The attack in Paris, France has revealed that 2015 may be the worst year to oppose the false religion of Islam. Christians worldwide already know that testifying their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ can cost them their lives.
Open Doors USA has released its “2015 World Watch List,” a report that highlights and ranks the worst nations in the world to be a Christian, finding that, while the Middle East continues to be the most violent place for Christians, the largest increase in persecution unfolded in Africa during 2014.
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. -Revelation 6:9
“Approximately 100 million Christians are persecuted worldwide, making them one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world,” read a statement announcing the report. Islam was the main reason for the death of Christians in 40 out 50 of the countries.
They were slain for their faith and obedience to the word of God.
It was North Korea that topped the list in 2014 but most of the countries were in the Middle East with Somalia, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan leading the pack and Muslim African countries rounding out the list. Iran, where American citizen and pastor Saeed Abedini continues to be detained and persecuted, comes in at number seven.
According to Open Doors USA, Christians around the world face torture, rape, imprisonment and death simply because of their faith — and the problems could worsen. The group defines “persecution” as ”any hostility experienced as a result of one’s identification with Christ.”
