“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
— 2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV)
In His last days on Earth, Jesus warned His disciples in John 15:18 that if the world hated Him, it would also hate whoever followed Him.
What Jesus said has been true for over 2,000 years — and today, Christianity is one of the most persecuted religions around the world. But why are so many Christ-followers targeted for their faith?
The answer is complex, and the reasons are often connected. Keep reading to learn why Christians suffer for following Jesus.
Religious Extremism
Christians in countries like Nigeria face the constant risk of attacks
Every year, thousands of Christians are killed for their faith — none more so than in Nigeria. Nigerian Christ-followers, especially those living in the north, are suffering at the hands of violent religious extremists like Boko Haram.
These groups often target Christian communities, burning houses and churches, committing murder, and displacing families. They believe that anyone who does not adhere to their religion is an enemy of God and must be punished … sometimes, even eradicated.
Other countries, such as Sri Lanka, Somalia, and India, face similar situations as Christians in Nigeria. Christ-followers have fallen victim to mob violence, deadly church attacks, and even bombings by religious extremists — all in the name of eliminating and replacing Christianity.
National Identity
Many Christians are treated as second-class citizens because of their faith
Many people who persecute Christians, especially in Nepal and India, also connect religion with national identity. For example, Hinduism has become inextricably intertwined with India’s government and culture. As a result, many citizens believe that to be Indian is to be Hindu.
Unfortunately, this belief often presents a direct threat to Indian Christ-followers — especially if they convert from Hinduism. Their families and communities don’t just see their new Christian faith as a conversion, but as a betrayal of their core identity.
For this reason, Christ-followers are often treated as second-class citizens, attacked, and cut off from their families and communities. Christians attempting to evangelize are also oppressed by those trying to erase Christianity from the country.
A Single-Religion State
In Iran and areas of India, Christians are being targeted and pushed out
Other extremist groups view Christians as an obstacle to the creation of a single-religion state. Because Christ-followers are called to spread the Gospel, these groups fear that the spread of Christianity will hinder their efforts to establish a central government based on one religion.
This is especially true in northern Nigeria, where several states have instituted strict interpretations of Sharia Law, Islam’s religious and moral guidelines. Those who don’t follow these laws — especially Christians — face severe consequences.
Iranian Christ-followers are also experiencing similar persecution under the country’s theocratic government, officially an Islamic Republic. The sale of Bibles is banned, and Christians aren’t allowed to evangelize because the Iranian government believes the spread of Christianity will undermine its authority.
Under Iran’s anti-conversion laws, Muslims who convert to Christianity face the risk of arrest, and they’re often accused of being spies for the West or apostates. They can face years in prison or execution for these charges — even if most accusations are unfounded.
Western Influence
Christ-followers in China and Iran are often viewed as perpetrators of Western influence
In countries like Iran, China, and North Korea, Christianity is regarded as unwanted Western influence. China’s communist government often views Christians with a combination of suspicion and growing intolerance.
Chinese churches must register with the government to keep their doors open, and children under 18 aren’t allowed to attend at all. Authorities also closely monitor these churches to ensure they operate within government directives.
Churches must pledge allegiance to the Communist Party and align their doctrine with communist thought, often at the expense of truth.
To avoid government interference, many followers gather in unregistered house churches, risking arrest daily. Bibles aren’t widely available, especially unaltered copies, and other Christian literature is getting harder to find. Pastors who don’t follow strict government regulations are often imprisoned and subjected to “re-education.”
Meanwhile, Christ-followers and seekers in North Korea are facing the worst persecution in the world.
Government Authoritarianism
North Korea is the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian
Much like China, the North Korean government views Christianity as a threat to its communist ideology and authoritarian regime. Unfortunately, it has taken even more extreme measures to eradicate it completely.
Since North Korea’s founding, the Kim family has ruled with absolute power. Over the years, they’ve built a cult of personality around each leader, strengthened by North Korea’s official Juche ideology. What began as a philosophy that emphasized self-reliance has morphed into what is, effectively, a totalitarian state religion that deifies the country’s leaders. No other religion is tolerated because the government believes it would weaken the Kim family’s authority and the people’s devotion to them.
As a result, Christians must practice their faith in total secrecy.
In North Korea, Christians who are discovered are considered traitors of the state and receive incredibly harsh punishments. Thousands of Christ-followers are currently imprisoned in labor camps — and their chances of surviving the experience are slim. If that wasn’t enough, North Korea also enforces a policy of “collective guilt,” which means that the offender’s entire family can be punished … sometimes up to three generations.
A Spiritual Battle
Persecution stems from an ongoing battle between good and evil
As time goes on, it seems like the threats against Christianity are only growing.
But persecuted Christ-followers continue to hold on to the truth of Ephesians 6:12, which says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Since the beginning of time, Satan has worked tirelessly to draw people away from God and stop the spread of the Gospel. Persecution has existed since before the early Church, and it will continue until Jesus returns.
But here’s the good news: Christians everywhere are still sharing the Gospel, and God faithfully gives Christ-followers the strength and courage they need to stand firm in the face of persecution.
Will you show these suffering Christians that you’re standing with them, too?
International Day of Prayer
Will you help persecuted Christ-followers in urgent need?
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is coming up on Nov. 1. Will you join us and other Christians around the world as we lift up prayers for our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ?
If you’d like to give financially in addition to praying, every $24 will provide critical items like food, clean water, and copies of God’s Word to TWO persecuted Christians or others in need around the world.
For someone risking their life to follow Christ, your gift will be a lifeline, a powerful answer to prayer, and an enduring reminder that they’re not alone.
Click the button below to provide help and hope to persecuted Christians today.