October 27 marks International Religious Freedom Day, a commemoration of the International Religious Freedom Act signed in 1998 by then-President Bill Clinton. This day, recognized annually, highlights the longstanding and sometimes dark history of religious freedom.
This date is etched in history for various reasons. In AD 312, Emperor Constantine the Great reportedly had a vision of the Cross while marching into battle, inspiring his conversion to Christianity. This led to the Edict of Milan, which legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire. However, religious intolerance has marred the date, too; in 1553, theologian Michael Servetus was executed for heresy in Geneva. More recently, on October 27, 2018, the tragic shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh resulted in the deaths of eleven worshippers and injuries to six others, underscoring ongoing threats to religious freedom.
The right to religious freedom is reinforced by global documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Despite these protections, religious freedom is increasingly fragile and vulnerable. Global antisemitism has surged, but other communities face severe challenges as well. For example, in 2014, the extremist group ISIS committed widespread atrocities against the Yezidi community, actions deemed genocidal. Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar faced similar violence in 2017, leading many to flee to Bangladesh. Recently, Bangladesh saw violent attacks on its Hindu population, while Uyghur Muslims and Falun Gong practitioners in China continue to endure systemic oppression.
Christianity remains the world’s most persecuted faith. Data from Open Doors USA reports that over 365 million Christians worldwide experience high levels of persecution, equating to roughly one in seven Christians globally, with starkly high rates in Africa and Asia. The numbers are troubling: in 2023, approximately 4,998 Christians were martyred, which averages over 13 deaths each day. Of these, 82% were in Nigeria, often at the hands of Muslim Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram, or ISIS-affiliated groups. That same year, more than 295,000 Christians were displaced by violence or war, more than doubling the previous year’s numbers. There were also over 4,000 cases of Christians imprisoned for their beliefs, and a six-fold increase in church attacks, totaling over 14,000 incidents. The range of persecution spans from state-imposed church closures in China to mob violence in countries like India, as well as church attacks in Nigeria, Nicaragua, and Ethiopia. Incidents are not limited to non-Western countries; Canada, the United States, and France have all reported numerous church attacks, with Canada alone witnessing the destruction or vandalism of at least 196 churches.
Christians and other minorities in Muslim-majority countries, particularly those with fundamentalist Islamic laws, face severe discrimination. In Pakistan, blasphemy laws are frequently used against Christians, where accusations of blasphemy can incite mob violence with minimal evidence. India, a nation recognized for its democratic principles, has also seen concerning developments. The Hindu Nationalist Party has promoted anti-conversion laws, penalizing Christian evangelism. Last year, widespread anti-Christian violence in India’s two states left several dead, thousands displaced, and many churches in ruins.
The United States, despite a history of championing religious freedom, is seeing a concerning decline in support for this fundamental right. Supreme Court rulings continue to affirm religious freedom, yet increasing numbers of believers face legal and social pressures to support same-sex marriage, abortion, and gender-affirming care, in direct conflict with their faith. Public understanding and support for religious freedom have waned, often leaving those who reach the Supreme Court to endure prolonged legal battles, significant financial costs, and reputational harm. Many in this situation feel isolated, lacking support from the public or from others who share similar convictions. Additionally, calls to expand the Supreme Court are viewed as a potential threat to religious freedom, aiming to curtail dissent.
Amid this troubling landscape, International Religious Freedom Day serves as a reminder of the importance of the right to believe freely and live according to one’s convictions. Religious freedom is often recognized as a gift that Christianity contributed to global society. With these freedoms under increasing strain, particularly in non-Western countries, American believers are uniquely positioned to advocate for religious freedom and support those whose rights are under threat. Observing International Religious Freedom Day can be as simple as sharing the importance of religious freedom with someone else, or taking a moment to remember and pray for those enduring persecution worldwide, especially fellow Christians facing persecution at unprecedented levels.