Persecution of Christians
Christianity (in the broadest sense, including Roman Catholicism) is the world’s most widespread religion; the number given is 2.3 billion compared to 2 billion Muslims. However, according to the 2025 World Watch list compiled by Open Doors (an organisation that seeks to support the persecuted church), about 365 million Christians globally, face high levels of persecution. In countries like North Korea, Nigeria, Pakistan and China, persecution is often violent and life-threatening. Christians are arrested, tortured and sometimes killed. Churches are destroyed, communities are displaced, and believers are forced to practise their faith in secret. Extremist groups and authoritarian governments are among the main culprits, using religion or ideology to justify repression.
In contrast, the situation in the United Kingdom is more subtle, often taking the form of social exclusion, discrimination or legal pressure. Professing Christians have faced the loss of employment for expressing traditional views on marriage, homosexuality or transgender issues. Street preachers have been arrested, and Christian students sometimes feel unable to speak openly about their beliefs. While these situations are not comparable in severity to those in other parts of the world, they raise important questions about freedom of speech and religion in an increasingly secular society. As persecution continues, both abroad and at home, it is crucial that individuals, governments and organisations stand their ground, support victims, and work to ensure that freedom of belief remains a protected and respected right.
When we hear of false religions and, sad to say, misguided Christian sects, persecuting others, the world is quick to say that religion has been one of the major causes of persecution and conflict throughout the ages. But the abiding command is to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself”.
We should pray for persecuted Christians throughout the world, and encourage and support organisations working on their behalf. And, persecuted or not, we should seek grace to be living epistles known and read of all men. “Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise Thy name” (Ps 74:20,21).
FRD