The Christian persecution we read about in scripture is not a thing of the past. It still exists. And today, in the 21st century, we are living in a time when persecution against Christian believers is the highest in modern history.
A new report from Open Doors reveals that more than 245 million Christians endure high, very high, or extreme persecution in the top 50 countries where it’s most dangerous to follow Jesus. According to Open Doors’ 2019 World Watch List — an in-depth investigative report focusing on global Christian persecution — persecution is increasing at an alarming rate. That number is up this year from last year’s total of 215 million.
Below, we look at the world’s 10 most dangerous places to be a Christian — countries where saying “yes” to following Jesus is truly a life or death decision.
1. North Korea Ranks No. 1 for 18th Consecutive Year on World Watch List
For three generations, everything in this isolated country has focused on idolizing the leading Kim family. Christians are seen as hostile elements in society that must be eradicated. There was hope that new diplomatic efforts in 2018 — including the 2018 Winter Olympics — would mean a lessening of pressure and violence against Christians. But so far that has not been the case.
If Christians are discovered, not only are they deported to labor camps or even killed on the spot, their families share their fate as well. Communal worship is non-existent. Daring to meet other Christians for worship is a risky feat that must be done in utmost secrecy.
2. Afghanistan—Where Christianity Is Not Permitted to Exist
Afghanistan is once again a close second behind North Korea on the 2019 World Watch List. An Islamic state by constitution, the country does not permit any faith other than Islam to exist. To convert to a faith outside Islam is tantamount to treason because it’s seen as a betrayal of family, tribe, and country. Very often, there is only one possible outcome for exposed and caught Christians: death.
3. Christians Are High-Value Targets in Somalia
Estimates suggest that 99 percent of Somalis are Muslims, and any minority religions are heavily persecuted. The Christian community is small and under constant threat of attack. Persecution of Christians almost always involves violence. Additionally, in many rural areas, Islamic militant groups like al-Shabab are de facto rulers who regard Christians with a Muslim background as high-value targets — often killed on the spot when discovered. In recent years, the situation appears to have worsened. Islamic militants have intensified their hunt for people who are Christian and in a position of leadership.
4. Believers in Libya Face Deadly Violence from Extremists
After the ouster of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Libya plunged into chaos and anarchy, which has enabled various Islamic militant groups to control parts of the country. Libyan converts to Christianity face abuse and violence for their decision to follow Christ. The country is also home to many migrant workers who have been attacked, sexually assaulted, and detained, which can be even worse if your Christian faith is discovered.
Libyan Christians with a Muslim background face violent and intense pressure from their family and the wider community to renounce their faith. Believers from other parts of the continent are also targeted by various Islamic militant groups and organized criminal groups. The level of violence against Christians in Libya is very high, and Christians in Libya are subjected to violent, inhumane, and degrading treatment.
5. Christians in Pakistan Live With Open Discrimination and Constant Threat of Mob Attacks
Under Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws, Christians continue to live in daily fear they will be accused of blasphemy — which can carry a death sentence. Christians are largely regarded as second-class citizens, and conversion to Christianity from Islam carries a great deal of risk. While traditional, historical churches have relative freedom for worship, they are heavily monitored and have regularly been targeted for bomb attacks.
Many Christians suffer from institutionalized discrimination. Occupations seen as low, dirty, and derogatory are officially reserved for Christians. Many Christians are very poor, and some are victims of bonded labor. On the other hand, many Christians belong to Pakistan’s middle class; however, this does not save them from being marginalized or persecuted.
6. Christian Converts in Sudan Targeted for Persecution
Sudan has been ruled as an Islamic state by the authoritarian government of President al-Bashir since 1989. Under his charge, the country offers limited rights for religious minorities, and places heavy restrictions on freedom of speech or press. The last year has been difficult for Christians in many ways. There have been arrests; many churches have been demolished and others are on an official list awaiting demolition. And many Christians are attacked indiscriminately in areas like the Nuba Mountains, where there is an ongoing conflict between government forces and rebel groups.
7. Christians Imprisoned in Shipping Containers in Eritrea
Since 1993, President Afwerki has overseen an authoritarian brutal regime that rests on massive human rights violations. During the 2019 World Watch List reporting period, government security forces conducted house-to-house raids and imprisoned hundreds of Christians in inhumane conditions, including small shipping containers in scorching heat.
Protestants, in particular, face serious problems in accessing community resources, especially social services provided by the State. Christians from nontraditional church groups, such as evangelicals, face the harshest persecution.
8. Believers in Yemen Especially Vulnerable in Civil War and Famine
The ongoing civil war in Yemen has created one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory, making an already difficult nation for Christians to live in even harder. The chaos of war has enabled radical groups to take control over some regions of Yemen, and they have increased persecution of Christians.
Christians suffer from the general humanitarian crisis in the country, but Yemeni Christians are additionally vulnerable since emergency relief is mostly distributed through Islamic organizations and local mosques, which are allegedly discriminating against all who are not considered to be pious Muslims. Converts to Christianity from Islam face additional persecution from family and society.
9. Illegal to Convert, Illegal to Preach in Iran
In this gateway to the Middle East, Christians are forbidden from sharing their faith with non-Christians. Therefore, church services in Persian, the national language, are not allowed. Converts from Islam undergo persecution from the government; if they attend an underground house church, they face the constant threat of arrest.
Iranian society is governed by Islamic law, which means the rights and job possibilities for Christians are heavily restricted. The government sees them as an attempt by Western countries to undermine Islam and the Islamic regime of Iran. Leaders of groups of Christian converts have been arrested, prosecuted, and have received long prison sentences for “crimes against the national security.”
10. Unprecedented Christian Persecution in India
In the world’s second most populous country, Christians saw unprecedented persecution on numerous fronts from both the State and general Hindu society. For the first time, India enters the top 10 on the World Watch List, jumping one spot from No. 11 in 2018. Home to more than a billion people, even an incremental rise in persecution yields an exponential impact.
Since the current ruling party took power in 2014, Hindu extremists have fueled a crackdown on Christian house churches and have attacked believers with impunity — believing that to be Indian is to be Hindu. Any other faith is viewed as non-Indian. It is common for Christians to be cut off from local water supplies and be denied access to government-subsidized groceries. In India, saying “yes” to Jesus has become a risky decision that costs you and your family greatly.
To read more about these countries and the remaining 40 countries on Open Doors’ 2019 World Watch List, download the full report. To help you pray with these believers, Open Doors has a mobile prayer app that connects you with persecuted Christians around the world and alerts you to their prayer requests.