Anti-Christian hatred is accelerating in the United States, according to a Christian non-profit organization that has been tracking violence against American churches since 2018.
The Family Research Council, based in Washington, DC, has released its annual report on hostility against churches. report this week, finding that there were 436 hostile incidents against churches in 2023. This is more than double the number recorded in 2022 and more than eight times more than that noted by the group in 2018.
The group said it used publicly available data to trace 915 acts of hostility against churches over the past six years. Most incidents were acts of vandalism. The report also reveals gun-related incidents, arson and bomb threats against churches.
“From January 2018 to November 2023, there were at least 709 acts of vandalism, 135 arsons or attempted arsons, 22 firearms-related incidents, 32 bomb threats and 61 other incidents (assaults, threats, interruption of worship services, etc.) “In 39 cases, multiple types of hostility occurred (e.g., vandalism and arson). ” the report indicates.
Two people were injured in a shooting earlier this month at Lakewood Church in Houston. The shooter was shot and killed by off-duty security guards working at the church. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Vandalism against churches may be a sign of the culture’s growing disrespect for places of worship and Christians. religion in general, the report said.
“Americans appear increasingly comfortable attacking church buildings, underscoring a larger societal problem of marginalizing core Christian beliefs, including those that touch on hot-button political issues. human dignity and sexuality. Attacks on places of worship can also signal unease with religion in general,” the report continues.
FRC President Tony Perkins said the Biden administration’s hostility toward Christians was reflected in the growing number of Christians. persecution against Christiansglobal.
“There is a common link between growing religious persecution abroad and growing hostility toward the churches here at home: the policies of our government,” Perkins said in a statement. “Indifference abroad toward fundamental freedom of religion is matched only by the growing antagonism toward moral absolutes taught by Bible-believing churches here in the United States, which foments this environment of hostility towards churches. »
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The Geneva Presbyterian Church after a deadly shooting, in Laguna Woods, California, May 15, 2022. (Reuters/David Swanson)
Some critics of President Biden have accused his administration of make war on Christians, after several pro-life activists were charged with violating federal law for protesting at an abortion clinic in 2021. The activists face up to 11 years in prison.
The author of the FRC report, Arielle Del Turco, believes that the documented incidents show that there is a “growing disregard for Christianity and fundamental Christian beliefs” in the United States.
“While the motivations for many of these acts of hostility remain unknown, their effect is unmistakable: religious intimidation. They send the message that churches are not wanted in the community or respected in general. Our culture demonstrates a growing contempt for Christianity and its foundations. Christian beliefs and acts of hostility against churches could be a physical manifestation of this. Regardless of the motivations for these crimes, everyone should treat churches and all places of worship with respect and affirm the importance of religious freedom for all Americans.
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The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
