The Horrors of Religious Persecution in the Modern Age
Religious persecution, a dark stain on humanity’s conscience, continues to plague the modern world. Christianity, despite being the world’s largest religion, faces alarming levels of persecution in various regions, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Despite advancements in human rights and global awareness, millions of Christians face discrimination, violence, and systemic oppression simply for practicing their faith. This persecution can take many forms, including physical violence, social ostracism, genocide, and legal restrictions.
In Africa, Christian communities in countries like Nigeria, Sudan, and Egypt face threats from extremist groups. In Nigeria, Boko Haram’s insurgency has targeted Christians, leading to thousands of deaths and displacement. Churches and villages were bombed and many Christians were forced to flee from their homes. It is expected that from October 2019 to September 2023, about 16,769 Christians were killed.” In Sudan, the Islamist regime’s policies have marginalised and discriminated against Christians, leading to restrictions on their religious practices and property ownership, destruction of churches, and imprisonment of church leaders. In Egypt, Coptic Christians, an ancient community, have been targeted by terrorist attacks and sectarian violence, often facing discrimination in employment and public life.
In Asia, particularly in countries like China and North Korea, Christians face intense persecution and repression. Also In China, the government has cracked down on unregistered churches, leading to arrests and detentions of pastors and congregants. North Korea is known for being one of the most dangerous places for Christians, where they can face imprisonment, forced labour, or even execution for their beliefs. Reports indicate that Christians are often forced to practice their faith in secret, living in constant fear of discovery.
Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are often used to target Christians, leading to accusations and mob violence. In India, the rise of Hindu nationalism has resulted in increased attacks on Christian institutions and individuals, with accusations of forced conversions used to justify violence. In India alone, 1,629 Christians were detained without trial and another 547 were sentenced to prison.
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The Middle East, the birthplace of Christianity, has seen a dramatic decline in its Christian population due to persecution and conflict. In countries like Iraq, Syria, and Iran, Christians have faced threats from extremist groups like ISIS, leading to mass displacement and even genocide. ISIS’s reign of terror in Iraq and Syria targeted Christians specifically, with churches destroyed, individuals killed or enslaved, and ancient Christian communities uprooted. In Iran, the government’s Islamic policies discriminate against Christians, who face restrictions on their religious practices and are often considered second-class citizens.
All these highlight the intolerance and pains that Christians face in various parts of the world. While some persecution is driven by religious extremism, other instances stem from political instability, ethnic tensions, or discriminatory laws. The perseverance and faith that these individuals exhibit when faced with violence, oppression, persecution, and prejudice are incredible. The world must stand and recognise injustices so that we can come together to protect the right to freedom to practice one’s faith, not tolerate horrendous treatment for lack of belief.
According to the World Watch List 2025, over 380 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution for their faith. Addressing this global crisis requires a concerted effort from governments, international organisations, and civil society. Promoting religious freedom, combating extremism, and providing humanitarian assistance to persecuted communities are crucial steps. Raising awareness about the plight of persecuted Christians and advocating for their rights is essential to ensuring that religious persecution has no place in the modern world.
Content Credit| Igbakuma Rita Doom
Picture Credit | https://edition.cnn.com/
