By Lisa Navarrette, ICC Fellow 

A few weeks ago, my sister-in-law passed away from endometrial cancer. She was 47 years old. She had breast cancer 20 years ago and beat it. She also had a heart attack and still lived strong. She was a wife and a mother to a 7-year-old daughter. She was a wonderful person who was always there for her family, and it showed.

When the doctors gave her 24 hours to live, her siblings, friends, neighbors, and co-workers descended on her house to bid farewell. She died with her closest loved ones surrounding her, telling her jokes, and reminding her how much she was loved. As she slipped from this reality to the next, her loved ones held her hands.

Cancer is terrible. It takes your loved one from you, in pain, and usually, too young. Too many of us in the U.S. know the pain of losing loved ones to cancer. My husband lost four family members in the last year. It has been a hard year. As I tried to console my husband yet again, God imprinted my heart with this idea. While losing her was terrible, the way she was allowed to pass on was beautiful. She was at home, with her closest friends and family, holding her hands as she peacefully fell asleep and never woke up.

We all know that death is an inevitable part of human existence. Here in the U.S., we are used to losing our loved ones to sickness and disease. We have been, however, insulated from Christian martyrdom. While both involve immense suffering, dying due to persecution carries an additional layer of injustice, brutality, and human cruelty that makes it fundamentally different from the natural course of a disease. Unlike cancer, which is an unintentional biological affliction, persecution is an intentional act of violence or oppression driven by human hatred, intolerance, and systemic injustice.

Cancer is one of the most devastating diseases, affecting millions of people worldwide. It often comes with prolonged suffering, involving pain, weakness, and medical treatments that take a heavy toll on the body. Patients endure chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries, which cause extreme discomfort and emotional distress. However, while cancer is undeniably painful, it is a natural biological process. It is not inflicted upon individuals by other people to cause harm.

In contrast, Christian persecution is not a natural occurrence. It is an act of deliberate violence, carried out by governments, extremist groups, or hostile communities to silence, torture, and eliminate believers. Victims of Christian persecution do not just die; they are often brutally executed, imprisoned, or tortured for their faith. Unlike cancer, which occurs without intent, Christian persecution is driven by hatred and intolerance, making it a form of inhumane cruelty rather than an unfortunate medical reality.

Dying from cancer is a tragic and painful experience, but it is often met with compassion and care. Like my sister-in-law, many cancer patients spend their final days in the presence of loved ones, receiving palliative care, emotional support, and spiritual guidance. Hospitals and hospice centers provide a dignified environment where patients can be made comfortable as they transition from life to death. Society, family, and caregivers often rally around the individual, ensuring they pass away with as much peace and comfort as possible.

Conversely, Christian persecution strips individuals of their dignity in their final moments. Persecuted Christians are often executed publicly, imprisoned in inhumane conditions, or burned alive. In countries like North Korea, Nigeria, and Afghanistan, believers are tortured, beheaded, or raped before being killed. Unlike cancer patients, who may be surrounded by loved ones, persecuted Christians often die alone, in secret, or in horrifying ways that leave no chance for a peaceful farewell.

Cancer, though physically painful, often gives individuals time to prepare for death. Many patients have the opportunity to make peace with their situation, say their goodbyes, and receive closure with their families. People who are terminally ill may engage in meaningful conversations, reflect on their lives, and strengthen their faith before they pass. There is a degree of acceptance that allows for emotional healing, both for the dying individual and their loved ones.

Persecution, however, involves the sudden and violent destruction of life, leaving no room for preparation or acceptance. A person who is arrested, tortured, or executed for their faith has no chance to prepare for death peacefully. The emotional trauma inflicted upon persecuted Christians and their families is far more severe than the gradual process of dying from a disease. Families of martyrs often never see their loved ones again, and in some cases, they do not even receive a body for burial.

Cancer affects millions of people every year, but it does not instill societal fear in the same way Christian persecution does. When someone dies of cancer, the loss is deeply personal but does not have the same ripple effect of fear, oppression, and silencing of communities. Cancer does not erase religious groups, faith-based institutions, or cultural identity.

Christian persecution, on the other hand, is designed to eliminate belief systems and create a climate of fear. When a Christian is martyred for their faith, it is meant to send a message to others: “Renounce your faith, or you will face the same fate.” This widespread fear prevents generations of believers from practicing their faith freely. It destroys churches, erases religious heritage, and creates a culture of silence and fear. The murder of Christians has implications that go beyond the individual, with entire communities often driven underground or wiped out completely.

One of the most critical distinctions between dying of cancer and dying from persecution is the lack of choice in persecution. A person who dies from cancer has no say in the matter; it is a biological process that they did not choose.

In contrast, a Christian who faces persecution often has the choice to renounce their faith and survive, but they refuse. Choosing to remain faithful, even in the face of imminent death, is an act of extraordinary courage. It is not just death. It is martyrdom. The faith and resilience of persecuted Christians stand in contrast to the uncontrollable nature of a terminal illness. Their suffering carries a higher moral weight, as they knowingly endure pain and death because they love Jesus.

Romans 8:28 reminds us that God uses all things for good for those who love him. Throughout history, martyrs have inspired revolutions, strengthened religious movements, and ignited change. The deaths of persecuted Christians serve as rallying cries for religious freedom.

The early Christian martyrs of Rome helped spread Christianity worldwide. The persecuted believers in modern-day China, Iran, and Sudan continue to strengthen underground churches and defy oppressive governments. Their deaths are not just an end but a powerful testament to the endurance of faith.

While cancer is a devastating disease that brings immense suffering, it is ultimately a natural occurrence that society works hard to combat through medical advancements, palliative care, and emotional support. On the other hand, Christian persecution is an act of cruelty inflicted by other humans, fueled by hatred, intolerance, and systemic oppression. The violence, torture, and fear that persecuted Christians endure make their deaths far more unjust and horrific than the painful but natural process of dying from cancer. Their suffering is intentional; their dignity is stripped away.

While we remember the loved ones we lost to cancer, let us also remember those who died tragically and courageously — our martyred brothers and sisters.

To read more stories, visit the ICC Newsroom. For interviews, please email press@persecution.org.