Be a light in the darkness

Pew Research Center published some compelling—albeit heartbreaking—findings recently that reviewed how governments are clamping down on people of faith in 198 countries and territories. The study reflected on policies and events in 2018, the most recent year for which data was available.

• "Asia and the Pacific had the largest increase in government restrictions, while the Middle East and North Africa region continued to have the highest median level of restrictions. ... In 2018, roughly six-in-ten countries in the region (62%) experienced some level of government force related to religion."

• In the Middle East and North Africa: "Most countries in the region had reports of governments harassing religious groups, interfering in worship, favoring some religious groups and using force against others."

• "Among the 25 most populous countries, India, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan and Russia had the highest overall levels of restrictions involving religion, according to an analysis that combines government restrictions and social hostilities. China had the highest levels of government restrictions, and India had the highest levels of social hostilities—not just among the most populous countries, but among all 198 countries in the study."

• "Christians and Muslims continue to be harassed in the most countries. Harassment against religious groups, both by governments and individuals or social groups, was reported in 185 out of the 198 countries in 2018."

• "Governments that restrict religion are less likely to be democrats."

Christian persecution is widespread and taking place on a massive scale around the globe.

In many countries, Christianity is outlawed—illegal—where believers are considered traitors and/or enemies of the state.

But through your support for Liberty Relief International:

1. You minister to the physical needs of persecuted individuals and families, feeding them, clothing them, giving them water and shelter and safety.
2. You intervene on their behalf, by way of our partners on the ground, offering spiritual and emotional encouragement in the name of Jesus, the One who brings healing to the hurting.
3. You send Bibles and Gospel-driven discipleship materials to strengthen our brothers and sisters in their faith and root God's Word in their hearts.

Your compassionate gifts go toward helping Christian men, women and children who have been threatened, attacked, forced out of their homes or communities, imprisoned—and worse.

Your generosity helps cut through their pain—lightens the load—lifts the burden.

Christians feel your love, even when you can only be there in spirit!

Thank you for not only being aware of the plight of the persecuted but going beyond that—and doing something about it.

You are, indeed, a light in their darkness.

Mat Staver

Source:

Majumdar, Samirah. “Government Restrictions on Religion around the World Reached New Record in 2018.” Pew Research Center, November 10, 2020. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/11/10/government-restrictions-on-religion-around-the-world-reached-new-record-in-2018/.