>> wendy: this week and christian world news, nigeria on the brink, as radical muslims attack christians in the north. some fear a civil war is in the making. >> george: plus they're calling it a house of horrors. what happened at this pennsylvania abortion clinic is so awful that the doctor is charged with four counts of murder. yet most of the american media are ignoring the story. >> wendy: and from the trash pile to the courts of the king. this woman made her living digging for junk until she found a christian ministry willing to help her climb out. >> george: in a nation divided by religion, muslim extremists could force a civil war. hello, everyone, i'm george thomas. >> wendy: and i'm wendy griffith. last year more christians

were killed in nigeria than in any other country. senior international correspondent gary lane tells us why nigerian believers are targeted and what can be be done to help them. >> reporter: bombings like this one gave nigeria the sad distinction of the nation with the highest christian death toll. more than 900 christians reportedly were killed in nigeria last year. victims of the boko haram terrorist group and other islamic militants. >> they are so radical that they do not even spare muslims. if muslims are sympathetic to any cause at all, if they're sympathetic to the christians cause or the minorities' cause, they also term us i infidels. >> reporter: in 2013, radicals have killed more than 120 nigerians, most of them christians. gregory larr is an international human rights attorney. >> it is happening at this time because there appears

to a new residence, a new islamic awareness. >> reporter: because of this wave of violence, various groups in southern nigeria are taking up arms to protect the christians. emmanuel warns the country may be on the brink of a broader conflict. >> because of the massive christian population in nigeria, there is no country on earth that is as rich and ready for a religious war. all the elements, all of the ingredients, are there. >> reporter: he spoke at a recent conference by the washington jubilee campaign. >> the routes they're taking is dangerous. it is against american interests, and it's not positive. it is not sensible. the ultimate aim of this extremism is not just to wipe out christians.

>> reporter: for years islamic militants limited their attacks on christians to the 12 northern nigeria states, where shari'a law is in states. now they're pressing into central and southern states, where christians are in the majority. world magazine reporter mindy bell says the pattern is all too familiar. >> we've seen it happen in sudan, and mali, and parts of the middle east. when that happens what is growing up in there is the seeds of terrorism that is targeting the west. >> reporter: what is the solution to stop the attacks against christians and others. the nigeria president has proposed a possible amnesty for boko haram's terrorists. and mark lipto says amnesty would be a mistake. >> it goes to say that a government must have to succumb to the pressure of terror. and then we see that it will go into reward the perpetrator to continue to carry out his carnage.

that is wrong. >> the problem has gone beyond my jury room. it has its roots in libya. even if the majority is well-contained, and the borders are not secure, you have not solved the problem. >> reporter: lipt lipto suggests christians united in prayer can solve the problem. >> the voiceless are not being represented. but if we look to the person christ and avoid all these differences and come together, we will be able to give a voice to the voiceless. and that is what we're called to do. >> reporter: gary lane, cbn news. >> george: the rights of religious extremism is largely to blame for an increase in persecution of religious minorities around the world. that's the conclusion by the u.s. government panel. the u.s. commission on international religious freedom, which advises the u.s. state department, released its annual report

this week. the report says extremists target religious minorities for violence, including physical assaults and even murder. governments that fail to protect them or take part in persecution, contributes to the problem. especially in countries where it is forbidden to change faith. joining us now is knox tent, and knox, who are these religious extremists, and who are their victims. >> it is a trend we see affecting the globe, burma, pakistan, nigeria, and east africa. they are motivated by an extremely religious ideology that attack the religious other. even those in their own faith group or adhere to another religion. >> george: and this is

especially happening in the so-called arab spring countries, like egypt, syria, and libya. what does the commission recommend that the government do to protect the religious minorities there? >> this is one of the biggest challenges facing the united states in our diplomacy internationally. we have recommended that the united states designate 15 countries as the worst violators of religious freedom, including egypt. in the context of egypt, it is because of government action and inaction. the government persecuting people under blasphemy-like laws, but also allowing street gangs to attack religious minorities, like the coptic christian church, with impunity. it is time for our government to let cairo know we want to see those violations end. >> george: and you mentioned blasphemy laws. right now there is a christian mother of three who is in jail of pakistan,

convicted of blasphemying the muslim mohammed. how common are these cases around the world? >> tragically, they're increasingly common. pakistan is the worst situation for blasphemy laws. in our report, we identified 16 individuals in pakistan who are on death row for allegedly blasfemous statements. and they're not all christians. there are always muslims. we've seen increasing cases in egypt, and other places, like india and greece. it is a challenge to freedom of thought, freedom of religion. when you have government deciding what is or isn't true, and what is or isn't offensive. >> george: the report mentions authtarian governments governments oppressing people. what are some of the worst nations? >> china would be one for sure. there are weaker muslims, and tibetan buddhists, the

catholic church -- if you're not willing to play by the chinese government rules, then you're going to be in for a world of hurt. other countries, like saudi arabia, where the policy is for only one form of islam, and all others face government repression, and they must practice their faith underground. and also in russia. we've seen increasing total arism there. >> george: have you seen any improvements in any countries when it comes to religious freedom issues? >> there are bright spots here and there around the world, but, sadly, the overall trajectory is a downward one. there is a role our government can play to help advocate for this fundamental human right. >> george: terrific. thanks so much for your insight and coming on the broadcast this week. >> thank you. >> wendy: an korean-american has been sentenced to 15 years of

hard labor in prison. kenny bae is accused of committing hostile acts against the state. friends and colleagues say bae is a devout christian. he frequently travelled to north korea to feed orphans. he is the sixth american deta since 2009. >> george: up next in america, an abortionist on trial for murder. see why prosecutors called his clinic a house >> george: welcome back back to the show. here in america, witnesses in a shocking trial testified to gruesome practices at a pennsylvania abortion clinic. former clinic workers told the court that dr. kermit gosnell and his staff killed babies that had been born alive. >> wendy: despite the horrific nature of the trial, it didn't get much coverage from the major media. john jessup has the story from philadelphia. >> reporter: it may be all smiles for these teens

dancing in downtown philadelphia, but just steps away, in this courthouse, the trial of 72-year-old late-term abortion doctor, kermit gosnell, has driven many to anger and tears. >> it is really the first time that an african-american abortionist in an african-american neighborhood was preying on hhis own people for profit. >> reporter: gosnell faces the death penalty, one in the death of a 41-year-old woman who overdosed while in his care. the others for killing babies by cutting their spines with scissors after they reportedly had been born alive. past patients describe his now shuttered abortion clinic as a house of horrors. >> i remember just walking through and looking and seeing some women that looked half dead. >> reporter: in reviewing the case, grand jury members said it was a failure to report and enforce broken violations that led to the clinic's deplorable

conditions, including blood-stained furniture and walls, unsterilized medical equipment that spread venereal diseases, and fetal remains stored in paper bags and plastic jugs. >> we are looking at a killing field of human beings because one person -- and a lot of people -- didn't have the courage to go ahead and followup and make sure there were safe conditions. >> reporter: others blame pennsylvania governor tom ridge, a pro-choice republican, for ending clinic inspections in the '90s. >> unless you're a pro-life governor, you probably aren't going to have the backbone and courage to enforce the regulations put on the books. >> reporter: she and others don't limit the blame to state authorities. critics point out the media have dropped the ball as well. >> i've been doing this for 25 years, and i don't regular any big-league media, mainstream media, being shamed into doing a

story. >> reporter: hardly any major news outlets covered the case, but then a liberal commentator railed against reporters for originally failing to cover gosnell's trial. j.d. malane writes for the bucks county times, and has been described as the lone reporter for the trial since the beginning. he believes the case and the grand jury's report has the potential to reshape the national debate over abortion. cbn news first reported on the grand jury's findings back in february 2011. >> i'm convinced that if only half of what is in that report were known to the american public, given coverage by, you know, the mainstream media, especially the tv networks, roe vs. wade and the unfettered right to an abortion would be as vigorously debated in america as the second amendment is after the sandy hook elementary school massacre. i'm convinced of it. it is that bad. >> reporter: but not bad

enough for the white house to weigh in. when asked about president obama's opinion earlier this week, press secretary jay carney says the president is aware of the case and cannot take a position on an ongoing trial. >> wendy: and coming up, millions of indians live a lifetime in poverty. you'll meet one woman who rose from the trash heap, and the christian ministry that helped her.

>> wendy: in recent months, india's women have been rising up to protest sexual violence and degradation they face on a daily basis. they say india society needs to cultivate a new attitude of respect towards women. >> george: for years, christian ministries have been working to help indian woman overcome the odds. i met an indian woman who

overcame terrible poverty and abuse, and also forgave those who put her in harm's way. it has been said the most beautiful people are those who have known defeat, struggle, and have found their way out of the depths. rachja is one of them. >> i've had a difficult life during my childhood, and experienced more horrible things than most people my age. >> george: at a young age, she was forced by her parents to join the ranks of india's so-called rag pickers. they rummage through filthy garbage heaps in the city of india, looking for anything that could be recycled and sold, plastic, bottles, metal parts, rotten and discarded food. >> my day started at 4:00 or 5:00 and the morning, and i picked trash for 10 to 12 hours. >> george: on a good day, she would earn about $2.

and that was a good day. here on the streets, where dogs were her only companion, and millions of sqwirming maggots, lies and crows are constant distraction. she would keep with others for a few scraps. >> when i got older, my mother said i wasn't bringing in enough money with the trash, and so i was forced to sleep with men. i became a prostitute. >> george: she describes the rage she felt towards her parents. >> i thought of running away. i didn't trust my parents. how could they do such a thing to me. i was angry. i wanted to kill them. i wanted something terrible to happen to them. >> george: rupa is a de delat. they name them impure, less than human. like her, many young girls end up as prostitutes or get caught in a web of human

trafficking. >> when i think about it, i begin to cry. >> george: but that is the past. tonight is graduation night, and rupa is all smiles. >> i cannot even begin to explain to you what god has done in my life. >> george: she has god and jeva lynne to thank for her transformation. >> we really look forward to this night because we see our women being liberated, being emancipated. >> george: jeva runs a christian ministry that takes in, rehabilitates, and empowers scores of young women at risk. almost two years ago, rupa came to the center looking for help. here she got counselling, learned how to speak english, took sewing and computer classes and eventually had her dignity restored. and she meant dozens of other women like herself.

>> what i would personally communicate to them is i would never, ever give up on any one of those women. no matter how many times they fall because i know it is a struggle for them. >> george: today the center is just one of a handful of christian ministries operating here in india, trying desperately to rescue thousands of dalot women from human trafficking and sexual bondage. for many of these women, such ministries are a life light to a better future. she says it is at the center that she discovered the worst in god's eyes. >> i came from a hindu background. then i started reading the bible and then understood what freedom really means and how much i really mean to god. >> george: she says it is the bible's view that brings lasting transformation. >> they can't believe it because all these years they have been told they're lower than animals, and here we

are telling them they are created in the image of god. and that just hits them. that just blows them away. >> george: on a recent friday evening, rupa joined 105 women on stage for a graduation ceremony honoring their completion of an 18-month course, and sitting in the audience that night were rupa's mother and father. they told cbn news this was the proudest moment of their lives. >> the center has done a great job. my daughter is a different person. >> i feel bad for the things we did to her, but now i want her to study well and have a good future. >> george: and perhaps it is this image of rupa holding her father's hand that speaks volumes of one life transformed by the power of the gospel. she told cbn news later she has forgiven her parents for forcing her into prostitution. >> every night before i go to bed, i thank god for this center. i thank god for rescuing me

from my past. >> george: these days she works in a large department store, located on the same street where she picked trash. >> there are many people who took care of me and showed love to me. i want to do the same for others. that will make me happy. >> wendy: oh, my goodness, wow! >> george: and to think these are people called the untouchables, the lowest of the lowest. and when the gospel of jesus christ comes and touches them, the empowerment, the worth that they receive by believing there is this man, this god, that loves me, beyond anything else. and i'm no longer an animal, but i'm something worthy in the eyes of god. c2 wendy: a powerful c2oror c2 g grge: praise g god. >> w wdy: we'lbe right back.

>> george: well, this week marked the 62nd annual

national day of prayer here in america. >> wendy: that's right. millions of americans from coast to coast participated, but the main event took place in the halls of the united states capitol. >> and forgive us, mighty god. >> reporter: from near and far. >> we flew in from l.a.x. airport in los angeles. >> i'm from a calgary christian school, a small school in new jersey. >> reporter: people packed into the u.s. capitol in washington to pray for america. the moto for this year's annual observance. ♪ you are holy ♪ holy >> reporter: it started 62 years ago here in the states, and organizers say it has now grown to include more than 42,000 prayer gatherings across the country. in this crowd, some familiar faces, like vinette bright, james and shirley dobson, and the legendary pat boone. together they prayed for repentance, blessing, and four our leaders in the

military and executive branches of government. all of which were represented. barry black, chaplain in the senate, urged people to stop praying for just themselves, and to start praying for their leaders, even if they disagree with their po politics. >> pray for all people because our blessed lord desires all men and women to be saved. >> reporter: many voiced concerns about a culture slipping further away from its christian roots. a topic by greg laurie, pastor of a ministry. >> so is your power to save us. that's what we need to pray, lord, do it again. >> reporter: but gay rights activists denounced him, citing his "blatent l.e.t. message." but supporters say laurie is

only guilty of preaching the bible. >> the people say they have hope because of prayer. and they're coming back together to pray again this time next year. john jessup, cbn news, capitol hill. >> george: a wave of prayer going around the world. >> wendy: a great way to end the show. >> george: sure it is. folks, thank you so much for joining us this week. >> wendy: ntil next week, from all of us here at christian world news, god bless you and we'll see you next time.

>> jeremiah: hello, i'm david jeremiah. as a teacher of the scripture for more than 40 years, i have found that the bible speaks to every situation we face in life, and throughout my ministry, i have discovered a profound truth: that when the word of god intersects with our lives, there will be a turning point. discover how the power of god's word can transform your life when join me on turning point. >> larson: watch turning point with dr. david jeremiah right here on this network.

>> today on aspiring women -- >> we started to see changes in his personality and changes in the way he reacted to normal life situations, and we knew something was terribly wrong. >> but the real secret in the back of my mind was i was afraid i was going crey disivment. >> navy seal's family copes with the lingering effects of war. hi, welcome to aspiring women. today we're talking about the sacrifice of the military families. let me start by giving you this definition of sacrifice, which i thought was interesting. it is the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered to having a higher or more pressing claim. >>