The Most Dangerous Countries in the World to be Christian

by James Morgan

WORLD – In many parts of the world, being a Christian continues to be dangerous. Open Doors, an independent organization dedicated to assisting persecuted Christians around the world, has released its World Watch List 2015. The list contains the 50 countries where the persecution of Christians is most severe.

Among countries with the worst record, the most dangerous place to be a Christian in the world is North Korea. Although the effectiveness of its leader, Kim Jong-Un, is in doubt by some experts, the official opposition towards religious faith of any kind in the communist country remains firm and there is even some evidence it has worsened. Following North Korea at number 2 is Somalia. That country has no functioning government and is dominated by a series of Islamic terrorist groups and clans that all have a common dislike for Christians.

Iraq is number 3 on the list. The Islamic terrorist organization ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) has taken control of sizable parts of the country during the past year. Many Christians have been killed or fled. It is impossible for the church to function in areas held by ISIS and the Christian communities in those parts of Iraq have basically disappeared. Open Doors notes that, aside from ISIS, the politically weak government of Iraq has itself begun to adopt more fundamentalist Islamic social customs and laws. Due to the threat posed by ISIS and an ongoing civil war, Syria is at number 4 on the Open Doors Watch list for 2015. Various factions in the civil war will target Christians, often through kidnapping and holding victims for ransom. Islamic fundamentalists are targeting churches and individuals.

The trend of Islamic extremism and weak civil authority continues in Afghanistan, causing it to be fifth on the World Watch List. The continued strength of the Taliban, tribal conflicts, and a government tainted by corruption are keeping Christianity largely underground. There is not a single church building or public space for worship in the entire country. And having one would make it a target for extremists. Christian visitors from outside face danger constantly and have fallen victim to it. In 2014, three Christian aid workers (one from the USA and two from Finland) were killed, and a Roman Catholic priest was abducted and remains missing.

Muslim extremism in Sudan has that country at number 6, while Iran is at 7 due to the continued persecution of Christian by the authoritarian Islamic government there. The incursion of the Taliban and similar groups into Pakistan poses a serious threat to Christians and as a result, that country is number 8 on the list. At number 9 is the small African country of Eritrea. The government there persecutes Muslims who convert to Christianity. However, the long-tolerated Orthodox Church in Eritrea also discriminates against non-orthodox Christians.

Nigeria is at number 10 on the list. The activities of the radical Muslim organization Boko Haram are the most significant challenge facing Christians in the African country. Even though Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, is a Christian, northern states with significant Muslim populations where the influence of Boko Haram is more severe have adopted Sharia law, taking away much of the freedom and civil liberties of Christians. So far in 2015, there have already been several attacks by Boko Haram on cities in northeastern Nigeria, continuing a trend that began in 2009 and has led to the death of thousands of people.

To learn more about the 2015 World Watch List, visit Open Door USA’s website here.

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James Morgan is a writer and former broadcaster living in Gatineau, Quebec where he is completing a Ph.D in History. His home congregation is Trinity Lutheran near Gowanstown, Ontario, and he worships at various Lutheran Church–Canada congregations in the National Capital Region.

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