Abstract
Christianity has the most diverse collection of adherents throughout the world. Rich and poor alike are found among Christianity’s numbers, and so are Africans, Asians, Europeans and North and South Americans. Christianity is completely inclusive and attractive to the peoples of the world.
Yet an ominous trend, rarely covered in the major American news outlets, is at work. Christians around the world are being harassed, imprisoned, killed or deprived of possessions or liberties because of their witness. Coptic Christians in Egypt are being forced from homes and businesses. Amnesty International has recently protested the persecution that Christians have faced in Iraq, Iran, and throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa. In Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, China, North Korea, India, Pakistan and Indonesia, government policy or practice severely inhibits Christian faith and practice.
The persecution facing Christians is the largest "human rights" violation issue in today’s world. It is important for Americans to understand the scope and severity of this underreported phenomena. Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is one organization devoted to the tasks of assisting those affected by persecution and informing the world of the present level of persecution towards Christians. During this presentation, these facts will be highlighted.
