Persecution of Christians facts for kids

Persecution of Christians means treating people who follow Christianity unfairly because of their beliefs. This can involve using violence against them, putting them in prison, or making it hard for them to live their lives freely. It's a serious issue that affects Christians in many parts of the world today.

Christians have faced persecution for a very long time, ever since the early days of their religion. This can happen in different ways, from being made fun of to being harmed or even killed. The goal of persecution is often to force Christians to give up their faith or to stop them from practicing it.

Today, Christians face challenges in many countries. Some of these places include Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Burma, Lebanon, Syria, and Sri Lanka. Understanding why and how this happens helps us learn about religious freedom and human rights around the globe.

What is Religious Persecution?

Religious persecution is when someone is treated badly or harmed because of their religion. It's a violation of human rights, which are basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person. For Christians, this means they might not be allowed to worship openly, build churches, or even talk about their faith.

Forms of Persecution

Persecution can take many forms, not just physical violence. It can include:

• Discrimination: This is when Christians are treated unfairly in jobs, schools, or public services. They might be denied opportunities simply because of their faith.
• Social Exclusion: Christians might be left out of community activities or face isolation from their neighbors.
• Legal Restrictions: Some countries have laws that limit how Christians can practice their religion, like banning them from sharing their beliefs with others.
• Violence: In extreme cases, Christians can face physical attacks, destruction of their homes or churches, or even death.

Why Does Persecution Happen?

Persecution often happens for several reasons. Sometimes, it's because a government or a powerful group wants everyone to follow a different religion. Other times, it's due to political reasons, where Christians are seen as a threat to the current leaders or system.

Historical Reasons

Throughout history, Christians have faced persecution from various empires and groups.

• Roman Empire: In ancient Rome, Christians were often persecuted because they refused to worship the Roman gods or the emperor. This led to many early Christians being arrested, tortured, and even executed.
• Other Empires: Later, in different empires and kingdoms, Christians sometimes faced persecution if their rulers followed a different religion or saw Christianity as a challenge to their power.

Modern Day Causes

Today, persecution of Christians is often linked to:

• Religious Extremism: In some areas, extreme religious groups target Christians because they believe their own religion is the only true one.
• Government Control: Some governments try to control all aspects of people's lives, including their religion. They might see Christianity as a foreign influence or a threat to their authority.
• Social Tensions: Sometimes, tensions between different religious or ethnic groups can lead to violence against Christians.

Persecution Through History

The story of Christian persecution is long and complex, stretching back nearly 2,000 years.

Early Christian Persecution

The very first Christians faced persecution from both Jewish and Roman authorities.

• Roman Empire: The Roman Empire saw Christians as a threat because Christians refused to worship the Roman gods or the emperor. This led to periods of intense persecution, where Christians were arrested, tortured, and executed. Famous examples include the persecution under Emperor Nero and Emperor Diocletian.
• Martyrs: Many early Christians who died for their faith are known as martyrs. Their stories are often remembered as examples of courage and devotion.

Medieval and Modern Eras

Persecution continued in various forms throughout history.

• Ottoman Empire Genocides: In the early 20th century, during and after World War I, the Ottoman Empire (which is now Turkey) carried out terrible acts against Christian groups like the Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians. These events are known as genocides, where large groups of people are systematically killed.
• Communist Regimes: In the 20th century, under communist governments in places like the Soviet Union and China, religion was often suppressed. Churches were closed or turned into museums, and religious leaders were imprisoned.
• Ku Klux Klan: In the United States, groups like the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) targeted various minority groups, including Roman Catholics, in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Where Persecution Happens Today

Sadly, persecution of Christians is still a major issue in many parts of the world.

• Middle East: In countries like Syria and Iraq, conflicts and the rise of extremist groups have led to many Christians being forced to leave their homes or face violence.
• Africa: In countries like Nigeria, extremist groups often attack Christian communities, destroying churches and homes.
• Asia: In places like Pakistan and Afghanistan, Christians often face discrimination and violence, sometimes even being accused of crimes they didn't commit. In North Korea, practicing Christianity is extremely dangerous and can lead to severe punishment.

Related pages

• Religious persecution

Images for kids

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  Greek Christians in 1922, fleeing their homes from Kharput to Trebizond. In the 1910s and 1920s the Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian genocides were perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire.

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  Crucifixion of Saint Peter by Caravaggio (1600, Cerasi Chapel)

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  The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer by Jean-Léon Gérôme (1863–1883, Walters Art Museum). A fanciful scene of damnatio ad bestias in ancient Rome's Circus Maximus beneath the Palatine Hill.

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  The execution of the patriarch Peter of Alexandria under the emperor Maximinus Daia, depicted in the Menologion of Basil II

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  Roderick is venerated as one of the Martyrs of Córdoba

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  Miniature depicting the execution of the patriarch Euthymius of Sardis under the Byzantine Emperor Michael II, from an illuminated manuscript of the Madrid Skylitzes (12th century).

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  Persecution of the Servants of Christ by Maerten de Vos and engraved by Hieronymus Wierix (Wellcome Library). An illustration of the prophecy of persecution made during the Sermon on the Mount according to the Gospel of Luke.
  "But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake." (Luke 21:12)

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  Mass shootings at Nantes, 1793

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  The Christian martyrs of Nagasaki. 17th-century Japanese painting.

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  The Jamalabad fort route. Mangalorean Catholics had traveled through this route on their way to Seringapatam.

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  The British officer James Scurry, who was detained a prisoner for 10 years by Tipu Sultan along with the Mangalorean Catholics

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  In this 1926 cartoon, the Ku Klux Klan chases the Roman Catholic Church, personified by St Patrick, from the shores of America.

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  St. Teodora de la Sihla Church in Central Chișinău was one of the churches that were "converted into museums of atheism", under the doctrine of Marxist–Leninist atheism.

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  "Non-Muslim Bypass:" Non-Muslims are barred from entering Mecca and Medina.

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  Remains of a church property burnt down during 2008 Kandhamal violence in Orissa in August 2008

See also

In Spanish: Persecución a los cristianos para niños