Christian persecution ‘unprecedented’ and poised to increase, report finds

Mark 13:13 “You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”

Christian persecution surged to record levels last year and will likely continue to increase, according to a nonprofit group that monitors the treatment of Christians worldwide.

The organization, Open Doors USA, recently released its 2016 World Watch List, which ranks the 50 nations in which Christians are persecuted the most. The organization grades the countries on a zero-to-100 scale, with a higher score representing a higher level of persecution.

The report indicates that those scores increased in 34 of the countries that were also on the list issued at the start of 2015, and two new countries — Bahrain and Niger — broke into the top 50.

The group called 2014 an “unprecedented” year for Christian persecution, which it defines as “any hostility experienced from the world as a result of one’s identification as a Christian.” That covers a broad range of things ranging from discrimination and beatings to jail time and death.

“In 2015, Christian persecution not only increased, but expanded into areas where there was not the same level of persecution in the previous year,” the report states. In a video posted to Open Doors USA’s website, the group cautioned that Christian persecution “will likely get worse.”

The report’s findings were audited by the International Institute for Religion Freedom.

The report says Islamic extremists have expanded their reach and governments have responded by implementing rules that restrict religion, both of which harm religious liberties of Christians.

All but two of the list’s 50 countries are located in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

The others are Mexico and Colombia, where the report charges corruption is an issue.

With a score of 92, North Korea remained atop the list of the most oppressive nations for the 14th consecutive year. It was followed by Iraq, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Syria.

The report indicates that between 50,000 and 70,000 of the country’s 300,000 Christians are currently imprisoned in labor camps. The United States government advises its citizens not to travel to North Korea because “unsanctioned religious activity” is often punished.

The report cautions that Christians “are currently on the verge of extinction” in Iraq (90), where only a few thousand remain. Many have tried to flee the Islamic State, which has taken over large parts of the country and strongly opposes religions beyond its own interpretation of Islam.

Christians in Eritrea (89) face oppression from radical extremists and their government, the report found, and Islamic extremists also remain a threat in Afghanistan (88) and Syria (87).

Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Iran and Libya rounded out the top 10 nations for persecution.

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