The Persecution Of Afghanistan's Secret Christians

Christians in Afghanistan are facing increasing persecution following the Taliban's takeover of the country. There are thought to be fewer than 20,000 Christians in Afghanistan, with some estimates placing the number as low as 1,000. They are forced to worship in secret, in homes or other small venues, as there are no churches in the country. Proselytising is illegal and conversion from Islam is punishable by death. Christians in Afghanistan have reported receiving letters from the Taliban warning them that they 'know where they are and what they are doing'. There is also evidence that the Taliban is going door-to-door in search of Christians.

Christians in Afghanistan are unable to worship openly and must practice their faith in secret

The situation for Christians in Afghanistan has become even more dangerous since the Taliban takeover in 2021. The Taliban has declared that there are no Christians in the country and has closed down house churches. Christians in Afghanistan now face the choice between fleeing the country or practicing their faith in secret. Those who choose to stay and practice their faith secretly face the constant risk of discovery, which could result in detention, torture, or death.

Despite the dangers, there is a small but dedicated community of Christians in Afghanistan who continue to practice their faith in secret. They gather in small groups in homes or other discreet locations and use coded messages to direct people to underground churches that move weekly. Bibles and other religious materials are available through underground ministry networks or in digital formats, as owning a Bible is extremely dangerous. Christian aid organizations and expatriates also provide support and resources to Afghan Christians, but they must keep a low profile to avoid attracting attention.

The international community has expressed concern about the situation for Christians in Afghanistan and has called for greater religious freedom and protection for religious minorities in the country. However, the future remains uncertain for Afghan Christians, who continue to face persecution and violence from extremist groups and their own families and communities.

Proselytising is illegal in Afghanistan, and converting from Islam to Christianity is punishable by death

Proselytising is illegal in Afghanistan, and those who break this law can face severe punishment. While there is no evidence that Christian missionaries have been sentenced to death by the Taliban, the country's small Christian minority continues to face persecution and danger. Converting from Islam to Christianity is considered a crime under Afghanistan's Sharia law, and those who choose to leave Islam are often killed by their own family members or other radicalised Muslims.

The dangers faced by Christians in Afghanistan have been highlighted by several organisations, including Open Doors, which ranks the country as the second-worst in the world for believers. Christians in Afghanistan cannot worship openly and must practice their faith in secret, often in underground house churches. Bibles are extremely difficult to come by, and owning one is extremely dangerous.

The situation for Christians in Afghanistan has become even more precarious since the Taliban takeover in 2021. The Taliban has a history of persecuting Christians and is known for its strict interpretation of Islamic law. While the group has tried to portray itself as more moderate than during its previous rule, many fear that human rights, especially those of religious minorities, will be infringed upon.

The story of Abdul Rahman, an Afghan man who faced the death penalty for converting to Christianity in 2006, illustrates the dangers faced by Christian converts in Afghanistan. Rahman was eventually released, but his case sparked international outrage and highlighted the clash between democratic freedoms and Islamic religious law in the country.

Afghan Christians often face persecution not only from the government and extremist groups but also from their own families and communities. Renouncing Islam is considered shameful, and those who leave the religion are disowned, beaten, tortured, or even killed by their own families. This is widely accepted as justice in Afghanistan.

While there may be no evidence of Christians being crucified in Afghanistan, it is clear that proselytising and converting from Islam to Christianity are illegal and dangerous activities in the country. Christians in Afghanistan face constant danger and persecution, and the situation does not seem likely to improve anytime soon.

Christians in Afghanistan are persecuted by their families, friends, and communities

Converting from Islam to Christianity is extremely dangerous in Afghanistan. Christians face persecution and even death if their new faith is discovered. They are forced to keep their faith secret and live, work, and identify as Muslims. They cannot worship openly and must do so in homes or other small venues. Evangelism is forbidden, and Christians are highly secretive about their faith. Those who choose to stay in Afghanistan despite the risks do so to be ""salt and light" in their country. They want to share the gospel and be a witness for Christ.

Christians in Afghanistan face routine torture, persecution, and violence from the Taliban, their families, friends, and communities. Beatings, torture, and kidnappings are common. Christian converts from Islam are often killed by their family members or other radicalized Muslims before any legal proceedings can begin. They may also be forcibly institutionalized in a psychiatric hospital, as leaving Islam is considered a sign of insanity.

The situation for Christians in Afghanistan has become even more dangerous under the Taliban regime. The Taliban controls every aspect of government and has closed most house churches that existed before they took power. They go door-to-door looking for Christians and have distributed lists of Christians in an attempt to hunt them down. The Taliban has pledged to recognize more freedoms than in the past, but this has not happened. The surrounding society and family structure has no tolerance for religious freedom, and the government upholds this rigid stance.

There is only one officially recognised Christian church in Afghanistan, located within the Italian Embassy

Afghanistan is an overwhelmingly Muslim country, with 99% of its population practising Islam. There is only one officially recognised Christian church in the country, located within the Italian Embassy in Kabul.

The chapel was built in the early 20th century to serve foreigners working in the capital, but it was not open to local nationals. In 1921, King Amanullah contacted the Italian government, which was among the first to recognise Afghanistan's independence, to request Catholic religious assistance for diplomats in the country. A contract was signed between the Vatican, the Italian government, and the Afghan government, allowing for a single priest to be sent, with two conditions: the avoidance of proselytism and the construction of a chapel within the Italian Embassy.

The chapel was inaugurated in 1933, and the first Mass in nine years was celebrated in 2002 for members of the International Security Force and various members of foreign agencies. The chapel is operated under the Catholic mission sui juris of Afghanistan, which was established in 2002.

The Catholic community in Afghanistan is largely made up of foreigners, including priests, nuns, and aid workers. Many of them are Italians who have done admirable and mostly anonymous work in the country for years.

The Taliban has been known to persecute Christians under their regime, and the takeover of Afghanistan has led to fear and danger for the small Christian community in the country.

Christians in Afghanistan are routinely subjected to beatings, torture, and kidnappings

Christians in Afghanistan are subjected to routine beatings, torture, and kidnappings. They are also forbidden to openly worship or evangelise in the country, with both local and national governments being "highly antagonistic" towards Christian believers. The population of Afghanistan is 99.8% Muslim, and the country is designated as restricted by Voice of the Martyrs, an organisation that works to defend the human rights of persecuted Christians worldwide.

The situation for Christians in Afghanistan has worsened since the Taliban takeover in 2021. During the chaotic US withdrawal, there were reports that the Biden administration was actively preventing the rescue of Christian minorities. Once the US surrender was complete, the Taliban reportedly pulled people off public transport and killed them on the spot if they were found to be Christian. Any Afghan caught with a Bible app on their phone was executed.

Afghan Christians cannot worship openly and must do so in secret in homes or other small venues. Evangelism is forbidden, and Christians are highly secretive about their faith, especially since the resurgence of the Taliban. Those who convert to Christianity from Islam often face dire consequences, including death, before any legal proceedings can begin. In some cases, conversion is treated as a psychiatric condition, and converts may be forcibly sectioned in a psychiatric hospital.

Despite the dangers, some Christians have chosen to stay in Afghanistan to be "salt and light" in their country and to share the gospel. These Christians are at constant risk of persecution and death, and their deaths generally occur without public knowledge.

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