Exclusive: Reports for years have indicated that religious intolerance is on the rise around the world due to rising authoritarian regimes and the continued spread of Islamic extremism, but a report released Thursday indicates that Christianity, above all others, is the hardest hit. Is bearing.
Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern (ICC), a Washington-based nonprofit, said, “The world is seeing increasing pressure toward repressive control of religion, especially Christianity, as a result of a combination of many modern and historical factors.” Is.” DC told Fox News Digital. “Christians face persecution in more countries than any other religious group, with significant challenges in regions such as the Middle East, Africa and Asia.”
A report titled “Global Persecution Index 2025” released by the ICC on Thursday revealed which countries have become the biggest offenders in terms of religious persecution, particularly against Christian populations, and found that most committed religion-based persecution. Let’s go. under authoritarian leaders and by Islamic extremist groups.
The facade of St. Peter and Paul Church in Kraków, Poland, is illuminated in red. On Friday, November 25, hundreds of cathedrals, churches, monuments and public buildings are illuminated with red light to raise awareness of the persecution of Christians and the issue of religious freedom, as well as a feeling of solidarity with those who are persecuted. , 2022 in Kraków, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland. (Photo by Artur Vidak/Nurfoto via Getty Images)
Religion-based hate crimes are on the rise around the world, so priest attacked with knife in face during mass
The greatest concentration of “Red Zone” countries, countries with the most serious actions against Christians, including torture and death, are found in a strip of land in Africa known as the Sahel, which includes Mali, Niger, And places like Chad. However, other significantly dangerous countries for Christianity were identified as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and North Korea.
There is a growing trend that shows that authoritarian policies are on the rise globally – especially as geopolitics enter an increasingly delicate period – and that means more nations are putting pressure on religion.
According to a Pew Research Center (PRC) report released this month, Christians and Muslims are the world’s two largest religious groups and consistently see the highest rates of “persecution” both physically and verbally than any other group. , in which the findings are analyzed. From 2022 – the data that King also referenced.
A boy sells religious items during a pilgrimage to Yagma on the outskirts of Ouagadougou on February 5, 2023. Thousands of pilgrims from several dioceses of Burkina Faso prayed for peace on February 5, 2023, at the National Pilgrimage of Yagma. Outskirts of Ouagadougou. The Marian shrine of Yagma has been hosting Christian pilgrimages at the beginning of the year every year for over fifty years. The national pilgrimage takes place every three years. (Photo by Olympia de Masmont/AFP via Getty Images)
While neither the ICC report nor the PRC report was able to break down exact rates as to how many Christians, versus Muslims, or others, were the targets of persecution, the PRC found that Christians were targeted by governments or “social groups” in more countries. goes. Compared to any other religion, Muslims are in second place and Jews are in third place.
“In many authoritarian states, Christianity is seen as a proxy for Western influence and values, which the regimes often dismiss as imperialist or destabilizing,” King told Fox News Digital. “Christianity and other religions emphasize allegiance to a higher moral authority, which naturally challenges authoritarian regimes that demand absolute loyalty to the state.”
Activists and members representing the Christian community display placards while participating in a peaceful protest rally against the rise in hostility, hatred and violence against Christians in various states of the country, in New Delhi on February 19, 2023. (Photo by Arun Shankar/AFP via Getty Images)
Pope Francis opens Holy Year at Vatican, with more than 32 million visitors expected
Although authoritarian efforts to control the hearts and minds of their citizens through repressive policies are nothing new, emerging and increasingly accessible technology has raised the bar at which nations can persecute perceived dissent.
Technology such as social media has in many ways improved freedom of expression and access to information around the world, but the expansion of other technologies has also enhanced repressive authoritarian systems of hyper-surveillance – even in traditional countries such as Latin America. Even in areas not considered religiously repressive.
“Countries like Nicaragua and Venezuela, which are traditionally Christian-majority countries, have seen a large increase in hostility toward religious groups that criticize authoritarian regimes,” King said. “The targeting of religious civilians and the repression of dissenting voices marks a new and worrying trend.
Christians demand justice during a protest in Islamabad condemning attacks on churches in Pakistan on August 20, 2023. (Aamir Qureshi/AFP via Getty Images)
“Countries such as China exported sophisticated surveillance technology to other authoritarian regimes, enabling tighter control and surveillance of religious groups,” he said.
Some countries have seen Christianity as a threat to their cultural norms, including India, which has seen a huge increase in the number of attacks against Christians in recent years, not just according to ICC and PRC reports. , in fact a report has also been submitted. by the Human Rights Council at the UN General Assembly in February.
“In countries like India and Pakistan, social media platforms have been used to incite mob violence and spread misinformation about Christian communities, leading to targeted attacks,” King said.
Violence and persecution against religious groups around the world are not isolated incidents and are indicative of a rapidly growing threat reminiscent of historical atrocities committed under similar repressive policies.
Police officers and riot police block the main entrance of the Archbishop Curia of Matagalpa and prevent Monsignor Rolando Alvarez from exiting in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, on August 4, 2022. (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
“Many nations are experiencing democratic decline, with authoritarian leaders consolidating power and silencing dissent, including religious voices,” King said in reference to the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. “Economic crisis, political unrest and social inequalities create situations where leaders look for scapegoats or distractions, often targeting religious minorities in order to unite the majority under their rule.
“Today’s regimes are learning from this strategy as they face similar challenges to their power,” he said. “Religion, with its ability to inspire freedom, hope and resistance, is seen as a mortal enemy to their dominance.
“This trend has been exacerbated by technological advancements, rising nationalism, and global instability, making the fight for religious freedom more urgent than ever,” King warned.
