Persecution of Christians Faced Astonishing Levels in 2023
Persecution of Christians continues to escalate, with a shocking number of individuals targeted and martyred in 2023 due to their faith. While the Biden administration focuses on issues such as Islamophobia and white supremacy, the reality is that anti-Christian hatred poses a real and growing threat worldwide.
According to the Open Doors’ World Watch List 2024, which ranks the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution, the statistics for 2023 are sobering. Last year alone, 4,998 Christians were murdered for their beliefs, averaging to approximately 13 individuals every day. Additionally, 4,125 Christians were detained, and a staggering 14,766 Christian properties and churches were attacked. The severity of persecution is particularly grim in Asia and Africa, with North Korea topping the list as the most dangerous country for Christians. However, Nigeria witnessed the highest number of Christian deaths in 2023, with Nigerian Christians accounting for 82% of those killed for their faith.
Apart from Nigeria, other African countries experiencing deadly persecution of Christians include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), and Burkina Faso. While militant Islam plays a significant role in the genocide in Nigeria, Western media often fails to acknowledge and address this fact. Both communists and Islamic extremists are responsible for some of the worst acts of persecution against Christians. Open Doors also highlighted Algeria, China, Laos, and Syria as countries particularly known for persecuting Christians.
Tragically, the persecution of Christians continues to worsen, as noted by Open Doors. The number of attacks on churches and Christian properties reported in 2023, amounting to 14,766 incidents, represents a six-fold increase compared to the previous year. Furthermore, more than double the number of Christians were forced to flee their homes in comparison to the prior year. Although there are some signs of hope for Christians in Mali and India, the overall trend remains deeply concerning.
Christians constitute one of the most targeted demographics globally, especially within religious groups. However, this issue is rarely discussed in the Western world. Despite Nigeria being the deadliest country for Christians, the Biden administration made the controversial decision to remove Nigeria from the list of Countries of Particular Concern for severe violations of religious freedom. This disregard for the plight of Asian and African Christians, who endure persecution, displacement, imprisonment, and death on a daily basis, underscores a troubling indifference among Westerners.
Open Doors provides detailed dossiers on each of the 50 ranked countries, available on the World Watch List webpage. With an estimated 365 million Christians facing persecution worldwide, the top 50 countries alone account for over 317 million individuals experiencing high to extreme levels of oppression. Shockingly, one in seven Christians globally faces persecution—a trend that is worsening in Africa and Asia. It is imperative for the West to recognize and address this urgent threat, while Christian leaders must rally support for those who courageously follow Jesus in the face of violence and death.
In conclusion, the persecution of Christians reached astonishing levels in 2023, with a significant number of individuals enduring violence, displacement, and even death due to their faith. The World Watch List highlights the alarming statistics and the countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. It is crucial for the global community, including Western nations, to acknowledge and address this rising menace, offering support and protection to Christians who suffer oppression around the world.
