As Americans rejoiced in Independence Day celebrations and gave thanks for free speech, freedom of religion, and other blessings, many Christians around the world continued to suffer from the lack of those freedoms, thanks to Islamic jihadis and Communist tyrannies.
We don’t always remember how fortunate we are to live in a country with religious freedom, except when that freedom is attacked here in the U.S., as when churches were labeled “non-essential” during the COVID lockdowns, or when Democrats persecute Christian hospitals, schools, businesses, and religious orders for not getting on board with the LGBTQ ideology and abortion. But while most of us in America now can practice our faith without open persecution, especially in states that uphold the Constitution, Christians in many countries globally aren’t so fortunate.
The two ideologies most responsible for persecution of Christians worldwide are Islam and Communism. Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Syria are among the hotspots of violent persecution. That’s why Donald Trump should not make favorable deals with Syria, China, Iran, and other countries that continue to target and even commit genocide against Christians.
In Syria, where the new leader is a radical jihadi who broke into the business by fighting Americans and who continues to allow religious mass murder, a June 22 ISIS attack at a Greek Orthodox Church left at least 25 Christians dead and dozens more wounded. Coincidentally, Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa — formerly called Abu Muhammad al-Golani, referring to his desire for Muslim Arabs to seize the Golan Heights from Israel — has ISIS and al-Qaeda ties, though he sometimes tries to pretend now he doesn’t. The people in charge of Syria are part of the same jihadi movement massacring Christians, even if the current leaders pay lip service to eschewing jihad for the benefit of people such as Trump.
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On July 3, International Christian Concern (ICC) reported that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had targeted several churches, amidst an ongoing crackdown on Chinese Christians, detaining pastors, harassing church attendees, and raiding churches. Beijing Zion Church once had 1,500 members, but was banned by the CCP, and efforts to gather in houses instead have led to multiple raids. Other locations of Zion Church throughout China have recently been targeted, too. Three members of the Church of the Abundance in Shaanxi just went on trial for their faith. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, two construction workers were shot and killed while working on a Christian church building, likely by Muslims.
Not that Muslims and Communists are the only ones who hate Christians. In Odisha, India, 20 Christian families were viciously attacked during lunch by a violent mob of Hindu nationalists. At least eight of the Christians had to be hospitalized from the severe injuries they received during the mob’s beatings, per ICC. And in Nigeria, Islamic Fulani terrorists continue to abduct, displace, and kill Christians on a massive scale. Where are the marches in support of Christians suffering genocide in Nigeria, where is the aid for persecuted Christians? Why do only Islamic extremists such as the Gazans garner attention, empathy, and aid from the West, including America?
Religious freedom is justly considered one of our most important rights in America, enshrined in the very first amendment of the Bill of Rights. But this Independence Day weekend, remember to pray for and raise awareness about the many Christians — and Jews — worldwide who are not so fortunate.
