The Persecution of Christians Worldwide
Most Christians in America are unaware of the horrific persecution their brothers and sisters are experiencing in other countries. It is estimated that every year, 150,000 Christians are martyred for their faith. (Matthew 10:22). The top 10 countries on the list of persecutors are North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Maldives, Mali, Iran, Yemen, and Eritrea. Of these ten nations, eight are Muslim. In North Korea, some believers have been buried alive. In other countries, Christians are beheaded by Islamic terrorists, women and young girls raped, and children crucified. (Matthew 24:9. Revelation 20:4). Worldwide, an estimated 100 million more are persecuted in equally horrific ways. Christian females of all ages are sold into slavery, others disappear and are never seen again. (John 15:18). Of the top fifty oppressing countries 49 are in the Muslim-dominated Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
Open Doors, A non-denominational Christian watch group, identified Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Afghanistan, as the three most dangerous countries for Christian persecution. Another 65 countries are actively killing disciples of Jesus and there is no protection from local authorities. Sharia Law is merciless for non-Muslims. But Islam is not alone. Since May 2014, India’s government has been controlled by a Hindu Party under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With his approval, intolerance has risen sharply as radical Hinduism has gained greater political strength. In Bastar, Chhattisgarh, during Sunday worship, Hindu fundamentalists, raided a Christian Church, seized the pastor and his wife who was seven-months pregnant, doused them with gasoline and tried to burn them alive.
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From Gentle Conquest (May 2019). Used with permission.
Further Reading:
The Open Doors (USA) World Watch List for 2019 estimates that 245 million Christians are victims of high to extreme levels of persecution – attacks that include home expulsion, torture, rape, sex-slavery, murder, and genocide – which is an increase of 14 percent over 2018 (up from 215 million). Open Doors also estimates 1 in 9 of the world’s Christians experience high levels of persecution and that every day 11 Christians are killed.
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/WWL2019_FullBooklet.pdf
Aid to the Church in Need releases a bi-annual report on “Religious Freedom in the World.” For the report released November 2018, see: https://www.churchinneed.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/RFR-2018-Exec-Summary-Web-version.pdf
One source of up-to-date news regarding the persecution of Christians worldwide: ChristianPersecutionNews.com.
Category: Ministry, Spring 2019
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