Religious Discrimination and Christian Persecution Around the World

Why Headlines Can Be Confusing

Christian persecution has been making headlines in US news outlets as the government responds to violent attacks in Nigeria. For Christians living in the US, targeted religious persecution can be difficult to imagine, let alone address. 

Geopolitical social conflicts like what is occurring in Nigeria are complicated and often difficult to report. As a BBC article explained, “The figures for Christian deaths cited by some in the US are alarming, but assessing their accuracy is hard.” While journalists and governments can source data from attacks, such as the number of deaths and locations, the data does not always reveal a violent group’s motivations. It can be difficult to determine whether these groups are targeting specific religious groups or if they are terrorists, attacking anyone who rejects their ideology. 

In the face of complicated and even conflicting information, it’s hard to know what to believe. Addressing the attacks in Nigeria, PBS News article quoted Ladd Serwat, a senior Africa analyst at ACLED (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data), saying: “It is important to note that while attacks against Christians are both real and deeply concerning, communities across religious lines are affected.” The ACLED ranks Nigeria in the top five most violent countries in the world, and religious hatred is only one of many contributing factors. 

What We’re Hearing From Nigeria

As outsiders living in the US, we could not understand the true complexity surrounding these attacks in Nigeria. As an international Christian organization, this is what we know about persecution: Christian persecution is real, and religious persecution hurts everyone.

In addressing violence and persecution, it’s important to listen to those who live within these regions, especially when experiences can vary greatly even from one village to the next. A contact from Nigeria has expressed concerns to Forgotten Children Worldwide about “systemic marginalization, discrimination, and annihilation of Christians.” As a pastor who cares for orphans, this contact shares FCW’s mission in saying “Our aim is to give hope to hopeless children caught in this situation.” 

While recent news coverage has highlighted religious violence in Nigeria, it is not the only country where there is persecution of Christians today. 

Challenges Christians Face in India

In India, our partners have expressed challenges in building facilities, ensuring safety during worship, and spreading the gospel due to anti-conversion laws. One partner has shared stories of church attacks and arrests that often end in fines or even bribes for release. 

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom addressed the Systematic Religious Persecution in India: “Reporting indicates that hundreds of Christians and Muslims have been arrested under state-level anticonversion laws and dozens more under the UAPA.” Religious persecution, including discriminatory laws, often affect many religious minority communities, harming people of faith across religions.

Our Partner’s Challenges in Nepal

Bordering India, Nepal is another region where Christians face persecution. This past spring, a partner in Nepal shared that his name was printed in a publication created to incite religious violence. This article listed his activities as a Christian pastor including church planting and sharing the gospel, though with some mixed information. This partner told us “It’s very unusual and also kind of scary. And I have to be careful wherever I travel and wherever I speak.” When we asked about potential dangers he said, “They can kill me, or they can hijack me, or they can demand what is called ransom… that’s what they could … possibly do, but they are not far away from God’s hand… unless God allows, they can do nothing.” Our partner continues to preach the gospel in Nepal while running an orphan home. 

How FCW Responds to Persecution

From violent groups to discriminatory laws, it can be difficult to address religious persecution. These risks can also make sharing the gospel and protecting vulnerable children more difficult. Forgotten Children Worldwide does not condone violence or religious discrimination of any kind. As a Christian nonprofit organization, FCW responds by listening to our partners, assessing real needs, and prioritizing safety.  

For some orphanages and educational campuses, safety measures such as walls, fences, and security guards are necessary. But on a broader scope, FCW’s programs seek to protect children and strengthen families, which weakens the roots of violence.

Sponsorship and after-school programs provide food, education, mentoring, and support to children and their families, raising children to not be violent or hateful. Moreover, when children are properly cared for, they are less vulnerable to being indoctrinated into hate groups. 

FCW also promotes peace and love across religions by helping and accepting people of different beliefs as well as cooperating with people of other faiths for a common good. These efforts allow FCW to gain acceptance and build relationships within communities. 

Along with sharing resources and goodwill, FCW seeks to set a good example to communities and governments, showing them that Christians will help others and are trustworthy.

How Christians Can Make a Difference

News stories of persecution can be frightening to Christians living in the US, especially with a limited understanding of the social context. One way to help make a positive change is to partner with organizations who work with other Christians overseas directly. Donating to a reputable nonprofit, supporting a missionary, or sponsoring a child can help empower vulnerable Christians and reduce violence.

Another simple way to help is to pray for Christians who are persecuted. As FCW’s contact in Nigeria said, “We appreciate your prayers.” Our partners do not ask for intercession lightly—your prayers make a difference.

Christians should have hope during times of persecution, knowing that historically, discrimination often causes the gospel to spread even more than in regions without discrimination. In a panel on religious persecution in China held by the Council on Foreign Relations, an expert described the number of Chinese Christians increasing since 1949: “… at minimum the number of Chinese Protestant Christians, including actually the Protestant and Catholics, has a minimum reach to over 100-130 million. So that’s one-hundredfold growth… the CCP is creating the spiritual revival among the believers by launching their war. I think it’s the opposite will be true to their intent.”

It is important to read these harsh headlines with discernment, choosing to research and understand before reacting with outrage and international intervention. Christians should continue praying for brothers and sisters around the world, do all the good they can through reputable organizations, and promote the peace they want to see in the world by loving people of all faiths.