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Do you know which group is the most persecuted minority in the world? The answer is pretty surprising.

Religious persecution of minorities is widespread throughout our world. It’s hard to think about being hated and feared because of the way you worship, but it is a common fear for many outside the Western world.

Do you know which group is the most persecuted minority in the world? The answer is pretty surprising. The most persecuted minority is actually Christians, and this is especially true within Muslim-dominated cultures in northern Africa and the Middle East.

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Christianity Is Being Purged in Many Muslim Societies

In many places around the world, Christianity is being wiped out. This is hard for Americans and other Westerners to wrap their minds around because of our Judeo-Christian roots and the religious tolerance inherent within our cultures. In many Muslim-dominated societies, Christians are persecuted to such a degree that they are leaving in droves. Bombings and attacks are sending them fleeing to safer places. Churches are being destroyed while Christian business are burned down. Persecutors are even targeting Christian women specifically, such as the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping perpetrated by Boko Haram.

Why are Christians being persecuted in Muslim-dominated societies? Because in those societies, Christians are considered infidels. Radical Islam has been at war with Christians worldwide for centuries. A persecuted Christian minority surprises many people because of the lack of Western media coverage. The media generally doesn’t report violence against Christians, thus it seems less common than it actually is to Westerners.

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The first big step to helping a persecuted minority is awareness.

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Key Points:

  • The most persecuted minority worldwide is Christians.
  • Christianity is being purged in many Muslim-dominated societies. In many Muslim-dominated societies, Christians are persecuted to such a degree that they are leaving in droves. Bombings and attacks are sending them fleeing to safer places.
  • Why are Christians being persecuted in Muslim-dominated societies? Because in those societies, Christians are considered infidels.
  • The first big step to helping a persecuted minority is awareness.

Quote This:

Restricted Nation: This includes countries where government-sanctioned circumstances or anti-Christian laws lead to Christians being harassed, imprisoned, killed or deprived of possessions or liberties because of their witness. Also included are countries where government policy or practice prevents Christians from obtaining Bibles or other Christian literature. –Voice of the Martyrs

See Also: Culture, World, Worldview

Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. What do you think it means for someone to be truly “persecuted?” Give an example.
  3. Does it surprise you that Christians are a persecuted minority in many Muslim societies? Why or why not?
  4. Do you think it’s true that certain spheres within the media don’t properly cover the persecution of Christians globally? Explain.
  5. Why are religious toleration and separation of church and state important staples of a democratic society?
  6. What other groups are persecuted for their beliefs?
  7. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.