Christian persecution

Christian persecution has occured from the very beginnings of Christianity and continues today. Currently more than 200 million Christians around the globe suffer imprisonment, abuse and sometimes death because of their faith.

Early Christian persecution was severe in Ancient Roman. In Ancient Rome, Christians were most commonly murdered by crucifixion and being put in arenas with lions. The emperor Nero was one of the most notorious persecutors.

This persecution continued up through the fourth century, when Constantine's Edict of Milan in 317 A.D. promulgated a doctrine of religious tolerance. In 393 A.D., Christianity became the state religion of Rome, gaining strength after Constantine's conquest of Rome from his fellow caesars of the time.

Deep divisions remained within the Empire. Examples include:

1. The Altar of Victory affair.
2. The removal of avowed polytheists from office.

Persecution generally ended in the Roman Empire in 317 A.D., with the Edict of Milan.

During the Protestant Reformation many martyrs to the faith were persecuted and murdered by the Roman Catholic Church.

In contemporary period, Christians continue to be persecuted in communist countries like China, Islamic countries and Hindu majority country like India. In South Asia, Christians are persecuted in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, there are some incidents of persecution of Christians. In 1998, local Church of God in the town of Vratza was attacked by skinheads. On July 21st, 2004, the Bulgarian police force invaded the Bulgarian Orthodox churches across the nation and forcibly dragged out over 160 priests.

India

Hindus form the religious majority in India. Proponents of the Hindutva ideology, often called Hindu fascism, in India want to convert India into a Hindu nation in which other religions must assimilate to the Hindu religion, race and culture and seek to establish a cultural hegemony of Hinduism at the expense of other religions. In India, Christians have faced repeated attacks from Hindus. Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, aged 8 and 10, were burned to death in Orissa in 1999 by Hindus. In 2007, Hindus attacked Christians in the state of Orissa. Ninety-five churches were destroyed in the attack.

Pakistan

Christians in Pakistan have come under increasing attack in recent years. In 2004, three Christians were killed due to attacks by Islamists. Several Christian leaders in Baluchestan received threats. The Blasphemy Laws of Pakistan under Section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code is used as a tool for Christian persecution. Some of the madrassas in Pakistan promote Islamic terrorism. President Pervez Musharraf recently in a speech called for scrutiny of the Blasphemy laws and to reform the madrassas.

People's Republic of China

In People's Republic of China, Christians face fines, imprisonment, torture and forced labour. Churches are often shut down, confiscation of church property is prevalent.