Persecution

Persecution watchdog Open Doors USA has released its annual "World Watch List," which rates countries based on the level of religious persecution it inflicts on Christian believers. CEO Carl Moeller tells The Christian Post that, despite the situation for persecuted Christians, the Gospel has been gaining ground.

The list is compiled from a survey completed by field workers, prosecuted believers, and indigenous contacts that asks specific questions pertaining to religious freedom.

This year's report saw some expected results, but also major surprises, including a large jump in Islam majority countries, as well as the spread of Christianity in unexpected places.  more >>

Watchdog groups are sounding the alarm on increasing acts of violence against Christians in India at the hands of the country's Hindu community.

India is one of the regions closely monitored by human rights groups, due to many cases of religious persecution taking place in its recent history. The biggest act of violence against Christians took place in 2008, in a remote eastern region of India, during an event referred to as the "Orissa massacre," in which an estimated 100 Christians were killed and some 5,600 displaced by a mob of Hindu extremists.

Local observers see a bleak outlook for 2012, given the mood in the country, as signs of renewed enmity become more and more apparent. more >>

A group of Christian children whose Sunday school was raided by Iranian authorities last Christmas have been subject to potential mental strain after the event and need international support, says the Hamgam Council of Iranian Churches.

The organization is encouraging churches in Iran and abroad to send cards of encouragement to the children, reported Mohabat News, an Iranian Christian News Agency.

Many of the children are reportedly experiencing a series of mental problems resulting from the brutal raid, which the Iranian authorities launched on their Assemblies of God-affiliated church on Dec. 23, 2011, during the church’s Christmas celebration event. The authorities reportedly detained everyone in the building, including children, who were attending Sunday school there. more >>

In its latest annual report, Fides released the names of all of the pastoral workers killed in a violent manner due to their faith in the year of 2011.

The Fides News Agency, created by order of the Council Superior General of the Pontifical Society, revealed that 26 pastoral workers, including bishops, priests, and religious laity, had lost their lives over the last 12 months – one more than last year.

Among those killed were 18 priests, four religious sisters, and four lay people, with the highest percentage of deaths occurring in America, which accounted for 15 of the deaths. Africa, Asia, and Europe, the least affected continent, followed in order after America. more >>

The Nigerian government deployed troops to several embattled cities in the northern region of the country this weekend after a series of deadly attacks from Boko Haram – including Christmas Day violence that killed 43 people – and threats from the Islamist terror sect toward Christians to flee the area.

Two platoons were sent to Plateau and Borno states in northeastern Nigeria to combat the escalating violence between Boko Haram and local communities.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been criticized for inaction in the face of Boko Haram's terrorism, called for a state of emergency in the northeastern states where the sect’s attacks have been most frequent. more >>

Clashes broke out Sunday after protesters trying to keep Christians from their church spotted an allegedly offensive bumper sticker on a worshipper's car, causing Muslims to rally around the GKI Yasmin Church in Bogor, Indonesia.

The bumper sticker, which read “we need a friendly Islam, not an angry Islam,” was reportedly a souvenir from the family of late former President Abdurrahman Wahid. As GKI Yasmin spokesman Bona Sigalingging told the Jakarta Globe, the stickers were passed out at the anniversary of Wahid’s death on Friday.

Members of the hardline Muslim group Islamic Reform Movement crowded the GKI Yasmin Church Sunday, protesting the bumper stickers. Police officials arrived to protect the congregation, but church-goers eventually took their New Year's Eve mass to a nearby home to avoid violence. more >>