Persecution Evidence & Reports Dossier
The reality of the war on Christianity is supported by rigorous empirical data gathered by internationally recognized human rights bodies, parliamentary inquiries, and frontline monitors.
5-Year Global Trajectory (Open Doors Data)
Historical comparison tracking documented martyrs and total persecuted population.
| Reporting Cycle | Severely Persecuted | Confirmed Killed for Faith | Churches Attacked / Closed | Global Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 260M | 2,983 | 9,488 | Documented |
| 2022 | 360M | 5,898 | 5,110 | Documented |
| 2024 | 365M | 4,998 | 14,766 | Documented |
| 2025 | 375M | 4,476 | 4,125 | Documented |
| 2026 | 388M+ | 4,849 | 4,712 | Extreme Historic High |
Open Doors World Watch List 2026
Primary Empirical Findings:
- Over 388 million Christians face high, very high, or extreme persecution worldwide.
- 4,849 Christians killed for faith (up from 4,476 in the previous cycle).
- 93% of all faith-based killings took place in Sub-Saharan Africa (3,490 in Nigeria).
- Syria climbed dramatically to #6 worldwide following intense cathedral attacks and renewed conflict.
Intolerance & Discrimination Against Christians in Europe 2025
Primary Empirical Findings:
- 2,211 verified anti-Christian hate crimes documented across European nations in 2024–2025.
- 94 arson attacks on churches, almost doubling the previous year's total.
- Personal physical attacks against Christians rose to 274 incidents.
- France, Germany, and the UK recorded the highest volume of church vandalism and desecrations.
USCIRF Annual Report on Countries of Particular Concern (CPC)
Primary Empirical Findings:
- Recommends State Department redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
- Condemns China for Sinicization of religion and AI-driven monitoring of church sanctuaries.
- Documents imprisonment of over 100 Christian leaders in Nicaragua by the Ortega regime.
- Denounces blasphemy laws in Pakistan that carry mandatory death sentences.
Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians Oppressed for Their Faith
Primary Empirical Findings:
- Christianity is on the brink of extinction in historic cradles like Iraq and northern Syria.
- Sub-Saharan Africa is undergoing 'an unremitting wave of anti-Christian violence'.
- Authoritarian regimes increasingly use anti-conversion and apostasy laws to silence minority faiths.
Research Methodology & Academic Objectivity
The compilation of statistics referenced on WarOnChristianity.com relies on established legal definitions of religious persecution under Article 18 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Watchdogs like Open Doors utilize a granular scoring matrix measuring six distinct life spheres: Private life, Family life, Community life, National life, Church life, and Violent incidents. This prevents conflation with ordinary criminal activity and isolates systemic targeting based on religious identity.