Faith
Syrian Christians Endure Unprecedented Persecution
Faith Facts
- Extremist groups have targeted Syria’s Christian, Alawite, and Druze minorities with brutal violence and human rights abuses.
- The June bombing at Mar Elias Church in Damascus illustrates the mounting risks faced by Syria’s ancient Christian communities.
- Religious freedom advocates are urging the United States to act, emphasizing constitutional protections and the safeguarding of minority rights.
Syria’s religious minorities are experiencing escalating violence from jihadis, loyalists, and militias following recent regime upheavals.
Faith leaders warn this is a coordinated effort to erase the area’s historic Christian witness, which traces back to the earliest days of the Church.
“It’s a deliberate campaign of terror,” declared Dr. Morhaf Ibrahim, president of the Alawites Association of the United States.
Over 1,500 Alawite community members were killed on Syria’s coast in March, with horrifying details revealing the extent of brutality.
Richard Ghazal, executive director of In Defense of Christians, highlighted, “With every suicide bombing, every desecrated church, every community exodus, Syria edges closer to losing a 2,000-year-old spiritual and cultural pillar.”
Prior to the civil war, Christians made up about 10% of Syrians, coexisting peacefully with their neighbors and maintaining a biblical legacy in sites like Antioch and Damascus.
The June church attack, according to Ghazal, signaled “accelerated cultural and religious erasure” amid violence and displacement.
The presence of Christians, Alawites, and Druze has served as a moderating influence, fostering compassion and coexistence in Syrian society.
Ghazal cautioned, “Their elimination would cause a narrowing of ideas, a narrowing of identities, and a narrowing of beliefs, which would enable radical ideologies to reach an otherwise moderate Muslim demographic.”
He further warned that the disappearance of Christianity would “mark the loss of a vital bridge between East and West” and sever a crucial link to early Church heritage.
Advocates urge the U.S. to take a stand for religious freedom and minority rights, pressing Syria’s transitional leaders for constitutional safeguards and the accountability of perpetrators.
“The U. S. must condition any formal diplomatic normalization on the Syrian transitional governance, guaranteed to protect minority rights, religious freedom, and enshrine constitutional safeguards,” Ghazal insisted.
Dr. Ibrahim called on Congress and American leaders to reflect biblical values by demanding the protection of all minorities and pursuing genuine peace through inclusive governance.
He stated, “Protecting Alawites, Christians, Druze, Kurds, and all minorities is not a moral imperative. It is the foundation of lasting peace in the Middle East.”
Believers know that standing for truth and justice honors God and is essential to preserving the spiritual legacy entrusted to Syria’s faithful.
As followers of Christ, let us pray for our brothers and sisters in Syria and urge our leaders to champion policies that defend freedom, dignity, and faith for all who remain.
Faith Facts
- The Lausanne Movement’s LIGHT research division is exploring how artificial intelligence affects the work of fulfilling the Great Commission.
- The LIGHT Briefing calls the Church to ensure AI is used with discernment, prioritizing Christ-centered mission and authentic human relationships.
- Researchers emphasize biblical values by offering an ethical framework that keeps technology aligned with justice, truth, mercy, and love.
Christian leaders are seeking wisdom as artificial intelligence transforms communication, outreach, and discipleship. The Lausanne Movement urges the Church to govern new technologies by faith and grounding in Scripture.
The church is encouraged to reject both fear and misplaced optimism, choosing instead to prayerfully consider how AI can support—never replace—God’s call to spread the Gospel.
“AI is neither savior nor threat in itself. Rather, its value depends on how it is discerned, governed, and deployed by God’s people.”
Believers are challenged to model transparency, fairness, and accountability while recognizing that digital tools can never replace Spirit-led, personal gospel witness.
“The gospel remains unchanged. Biblical commands transcend technological innovation and demand faithful proclamation, regardless of medium.”
It remains vital that evangelism expresses Christ’s love through genuine presence, as only human ambassadors can fulfill the Great Commission’s relational call.
“While AI may augment, it must always serve, not supplant, the spirit-filled human herald in proclaiming the good news and fulfilling the Great Commission.”
The church must move forward with courage and prayer, trusting God’s mission will not falter in the digital age.
Faith Facts
- The World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed deep concern about violence and unrest following Tanzania’s recent election.
- Key opposition leaders faced arrest and exclusion from the election, raising questions about fairness and transparency.
- The WCC called for an investigation into the violence and urged protection of human rights and accountability.
Christian leaders emphasized the sanctity of human life, highlighting that every life is a gift from God and must be honored, even amid political turmoil. They denounced the use of lethal force against citizens standing for peaceful assembly and free expression.
Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC General Secretary, declared,
“Reports of widespread protests, excessive use of force by security agencies, and numerous civilian casualties are deeply distressing and call for urgent moral reflection and accountability.”
He further stated,
“The sanctity of human life — a gift from God — must be protected at all times, and no political process should ever justify the shedding of innocent blood.”
The WCC stands in solidarity with the people of Tanzania, supporting faith-driven calls for peace, dialogue, and justice, and affirming the vital contributions of Christian organizations in seeking reconciliation.
Faithful believers are called to uphold Christian values by praying for Tanzania and advocating for truth, accountability, and protection of freedoms guaranteed by God.
Faith Facts
- The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear Kim Davis’s petition, leaving the 2015 ruling on same-sex marriage in place.
- Kim Davis was previously jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing her Christian convictions.
- Liberty Counsel continues to support Davis, emphasizing the need to protect religious liberty for public officials.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to reconsider Obergefell v. Hodges keeps the national legalization of same-sex marriage unchanged. The decision also leaves in place a ruling requiring Kim Davis to pay substantial legal fees related to her stand for biblical marriage.
“This cannot be right because government officials do not shed their constitutional rights upon election,” stated Mat Staver, Liberty Counsel Chairman.
Believers must remain vigilant, standing for religious freedom and biblical principles in the public square. Our faith calls us to uphold God’s design for marriage while advocating for the rights of Christians to live out their convictions.
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