"If it'd said 'Allah Akbar', the council wouldn't have dared to try and remove it," says Marianne Bons, a member of the Dutch Reformed Protestant Church. She's talking about a farm roof on which 'Jesus saves' is painted in enormous letters. The council says the text has to go. The farm's owner, evangelical Christian Joop van Ooijen, is refusing to obey. The affair has united Christians of all persuasions behind the message.
"You're allowed to believe in anything in this country, as long as it's nothing to do with Christians or the Church," says Ms Bos, describing the prevailing Dutch attitude to religion.
Mr Van Ooijen has held out for two years, refusing to remove the message from his roof. Giessenlanden local council is fining him 500 euros a week, but he refuses to pay. He has been fighting the council decision for two years and says he's willing to go to the European Court if necessary.
Mr Van Ooijen and Ms Bons both live in Alblasserwaard, an area near Rotterdam, in the heart of the Dutch bible belt. The position adopted by Giessenlanden Council has met with disbelief in this predominantly Christian region.
The council argues that it's pollution of the landscape. Giessenlanden Councillor Berend Buddingh explains that white letters on a red roof is too big a colour contrast. Mr Van Ooijen counters that it is "too big a contrast with the councillor's own beliefs".
The farmer is receiving support from all over the Netherlands, from secular as well as religious people and from ordinary Christians, not just members of his evangelical church. And from less strict members of his own church, such as the Bons family. "He's literally shouting it from the rooftops," says the father of the family, Menno Bons, admiringly.
Graphic: The Dutch bible belt
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Why are people so afraid of the name Jesus? I am saddened by what I am seeing. Our prayers go out to you and others who have the personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. I also pray those who do not know the truth will someday have a personal realationship with our creator.
We must stand for God's truth and know in the end we will be standing with Jesus. God bless you all.
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As long as you have Christ in your heart you will have salvation: Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
They may take your sign off your roof, but they can't take the love from out of your heart. Keep the faith and continue to seek souls to save. And as for those who are seeking reason and science to save you....the only place that leads you is death. With Christ, you have life! Cheers.
Looks like the Netherlands has far, far too many commissars. (Or should I make a reference to Gleichschaltung?)
Good luck, Mr Van Ooijen.
Spot on to he brave Christian, Mr. Van Ooijen! What to expect by pretentious Islam/totalitarian/fascist-LOVING God-hating Dutch liberals and lefties, who have betrayed the Judeo-Christian civilization that founded the modern, sophisticated and democratic Western civilization; and that hate free speech by persecuting the brave Mr. Wilders! The sacrifice of the Christians, who fought in the Crusades to free Churches and Christians especially in what is now the Middle East and Turkey, and against Arabic-led Islamic conquest of Medieval Christendom, has been forgotten by these pathetic liberals and lefties!
Spot on to he brave Christian, Mr. Van Ooijen! What to expect by pretentious Islam/totalitarian/fascist-LOVING God-hating Dutch liberals and lefties, who have betrayed the Judeo-Christian civilization that founded the modern, sophisticated and democratic Western civilization; and that hate free speech by persecuting the brave Mr. Wilders! The sacrifice of the Christians, who fought in the Crusades to free Churches and Christians especially in what is now the Middle East and Turkey, and against Arabic-led Islamic conquest of Medieval Christendom, has been forgotten by these pathetic liberals and lefties!
CORRECTION: Spot on the brave Christian, Mr. Van Ooijen! What to expect by pretentious Islam/totalitarian/fascist-lOVING God-hating Dutch liberals and lefties, who have betrayed the Judeo-Christian civilization that founded the modern, sophisticated and democratic Western civilization; and that hate free speech by persecuting the brave Mr. Wilders! The sacrifice of the Christians, who fought in the Crusades to free Churches and Christians especially in what is now the Middle East and Turkey, and against Arabic-led Islamic conquest of Medieval Christendom, has been forgotten by these pathetic liberals and lefties!
Spot on the brave Christian, Mr. Van Ooijen! What to expect by pretentious Islam/totalitarian/facsist God-hating Dutch liberals and lefties, who have betrayed the Judeo-Christian civilization that founded the modern, sophisticated and democratic Western civilization; and that hate free speech by persecuting the brave Mr. Wilders! The sacrifice of the Christians, who fought in the Crusades to free Churches and Christians especially in what is now the Middle East and Turkey, and against Arabic-led Islamic conquest of Medieval Christendom, has been forgotten by these pathetic liberals and lefties!
I pray for you Mr. Van Ooijen for your bravery. I will ask my friends and family members to pray for you. We are a member of Indonesian Gereformed Kerk congregation in Jakarta. we have witnessed miracles to our congregation, despite intimidation, discrimination and persecution as minority, our congregation has triple in church members.
May our good Lord always bless you!
Jesus is an offensive word. We don't curse Mohammed's name or Buddha's name. Mainly because neither Muhammed nor Buddha said that they were God! If Jesus is not who He is, he is a liar or a lunatic. I believe He is my Lord and Savior.
Wees sterk, broeder! De Heer roept Zijn overblijfsel.
I offer you my support, & prayers. You are not alone.
Stand strong my brother.
...To you O Lord I pray. Do not fail me,Lord I am trusting in You.Don't let
...my enemies succeed, Don't give them victory over me...None who have Faith
...will ever be disgraced for trusting in the Lord, but those who harm the innocent shall be defeated...
.......Psalms 25;1,2,3...from the Living Bible.......
I am sad to see the U.S.A. is apparently not the only place in the world with Christian fanatics. My visits to the Netherlands left an impression of an educated, industrious people who were unconcerned with how others ran their lives.
Now this - people who are so sure that they are right, and you are wrong, that they have to tell you how to run your life.
Some day, maybe science and reason will rid us all of superstition.
How does having 'Jesus saves' painted on a roof tell anyone how to run their lives.
It seems to be only a public profession of the faith of these people.
Seems that the 'people who are so sure that they are right, and (this family is) wrong are those who would forbid such a display.
I see Anonymous did not have the gall to list his name.
As if it makes a difference. Now, after you are done deflecting the issue, would you like to respond to my points?
You made no points, you merely offered up bigoted statements, expressing your hatred of those who do not march in lock-step with you. Rather sad, actually. Your behavior, frankly, is that of someone who could be classified as uneducated, and superstitious.
Joop van Ooijen, "Because You have known my NAME and not cowered before them that take offense at my NAME, I will introduce you (and your family) to my Father BEFORE ALL!"
"JEZUS REDT"
Strength and Peace to you and your precious family my dear Brother,
KIRK FROM KANSAS
Stand fast in your righteous conviction, knowing that millions of Christians around the world share your commitment and concerns, but, more importantly, that you undoubtedly have God's support and love.
Wonderful testimony for our Lord Jesus Christ! The sad part while watching this excellent video
is that Americans still have not understood the peril that we in the USA face. Police State 4 is really
what this video portrays, and for American Evangelicals, some who have had a love affair with
this world and its system, including the ungodly in Washington, will reap what they have sown and
who they have voted for. We will continue to pray for the VanOoijen and Bons families. Their rooftop
testimony reminds me of America's Pensylvania Dutch region of Lancaster, with similar signs.
With these anti-Christs in Washington, the "authorities" will be there soon to demand the Amish
remove these as well. Truly our Lord jesus Christ is soon to return to take us Home. Otherwise,
as Scripture advises "unless those days be shortened, no flesh would survive". Dear Brothers,
I look forward to fellowshipping with you in Heaven. Keep up your great and wonderful testimony!
It would be wise to watch "Police State 4: The Rise of FEMA" on YouTube. It is a great entree'
into how the man of perdition is gathering his whirlwind for the final act in the Last Days.
Maranatha Jesus Come quickly!
What a bunch of clowns! Do not back down. God is pleased with you and me too for that matter
My opinion is that the Giessenlanden council is polluting the landscape. Talking about polluting the landscape, look at the various roadside "art projects" cluttering the Netherlands. I'd say the stupid bowling ball and pins is polluting the landscape, or the ugly elephants people have to look at in the name of art. Ahhhh but so long as it's art it's fine...lol
To be honest I think all the shitty advertising signs everywhere clutter the landscape much more.
Nothing more cluttering than the evil death clown of McDonalds.
The Dutch are falling into regulatory hell for allowing bean-counters to over-regulate every ass crack of humanity within their borders. To the point of building whole expensive unnecessary industries to keep their big over concentrated population employed. Continually pissing the population off.
Sounds political, because it it doesn't break your leg, or pick your pocket...who cares!
My support and prayers!!
JESUS SAVES
The more the council persecutes them, the more the militant secularists are really BOTHERED by it.
Please keep these believers in prayer. This is a test upon them to show their faith and allow the Lord to shine. It's also a test upon th eauthorities to do the right thing. We will see much more of this in the coming days as it is also prophecied many of the Sabbath keeping Christians will be killed for keeping Sabbath when the Vatican demands everyone keep Sunday Holy. See more on this prophetic fact here... RemnantofGod.org There are over 7000 pages on that site exposign the REAL Antichrist of today using only Bible prophecy and Historic record.
The Giessenlanden local council needs to be congradulated for re-confirming the accuracy and the authenticity of the Bible. Their actions of persecuting these Christians was predicted by Jesus 2000 years.
Stay strong! Don't give up! We win in the end!
Persecution can be expected: Jesus said"Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you, for great is your reward in Heaven"
Persecution is promissed by Jesus so don't be surprised when men revile you and hate you and say all manner of evil against you for great is your reward in heaven!!
Matthew 5
11 Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you],
and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven:
for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Don't feel alone, the secular media and government in America has become
everything that we were taught was evil as children in the fifties.
The atheists and agnostic hippies of the sixties now rule the world, and they are
remaking it in their leader's satanic image.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Amen! Keep raising the banner for truth and light!
God bless you and your family. For indeed, one day, "...every knee shall bow and every tongue confess Jesus as Lord..." May your town council turn to Him before that day of reckoning. God Bless you! My prayers shall go forth for you and your family.
Thank you for standing up for Christ and suffering for the faith. You have no idea how many of us are behind you and praying for you.
God bless you for your stand for Jesus Christ. The world must know that Jesus still saves for all of those who will receive Him. May He grant you strength and encouragment to continue this good fight. Carry On! We are praying for you.
God bless you for your stand for Christ! I love you in Christ Jesus!
YES !!! Jesus saves - that's for sure :))))
The Bible clearly states that Christians will be persicuted for using the name of Jesus Christ.
We are in the End of Times. And all of these things are coming true.
God Bless this family.
If he can not post this saying on his roof, then make a sign, let's see what the Dutch officals have to say about that. I agree with the above posted comment, if the muslims has a saying, it be ok, and as for polluting the landscape what about all those mosques they have built, if not already, there are probable more of them then windmills.
Hou je taai!
"I don't need to fight, to prove I'm right. I don't need to be forgiven!"
You can muffle the drum, and you can loosen the strings of the lyre, but who shall command the skylark not to sing?
That's weird! I find nothing wrong with the message on the roof. What you are having in Holland is, what we have for ages in India:appeasing the minority religions and restricting the majority religion. And if the majority retaliate, it is bad but if the minority do the same..they bear it with a grin.
I support you,Joop van Ooijen!
It seems both British and Dutch (and probably others) politicians have been intimidated so much by Muslim extremists that they are frightened to protect our way of life and societies. Open religious ( or any) debate is no bad thing but when one point of view is allowed to prevail through fear it becomes a grave concern. We were both involved in a struggle to conteract such a regime. Are our political representatives now so supine as to permit it to happen?
Denny, you stated "It seems both British and Dutch (and probably others) politicians have been intimidated so much by Muslim extremists that they are frightened to protect our way of life and societies."........If your politicians will not protect "your" way of life because they are frightened by Muslim extremists inside and outside of the UK, then they need to be voted out and replaced by individuals who do care. The UK does have a political party that is working diligently in protecting the British way of life from those politicians who care more about the vast numbers of illegal immigrants invading the UK than they do about the hard working British citizens who pay heavy taxes to support them. The party is called BNP. You might want to check them out! If you are worried about being labelled a racist, don't worry about it. They are being tagged as racist because they are doing everything those corrupt politicians will not do and that is to protect the rights of all it's citizens and not just the illegal immigrants who go their to reap the benefits not given to the Brits. Gloria In Excelsis Deo!
Once again, we find europe's bien pensent stunned to discover that those they look down on, and would limit their speech rights, are in fact thoughtful people.
Actually the bien pensent are usually stunned to discover that they wear shoes and walk on their hind legs, based on the generalized commentary and the segregation of Christians referetially being called "them".
These brave citizens have my full support, watch them get hauled into court like Geert Wilders.
Canadian blood was shed in Holland for freedom, which is tragically slipping away.
Stand up Holland, its time to take a stand!
These brave citizens have my full support, watch them get hauled into court like Geert Wilders.
Canadian blood was shed in Holland for freedom, which is tragically slipping away.
Stand up Holland, its time to take a stand!
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