Worldwide decline in religious freedom

Nearly 5,000 Christians were killed for their faith last year and 15,000 churches were attacked. These are the 50 countries where Christians face the most persecution.

Officially, Columbia protects religious liberty better than most countries in the region. On the ground, it’s more complicated.

Give up your New Year’s resolution. Embrace spiritual formation instead.

Considering biblical principles for end-of-life care.

The “Chinafication” of Christianity by Communist leaders is getting worse. But house church believers are finding more ways of “not giving up meeting together” (Heb. 10:25).

Russell Moore answers questions about parenting, adoption, and sexuality.

Behind the story

From CT correspondent Jayson Casper: Reporting on the release of Open Doors’ World Watch List (WWL) is one of my least favorite journalistic activities. There is lots of data to analyze, and human tragedies take on a numbing familiarity and are reduced to rankings.

But I do it because it’s important. It’s an important measurement of Christian persecution globally and becomes a useful metric for people trying to understand current events. The phrase “ranked No. X on the WWL” is an oft-repeated reference point in many stories.

It’s also a perennial “most read” article at Christianity Today. Many readers rely on it to guide their prayers and some are inspired to serve because of this annual list. So while the work is hard, I know it serves the global church and our readers to publish every year.

The 2024 list once again shows worldwide decline in religious freedom. Let us pray next year God reverses this trend.

In other news

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is trying to rally opposition to the expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying legislation before parliament resumes later this month. As CT previously reported, Canada allowed 10,000 people to die via this method last year.

The conservative Christian group One Million Moms is angry that eHarmony, the dating service once closely affiliated with Focus on the Family, is advertising to same-sex couples.

An Ohio pastor pleaded not guilty to charges of violating zoning code by keeping the church open for homeless people during extreme cold.

The history of this beloved hymn is the history of inventing nostalgia.