A new report has found that in some parts of the world, Christian persecution is “coming close to meeting the international definition of genocide, according to that adopted by the UN”, a new report ordered by UK foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt has found.

Hunt commissioned the Bishop of Truro the Right Reverend Philip Mounstephen to lead the review, and the interim results of the report are alarming.

Persecution near genocide levels

“In some regions, the level and nature of persecution is arguably coming close to meeting the international definition of genocide, according to that adopted by the UN,” the interim report said. The full report is due to be published this summer.

Hunt also said he feels that “political correctness” has played a part in the issue, and is something that is not being confronted.

“What we have forgotten in that atmosphere of political correctness is actually the Christians that are being persecuted are some of the poorest people on the planet,” Hunt added.

Additionally, Hunt thinks governments have been “asleep” over the persecution of Christians.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”

– 2 Timothy 3:12

Christians are now world’s most persecuted religious group

“Evidence shows not only the geographic spread of anti-Christian persecution, but also its increasing severity,” the Bishop wrote.

As a result of persecution, the report says the main impact of “genocidal acts against Christians is exodus.”

Jesus said:

“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

– John 15:19

Persecution by the numbers

According to Christian advocacy group Open Doors USA, the most persecuted and “dangerous” areas in the world to be a Christian currently are: North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Pakistan, Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen, Iran and India. Their report did not mention religion and China nor Russia, who have recently made news for their stepped up persecutions against Christians, and all faiths for that matter.

Each month, on average around the world, 345 Christians are killed for faith-related reasons (an average of 11 per day), 105 churches and Christian buildings are burned or attacked, 219 Christians are detained without trial, arrested, sentenced and imprisoned, according to Open Doors USA. The group also says that in the first quarter of 2019, there has been a 14 percent rise in persecutions against Christians in the top 50 countries that experience high levels of persecution on the world watch list.

Jesus said:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

– Matthew 5:10

Christianity “at risk of disappearing”

The report found that the religion of Christianity “is at risk of disappearing” in some parts of the world, and especially faces being “wiped out” from some parts of the Middle East.

In Palestine, Christians are now less than 1.5% of the population. Before 2003, Christians made up 1.5 million of the population of Iraq, and have now fallen to less than 120,000.

Jesus said:

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”

– Matthew 5:11

“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!”

– Luke 6:22