#CHURCHTALK 13: How Serious is Christian Persecution around the World Today?

According to OpenDoors USA, “11 Christians are killed daily for their profession to follow Christ”. Christianity is the most persecuted Faith in the world today. But, by trying to be ‘politically correct’, the media continues to ignore and downplay the seriousness of the issue globally, and western governments of course play the Ostrich too.

This lack of media coverage and inaction by governments, who should know better is ironic at a time when there is increasing focus on related social justice issues such as gender-based violence, sexism, discrimination due to sexual orientation and ethnicity, etc. The current Trump administration in the US seems to care, but many want them to do more.

Wikipedia's statistics show that Christians are the most persecuted religious faithfuls in the world in as many as 128 countries worldwide as at 2015. This means that 66% or two-thirds of all countries in the world are known to record cases of Christian persecution.

OpenDoors USA further streamlines this number to 50 countries which are considered hotspots for Christian persecution worldwide because of the increased levels of danger that being a Christian in these countries present. North Korea, Afghanistan and Somalia top the list in that order.

What is Persecution? 

Persecution is harassment, ill treatment or physical harm and hostility because of one’s religious beliefs, political alliances or ethnicity (racism).

According to Persecution.org, it comes in different forms, either directly or indirectly e.g. arrest and imprisonment (torture), forced conversion, attacks on life and property, restriction on Churches & Bibles, assassinations & martyrdom, educational & job discriminations, denial of rights and legal restrictions, making the individual an outcast (mental & social), etc.

A brief look at how bad it has become globally

Many do not know this, but it has become challenging and need I say dangerous to be a Christian in some countries in our world today. It is truly a life or death situation. For example, in North Korea, it is a criminal offence to be a Christian. Yes, you read that right: a CRIMINAL OFFENCE! In fact, as a North Korean citizen, the government encourages you to expose your neighbors and friends if they're Christians, in order to get a cash reward. If Christians are found, they are sent to labour camps or even killed on the spot, and this is extended up till the fourth generation of the victim’s family.

In the United Kingdom, it is stifling formality to openly discuss your faith as a Christian believer in this generation. You could lose your job for sharing your faith with a colleague, because it gives an impression that you are intolerant to other 'new normals and beliefs'. For a society that claims to be advanced in promoting tolerance while rejecting discrimination, this is ironic of Britain!

In China today, they are closing down churches, jailing pastors, demanding that Churches replace the Cross with the picture of the President and the Chinese flag. Many congregations have been forced to go underground as a result. Ten (10) years ago, the government was indifferent, but today, there is a plan by the government to Sinicize Christianity (i.e making it into a domesticated Chinese religion), which would do the bidding of the communist party in governance.

On May 03, 2020, according to Persecution.org, in China’s Xiamen city, the Police violently raided a House church during their Sunday Worship Service. Several people were injured in the process. But some members had the courage to record and forward the footage of the incident to social media before their phones were confiscated. These Chinese officials also introduced a cash reward for individuals who will report underground churches and other “unofficial places of worship”.

According to a report by OpenDoors USA, "in the most recent year, solely from documented incidents, at least 12,500 Christians and about 100 churches in India have been attacked. At least 200 people have been arrested solely for their faith, and at least 10 have been killed. However, many incidents go undocumented, so true figures could be much higher."

In fact, the academic dean of the Oxford Centre for Mission studies, Thomas Harvey wrote an article in which he says that, "since the election of Narendra Modi of the Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party as prime minister in 2014, pressure has been building to amend the constitution to make India a Hindu state and calls have been growing for the re-conversion of Christians and Muslims back to Hinduism.

In addition, secular countries are not exempt from the practice of Christian persecution. Take Nigeria for example. The International Religious Freedom Report for 2018 written by the US State Department highlights the sorry state of affairs, particularly in northern Nigeria where Christianity is consistently stifled using local laws often established by state governments.

Among other things, the report highlights a Katsina state law which stipulates a punishment of one to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to 500,000 naira ($1,400) for religious activities which are carried out without a government-issued license.

In addition, in 2018, prominent Nigerian Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in northern Nigeria, Bishop Matthew Kukah lamented that churches are unable to buy land anywhere in the region since state governors never agree to sign a certificate of occupancy for the purchase of a land for the purpose of building a church. It is like an unwritten state law in all northern states of Nigeria.

For better perspective on why the Nigerian situation is so appalling, please keep in mind that the country is party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Why Persecute Christians? 

In an attempt to xray the most likely cause of Christian Persecution in a March 2016 article he wrote, Thomas Harvey said, usually, the inner conviction that justifies and borders on discriminations against and outward abuse/persecutions of Christians, has to do with secular or religious state identities and ideologies. This is the most common denominator in cases of  Christian persecution. In nations where religions and ideologies are enforced and exclusive, questioning the set pillars is often seen as threatening or undermining.

This makes the nation’s authorities to question the motives behind alternative religions/ideologies which put into question the political pillars of the State. This trend is seen in China, where a new 'Regulations for Religious Affairs' came into effect on the 1st of February, 2018. This policy has always been in place, but was rarely enforced. With the new enforcement, President Xi Jinping is reinforcing there to be no room for a religion that will appear to challenge the absolute rule of the state by inspiring freedom in the minds of the people. In fact, according to Childs and Enos, the government has created a five year plan 2018-2022, to rewrite the Bible so as to promote socialism and create a new Christianity that favors communist agenda. CAN YOU JUST IMAGINE THAT?

The same autocratic measures are being used in Vietnam to pressure Christians, using the 'Law of Belief and Religion'. The law came into effect in January 2018, and requires religious groups to register and also seek approval for all routine activities. However, groups not registered face harassment from the government, with faithfuls getting detained and jailed. There is no freedom to appoint Bishops, Pastors etc: approval must be sought from the government first. The 2019 annual report of the USCIRF says that some Christians are stateless because local authorities refused to renew ID cards as retaliation on refusing to renounce their faith.

In Myanmar, the largest Militia (UWSA) has declared that, churches built after the collapse of the Communist Party in 1989 should be destroyed. According to Lindy Lowry in OpenDoors USA, new churches cannot be built there as well. Meanwhile, thousands have been killed for their belief in Christ, while hundreds of thousands of believers have been displaced from their homes.

How do Christians Respond? 

There is no pridominantly Christian country in the world today where religious minorities are being oppressed or persecuted. The case has always been the reverse. Why is this so? How do/should Christians respond to persecution? By retaliating? Certainly not!

The Bible teaches that those who follow and practice God’s laws and commandments will be persecuted: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” 2 Timothy 3:12; (NIV). However, suffering for doing wrong does not count as Christian persecution: “If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler” 1 Peter 4:15; (NIV).

Our response as Christians has been and should remain that of joy and praise: that we are found worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake (who gave His life up for us without hesitation): because, we’ve been adequately pre-informed and comforted by these scriptures: “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” 1 Peter 4: 12-14, 16; (NIV).

In conclusion, Christian persecution is a rite of passage that every Christian must experience at some point in their journey through this life and their walk with God. It determines the Believer’s level of commitment in obedience to the Word of God. However, those who serve as instruments for carrying out these persecutions should do well to remember that there is a personal consequence for attacking the followers of Jesus Christ. It will be wise to repent and not be in the ranks of those who do this. Without this repentance, the consequence of eternal damnation will not be missed by such a person.

A Final Word

There will be continual rise in persecutions around the world, just as the Bible has said. Thus, our hope should be that of Matthew 5:10-12 (NIV) “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Therefore, this knowledge about the reality of persecution around the world today should inspire in us a deep sense of dedication to the daily profession and practice of our faith. 



Chineze Olubukonla Emejulu, a procurement specialist and Christian writes from Abuja, Nigeria.

Chukwubuikem Paul Anunaso contributed to this article.