What are five things the Church can do to help Christians who are persecuted?

Answer 1

OpinionMost persecution suffered by Christians occurs in the Muslim-majority countries, especially the Middle East and Africa. Indonesia has seen less overt persecution of Christians, although it also has a Muslim majority. The answer therefore lies in learning why Christians suffer persecution in some Muslim-majority countries more frequently than in others.

Palestine has probably had less persecution of Christians by Muslims than most other Muslim countries. After the Declaration of Independence of Israel, Christians were at the forefront of the struggle for Palestinian rights, so they had a common cause with their Muslim brothers and a common enemy in Israel. Most Christians have left the Palestinian territories in the years since, not because of Muslim persecution but because of Israeli repression and the greater ease with which Christians were permitted to migrate to Western nations.

Indonesia is largely a progressive democracy and has ordered religious toleration, even if it has not always enforced the order or is unable to do so in some cases. Here, attacks on Christian churches or on the Christian population have resulted in arrest and imprisonment, a likely deterrent. Religious conflicts have typically occurred in Western New Guinea, Maluku and Sulawesi, where population redistribution has already resulted in tension.

Although Turkey is a secular nation with a Muslim majority, Christians continue to be persecuted. The difference here is that the Turkish government maintains an anti-Christian policy in spite of the supposedly secular nature of Turkey.

If there are lessons to be learnt from this, I believe they are:

1. Address government hostility or indifference to Christian suffering.
2. Encourage governments to avoid policies, such as Indonesia' population redistribution policy, that create tensions between ethnic groups and develop into religious conflicts.
3. Help improve educational and career opportunities for the Muslim population. Poor tribal Muslims are far more likely to burn down churches or attack Christians than professional workers.
4. Help the Christian populations to find common interests with their Muslim neighbours. These interests do not have to involve a common enemy as in the Palestinian territories, but should at least bring peoples together.
5. There is a place for proselytising, subject of course to local laws, but there may also be a need to share knowledge about each religion in a neutral manner where neither group feels the intention is to seek converts.

Answer 2

1. Raise awareness: The Church can educate its members and the public about the reality of Christian persecution, sharing stories and testimonies to highlight the issue.

2. Provide support: The Church can offer practical and emotional support to persecuted Christians, such as financial aid, counseling, and creating safe spaces for them to gather and worship.

3. Advocate: The Church can use its influence to advocate for the rights and protection of Christians who are persecuted, raising the issue with governments, international organizations, and media outlets.

4. Foster unity: The Church can encourage unity and solidarity among Christians worldwide, creating networks and partnerships to support the persecuted Church.

5. Pray: The Church can pray consistently for persecuted Christians, praying for their protection, strength, and perseverance, and also praying for their persecutors and for the resolution of conflicts that lead to persecution.