The Apostle Paul once wrote, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
But the modern-day columnist and social media poster writes, “PANIC!!!!!”
No matter the issue, many specialize in anxiety as they chronicle yet another reason to assume America will soon sink into an ocean — presumably on Wednesday, Nov. 6, if the wrong person wins the election Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Now, God calls Christians as ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven to care about the cares of this country. He calls them to wield kingdom truths to boldly address the spiritual issues at the heart of those cares.
But He never calls them to panic.
Still, if Christians struggle to apply Paul’s advice, they can apply the advice of the author of Hebrews: “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them — those who are mistreated — since you yourselves are in the body also.”
Worldwide, more than 13 Christians die for their faith daily — almost one believer every two hours — according to the organization Open Doors. Countless more suffer prison sentences or persecution.
Open Doors attempts to summarize these struggles with its annual World Watch List, a publication that chronicles the 50 countries that most harshly persecute Christians.
The organization released its latest list in January, and I hope that the following excerpts will help put in perspective the panic people in America promote.
1. North Korea
“Being discovered to be a Christian in North Korea is effectively a death sentence. Believers will either be deported to labor camps or killed on the spot. And it’s not just them: their whole family gets the same fate. Meeting for worship is extremely dangerous and must be done in utmost secrecy. Even being found to own a Bible could mean death.”
2. Somalia
“Christians are a high-value target for murder by the militant group al-Shabab. Leaving Islam is also seen by many as a betrayal of Somali culture and clan—so new believers face harassment, abuse and even murder from their own families and communities. Church life in Somalia is almost non-existent.”
3. Libya
“A small number of Libyans follow Jesus. It could cost them everything. Converts from Islam face the most intense violence from family and community. They risk house arrest, attack, abduction, sexual violence and murder.”
4. Eritrea
“Eritrea is known as the North Korea of Africa, due to its authoritarian government. Eritrea only recognizes three heavily monitored denominations, so anyone who follows Jesus outside of these denominations is at constant risk. Around 1,000 Eritrean Christians are in prison without being charged with any crime. Some have been held for more than 10 years, enduring shocking conditions.”
5. Yemen
“Yemeni society is strongly Islamic, and the tribal punishment for denouncing Islam can be death or banishment. Most believers are Yemeni and come from Muslim backgrounds.
As conversion from Islam is forbidden by law, Christians must keep their faith secret or risk severe repercussions from their families, the authorities or radical groups. This can include divorce, loss of custody of children, arrest and even honor killings.”
6. Nigeria
“Christians in Nigeria, particularly in the Muslim-majority north, continue to be terrorized with devastating impunity by Islamic militants and armed bandits. More believers are killed for their faith in Nigeria each year than everywhere else in the world, combined. The attacks can involve destruction of properties, abductions for ransom, sexual violence and death. Believers are stripped of their livelihoods and driven from their homes.”
7. Pakistan
“Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are often used to target minorities, but Christians are disproportionately affected. Even a baseless accusation can be extremely dangerous. The number of Christian girls and women abducted, abused and forcefully converted to Islam is growing — some are even killed. All Christians face institutionalized discrimination, given only jobs that are deemed degrading. Although historical churches are relatively free to worship, they are heavily monitored and have been targeted for bomb attacks.”
8. Sudan
“Violence against Christians has spiraled since civil war broke out in April 2023. At least 165 churches have been forcibly closed and others destroyed, and there has been a recent spike in Christian men being abducted and murdered.”
9. Iran
“Conversion from Islam to Christianity is illegal in Iran, and anyone caught as a convert can be imprisoned. Those who are detained can face abuse and torture. Some Christians are released and monitored — and know a second arrest would mean a long prison sentence. Converts also face persecution from their families and communities, and loss of inheritance or forced marriage to a Muslim is common.”
10. Afghanistan
If an Afghan Christian’s faith is discovered, they may be killed — or tortured into giving information about fellow believers.
Since the Taliban takeover, many believers have fled, and those who chose to stay, or can’t leave, must keep their faith secret, or they might simply disappear.
Women and girls are particularly vulnerable but often don’t report sexual assault as it is seldom punished — and because of the stigma it brings.”
To read the entire list, go to https://www.opendoorsus.org.
baumofchet@gmail.com
