There is a global war on Christianity. Africa is on the front lines of an underreported religious cleansing and genocide of Christians. In Europe, state governments are actively suppressing the Church and arresting Christians for silently praying or calling homosexuality a sin. In China, the Church is forced underground. Here in the States, antagonism toward Christianity takes the form of angry, crazy leftists attacking churches in various ways and for numerous reasons.
The Family Research Council just published its annual report on “Hostility Against Churches in the United States.” It found 415 instances of violence against American churches in 2024. These included shootings, vandalism, arson, bomb threats, and more. Though last year’s number was a slight decrease from 2023, when there were 485 incidents, it nevertheless marked a significant increase from other recent years. For example, in 2018, there were only 50 such incidents.
The intolerance for the Christian faith has been growing, particularly on the Left. What may have started as mockery has escalated to ferocity, and politics has a lot to do with it.
Over the past few years, a significant number of attacks were related to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. In 2022, 59 incidents were traced to pro-abortion sentiments. However, this motive decreased in 2023 (11 attacks) and 2024 (just two). So, what is the main impetus today for the attacks on churches? FRC Vice President Travis Weber has a theory. “He thinks some hostility may trace back to the Southern Poverty Law Center,” according to The Daily Signal, “a left-leaning nonprofit that puts groups like his on a ‘hate map’ with chapters of the Ku Klux Klan.”
In the U.S., the Left wants to impose its ideas and worldview on everyone. Most Christian churches still adhere to the precepts of the Bible and believe that abortion is wrong, that homosexuality is a sin, and that there are only two genders. For the “crime” of having common sense and following the teachings of our Creator, our churches are labeled by some secularists as “hateful,” and some are even put on the SPLC’s so-called hate map. The funny thing about the Left, particularly the woke Left, is that people of other faiths like Islam — which also labels LGBTQism an abomination — are fellow travelers. It seems only Christians are being attacked in this manner.
“Religious freedom is seldom handed to the passive; it is claimed by those who exercise it even when a hostile culture says they may not,” observes FRC President Tony Perkins. “This report clearly shows religious freedom faces substantial threats here at home. The American woke Left has been intentional in spreading its hostility toward the Christian faith throughout every corner of America. We applaud the efforts of the Trump administration, but efforts must be taken at every level of government to protect and promote this fundamental human right. Christians must expect and demand more from their government leaders when it comes to prosecuting and preventing criminal acts targeting religious freedom.”
While attacks against churches in the U.S. may be on the rise, Christians will do well to remember that persecution comes with accepting salvation. Jesus told His disciples, “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22) Why? Because Christianity is true, and the forces of evil are doing their best to destroy the channels whereby sinners can be saved.
This war on Christianity — which is really a war on God — has been ongoing since Creation. There have been times when Christianity prevails and times when evil overwhelms. But we know how the story ends. God wins.
