The Persecution Of Christians In Europe And USA

[Freeman]

Christians increasingly persecuted in Europe

Christians in Europe face arrests, fines, vandalism, and professional penalties due to a growing trend of social intolerance and government restrictions, according to a new report. The report ties the discrimination to a wave of new laws that selectively affect Christians. “It is those who strive to live according to the high ethical demands of Christianity who experience a clash,” not nominal believers who align with the mainstream of society, says Dr. Gudrun Kugler.

Kugler heads up the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians, which released the report at an international conference on tolerance and discrimination in Albania in May.

European countries pride themselves as vanguards of human rights, often using forums like the UN Human Rights Council to pressure other countries. Yet the report finds a rash of new laws stigmatize Christians and challenge international human rights like freedom of conscience, expression and parental rights.
Christians increasingly persecuted in Europe

Persecution of Christians is on the rise, Americans say

A poll finds that, in just two years, the number of Americans who think Christians are facing growing intolerance in the U.S. has drastically increased.

Sixty-three percent of respondents in the LifeWay Research survey said they agree or strongly agree that Christians are facing growing levels of persecution, up from 50 percent in 2013. The bulk of that surge comes from respondents who said they “strongly agree” with the statement, a number that increased from 28 percent to 38 percent.

A similar number, 60 percent, said religious liberty is on the decline in America, up from 54 percent in 2013.
Christians facing increased persecution in America: poll