Topic
Persecution
From verbal harassment to hanging, persecution for professing faith in Christ is as old as Christianity itself, often comingling with ethnic violence and geo-political conflict. In the 20th century, Christians in formerly Communist countries went underground with their faith, eventually gaining support and advocacy from missionary Brother Andrew and his Open Doors USA. Today the nonprofit compiles an annual list of the world’s worst persecutors of Christians; Muslim countries with stringent Shari’ah law comprise 8 of the top 10 worst.
Evangelicals' Conflicting Interests in Fighting Persecution
It took more than a concern for human rights to motivate churches' and ministries' powerful grassroots.
September 1, 2004
More on Persecution
Nigeria Declares Emergency Rule as Christians Debate Amnesty for Boko Haram Islamists
(UPDATED) Controversial proposal to end terror campaign creates another faultline for Christians in Africa's most-populous nation.
May 14, 2013
Religious Freedom Is Not a Zero-Sum Game
Paul Marshall, Nina Shea, and Lela Gilbert take an ecumenical approach to fighting international persecution.
April 22, 2013
Touching God in the Iranian Darkness
Imprisoned for distributing Bibles in Iran, Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh saw its verses of suffering and forgiveness come alive.
April 10, 2013
Is Coptic Evangelism in Africa Really on the Rise?
Egyptian church's troubles spill into Libya and Sudan.
March 27, 2013
Persecution in China Is Very Real
You can argue that Christians are more free than they were 30 years ago. But persecution is rising and the central government does plan to eradicate house churches.
February 27, 2013
China Isn't Trying to Wipe Out Christianity
A new report on persecution belies important changes in the country's religious freedom.
February 25, 2013
How China Plans to Wipe Out House Churches
Report: Govt.-sponsored persecution rose 42 percent in 2012.
February 18, 2013
Persecuted Christians Have New Allies: World Watch Monitor and Morning Star News
Compass Direct News is no more, but two new groups hope to continue its impact.
January 8, 2013
Turkish High Council Removes Third Prosecutor from Christian Murder Trials
Latest shuffle occurs after November hearings for 19 suspects accused of brutal 2007 murders.
December 11, 2012
What China's Seven New Rulers Mean for Its 80 Million Christians
Once-a-decade Communist Party transition 'bodes well' for the surging Chinese church.
November 20, 2012
'God's Double Agent'
One-time atheist and now head of ChinaAid, Bob Fu believes China may soon have one of the largest populations of Christians worldwide.
September 13, 2012
Nigerian States Propose Religion Limits as Gunmen Kill 19 at Bible Study
Continued surge in sectarian violence has local governments debating how to stop it.
August 8, 2012
Youcef Nadarkhani: 1,000 Days (and Counting) in Iranian Prison
State Department renews call for release of pastor sentenced to death.
July 11, 2012
What Egyptian Christians Think About Their New Islamist President
Reactions are varied, but fear is prevalent.
June 25, 2012
Muslim Brotherhood Signs Agreement with Egyptian Evangelicals
But is the 10-point agreement worthy of trust?
May 31, 2012
The Fight for Egypt's Future
Coptic Christians test new strategies to thrive in an Islamist Egypt.
May 31, 2012
Marketing Martyrs: Does Iranian Pastor's Theology Impact Advocacy on His Behalf?
Youcef Nadarkhani's beliefs raises strategic questions.
May 17, 2012
How Mitt Romney Could Pitch Himself as Mormon Freedom Fighter
The Republican presidential candidate can appeal to evangelicals by standing against global persecution.
May 14, 2012
Voice of the Martyrs' Tom White's Death an Apparent Suicide Following Molestation Investigation
Leader of prominent persecution ministry was being investigated by police on allegations of molesting a young girl.
April 20, 2012
My Top 5 Books on Christianity in North Korea
Picks from Carl Moeller, CEO of Open Doors USA and coauthor of 'The Privilege of Persecution'
April 17, 2012
Persecution in VBS Materials: How Much Information is Too Much for Children?
A new kids' curriculum adds a different focus.
March 12, 2012
Santorum Wrong to Reignite 'Freedom of Worship' Controversy
Religious freedom rhetoric should not be a partisan tool.
February 29, 2012
Flickers of Hope for Some of the World's Longest Running Persecuted
Home to one of the longest running civil wars in the world, recent gestures offer cautious hope to Burma's Christians.
January 27, 2012
Q & A: Frank Wolf on Liberty for the Captives
The congressman pleads for a passionate American commitment to international religious freedom.
November 17, 2011
Anti-Christian Backlash After South Sudan’s Secession
Churches attacked and threatened with demolition as Bashir reiterates promise to make Sudan strictly Islamic.
October 26, 2011
Persecution Prompts Missions Agency to Transform
Operation Mobilization India transforms itself into a local witness.
October 21, 2011
Lone Senator Holding Religious Freedom Commission 'Hostage'
Watchdog may close up in less than a month. (Updated)
October 19, 2011
Reports: Iran Pastor's Case Sent to Khamenei
Courts avoid decision in apostasy case, may hear further appeal. (Updated)
October 12, 2011
Christians Killed, Injured in Arab Spring Fallout
The bloodiest day since Egypt’s uprising was caused by a peaceful Christian protest.
October 10, 2011
From Death Sentence to Rape Charges, Iranian Pastor’s Case Is Rare—and Disputed
Reports differ on Nadarkhani’s status and next steps.
October 6, 2011
Profiling Christians Who Have Suffered Under Chinese Communism
A non-Christian reporter profiles martyrs of the Middle Kingdom. A review of 'God Is Red.'
September 28, 2011
Parental Frights: Can Parents Practice Rites that Scare Children?
Mom gets 18 months probation for showing her daughter a ritual chicken death.
September 15, 2011
How Heather Mercer's Hostage Stint Turned into Global Hope
After 9/11, the missionary's ten-year journey leads from the Taliban to Iraqi Kurdistan.
September 12, 2011
Zimbabwean Churches Told to Support Ruling Party—or Else
Mugabe regime violently targeting wide spectrum of congregations.
August 10, 2011
Americans Like Evangelicals After All
What they really think about evangelicals, and why we worry about it.
August 5, 2011
Shouwang Showdown, 15 Weeks In
Members of one of China's largest house churches continue to meet amid arrests.
July 20, 2011
Syria's Christians Back Assad
Church leaders say the embattled president should stay on.
July 7, 2011
The Perils Of Religious Persecution In Iran
Increasing political opposition to the regime has intensified religious persecution. Christians are high on the regime’s enemies list. (Forbes)
When Christians become a 'hated minority'
Evangelical Christians say they are the new victims of intolerance - they're persecuted for condemning homosexuality (CNN)
Muslim-Christian relationship fuels row in Egypt
Police fired tear gas to disperse stone-throwing Muslims who surrounded a Coptic church in anger over an alleged inter-faith relationship (Associated Press)
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