CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION
The Family Research Council has documented 420 acts of hostility against churches between January 2nd and September 2022 across 45 states and Washington, D.C. The attacks varied in attempts and reasons. Three hundred forty-two were classified as vandalism, 58 were arson attacks/attempts, 57 were related to abortion, 12 were gun-related interruptions of worship services. Over a dozen of attacks fell into more than one category. California had the most recorded incidents with 51, followed by Texas with 33, New York with 31 and Florida with 23.
Most of us have not even heard of these incidents because the major media outlets are liberal, Democratic Party supporters and as we have learned, they do not report news that doesn’t support their political or moral opinion. It should be noted that the 420 recorded attacks were only on churches, but the figure rises to nearly 500 when taking pro-life pregnancy centers into consideration.
Most of us have not even heard of these incidents because the major media outlets are liberal, Democratic Party supporters and as we have learned, they do not report news that doesn’t support their political or moral opinion. It should be noted that the 420 recorded attacks were only on churches, but the figure rises to nearly 500 when taking pro-life pregnancy centers into consideration.
While the lack of awareness of these attacks on churches across the nation is troubling, the fact that Pres. Biden refuses to do anything about it is unconscionable. In a recent survey of US citizens, 94% of those surveyed said they were opposed to violence against churches or places of worship. Furthermore, 92% said they were opposed to violence against pro-life pregnancy centers and 93% said they were against protesters harassing worshipers outside their parish. So, the US public is firmly against the violence committed against churches and faith-based institutions, but the Justice Department has not responded to multiple inquiries into the department’s intentions to prosecute the perpetrators of the attacks. However, they have charged 26 pro-life individuals with FACE act violations in 2022.
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Not a single arrest has been made in the more than a dozen attacks on pro-life organizations across the country claimed by left-wing pro-abortion group, Jane’s Revenge. Jane’s Revenge has claimed responsibility for at least 18 arson and vandalism attacks on crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) and other faith-based organizations throughout the U.S. since the May 2 leak of the Supreme Court draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation first said in June that it had launched an investigation into the targeted vandalism. The FBI said in a Sept. 7 statement that it was still investigating the "series of attacks and threats targeting pregnancy resource centers, faith-based organizations, and reproductive health clinics across the country, as well as to judicial buildings, including the US Supreme Court," but it made no mention of Jane’s Revenge specifically. After 7 months of investigating, there have been no arrests. |
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, in June demanded that U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland resign over the Biden administration Justice Department’s inaction on prosecuting Jane's Revenge members for the wave of attacks. Cotton, who is the ranking member for the subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism, the Intelligence Committee and the Armed Services Committee, has called on the DOJ to investigate Jane’s Revenge as a "domestic terrorist organization." |
The attacks show the comprehensive nature of anti-Christian violence. Assaults against churches span the theological gamut from evangelical, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, mainline Protestant, non-denominational churches, Seventh-Day Adventist, to Unitarian-Universalists and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (formerly known as Mormons). Assailants targeted parishes primarily attended by white, black, and Asian (specifically Korean and Taiwanese) Christians, as well as multiethnic congregations.
The report, “Hostility Against Churches Is on the Rise in the United States” by the Family Research Council explains attacks as one homicide, numerous arsons, bomb threats (real and fake), and a pervasive desecration of holy items. Vandals regularly smashed crosses, statues, and headstones in cemeteries; vandalized carvings of the Ten Commandments; set fire to a Nativity scene; and smeared feces on a statue of the Virgin Mary. They tore up a Bible and desecrated an American flag in a Primitive Methodist church in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Denver’s Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church suffered two drive-by shootings this August. Smashed windows and spray-painted doors became ubiquitous. The number of assaults peaked this May through July but has remained elevated compared to historical figures, which usually number in the single digits.
The report cites two major motivators: the still-unsolved leak of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling overturning Roe v. Wade on May 2 and the “Black Lives Matter” riots over the killing of George Floyd in the summer of 2020. But radical pro-LGBTQ activism, support for COVID-19 church closures, secularism, Satanism, Islamic fundamentalism, and anti-Americanism also wrought havoc in parishes nationwide.
A Pentecostal church that had actively opposed drag queen story hour found itself blanketed with messages hailing “Lucifer” and the “King of Hell” in Chula Vista, California, in September 2019. Three months earlier, extreme LGBTQIA+ activists spray-painted such messages as “God is a woman, and she is gay,” “Love is love,” and “Pride” on New Life Assembly in Lima, Ohio. Five days after the Ohio attack, LGBTQ activists left a message implying that Jesus created homosexuality at a Baptist church in Palermo, Maine. |
Christians are in a battle against “the Dark Side” which plans to destroy the Christian family, Christian morals, the Kingdom of God, and Christ himself. And though our adversaries are loud, violent and destructive, we know that we “are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” We should already be prepared for this battle but if not, find a church that will train you to be a Christian warrior. Put on your armor daily and understand that we don’t fight against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. Understand that we must stand against the works of the enemy and even though our enemy would say, “stay out of government”, we must do just that by holding our elected officials responsible for upholding and protecting our Christian rights. And pray without ceasing for the Lord’s people here in the USA but also worldwide.
Christians are being persecuted around the world. An average of 17 Christians are killed per day in Nigeria. North Korea is the most hostile country towards Christians where 50,000 to 70,000 are in labor camps according to Open Doors USA. Several state governments in India have passed anti-conversion laws.
Christians are being persecuted around the world. An average of 17 Christians are killed per day in Nigeria. North Korea is the most hostile country towards Christians where 50,000 to 70,000 are in labor camps according to Open Doors USA. Several state governments in India have passed anti-conversion laws.
In just the last year, there have been:
Instead of being defeated, “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” We ultimately have the victory and Jesus will be exalted upon the earth. Peace to you and all brothers and sisters, love with faith from God, and grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. (Ephesians 6:23)
- Over 360 million Christians living in places where they experience high levels of persecution and discrimination
- 5,898 Christians killed for their faith
- 5,110 churches and other Christian buildings attacked
- 4,765 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned
Instead of being defeated, “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” We ultimately have the victory and Jesus will be exalted upon the earth. Peace to you and all brothers and sisters, love with faith from God, and grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. (Ephesians 6:23)