According to the study on global Christian persecution, Afghanistan has unseated North Korea for the dubious distinction of the most dangerous country in the world for Christians.
The advocacy group Open Doors writes in its annual World Watch List that the takeover of the government by the Taliban has made it even harder — now, impossible— to live openly as a Christian.
“The Taliban will make sure that Islamic rules and customs are implemented and kept. Christian converts don’t have any option but to obey them. If a Christian’s new faith is discovered, their family, clan, or tribe has to save its honor by disowning the believer or even killing them. This is widely considered to be justice,” the group writes.
“Alternatively, since leaving Islam is considered a sign of insanity, a Christian who has converted from Islam may be forcibly sent to a psychiatric hospital.”
Afghanistan is over 99% Muslim, with the majority being Sunni. There are small groups of Christians, including about 200 Catholics, as well as Buddhists, Hindus, and Baháʼís.
Overall, 360 million Christians worldwide face persecution, according to Open Doors, an increase of 20 million from last year.