We Christians in the West may have our cultural battles, but let us never forget those in other nations who are being killed for their faith.
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AsOpenDoorshasjustreleaseditslatestWorldWatchListandaccompanyingtrendsanalysis—theannualsnapshotofChristianpersecutionaroundtheworld—weareonceagainconfrontedwithasoberingandhumblingreality:ourbrothersandsistersinChristcontinuetosuffergreatlyforthenameofJesus.Thefullreporthighlightsshiftingpatternsofpersecutionthatdemandbothourattentionandourprayerfulresponse.
Attheverytopofthelist,NorthKorearemainsthemostdangerousplaceonearthtofollowChrist.There,secretbelieversliveinconstantfear;toprofessfaithpublicly—oreventobediscoveredwithaBible—canbringarrest,tortureorworse.Inthattotalitarianshadowstate,Christianfaithisdrivenundergroundandworshipisadaily,costlyactofobedience.
YetthestorydoesnotendinEastAsia.Syria—oncehometovibrantChristiancommunitiesstretchingbacktotheearliestcenturiesoftheChurch—hasnowsoaredintothetoptencountriesonthelistasviolenceandinstabilityhav
