Open Doors Find Christian Persecution Rising Globally

The World Watch List reveals rising pressure on Christians worldwide and the enduring faith of believers.

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Open Doors’ annual World Watch List has revealed that persecution against Christians is increasing worldwide, with one in seven Christians now facing high levels of persecution.

The list analyses countries where it is most dangerous to practise the Christian faith, using decades of research and data to determine a countries’ persecution score.

“Broadly, [persecution] is categorised into two types,” Open Doors Australia CEO Adam Holland told Hope 103.2.

“There’s a pressure score and then there’s a violence score.

“Both of those are researched back to activities against Christians specifically because they follow Jesus; it’s not wrong place, wrong time.”

One in seven Christians now facing high levels of persecution. – The World Watch List

This year, Syria entered the top 10 for the first time, recording its highest-ever persecution score, largely due to a regime change.

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“The balance of power was substantially disrupted, and effectively there’s now nowhere safe in the whole country for a Christian to publicly practise their faith,” Adam said.

Despite these realities, Adam says the response of persecuted Christians is often surprising.

“You think they might be very dour, but there’s a real depth to their faith,” he said.

“There’s a joy in them in the midst of terrible circumstances… because our prize is salvation, eternal life, and knowing our Heavenly Father.”

“There’s a joy in them in the midst [which] doesn’t make light of the terrible circumstances, but [acknowledges that] our prize is salvation.

“Our prize is eternal life and knowing our Heavenly Father.”

Adam said many believers choose not to retaliate, even when mistreated.

“They model their lives on Jesus just like we should,” he said.

“Retaliation or those types of things just aren’t in the equation.”

The details of the World Watch List can be confronting and further a sense that Christianity is under threat, but Open Doors’ purpose in generating the World Watch List is to create awareness and connection.

“[Australians] can live in a comfort bubble,” Adam said.

“So, part of [sharing the World Watch List] is to tell the story as directly as we can of what it means to follow Jesus in places where it’s very difficult to.”

The list also reminds Christians they are not alone, and to pray for Christians globally.

“We’re united in Christ. We’re one body,” Adam said.

Find out more about supporting persecuted Christians on Open Doors website.

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

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