Persecution 101
Understand the root causes, manifestations of persecution
What is religious persecution and why
does it happen?
Religious persecution is the systematic oppression of individuals or groups because of their religious beliefs (or lack thereof). Each year, more than 300 million global Christians are oppressed through direct attacks or indirectly through discrimination.
Religious persecution may be triggered by religious nationalism, where a dominant group denigrates anyone affiliated with something else. We see this in places like Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh, India, where radical Hindus strive to eradicate Christianity. Or in parts of the Middle East where it’s illegal for someone to leave Islam and pursue Christ.
Government leaders may also persecute believers if they see religion as a threat to their national interests. This occurs in places like China and North Korea, where the government views Christianity as a threat and a product of the West.
“Therefore, among God’s churches, we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” 2 Thessalonians 1:4
Sources of Persecution
Direct forms of persecution
Imprisonment & Torture
In Iran, where it is illegal to leave Islam or own a Bible, Christians constantly face the threat of imprisonment. Those who are detained are beaten and tortured to give up information on other believers.
Church & Bible Restrictions
It is extremely risky to own even a page of a Bible in North Korea. Those who show any interest in the Scriptures are considered enemies of the state. Evangelists risk their lives to smuggle Bibles into the hermit nation.
Attacks on Life & Property
Throughout northern Nigeria, nomadic Islamic extremists regularly attack Christian communities, killing believers and destroying homes and churches, and seizing their livestock and farmland.
Assassination
In Somalia, where Christians must meet in secret, it is illegal to convert to Christianity or evangelize. When Christians are discovered, they are immediately killed.
Forced Conversions
Hindu nationalists in India often drag recently converted Christians to a local Hindu temple and force them to reconvert to Hinduism through a ceremony known as “Ghar Wapsi,” which means “homecoming.”
Crimes Against Women
In many countries where ICC works, it is common for men who belong to the majority religion will rape women who convert to Christianity to dominate them and punish them with a pregnancy that makes it nearly impossible to ever marry in their society.
InDirect forms of persecution
Education Discrimination
When teachers in parts of the Middle East learn that a student in their class comes from a Christian family, it is common for that student to be kicked out of the school if they refuse to learn about Islam.
Denial of Rights
In China, there is only one officially recognized church, which the Communist government controls. Authorities have closed hundreds of unregistered churches and detained pastors and church members. Millions of facial recognition cameras are used to monitor Christian activity.
Job Discrimination
Christians in Pakistan are forced to take the jobs that nobody else wants, such as street sweepers, brick makers, or sewage workers.
Legal Restrictions
In Saudi Arabia, Christians are prohibited from praying and worshiping in public and constructing church buildings.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
ROMANS 8:35
assistance | Advocacy | Awareness
A holistic approach to persecution ministry.
Since ICC’s creation in 1995, we have developed an effective and efficient system of bringing relief to persecuted Christians in need. We team up with trustworthy partners on the ground to develop and implement both immediate aid and long-term assistance projects. We then monitor our projects to ensure faithfulness to biblical principles and wise stewardship of funds.
