Report Lists Most Anti-Christian Countries

The Open Doors USA 2014 World Watch List  has been released, reporting that persecution of Christians continues to occur at an alarming rate in countries around the world.

A driving force of the persecution in many countries is Islamic fundamentalism, says the annual report that was released late last week.

But that is not the case in North Korea, the repressive, anti-Christian country that for the 12th year is a row is at the top of the list.

In its report of the world's 50 most anti-Christian countries, World Watch says about North Korea:

“Christians face unimaginable pressure in every sphere of life. Forced to meet only in secret, they dare not share their faith even with their families, for fear of imprisonment in a labor camp.

“Anyone discovered engaging in secret religious activity may be subject to arrest, disappearance, torture, even public execution.”

Besides North Korea, the first 10 countries where Christians faced the most pressure, violence and persecution in the 2013 were: Somalia, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, Pakistan, Iran and Yemen.

Of Somalia, the report says:

“Pressure is increasing on the tiny Christian community in this Muslim-majority country. Islamic leaders and government officials publicly reinforce that there is no room for Christians, and there is a strong drive to purge Christianity from Somalia.”

Of Syria, it says:

 “The civil conflict inside Syria becomes more and more severe, targeted violence against Christians has escalated. The Syrian opposition is increasingly ‘Islamizing’, and Christians are becoming more vulnerable in all spheres of life.”

Of Afghanistan, it says:

“The situation in the country remains unstable, and Islamic extremist groups continue to gain power. Christianity is still considered a ‘Western’ religion, and is seen as hostile to Afghan culture, society and Islam.”