Record 388 Million Christians Face Persecution Worldwide, Open Doors Says

• This marks an increase of 8 million from the previous year, described as another record high, with persecution making following Jesus “impossible without divine intervention” in many places.
• Among the 388 million, 201 million are women or girls, and 110 million are minors under 15, showing disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable.
• North Korea remains the most dangerous place to be a Christian, using AI surveillance, labor camps, executions, and family punishment under laws criminalizing faith.
• Somalia holds second place for the fourth year, where converts risk public decapitation and extreme violence from Islamic extremists.
• Nigeria stands as the epicenter of deadly anti-Christian violence, with 3,490 believers killed for their faith in the reporting period—a sharp rise—amid kidnappings, church burnings, and gender-based attacks.
• Overall, 4,849 Christians were murdered worldwide for their faith, with the vast majority (93%) in sub-Saharan Africa due to fragile governments and Islamist groups.
• Fifteen countries recorded extreme levels of violence, including Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea, Syria (which surged in ranking due to post-Assad instability and jihadist influence), Pakistan, Libya, Iran, Afghanistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, and Mali.
• Persecution drivers include authoritarian regimes, Islamic extremism, communism, and organized crime, with specific examples like North Korea’s anti-reactionary laws banning Bibles.
• In contrast, Hungary is highlighted as a global leader in positive response, through its Hungary Helps Program aiding persecuted Christians directly without promoting mass migration.
• The report underscores the resilience of underground churches, such as in North Korea, where believers persist despite severe risks.

Read the full story: https://www.worthynews.com/111564-record-388-million-christians-face-persecution-worldwide-open-doors-says