Criminal attacks on US churches surge by 800% in six years
While the Biden administration cracks down on Christians, the rise in church attacks is alarming. According to a new report from the Family Research Council (FRC), these attacks have increased by 800 percent in the last six years.
The FRC published a report titled “Hostility Against Churches Is on the Rise in the United States” in February. It revealed that there were 915 acts of hostility against churches between January 2018 and November 2023.
“Although the motivations for many of these acts of hostility remain unknown, the effect is unmistakable: religious intimidation,” said Arielle Del Turco, the FRC Center for Religious Liberty Director, in a press release. “They send the message that churches are not wanted in the community or respected in general. Our culture is demonstrating a growing disdain for Christianity and core Christian beliefs, and acts of hostility towards churches could be a physical manifestation of that.”
The report found that hostile church incidents more than doubled in 2023 compared to 2022, following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision on abortion lawmaking. The number of attacks in 2023 was more than eight times greater than those reported in 2018.
A majority of the incidents in 2023 involved vandalism, such as rocks being thrown through windows, according to the report.
“Several incidents were related to Ohio Issue 1,” the report added, “a ballot measure in support of amending the state constitution to protect abortion.” The ballot measure passed by 13 points last fall.
Elite smears have increasingly targeted Christians in America, as the focus of the culture wars shifts away from abortion and transgenderism. Since the Dobbs ruling in 2022, the Democrat-controlled FBI has infiltrated churches in search of domestic extremists and prosecuted pro-life demonstrators for public prayer. Church firebombings, however, have faced minimal investigation.
[READ:[READ:5 Times The Biden Admin Persecuted Christians For Living Their Faith]
Meanwhile, the Beltway press has been sounding the alarm about the alleged threat of “Christian nationalism” associated with the return of former President Donald Trump. Just last week, MSNBC panelists promoted a new book that labels “white rural voters” as existential threats to democracy, citing their strong affiliation with white nationalism and Christian nationalism.
In February, Politico published an analysis portraying Trump, a twice-divorced Manhattan businessman, as a champion of “Christian nationalism.” This term refers to Americans who believe that the country was founded as a Christian nation and that Christian values should be prioritized in government and public life. Politico reporter Heidi Przybyla, who co-authored the article, defended her views in an appearance on MSNBC.
“The one thing that unites them as Christian nationalists — not Christians, by the way, because Christian nationalists are very different — is that they believe that our rights as Americans, as all human beings, don’t come from any earthly authority; they don’t come from Congress; they don’t come from the Supreme Court — they come from God,” said Przybyla.
David Harsanyi, a senior editor at The Federalist and an atheist, responded to Przybyla’s remarks in a column, stating, ”If This Is ‘Christian Nationalism,’ Sign Me Up!”
As numerous critics have already pointed out, ‘Christian nationalism’ sounds identical to the case for American liberty offered in the Declaration of Independence. Then again, the idea that man has inalienable, universal rights goes back to ancient Greece, at least. The entire American project is contingent on accepting the notion that the state can’t give or take our God-given freedoms. It is the best kind of ‘extremism.’
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What measures should authorities take to address the alarming increase in church attacks and ensure the safety of congregations
The Alarming Increase in Church Attacks
While the Biden administration cracks down on Christians, the rise in church attacks in the United States is becoming increasingly alarming. According to a new report from the Family Research Council (FRC), these attacks have increased by 800 percent in the last six years.
The FRC published a report titled “Hostility Against Churches Is on the Rise in the United States” in February. It revealed that between January 2018 and November 2023, there were 915 acts of hostility against churches. This number is concerning and highlights the growing problem of religious intimidation.
Arielle Del Turco, the FRC Center for Religious Liberty Director, stated in a press release, “Although the motivations for many of these acts of hostility remain unknown, the effect is unmistakable: religious intimidation. They send the message that churches are not wanted in the community or respected in general. Our culture is demonstrating a growing disdain for Christianity and core Christian beliefs, and acts of hostility towards churches could be a physical manifestation of that.”
The report also found that hostile church incidents more than doubled in 2023 compared to 2022, following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision on abortion lawmaking. Furthermore, the number of attacks in 2023 was more than eight times greater than those reported in 2018.
Vandalism, such as rocks being thrown through windows, was the majority of incidents in 2023, according to the report. Additionally, several incidents were related to Ohio’s Issue 1, a ballot measure in support of amending the state constitution to protect abortion.
These attacks on churches and Christians in America reflect a disturbing trend. As the focus of the culture wars has shifted away from abortion and transgenderism, elite smears have increasingly targeted Christians. Since the Dobbs ruling in 2022, the Democrat-controlled FBI has infiltrated churches in search of domestic extremists and prosecuted pro-life demonstrators for public prayer. Unfortunately, church firebombings have often faced minimal investigation.
Meanwhile, the media has been sounding the alarm about the alleged threat of “Christian nationalism” associated with the return of former President Donald Trump. Such narratives create an atmosphere of fear and promote division. It is important to note that portraying Trump, a twice-divorced Manhattan businessman, as a champion of “Christian nationalism” is misleading and does not accurately reflect his beliefs.
The increase in church attacks is a deeply concerning issue that should not be ignored. Religious freedom and the right to practice one’s faith without fear are fundamental pillars of a democratic society. It is crucial for authorities to take these attacks seriously, investigate them thoroughly, and ensure the safety of churches and their congregations. Furthermore, promoting understanding, tolerance, and respect for diverse beliefs is essential for fostering a harmonious society where everyone can coexist peacefully.
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