Christian Persecution Even in America

Since the very beginning of Christianity, Christians have been persecuted for their faith. That persecution continues to this day. There are particular parts of the world where this is particularly fierce.

International Christian Concern (ICC) is a non-profit based in Washington, D.C. that tracks this. In their latest report entitled “The Global Persecution Index 2025,” They noted that the majority of the persecution occurs under authoritarian leaders and Islamic extremist groups. Seemingly, the most severe persecution is found in Africa – especially in the countries of Mali, Niger, Chad, Congo, and Somalia. Other particularly oppressive countries include Afghanistan, Pakistan, and North Korea. And while these countries are the most overt in their anti-Christian persecution, there are many others where much suppression also occurs – places such as Nicaragua, Venezuela, China, India, Pakistan, and a few others.

In the current world situation, none of these come as a huge surprise to those who are paying attention to what is going on. But the persecution of Christians is not just in these relatively more oppressive countries, it is happening even in America.

Jamie Sanchez opened The Drip Café coffee shop in Denver as part of a compassion and discipleship outreach to the homeless. But soon after he opened, God-hating radicals read the doctrinal statement of Jamie’s church that affirmed one man, one woman marriage. Seeing this, they declared “SPIRITUAL WAR.”

To carry out their war, they amassed over 100 protestors who chanted and screamed outside the shop and spit on Jamie’s windows. The protesters included men dressed like women, people with painted faces and bodies, people with T-shirts that contained slogans attacking Christ who were waving Pride flags, people shouting through loudspeakers, and others writing vile chalk messages on the sidewalk.

As often as twice a week they would stand outside the door of the coffee shop imploring people not to patronize the business. Even the local Denver News TV station gave favorable coverage to the anti-Christian mobs.

In this case, local believers and churches rallied around The Drip Café, and even used the opportunity to hold Bible studies, fellowship meetings, and conduct ministry. Rather than being driven out, the Drip is now a base of flourishing ministry. (Read more at https://afa.net/the-stand/culture/2025/04/they-came-to-destroy-him.)

In another case, a Montgomery County, Maryland high school student is being prevented from graduating because she refuses to participate in a mandatory LGBTQ health class. This in spite of the fact that she is a leader in multiple extracurricular activities at school, holds a 4.76 weighted GPA, and scored a 1450 (96^th percentile) on her SATs. (See the story at https://www.foxnews.com/media/christian-family-says-school-refusing-allow-daughter-graduate-over-mandatory-lgbtq-health-class.)

She and her family have been working for over two years to be granted an opt-out, be allowed to take an alternative class at a private school, or do independent study. That controversial material was supposed to be restricted to the “Family Life and Human Sexuality” unit in the class that students are allowed to opt out of. But the school changed the curriculum so that the LGBTQ material is not just in that one unit, but is scattered throughout the entire course. They made that change to eliminate the possibility of an opt-out. And in spite of everything, the Maryland school district is refusing to budge and the case is now in the courts.

These are just a couple of examples of the pressure being put on Christians because of their beliefs. Many, many more could be listed. It is truly sad that this kind of hatred exists and is being expressed in modern American society, but that is where we are these days and Christians need to be prepared to stand up to it.

That said, the way Christians stand against opposition should be different from how non-Christians do it. We see on the news virtually every day where people who hate Christian beliefs and values express their hatred by bringing lawsuits, vandalizing Christian businesses and ministry locations, disrupting activities of Christian groups, generating negative news and social media coverage, and in some cases even rioting and assaulting people.

In the process of opposing these hateful acts, it is sometimes appropriate to engage the legal system and even counter protest. But when doing those things, Christians must keep God’s purposes in the forefront. For Christians, it is not just about beating back the hatred being expressed against them, it is about sharing Christ with those who oppose Christ.

We must keep in mind that those who rail against Christians are not really opposing Christians, but rather are struggling against Christ Himself. The reason they oppose Christ is because they have their own religious beliefs that they are defending – one that permits them to be hateful and destructive. This is even true for those who claim that they are not religious. They just don’t know what they don’t know.

The ultimate problem is not a “philosophy” issue, but a problem of the heart. And until their hearts are changed by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, they will not change.

Christians have a profound opportunity to share Christ with these people. But to effectively do that, they need to become equipped to confront them in ways that will address their heart problem. This kind of equipping doesn’t just happen. They need to specifically train to share their faith across the worldview barriers that block their spiritual vision. Only then will we see the kind of transformation that will quell the anti-Christian hatred we see all around.

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Freddy Davis is the president of MarketFaith Ministries. He is the author of numerous books entitled The Truth Mirage, Rules for Christians Radicals, Liberalism vs. Conservatism, and his latest book Shattering the Truth Mirage and has a background as an international missionary, pastor, radio host, worldview trainer, and entrepreneur. Freddy is a graduate of Florida State University with a BS in Communication, and holds MDiv and DMin degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a popular speaker, particularly on the topic of worldview and its practical implications for the Christian life. He lives in Tallahassee, FL, with his wife Deborah.

You may also contact Freddy at Leadership Speakers Bureau to schedule him for speaking or leadership engagements.

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