The Global War on Christians




Title: The Global War on Christians-
Author:
John L. Allen, Jr..  
Source: Review Book from Blogging For Books
Number of Pages:
ISBN:
780770437350
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Public Jennifer's Rating: 
4 out of 5 stars

~Synopsis~  
One of the most respected journalists in the United States and the bestselling author of The Future Church uses his unparalleled knowledge of world affairs and religious insight to investigate the troubling worldwide persecution of Christians.

From Iraq and Egypt to Sudan and Nigeria, from Indonesia to the Indian subcontinent, Christians in the early 21st century are the world's most persecuted religious group. According to the secular International Society for Human Rights, 80 percent of violations of religious freedom in the world today are directed against Christians. In effect, our era is witnessing the rise of a new generation of martyrs. Underlying the global war on Christians is the demographic reality that more than two-thirds of the world's 2.3 billion Christians now live outside the West, often as a beleaguered minority up against a hostile majority-- whether it's Islamic fundamentalism in the Middle East and parts of Africa and Asia, Hindu radicalism in India, or state-imposed atheism in China and North Korea. In Europe and North America, Christians face political and legal challenges to religious freedom. Allen exposes the deadly threats and offers investigative insight into what is and can be done to stop these atrocities.

“This book is about the most dramatic religion story of the early 21st century, yet one that most people in the West have little idea is even happening: The global war on Christians,” writes John Allen. “We’re not talking about a metaphorical ‘war on religion’ in Europe and the United States, fought on symbolic terrain such as whether it’s okay to erect a nativity set on the courthouse steps, but a rising tide of legal oppression, social harassment and direct physical violence, with Christians as its leading victims. However counter-intuitive it may seem in light of popular stereotypes of Christianity as a powerful and sometimes oppressive social force, Christians today indisputably form the most persecuted religious body on the planet, and too often its new martyrs suffer in silence.”

This book looks to shatter that silence.


~MY impressions~
This book was eye opening for me. It was depressing and at times hard to read. The statistics, the stories, the suffering all brought being a Christian around the world into a greater perspective than I ever had. Here is the states we suffer what I would call mental persecution for our faith. We get made fun of, criticized, hackled, and called hate mongrels, bullies and the like, but not once have I ever felt my life was at stake for following Christ. This book made me realize how easy I have it and how fast it can all disappear with the right people in power. 

What really ate at me as I read this book is how blind we as Americans seem to be to those suffering outside the realm of the United States and how little is being done to help those who are persecuted, tormented and left to suffer in wretched conditions all why we sit in our air conditioned homes, listening to our gospel music, gripping about life. It was heartbreaking and ticked me off at the same time. 

Each chapter of this book is separated by country. You are given numerous stories and examples of how Christians in that particular country are suffering for Christ.John also offers up small hopes in what we can do to make changes and help support our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 

This is a great book for those of us who need to be reminded of how truly privileged we are here in the states when it comes to freedom on religion. If you want to open your eyes to what life for a follower of Christ is like outside our rose glass view and take a glimpse into the abuse, suffering, persecution and faith of Christians throughout the world, this is the book for you.

~Links & Trailer~
John L Allen's Bio

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

Comments