40.00% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Telcel]] || [[GSM]], [[TDMA]] || 32.29 || [[América Móvil]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[movistar]] || [[GSM]] || 5.85 || [[Telefónica|Telefónica Móviles]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Iusacell]] || [[CDMA]] || 1.62 || [[Grupo Salinas]]

|-

|align=right| 4 || [[Unefon]] || [[CDMA]] || 1.44 || [[Moisés Saba]] and [[TV Azteca]]

|}

===Peru=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

== Early Persecutions in Other Sources ==

The country had 4,655,214 subscribers in total, or a 16.62% penetration rate.

Several major persecutions of Christians would later be launched during the Empire, including that of [[Nero]], and worst of all that of [[Diocletian]]. These were generally characterized by arrest, imprisonment, torture, and execution by various means. Christians were often given opportunities to avoid further punishment by publicly offering sacrifices or burning incense to Roman gods, and were accused by the Romans of atheism when they refused.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[movistar]] || [[CDMA]], [[TDMA]] || 2.99 || [[Telefónica|Telefónica Móviles]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[TIM]] || [[GSM]] || 1.46 || [[América Móvil]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[NEXTEL]] || [[iDEN]] || 0.21 || [[Sprint Nextel]]

|}

===United States=== (as of [[December]] [[2004]])

Yet some scholars believe some early Christians sought out and welcomed their persecutions:

The country had 182,140,862 subscribers in total.

These are the largest mobile phone companies in the [[United States]], by number of subscribers.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Cingular]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]], [[TDMA]] || 54.0 || [[SBC Communications|SBC]] (60%) and [[BellSouth]] (40%)

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Verizon Wireless]] || [[CDMA]] || 47.4 || [[Verizon Communications]] (55%) and [[Vodafone]] (45%)

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Sprint]] || [[CDMA]], [[iDEN]] || 44.4 || [[Sprint Nextel Corporation]]

|-

|align=right| 4 || [[T-Mobile]] || [[GSM]] || 19.2 || [[Deutsche Telekom]]

|-

|align=right| 5 || [[ALLTEL]] || [[GSM]], [[CDMA]], [[TDMA]] || 10.6 || [[ALLTEL|ALLTEL Corporation]]

|-

|align=right| 6 || [[U.S. Cellular]] || [[CDMA]], [[TDMA]] || 5.2 || [[U.S. Cellular|United States Cellular Corp.]]

|-

|align=right| 7 || [[TracFone]] || [[GSM]], [[CDMA]], [[TDMA]] || 4.9 || [[América Móvil]]

|-

|align=right| 8 || [[Virgin Mobile]] ([[Mobile Virtual Network Operator|MVNO]] using Sprint) || [[CDMA]] || 3.0 || [[Virgin Group]]

|-

|align=right| 9 || [[Dobson Communications]] || [[GSM]], [[TDMA]] || 1.6 ||

|-

|align=right| 10 || [[MetroPCS]] || [[CDMA]] || 1.5 ||

|-

|align=right| 11 || [[Cricket Communications]] || [[CDMA]] || 1.49 ||

|}

''In [[North America]], IS-2000 is commonly known as [[Code division multiple access|CDMA]]. IS-136 is known as [[Time division multiple access|TDMA]]. However, CDMA and TDMA are general terms that can refer to several different technologies.''

: Jesus, too, says John, really committed suicide, and Augustine spoke of "the mania for self-destruction" of early Christians¹⁹². Roman authorities tried hard to avoid Christians because they "goaded, chided, belittled and insulted the crowds until they demanded their death.";¹⁹³; One man shouted to the Roman officials: "I want to die! I am a Christian," leading the officials to respond: "If they wanted to kill themselves, there was plenty of cliffs they could jump off.";¹⁹⁴; But the Christians, following Tertullian's dicta that "martyrdom is required by God," forced their own martyrdom so they could die in an ecstatic trance: "Although their tortures were gruesome, the martyrs did not suffer, enjoying their analgesic state."¹⁹⁵ ''[http://webpages.charter.net/jspeyrer/ps3.htm The Emotional Life of Nations]''

===Venezuela===

Such interpretations may be impossible to conclude within a Christian point of view. Martyrs are uniquely exemplary of the Christian faith. However, suicide is murder, and is associated with treason to the faith - the very opposite of martyrdom - the way of Judas the traitor, not of Jesus the savior. In the ''Martyrdom of Polycarp'', in paragraph four, it records the story of a Christian named Quintus who handed himself over to the Roman authorities, but turned coward and sacrificed to the Roman gods when he saw the wild beasts in the [[colosseum]]. It then reads, "For this reason therefore, brothers, we do not praise those who hand themselves over, since the gospel does not so teach." This was written in the second century. [[John the Evangelist]] never accused Jesus of suicide or self-destruction, but rather says that Jesus chose not to resist arrest and crucifixion.

The country had in [[June]] [[2005]] 9,830,348 subscribers in total, or a 37.10% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers !! Ownership

|-

|colspan=4 align=center|'''National operators'''

|-

| [[movistar]] || [[CDMA]] || 5.2 || [[Telefónica|Telefónica Móviles]]

|-

| [[Movilnet]] || [[CDMA]], [[TDMA]] || 3.4 || [[Cantv]] and [[Verizon Communications|Verizon]]

|-

|colspan=4 align=center|'''Regional operators'''

|-

| [[Digitel TIM]] || [[GSM]] || 1.2 || [[Telecom Italia]]

|-

| [[Digicel]] || [[GSM]] ||

|-

| [[Infonet]] || [[GSM]] ||

|}

==Asia Pacific==

In 337 a war broke between the kingdom of [[Persia]] and the Roman Empire; this led to anti-Christian persecutions by the Persians. Over the next few decades, thousands of Christians died. In the 3rd and 4th centuries CE, Christian missionaries attempted to convert the [[Goths]], which the Goths saw as an attack on their religion and culture. The Visigoth King Athanaric began persecuting Christians, many of whom were killed. In the 5th and 6th century, [[Arianism]] became prevalent among the Goths; during their forays into Italy, Gaul (France) and Spain they destroyed many churches and killed a number of Christian clergy.

===Australia=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

The country had 18,094,000 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

!width=120| Operator !!width=90| Technology !!width=90| Subscribers!!width=150| Ownership

|-

| [[Telstra Mobile]] || [[GSM]], [[CDMA]] || 8.23 || [[Telstra]] (~50% [[State-owned]])

|-

|| [[Optus Mobile]] || [[GSM]], [[CDMA]] || 6.03 || [[Singapore Telecommunications]]

|-

| [[Vodafone]] || [[GSM]] || 2.89 || [[Vodafone]]

|-

| [[3 (telecommunications)|3]] || [[UMTS]] || 0.53 || [[Hutchison Whampoa]]

|-

|| [[Orange Australia]] || [[CDMA]] || 0.42 || [[Hutchison Whampoa]]

|}

===Bangladesh=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

In 429 CE the [[Vandals]] (who were Arians) conquered Roman Africa. Catholics were discriminated against; Catholic Church property was confiscated. Thousands of Catholics were banished from Vandal held territory.

The country had in [[December]] [[2004]] 3,762,000 subscribers in total, or a 2.80% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

!width=120| Operator !!width=90| Technology !!width=75| Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !!width=150| Ownership

|-

|| [[GrameenPhone]] || [[GSM]] || 3.70 || [[Telenor]] and [[Grameen Bank]]

|-

|| [[Aktel]] || [[GSM]] || 2.00 || [[AK Khan & Company]] and [[Telekom Malaysia]]

|-

|| [[Banglalink]] || [[GSM]] || 0.46 || [[Orascom Telecom]]

|-

|| [[CityCell]] || [[CDMA]] || 0.32 || [[Singapore Telecommunications]], [[Pacific Motors]] and [[Far East Telecom]]

|-

|| [[bMobile]] || [[GSM]] || ''Not available yet'' || [[State-owned]]

|}

===China, People's Republic of=== (as of [[August]] [[2005]])

The New [[Catholicism|Catholic]] Encyclopaedia notes that "Ancient, medieval and early modern hagiographers were inclined to exaggerate the number of martyrs. Since the title of martyr is the highest title to which a Christian can aspire, this tendency is natural". Estimates of Christians killed for religious reasons before the year 313 vary greatly, depending on the scholar quoted, from a high of almost 100,000 to a low of 10,000.

The country had 372,800,000 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

!width=120| Operator !!width=90| Technology !!width=75| Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !!width=150| Ownership

|-

| [[China Mobile]] || [[GSM]] || 231.01 || [[State-owned]]

|-

| [[China Unicom]] || [[GSM]], [[CDMA]] || 122.99 || [[State-owned]]

|}

====Hong Kong====

=== Medieval Jewish Persecution of Christians ===

The administrative region had in [[June]] [[2005]] 8,384,880 subscribers in total, or a 120.80% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

!width=120| Operator !!width=90| Technology!!width=150| Ownership

|-

|| [[CSL]] (CSL, 1O1O and One2Free) || [[UMTS]], [[GSM|GSM-900]], [[GSM-1800]], [[TDMA]] || [[Telstra]]

|-

|| [[3 (telecommunications)|3]]¹ || [[UMTS]], [[GSM|GSM-900]], [[GSM-1800]], [[CDMA]] || [[Hutchison Whampoa]]

|-

|| [[Smartone]] and [[eXtra]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM|GSM-900]], [[GSM-1800]] || [[Sun Hung Kai]] and [[BT]]

|-

|| [[Sunday Communications Ltd|Sunday]]² || [[UMTS]], [[GSM-1800]] ||

|-

|| [[Peoples (wireless provider)|Peoples]] || [[GSM-1800]] ||

|-

|| [[New_World_Development_Co._Ltd.|New World Mobility]] || [[GSM-1800]] ||

|}

<sub>

1. Previously [[Orangina SA|Orange]] Hong Kong, [[Xin Gan Xian]], [[Everyday PCS]].<br>

2. July 2005: [[PCCW]] former owner of [[CSL]] has agreed in June to buy the 59.9% of shares held by the two biggest shareholders at HK$0.65 each share. The acquisition has received approval from Hong Kong's Office of the Telecommunications Authority, and has progressed to a mandatory unconditional cash offer to buy the remaining stock at HK$0.65 per share. Total cost to [[PCCW]] will be approx HK$1.942bn, allowing its reentry into the wireless market and access to [[Sunday]]'s 3G licence.

</sub>

===China, Republic of (Taiwan)=== (as of [[July]] [[2005]])

In pre-Islamic [[Yemen]], a Jewish king called [[Dhu Nuwas]] came to power and persecuted Christians in his realm, and massacred Christian communities in [[Najran]] in about [[524]]; apparently this was intended as retaliation for Byzantine persecutions of the Jews.[http://www.gospelcom.net/dacb/stories/ethiopia/kaleb_.html] According to Muslim tradition, he was the person cursed in the Quran for burning believers alive (Quran 85:4-8.)

The country had 20,515,000 subscribers in total, or a 90.92% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

!width=120| Operator !!width=90| Technology !!width=75| Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !!width=150| Ownership

|-

|| [[Chunghwa Telecom]] || [[GSM]] || 8.11 || [[State-owned]]

|-

|| [[Far EasTone]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || ||

|-

|| [[KG Telecom]] || [[GSM]] || ||

|-

|| [[MobiTai]] || [[GSM]] || ||

|-

|| [[Taiwan Mobile]] || [[GSM]] || ||

|-

|| [[VIBO]] || [[UMTS]] || ||

|-

|| [[APBW]] || [[CDMA]] || ||

|}

===India=== (as of [[August]] [[2005]])

In Ethiopia, Queen Gudit, who persecuted Christians around 970 AD and helped bring down the Kingdom of [[Aksum]], is said in Ethiopian chronicles to have been Jewish, though some modern scholars have cast doubt on this, suggesting that she may have been a pagan[http://www.gospelcom.net/dacb/stories/ethiopia/gudit_.html].

The country had 62,570,000 subscribers in total, or a 5.76% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

!width=120| Operator !!width=90| Technology !!width=75| Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !!width=150| Ownership

|-

|| [[Airtel]] || [[GSM]] || 13.41 || [[Bharti Tele-Ventures]]

|-

|| [[BSNL]] || [[GSM]] || 11.32 || [[State-owned]]

|-

|| [[RIM]] || [[GSM]], [[CDMA]] || 11.13 || [[Reliance Industries Limited]]

|-

|| [[Hutch (Indian cellular company)|Hutch]] || [[GSM]] || 9.30 || [[Hutchison Whampoa]]

|-

|| [http://www.ideacellular.com !DEA] || [[GSM]] || 5.88 ||[[Birla]] ([[Tata Group]])

|-

|| [[Spice]] || [[GSM]] || 1.48 || [[Spicecorp]] and [[DISTACOM]]

|-

|| [[MTNL]] || [[GSM]] || 1.22 || [[State-owned]]

|}

===Indonesia=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

== Islamic Persecution of Christians ==

The country had in [[December]] [[2004]] 30,000,000 subscribers in total, or a 13.48% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

!width=120| Operator !!width=90| Technology !!width=75| Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !!width=150| Ownership

|-

|| [[Telkomsel]] || [[GSM]] || 21.58 || [[State-owned]] [[PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia]] and [[Singapore Telecommunications]]

|-

|| [[Indosat]] || [[GSM]], [[CDMA]] || 12.90 || [[Technologies Telemedia]]

|-

|| [[XL]] || [[GSM]] || 4.30 || [[Telekom Malaysia]]

|-

|| [[Mobile8]] || [[CDMA]] || ||

|-

|| [[Esia]] || [[CDMA]] || ||

|-

|| [[TelkomFlexi]] || [[CDMA]] || ||

|-

|| [[LippoTel]] || [[GSM]] || ||

|}

===Japan=== (as of [[August]] [[2005]]) ([[Mobile]] and [[Personal Handy-phone System]] included)

=== [[Iconoclasm]] ===

The country had 93,314,900 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

!width=120| Operator !!width=90| Technology !!width=75| Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !!width=150| Ownership

|-

| [[NTT DoCoMo]] || [[Personal Digital Cellular|PDC]], [[FOMA]], [[Personal Handy-phone System|PHS]] || 50.82 || [[NTT]] (~50% [[State-owned]])

|-

| [[KDDI Corporation|KDDI]] || [[CDMA]] || 20.54 || [[KDDI Corporation|KDDI]]

|-

| [[Vodafone Japan]] || [[UMTS]], [[Personal Digital Cellular|PDC]] || 14.99 || [[Vodafone]]

|-

| [[TU-KA]] || [[Personal Digital Cellular|PDC]] || 3.53 || [[KDDI Corporation|KDDI]]

|-

| [[Willcom]] || [[Personal Handy-phone System|PHS]] || 3.37 || [[Carlyle Group]], [[Kyocera]] and [[KDDI Corporation|KDDI]]

|-

| [[Astel]] || [[Personal Handy-phone System|PHS]] || 0.07 ||

|}

===Korea, Republic of=== (as of [[September]] [[2005]])

=== [[Ottoman Empire]] ===

The country had 37,911,000 subscribers in total, or a 78.30% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

!width=120| Operator !!width=90| Technology !!width=75| Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !!width=150| Ownership

|-

| [[SK Telecom]] || [[UMTS]], [[CDMA]] || 19.34 || [[SK Corporation]]

|-

| [[KTF]] || [[UMTS]], [[CDMA]] || 12.28 || [[KT Corporation|KT]]

|-

| [[LG Telecom]] || [[CDMA]] || 6.29 || [[LG Group|LG Corporation]] and [[BT Group plc|BT]]

|}

===Malaysia=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

=== Enslavement of Christians in the Sudan today ===

The country had 16,551,000 subscribers in total, or a 63.30% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

!width=120| Operator !!width=90| Technology !!width=75| Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !!width=150| Ownership

|-

| [[Maxis Berhad]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || ||

|-

| [[Celcom]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || || [[Telekom Malaysia]]

|-

| [[Digi]] || [[GSM]] || || [[Telenor]]

|}

===Pakistan=== (as of [[August]] [[2005]])

=== Murder of Christians by [[Islamist]]s in Pakistan ===

The country had 15,511,045 subscribers in total, or a 10.07% penetration rate.

Oct. 28, 2001 - Lahore, Pakistan - terrorists murder 15 Christians at a church. On Sept. 25 [[2002]] two terrorists went into the "Peace and Justice Institute", Karachi. They separated Muslims from the Christians, and then executed eight Christians by shooting them in the head.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

!width=120| Operator !!width=90| Technology !!width=75| Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !!width=150| Ownership

|-

|| [[Mobilink]] || [[GSM]] || 7.46 || [[Orascom Telecom]]

|-

|| [[Ufone GSM]] || [[GSM]], [[CDMA]] || 2.57 || [[State-owned]]

|-

|| [[Paktel]] || [[GSM]], [[TDMA]], [[AMPS]] || ''Not available yet'' || [[Millicom]]

|-

|| [[Telenor]] || [[GSM]] || 0.83 || [[Telenor]]

|-

|| [[Instaphone]] || [[TDMA]], [[AMPS]] || ''Not available yet'' || [[Millicom]]

|-

|| [[Warid Telecom]] || [[GSM]] || 0.51 || [[Abu Dhabi Group]]

|}

===Philippines=== (as of [[December]] [[2004]])

The country had in [[March]] [[2005]] 34,800,000 subscribers in total, or a 41.10% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

!width=120| Operator !!width=90| Technology !!width=75| Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !!width=150| Ownership

|-

|| [[Smart Communications]] || [[GSM]] || 14.60 || [[Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company]]

|-

|| [[Globe Telecom]]&sup1; || [[GSM]] || 12.51 || [[Ayala Corporation]] and <br>[[Singapore Telecommunications]]

|-

|| [[Sun Cellular]] || [[GSM]] || 1.20 || [[Digital Telecommunications Philippines]]

|-

|| [[Next Mobile]] || [[Integrated Digital Enhanced Network|iDEN]] || 0.031 ||

|-

|| [[Extelcom]] || [[CDMA]] || 0.01 ||

|-

!colspan=4 align=center| [[Mobile Virtual Network Operator|Mobile Virtual Network Operators]]

|-

| [[Talk 'N Text]] (using Smart) || [[GSM]] || 4.61 || [[Smart Communications]]

|-

| [[Addict Mobile]] (using Smart) || [[GSM]] || || [[Smart Communications]]

|-

| [[Touch Mobile]] (using Globe) || [[GSM]] || || [[Globe Telecom]]

|}

_{1. UMTS service for Globe is in testing stage and is planned for launch by at least 2007.}

===Thailand=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

=== Murder of Christians by Islamists in Indonesia ===

The country had in [[December]] [[2004]] 28,000,000 subscribers in total, or a 44.12% penetration rate.

1998 - 500 Christian churches burned down in Java.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

!width=120| Operator !!width=90| Technology !!width=75| Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !!width=150| Ownership

|-

|| [[Advance Info Service]] (AIS) || [[GSM]] || 15.81 || [[Shin Corporation]] and [[Singapore Telecommunications]]

|-

|| [[DTAC]] || [[GSM]] || 8.24 || [[UCOM]] and [[Telenor]]

|-

|| [[Orange SA|Orange]] || [[GSM]] || || [[True Corporation]] and [[France Télécom]]

|-

|| [[Hutch]] || [[CDMA]] || 0.68 || [[Hutchison Whampoa]]

|-

|| [[Thai Mobile]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || || [[State-owned]]

|}

===Vietnam===

November 1998 - 22 churches in Jakarta are burned down. 13 Christians killed.

The country had in [[December]] [[2004]] 4,960,000 subscribers in total, or a 6.01% penetration rate.

''List of operators not available yet. To come soon''

==Europe==

Christmas Day 1998 - 180 homes and stores owned by Christians are destroyed in Poso, Central Sulawesi.

===Austria=== (as of [[August]] [[2005]])

The country had 8,128,000 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Mobilkom Austria|A1]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 3.30 || [[Telekom Austria]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[T-Mobile]] || [[GSM]] || 2.05 || [[Deutsche Telekom]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[One]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 1.54 ||

|-

|align=right| 4 || [[tele.ring]] || [[GSM]] || 0.98 || [[Deutsche Telekom]]

|-

|align=right| 5 || [[3]] || [[UMTS]] || 0.26 || [[Hutchison Whampoa]]

|}

===Belgium=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

Easter 2000 - 800 homes and stores owned by Christians are destroyed in Poso, Central Sulawesi.

The country had 8,930,000 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Proximus]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 4.21 || [[Belgacom]] and [[Vodafone]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Mobistar]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 2.87 || [[France Télécom]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Base]] || [[GSM]] || 1.85 || [[KPN]]

|}

===Bulgaria===

May 23 2000 - Christian fight back against a Muslim mob. 700 people die.

The country had in [[December]] [[2004]] 4,729,700 subscribers in total, or a 60.41% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[M-Tel]]¹ || [[GSM]] || || [[Telekom Austria]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[GloBul]] || [[GSM]] || || [[OTE]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Viva]] || [[GSM]] || || [[State-owned]] [[Bulgarian Telecommunation Company|BTC]] (Bulgarian Telecommunication Company)

|}

¹ [[UMTS]] licence has been acquired by [[M-Tel]] in March 2005.

===Czech Republic=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

June 2001 - the [[Laskar Jihad]] declares [[Jihad]] against Christians. Muslim citizens are recruited by the thousands to exterminate Christians.

The country had 10,834,000 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[T-Mobile]]¹ || [[GSM]] || 4.46 || [[Deutsche Telekom]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Eurotel Praha]] (Prague) || [[GSM]] || 4.42 || [[Český Telekom]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Oskar Mobil]] || [[GSM]] || 1.95 || [[Vodafone]]

|}

¹ [[UMTS]] service for T-Mobile CZ is currently being planned for launch on March 2006.

===Finland===

http://www.persecution.org/news/press2001-03-09.html

The country had in [[December]] [[2004]] 4,988,000 subscribers in total, or a 95.63% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Operator !! Technology !! Ownership

|-

| [[Sonera]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || [[Telia Sonera]]

|-

| [[Elisa]] (formerly Radiolinja) || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] ||

|-

| [[DNA Finland]] || [[GSM]] || [[Finnet]]

|-

| [[GSM Åland]] || [[GSM]] || [[Mariehamns Telefon]] and [[Ålands Telefonandelslag]]

|-

!colspan=3 align=center| [[Mobile Virtual Network Operator|Virtual Mobile Network Operators]]

|-

| [[Saunalahti]] || [[GSM]] ||

|-

| [[Tele2]] || [[GSM]] ||

|-

| [[Cubio]] || [[GSM]] ||

|}

===France=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]]) ([[Metropolitan France]] only.)

=== Discrimination and persecution in other Arab and Muslim nations ===

The country had 43,884,700 subscribers in total, or a 75.00% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Orange SA|Orange]] || [[GSM]] || 20.67 || [[State-owned]] [[France Télécom]]

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[SFR]] || [[GSM]] || 15.69 || [[SFR Cegetel]] and [[Vodafone]]

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Bouygues Telecom]] || [[GSM]] || 7.53 || [[Bouygues|Bouygues group]]

|}

===Germany=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

[[Saudi Arabia]] regularly imprisons Christians from other nations. Christians are arrested and lashed for practicing their faith in public. No one is allowed to be a citizen in this nation unless they are Muslim. Prayer services by Christians are broken up by the police, and people who convert to Christianity are often arrested.

The country had 74,088,000 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[T-Mobile]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 28.18 || [[Deutsche Telekom]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Vodafone]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 27.72 || [[Vodafone]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[E-Plus (operator)|E-Plus]] || [[GSM]] || 9.80 || [[KPN]]

|-

|align=right| 4 || [[O2 plc|O₂]] || [[GSM]] || 8.39 || [[O2 plc|O₂ plc]]

|}

===Greece=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

http://www.persecution.org/humanrights/saudi_arabia.html

The country had 11,659,600 subscribers in total.

http://www.persecution.org/concern/2001/09/p2.html

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Cosmote]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 4.38 || [[OTE]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Vodafone]] || [[GSM]] || 4.17 || [[Vodafone]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[TIM]]¹ || [[GSM]] || 2.26 ||

|-

|align=right| 4 || [[Q-Telecom]]² || [[GSM]] || 0.85 || [[Info-Quest]]

|}

<sub>

1. Was [[Telestet]] until [[February]] [[2004]] but the name is still used coloquially.<br>

2. The newest mobile telecom in Greece uses Vodafone's infrastructure until it builds its own network.

</sub>

===Hungary=== (as of [[August]] [[2005]])

[[Egypt]] regularly imprisons Christians. Muslims are severely punished if they convert to Christianity. Government funded newspapers and magazines regularly publish hatespeech towards both Christians [[Anti-Semitism|and Jews]]. For example, an Egyptian government funded magazine published an interview with three Islamic clerics. They state that "another form of infidelity, namely the denial of Islam, and the message of Mohammed. All those who do not believe that Mohammed is Allah's prophet, and that the [[Qur'an]] was Allah's words revealed to him, are infidels, even if they were people of the Book, i.e. Jews, or Christians." The context of the article was that all people in the Western world are, by the Muslim definition, infidels. (Al-Musawwar, 11/24/01)

The country had 9,020,623 subscribers in total, or a 89.40% penetration rate.

[http://www.copts.net/detail.asp?id=227 Christians and Jews labeled as infidels]

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[T-Mobile]] || [[GSM]] || 4.09 || [[Deutsche Telekom]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Pannon GSM]] || [[GSM]] || 3.08 || [[Telenor]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Vodafone]] || [[GSM]] || 1.86 || [[Vodafone]]

|}

===Italy===

Christians are persecuted in Malaysia.

The country had in [[December]] [[2004]] 62,750,000 subscribers in total, or a 109.42% penetration rate.

http://www.persecution.org/humanrights/malaysia.html

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[TIM]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 26.3 || [[Telecom Italia]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Vodafone]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 17 || [[Vodafone]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Wind]] || [[GSM]] || 7.7 || [[Orascom Telecom]]

|-

|align=right| 4 || [[3 (telecommunications)|3]] || [[UMTS]] || 5.2 || [[Hutchison Whampoa]]

|}

===Netherlands===

Islamic fundamentalists oppress and murder Christians in the Philippines.

The country had in [[June]] [[2005]] 16,660,000 subscribers in total.

http://www.persecution.org/humanrights/philippines.html

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[KPN]] || [[GSM]] || 3.9 || [[KPN]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Vodafone]] || [[GSM]] || 3.6 || [[Vodafone]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Telfort]] || [[GSM]] || 2.4 || [[KPN]]

|-

|align=right| 4 || [[T-Mobile]] || [[GSM]] || 2.3 || [[Deutsche Telekom]]

|-

|align=right| 5 || [[Orange SA|Orange]] || [[GSM]] || 1.65 || [[France Telecom]]

|}

===Norway===

== Discrimination and persecution in the Soviet Union ==

The country had in [[December]] [[2004]] 4,716,090 subscribers in total, or a 102.40% penetration rate.

After the Revolution of 1917, The Bolsheviks undertook a massive program to destroy the great influence the [[Russian Orthodox Church]] had on [[Russian]] society and to make the state [[atheist]]. Thousands of churches were destroyed or converted to other uses, such as warehouses. Monasteries were closed and often converted to prison camps, most notably the Solovetz monastery becoming [[Solovki]] concentration camp. Priests and monks were imprisoned or killed systematically. Thousands of lay believers were also imprisoned or executed for the offense of believing in [[God]]. These victims are now recognized as the [[New Martyrs]] by the [[Russian Orthodox Church]], the old martyrs being the victims of the [[Roman]] persecutions. Church property was looted, including the icons and other objects of worship, especially those made of precious metals.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small>

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Telenor]] || 2.5

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[NetCom (Norway)|NetCom]] || 1.2

|}

===Poland===

The intense persecution abated during the [[World War II]], at which time [[Stalin]]'s government actually made some semblance of peace with the church in order to use it as part of its program to inspire [[Russian]] [[patriotic]] feeling to fight the [[German]] invaders. After that, the [[Soviet]] government sought to put the church under control by appointing loyal men as priests, allegedly ending up with the entire upper ranks of the church being officers of the [[KGB]].

The country had in [[June]] [[2005]] 25,300,000 subscribers in total, or a 65.90% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! <small>Rank</small> !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscri bers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Era (operator)|Era]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 8.60² || [[Elektrim]] and [[Deutsche Telekom]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Orange Polska]] || [[UMTS]]¹, [[GSM]] || 7.44² || [[TPSA]] and [[France Telecom]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Plus GSM]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 7.03² || [[Vodafone]], [[TDC (company)|TDC]], KGHM, [[PKN Orlen]], PSE

|-

|align=right| 4 || Netia Mobile¹ || [[UMTS]]¹ || - || Novator 70% and [[Netia]] 30%

|}

<sub>

A concerted effort was made to prevent or disrupt the social gatherings of [[Christians]]. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s the celebration of [[Christmas]] and the traditional Russian holiday of New Year was prohibited (later on New Year was reinstated as a secular holiday and is now the most significant family holiday in [[Russia]]). Gatherings and religious processions were initially prohibited and later on strictly limited and regulated. In later years, a more subtle method of disrupting [[Christian]] holidays involved broadcasting very popular movies one after the other on the major holidays when believers are expected to participate in religious processions, especially during the [[Easter]] celebration. Apparently, this was intended to keep those, whose faith was uncertain or wavering, in their homes and glued to their [[TV]]s.

1. Not yet operational as of [[September]] [[2005]].

<sub>

An intense ideological anti-Christian and anti-religious campaign was carried out throughout the history of the [[Soviet Union]]. An extensive education and propaganda campaign was undertaken to convince people, especially the children and youth, not to become believers. The role of the [[Christian]] religion and the [[church]] was painted in black colors in school textbooks. For instance, much emphasis was placed on the role of the church in such historical horror stories as the [[Inquisition]], persecution of [[Galileo]], [[Giordano Bruno]], and other heretical scientists, and the [[Crusades]]. School students were encouraged to taunt and use [[peer pressure]] against classmates wearing crosses or otherwise professing their faith. In the 1920s there were many "anti-God" publications and social clubs sponsored by the government, most notably the scathingly satirical "[[Godless at the Workbench]]" ("Bezbozhnik u Stanka" in Russian). Later on, these disappeared because a new generation has grown up essentially [[atheist]].

2. As of [[December]] [[2004]].

</sub>

===Portugal===

A "scientific" perspective was used to attack religion extensively. The church was falsely portrayed as obscurantist and opposed to the findings of [[science]]. Much has been made of alleged Christian belief in the literal [[Creation]] account in the book of [[Genesis]] which the pro-[[Darwinian]] textbooks ridiculed. Interestingly, as part of the anti-foreign and anti-capitalist propaganda, a not-so-subtle effort was made, especially in the 1920s and 1930s to imprint in the minds of the people an image of the [[West]] as dominated by the anti-scientific ignorance of the church, as opposed to the scientifically "progressive" [[atheist]] [[Soviet]] state.

The country had in [[March]] [[2005]] 10,642,600 subscribers in total, or a 101.60% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Operator !! Technology !! Ownership

|-

|[[Telecomunicações Móveis Nacionais, SA|TMN]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || [[Portugal Telecom]]

|-

|[[Vodafone]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || [[Vodafone]]

|-

|[[Optimus Telecomunicações, S.A.|Optimus]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || [[Sonae]], [[France Télécom]]

|-

|colspan=4 align=center|'''[[Mobile Virtual Network Operator|Mobile Virtual Network Operators]]'''

|-

|[[Yorn|Yorn (Young ORiginal Network)]] (using Vodafone) || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || [[Vodafone]]

|-

|[[rede4]] (using Optimus) || [[GSM]] || [[Sonae]], [[France Télécom]]

|-

|[[UZO]] (using TMN) || [[GSM]] || [[Portugal Telecom]]

|}

===Romania=== (as of [[July]] [[2005]])

The country had 11,640,000 subscribers in total, or a 53.65% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Orange Romania]] || [[GSM]] || 6.00 || [[France Télécom]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Connex GSM Romania]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 5.25 || [[Vodafone]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Zapp Mobile]] || [[CDMA]] || 0.30 || [[Oger Telecom]]

|-

|align=right| 4 || [[Cosmorom]] || [[GSM]] || 0.09 || [[OTE]]

|}

===Russian Federation=== (as of [[July]] [[2005]])

In general, the church was portrayed as corrupt, hypocritical, a loyal servant of the reactionary [[czar]], obscurantist, "opium for the people" according to [[Karl Marx]], and otherwise evil. This [[Communist]] persecution of the church has proved enormously successful. Within the span of one generation, the traditionally highly devout Russian people have become overwhelmingly [[atheist]]. This transformation has been pretty much complete by the 1950s. As such, it counts as one of the greatest and the most successful persecutions [[Christianity]] has ever experienced, on par only with the destruction of [[Christianity]] in the [[Middle East]], [[North Africa]], and [[Asia Minor]] by the [[Islamic]] and [[Turkish]] conquests.

The country had 102,440,000 subscribers in total, or a 70.60% penetration rate.

These are the largest mobile phone companies in [[Russia]], by number of subscribers.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Mobile TeleSystems|Mobile TeleSystems - MTS]] || [[GSM]] || 35.74 || [[AFK Sistema]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Bee Line GSM|VimpelCom - Bee Line GSM]] || [[GSM]] || 35.35 || [[Telenor]] and [[Alfa Group]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[MegaFon]] || [[GSM]] || 19.15 || [[Telia Sonera]], [[Telecominvest]] and [[IPOC International Growth Fund]]

|-

|align=right| 4 || [[Uralsvyazinform]] || [[GSM]] || 2.95 ||

|-

|align=right| 5 || [[SMARTS]] || [[GSM]] || 2.39 ||

|-

|align=right| 6 || [[Tele2]] || [[GSM]] || 1.91 ||

|-

|align=right| 7 || [[Sibirtelecom]] || [[GSM]] || 1.48 ||

|}

===Serbia & Montenegro===

After the fall of the [[Soviet Union]], the government of [[Russia]] openly embraced the [[Russian Orthodox Church]], and there was a reputed renaissance in the number of the faithful in [[Russia]]. As of 2004 it is generally noted, however, that whereas a very large percent of Russians today identify themselves as believers and members of the church (up from a very small group in the [[Soviet]] days), still relatively few of them actually attend [[church]] regularly, read the [[Bible]], or otherwise take their [[communion]] with the [[church]] seriously. For many, it seems, [[faith]] has become a matter of personal identification and readiness to [[Baptism|baptize]] their children or have church [[marriage]] and [[burial]] ceremonies, and not much else. This is a clear testimony to the completeness and the long term success of the Communist persecution of the [[Christianity]] in [[Russia]].

The country had in [[December]] [[2004]] 4,729,600 subscribers in total, or a 44.96% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small>

|-

| [[MOBTEL]] || [[GSM]] ||

|-

| [[ProMonte]] || [[GSM]] ||

|-

| [[MONET GSM|MONET]] || [[GSM]] ||

|-

| [[Mobilna Telefonija Srbija]] || [[GSM]] ||

|}

===Spain=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

[[Richard Wurmbrand]], author of ''[[Tortured for Christ]]'' described the systematic persecution of Christians in one East Bloc nation. Many Christian believers in the Soviet Union have told of being imprisoned for no other reason than believing in God - a fate shared no less by Jewish believers. Many have recently been canonized as [[saint]]s following their death at the hands of Soviet authorities; they are collectively referred to in the Orthodox church as the "new martyrs". (See also [[Enemy of the people]], [[Gulag]], [[Alexander Solzhenitsyn]], [[Varlam Shalamov]])

The country had 40,921,800 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[movistar]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 19.38 || [[Telefónica|Telefónica Móviles]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Vodafone]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 11.84 || [[Vodafone]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Amena]]¹ || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 9.70 || [[France Télécom]]

|}

<sub>

1. to be rebranded [[Orange SA|Orange]] Spain

</sub>

===Sweden=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

== Persecution in other Eastern Block nations ==

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

[[Enver Hoxha]] conducted a campaign to extinguish all forms of religion in [[Albania]] in [[1967]], closing all religious buildings and declaring the state atheist. See [[Communist and post-Communist Albania]].

|-

! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small>

|-

| [[Telia]] || [[UMTS]],[[GSM]] || 4.32

|-

| [[Tele2Comviq]] || [[UMTS]],[[GSM]] || 3.50

|-

| [[Vodafone]] || [[UMTS]],[[GSM]] || 1.52

|-

| [[3 (telecommunications)|3]] || [[UMTS]] ||

|-

| [[Spring Mobil]] || [[GSM]] ||

|}

===Switzerland=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

== Persecution of Christians in [[China]] ==

The country had 6,426,000 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Swisscom Mobile]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 4.04 || [[State-owned]] [[Swisscom]] and [[Vodafone]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Sunrise (telecommunication)|Sunrise]] || [[GSM]] || 1.23 || [[TDC Group]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Orange SA|Orange]] || [[GSM]] || 1.15 || [[France Télécom]]

|}

===Turkey=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

=== Emperor [[Tang Wu Zong]] of China ===

The country had 39,608,677 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Turkcell]] || [[GSM]] || 25.60 || [[Cukurova Group]] and [[Telia Sonera]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Telsim]] || [[GSM]] || ''not available yet'' || Currently possessed by state, to be sold off soon.

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Avea]] || [[GSM]] || ''not available yet'' || [[Türk Telekom]], [[Telecom Italia]] and [[Türk İş Bankası]]

|}

===Ukraine=== (as of [[August]] [[2005]])

Known as a [[Taoist]] zealot, he suppressed all other religions within China. [[Nestorianism]], perhaps the earliest [[Christian]] branch in China, left China for good.

The country had 23,000,000 mobile subscribers in total, or a 48.9% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! Technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Ukrainian Mobile Communications]] || [[GSM]], [[Nordic_Mobile_Telephone|NMT]] || ~11.0 || [[Mobile_TeleSystems|MTS]] (100%)

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Kyivstar]] || [[GSM]] || 10.9 || [[Telenor]] (56.52%), [[Alfa_Group|Alfa Group]] (43.48%)

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Astelit life:)]] || [[GSM]] || 1.1 || [[Turkcell]] (54.2%), [[SCM Holdings]] (45.8%)

|-

|align=right| 4 || [[Ukrainian RadioSystems]] || [[GSM]] || 0.1 || [[Optima-Telecom]] and [[PRIVAT Group]]

|-

|align=right| 5 || [[Golden Telecom]] || [[GSM]] || 0.06 || [[Golden Telecom Inc.]] (GLDN)

|-

|align=right| 6 || [[DCC]] || [[TDMA]] || 0.04 || [[Turkcell]] (54.2%), [[SCM Holdings]] (45.8%)

|-

|-

|align=right| - || CDMA operators || [[CDMA]] || 0.1 || [[ITC Ukraine]], [[Velton]], etc.

|-

|}

===United Kingdom=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

This occurred during the [[Tang Dynasty]].

The country had 63,601,000 subscribers in total

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[T-Mobile]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 16.06 || [[Deutsche Telekom]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Vodafone]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 15.49 || [[Vodafone]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[O2 plc|O₂]] || [[GSM]] || 14.62 || [[O2 plc|O₂ plc]]

|-

|align=right| 4 || [[Orange SA|Orange]] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 14.46 || [[France Télécom]]

|-

|align=right| 5 || [[3 (telecommunications)|3]] || [[UMTS]] || 3.21 ¹ || [[Hutchison Whampoa]]

|}

¹ Data as of [[August]] [[24]] [[2005]].

There are also a number of [[MVNO|Virtual Mobile Network Operators]], including [[Virgin Mobile]], [[Tesco|Tesco Mobile]], and [[EasyGroup|easyMobile]].

=== [[Qing Dynasty]] ===

==Middle East & Africa==

When [[Emperor Jiaqing of China]] declared the close door policy, Christianity suffered the first drawback. After the [[Opium War]], Christians became a target of hatred and many Christians were killed in the [[Boxer Rebellion]].

===Algeria=== (as of [[August]] [[2005]])

The country had 9,879,847 subscribers in total, or a 30.87% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Djezzy]] || [[GSM]] || 5.69 || [[Orascom Telecom]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Mobilis]] || [[GSM]] || 3.19 || [[State-owned]] [[Algérie Télécom]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Nedjma]] || [[GSM]] || 1.00 || [[Wataniya Telecom]]

|}

===Egypt=== (as of [[August]] [[2005]])

=== [[People's Republic of China]] ===

The country had 11,223,984 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[MobiNil]] [http://www.mobinil.com] || [[GSM]] || 5.91 || [[Orascom Telecom]] and [[France Télécom]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Vodafone]] [http://www.vodafone.com.eg] || [[GSM]] || 5.32 || [[Vodafone]]

|}

===Kenya=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

The Communist government tries to maintain tight control over religions, so it outlaws all Christian churches, except those under the Communist Party's control (see article on [[Chinese House Churches]]).

The country had 4,611,070 subscribers in total, or a 14,40% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Safaricom]] [http://www.safaricom.co.ke]] || [[GSM]] || ''Not available yet'' || [[State-owned]] [[Telkom Kenya]] and [[Vodafone]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Celtel]] [http://www.ke.celtel.com] || [[GSM]] || ''Not available yet'' || [[MTC]]

|}

===Mauritius=== Persecution(as inof [[JapanJune]] ==[[2005]]

The country had in [[December]] [[2004]] 622,565 subscribers in total.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Cellplus]] || [[GSM]] || 0.39 || [[Mauritius Telecom]] group and [[France Telecom]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Emtel]] || [[GSM]] || ''Not available yet'' || Millicom International Cellular

|}

===Morocco=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

===Arrival of Christianity===

The country had 10,725,000 subscribers in total, or a 35.88% penetration rate.

Following the arrival in Japan of the Portuguese in the early 1500s, Christianity gained much ground.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[IAM]] (Itissalat al-Maghrib) [http://www.mobileiam.ma] || [[GSM]] || 7.19 || [[State-owned]] [[Maroc Télécom]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Méditel]] [http://www.meditel.ma] || [[GSM]] || 3.54 || [[Telefónica|Telefónica Móviles]] and [[Portugal Telecom]]

|}

===Mozambique=== (as of [[May]] [[2005]])

===Edo Period===

The country had in [[December]] [[2004]] 708,000 subscribers in total, or a 3.73% penetration rate.

As the [[Sengoku period]] drew to a close in the late 1500s, the shogun [[Hideyoshi Toyotomi]] became concerned with the popularity of Christianity and thus drove out the missionaries and killed 26 Christians as an example. The trade continued, but the tradition of persecution had begun. With the subsequent rise of the [[Tokugawa shogunate]], the government's anti-Christian sentiment grew. In [[1614]], mostly to curb the [[Dutch]] attempts to make inroads into Japan's economy, Christianity was outlawed. The penalty for following Christianity was death. Thousands of Japanese Christians were killed for maintaining their faith despite the ban. A substantial community of Christians in [[Nagasaki, Nagasaki|Nagasaki]] remained as well as many smaller groups throughout Japan, despite the persecution.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[mCel]] || [[GSM]] || 0.77 || Partially [[state-owned]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Vodacom]] || [[GSM]] || ''Not available yet'' || [[Telkom]], [[Vodafone]] and [[VenFin]]

|}

===Nigeria=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

===Meiji Revolution and WWII===

The country had 13,316,597 subscribers in total, or a 10.56% penetration rate.

During the [[Meiji era]] and until the end of [[World War II]], even though the Meiji constitution technically allowed freedom of religion, the law banning Christianity remained in effect. As a result Christianity was still an illegal religion in Japan that remained punishable by death. With the new reforms, Nagasaki became open to trade, but as the ban on Christianity still remained in effect so did the government persecution. Nevertheless, despite this Christianity continued to grow. During WWII, [[Shinto]] became the official religion and all others were made crimes with varying degrees of punishment. The persecution, most especially toward Christians (who were seen as sympathetic to the Allies), intensified until the end of the war, as non-Shinto were seen as traitors to Japan.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| || [[Glo Mobile]] [http://www.gloworld.com] || [[GSM]] || ''Not available yet '' ||

|-

|align=right| || [[MTN Nigeria]] [http://www.mtnonline.com] || [[GSM]] || 6.38 || [[MTN]]

|-

|align=right| || [[Mtel]] [http://www.mtelnigeria.com] || [[GSM]] || ''Not available yet'' || [[State-owned]] [[Nitel]]

|-

|align=right| || [[Vmobile]] [http://www.vmobile-nigeria.com] || [[GSM]] || ''Not yet'' || [[First Bank of Nigeria]] and [[AKIIPOC]]

|}

===CessationSaudi of PersecutionArabia===

The country had in [[December]] [[2004]] 9,175,800 subscribers in total, or a 36.82% penetration rate.

After the surrender of Japan in 1945, she was forced to enact freedom of religion as part of the surrender, immediately stopping the persecution. After Japan regained her sovereignty, freedom of religion remained as part of the new [[Constitution of Japan]].

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Al Jawal]] || [[GSM]] || ''Not available yet'' || [[State-owned]] [[Saudi Telecom]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Mobily]] || [[GSM]] || ''Not available yet'' || [[Etisalat]]

|}

===South Africa=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

== Hindu Persecution of Christians ==

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Vodacom-Vodafone]] [http://www.vodacom.co.za] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 14.29 || [[Telkom]], [[Vodafone]] and [[VenFin]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[MTN]] [http://www.mtn.co.za] || [[UMTS]], [[GSM]] || 8.41 || [[Mobile Telephone Networks]]

|-

|align=right| 3 || [[Cell C]] [http://www.cellc.co.za] || [[GSM]] || ''not available yet'' || [[Oger Telecom]]

|}

===Sudan===

23 Jan 1999 - Graham Staines, an Australian Christian missionary aged 55 years, and his two sons, aged 8 and 10, were burned to death in the state of [[Orissa]] by members of [[Hindutva Parivar]], a Hindu nationalist group. Staines was accused of making derogatory remarks about Hinduism, fraudulently converting local tribals, sexually assaulting a villagers wife and slaughtering cows, the most sacred animal to Hindus.

The country had in [[December]] [[2004]] 1,048,600 subscribers in total, or a 3.04% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Mobitel]] || [[GSM]] || || [[Sudatel]] and [[MSI Cellular Holdings]]

|}

===Tunisia=== (as of [[June]] [[2005]])

In Sept. 2002 eight Christian missionaries were beaten during worship services by Hindu fundamentalists.

The country had in [[December]] [[2004]] 3,575,700 subscribers in total, or a 37.59% penetration rate.

{|{{prettytable}} width=435

|-

! Rank !! Operator !! technology !! Subscribers<br><small>(in millions)</small> !! Ownership

|-

|align=right| 1 || [[Tuntel]] || [[GSM]] || ''Not available yet'' || [[State-owned]] [[Tunisie Télécom]]

|-

|align=right| 2 || [[Tunisiana]] || [[GSM]] || 1.56 || [[Wataniya Telecom]] and [[Orascom Telecom]]

|}

== Sources of information ==

In Oct. 2002 the governor of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu issued an ordinance aimed at preventing people from converting to Christianity, on the pretext that such conversions occur due to fraud. Christians may be sentenced to up to three years in jail if convicted of such a crime.

*[http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/at_glance/cellular04.pdf International Telecommunications Union's cellular statistics]

*[http://www.cellular-news.com/ Cellular News web site]

*[http://www.gsmworld.com GSM Association web site]

*[http://www.cdg.org CDMA Development Group web site]

*[http://www.rtr.at/web.nsf/englisch/Telekommunikation_Markt_Marktinfos_Marktinfos_MarktanteileMobilfunkbetreiber2005?OpenDocument Austrian Mobile Telecoms' data]

*[http://www.teleco.com.br Brazilian Mobile Telecoms' data]

*[http://www.cwta.ca Canadian Mobile Telecoms' data]

*[http://www.sic.gov.co Colombian Mobile Telecoms' data]

*[http://www.supertel.gov.ec Ecuadorian Mobile Telecoms' data]

*[http://www.ntc.gov.ph/whatsnew-frame.html Filipino Mobile Telecoms' data]

*[http://www.arcep.fr French Mobile Telecoms' data]

*[http://www.myphone.gr/library/article-16.html Greek Mobile Telecoms' data]

*[http://www.tca.or.jp Japanese Mobile Telecoms' data]

*[http://www.osiptel.gop.pe Peruvian Mobile Telecoms' data]

*[http://www.mobile-arsenal.com.ua/ Ukrainian mobile operators info]

*[http://www.americamovil.com América Móvil subsidiaries' subscriber numbers]

*[http://www.unefon.com.mx Unefon subscriber numbers]

*[http://www.iusacell.com.mx Iusacell subscriber numbers]

*[http://www.chinamobilehk.com/investor_relations.htm China Mobile subscriber numbers]

*[http://www.t-mobile.net/CDA/about_t-mobile,2,0,,en.html?w=1088&h=733 T-Mobile company data]

*[http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/aboutUs/index.jsp Verizon company data]

*[http://cingular.com/about/company_overview Cingular company data]

*[http://www.telefonicamoviles.com/eng/accionistaseinversores/inversores/hechos_relev/hechos_relev.html# Telefonica company data]

*[http://www.sprint.com/sprint/fastfacts/overview/ Sprint PCS company data]

*[http://www.t-mobile.com/company/about/quickfacts.asp T-Mobile USA company data]

*[http://www.orange.com/English/aboutorange/whereweare.asp?UID=# Orange Statistics]

*[http://www.mmo2.com/media/pr_040721a.asp O2 Data]

*[http://www.vodafone.com/article_wide/0,3041,CATEGORY_ID%253D306%2526LANGUAGE_ID%253D0%2526CONTENT_ID%253D230772,00.html Vodafone company data]

*[http://www.turkcell.com.tr/index/0,1028,69300,00.html Turkcell company data]

*[http://www.telecomitalia.it/cgi-bin/tiportale/TIPortale/ep/contentView.do?channelId=-9794&LANG=EN&contentId=20336&programId=9597&programPage=/ep/TImedia/TISearch.jsp&tabId=3&pageTypeId=-8663&contentType=EDITORIAL TIM company data]

{{MobilePhoneNetworks}}

However, local Hindus have often criticized missionaries for exploiting the impoverished condition of non-Christians to convert them. In several cases, Christian pastors have publicly made derogatory remarks about Hinduism. In other cases, foreign missionaries have denied medical treatment and food aid to Hindus who refuse to convert to Christianity.

[[Category:Mobile phone companies| ]]

It should be noted that the majority of instances of persecutions of Christians in India do not involve the native [[Saint Thomas Christians]], but rather Latin Rite [[Catholic]]s and [[Protestant]]s.

[[zh:最大的移动电话公司]]

[http://www.csw.org.uk/Newsarchive.asp?country=India Christian News Source with several articles on persecution of Christians in India]

[http://www.kentaxrecords.com/iaca/index.php Indians Against Christian Aggression]

== Discrimination in Israel ==

At various times, right-wing ultra-Orthodox Jewish political groups have proposed [[antichrist|anti-Christian]] legislation in the [[Knesset]] (Israel's parliament); each attempt has been defeated.

Since its inception, the government of Israel has funded not only Jewish institutions, but has also provided significant funding for Muslim, Christian and [[Druze]] institutions and churches/mosques. However, Israel provides proportionally greater financial support to institutions in the Jewish sector; For example, only 2.4 percent of the Ministry of Religious Affairs budget for 1999 was allocated to the non-Jewish sector, although Muslims, Christians, and Druze constitute 20 percent of the population. Some Israelis hold that any funding for these faiths at all is not necessary, but given Israel's social and civic structure, more people hold that budget must be distributed on a purely proportional basis. In 1998 the Israeli High Court of Justice ruled that the budget allocation constituted "prima facie discrimination" but that the plaintiff's petition did not provide adequate information about the religious needs of the various communities. The court refused to intervene in the budgetary process on the grounds that such action would invade the proper sphere of the legislature.

The status of a number of Christian organizations with representation in Israel heretofore has been defined by a collection of ad hoc arrangements with various government agencies. Several of these organizations seek to negotiate with the Government in an attempt to formalize their status.

Missionaries are allowed to [[proselytize]], although the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]] voluntarily refrains from doing so under an agreement with the Government. A 1977 anti-proselytizing law prohibits anyone from offering or receiving material benefits as an inducement to conversion; however, there have been no reports of its enforcement. On December 6, a law prohibiting some missionary activity and the dissemination of some missionary material passed a first reading in the Knesset.

[[Jehovah's Witnesses]] suffered verbal abuse, assaults, theft, and vandalism; however, they reported that the police response to their complaints improved significantly during the year.

See also: [[Religious intolerance]] -- [[History of Christianity]] -- [[Religious pluralism]]

== References ==

''Let My People Go: The True Story of Present-Day Persecution and Slavery'' Cal. R. Bombay, Multnomah Publishers, 1998

''Their Blood Cries Out'' Paul Marshall and Lela Gilbert, World Press, 1997.

''In the Lion's Den: Persecuted Christians and What the Western Church Can Do About It'' Nina Shea, Broadman & Holman, 1997.

''The New Catholic Encyclopedia'', 1967 (15 volume set)

== External links ==

* [http://www.persecution.com.au/ Voice of the Martyrs]

* [http://www.persecution.org/ International Christian Concern]

* [http://www.copts.net/index.asp Coptic Christians persecuted in Egypt]

* [http://www.iabolish.com Anti-Slavery organization]

* [http://www.religioustolerance.org Religious Tolerance]

[[de:Christenverfolgung]]