Religious persecutionGlobal persecution of Christians more extreme than ever before: Report
Religious fundamentalism is sweeping the globe, according to figures released the other day as part of the Open Doors 2016 World Watch List. Systematic religious cleansing is widespread across Africa and the Middle East. Every year well over 100 million Christians are persecuted because of their beliefs. Open Doors reports that North Korea remains the worst place to be a Christian while Iraq (2) has replaced Somalia (7) as the second most dangerous place to be a Christian. Eritrea, now nicknamed the “North Korea of Africa” due to high levels of dictatorial paranoia, follows at number three. Afghanistan (4), Syria (5), and Pakistan (6) are the next most difficult places for Christians.
Religious fundamentalism is sweeping the globe, according to figures released the other day as part of the Open Doors 2016 World Watch List. “Persecution levels have been rapidly rising. This year, a country had to score 50 per cent more points than in 2013 to even make it onto the list,” says Open Doors CEO Lisa Pearce. “This is a cause of great concern.”
Systematic religious cleansing is widespread across Africa and the Middle East. Every year well over 100 million Christians are persecuted because of their beliefs.
Open Doors reports that North Korea remains the worst place to be a Christian while Iraq (2) has replaced Somalia (7) as the second most dangerous place to be a Christian. Eritrea, now nicknamed the “North Korea of Africa” due to high levels of dictatorial paranoia, follows at number three. Afghanistan (4), Syria (5), and Pakistan (6) are the next most difficult places for Christians.
Persecution has seen the biggest rises in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, and Eritrea. The number of refugees from Afghanistan and Eritrea has increased significantly. Persecution in each country is recorded by Open Doors using a point system, and while the lowest ranking country in 2013 had 35 points, this year’s lowest ranking country had 53 points — an increase of more than 50 percent.
Emerging superpower India sees sharp rise in persecution
Emerging superpower India (17), the second most populous country in the world, has seen persecution levels rise dramatically for the third year running, taking it up to number 17 from a ranking of 31 in 2013. Analysis by Open Doors researchers found that the religious freedom of over 200 million people is severely threatened by a new wave of Hindu nationalist electoral successes that have seen the introduction of drastic anti-conversion laws. Pastors have been beaten and killed, and members of their congregations forced to convert to Hinduism in an increasing number of attacks across the country. On average a church is burned down or a pastor beaten three times a week.
Religious fundamentalism is spreading
Religious fundamentalism has fueled a rise in persecution in 80 percent of the countries on the list. North Korea remains the most dangerous place on earth to be a Christian, with estimates of around 70,000 Christians imprisoned in labor camps. Others who worship in secret risk death if they are discovered.
