Christians, the terrible numbers of persecutions in the world
Over 360 million Christians are experiencing a high level of persecution and discrimination in the world (1 Christian out of 7). On the other hand, the number of Christians killed for causes linked to their faith rose to 5.898. These are the main data released by 'Open Doors' which are presented in Rome to the Chamber of Deputies.
Open doors publish the World Watch List 2022 (research reference period: 1 October 2020 - 30 September 2021), the new list of the top 50 countries where Christians are most persecuted in the world.
“Anti-Christian persecution is still growing in terms”, the introduction emphasizes. In fact, over 360 million Christians in the world experience at least a high level of persecution and discrimination because of their faith (1 Christian out of 7); they were 340 million in last year's report.
THEAfghanistan. it becomes the most dangerous country in the world for Christians; while increasing the persecution in North Korea, the Kim Jong-un regime drops to 2nd place after 20 years at the top of this ranking. Among the approximately 100 countries monitored, persecution increases in absolute terms and those showing a definable high, very high or extreme level rise from 74 to 76.
Christians killed for reasons related to faith grow by over 23% (5.898, over a thousand more than the previous year), with the Nigeria always the epicenter of massacres (4.650) together with other nations of Sub-Saharan Africa affected by anti-Christian violence: in the top 10 of the countries with the most violence against Christians there are 7 African nations. Then the phenomenon of a "refugee" Church is growing because there are more and more Christians fleeing persecution.
The specialised farming model China centralized control over freedom of religion is emulated by other countries. Finally, the dossier highlights that authoritarian governments (and criminal organizations) use Covid-19 restrictions to weaken Christian communities. There is also the problem related to the rape and forced marriages of women belonging to the Christian community where it is a small minority, as in Pakistan.
"The first place of Afghanistan in the World Watch List - he declares Christian Nani, director of Porte Aperte / Open Doors - is a cause for deep concern. In addition to the incalculable suffering for the small and hidden Christian community in Afghanistan, it sends a very clear message to Islamic extremists around the world: 'Continue your brutal struggle, victory is possible'. Groups like the Islamic State and the Alliance of Democratic Forces now believe their goal of establishing an Islamic caliphate is once again achievable. We cannot underestimate the cost in terms of human lives and misery that this newfound sense of invincibility is causing ”.
The ten countries where the persecution against Christians is greatest are: Afghanistan, North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Eritrea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, India.