In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2025, President Donald Trump urged member nations to safeguard religious liberty, particularly for Christians, whom he described as the "most persecuted religion on the planet today." This address follows the recent assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, a prominent Christian evangelizer.
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Trump's remarks come amid ongoing concerns about the persecution of Christians worldwide. According to the nonprofit organization Open Doors, an estimated 12 Christians are killed every day for their faith, amounting to approximately 4,476 murders between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. The organization also reported that over 1,700 Christian women in sub-Saharan Africa were sexually assaulted due to their religion during the same period.
Ryan Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Open Doors US, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about these issues. "Millions around the globe are deprived of their basic human right of freedom of religion," Brown stated. He noted that the numbers of persecuted Christians continue to grow each year.
The U.N. has faced criticism for its perceived inaction regarding religious persecution. Trump warned that many countries are "going to hell" if they do not address these issues. His comments reflect a broader concern among some U.S. lawmakers and advocacy groups about the treatment of Christians in various regions, including the Middle East and parts of Africa.
Lana Silk, CEO of Transform Iran, shared her personal experiences with persecution in her native Iran, where Christians face severe discrimination and violence. Silk recounted the story of a Christian friend who was brutally murdered, highlighting the dangers faced by believers in Islamic nations. "It is so cruel," she said, referring to the circumstances surrounding her friend's death.
Open Doors ranks North Korea as the worst country for Christian persecution, a position it has held for three decades. In North Korea, professing Christianity can lead to imprisonment or death. Other countries, including Somalia, Yemen, Libya, and Sudan, also feature prominently on the organization's list of nations where Christians face extreme risks.
The American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ) has long called for the U.N. to take action against the atrocities committed against Christians, particularly in Nigeria. Jordan Sekulow, executive director of ACLJ, stated that shedding light on these issues is crucial, as the international community often overlooks such injustices.
In the United States, some Christians have reported feeling targeted by government actions. A 2023 FBI memo described certain members of the Catholic Church as "radical-traditionalist Catholics" and suggested monitoring them under the guise of threat mitigation. Critics argue that this reflects a broader trend of hostility toward religious expression under the current administration.
In response to these concerns, Trump signed an executive order in February aimed at combating anti-Christian bias. The order asserted that the Biden administration had engaged in a pattern of targeting peaceful Christians while ignoring violent offenses against them. Trump has also pardoned several Christian demonstrators who faced legal repercussions for their protests outside abortion clinics.
Despite these challenges, advocates for religious freedom remain hopeful. Open Doors is currently urging American Christians to sign a petition calling for protection and justice for persecuted Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa. Silk expressed optimism about the growing faith among Muslims turning to Christianity, stating, "They see the difference, they see what it means to be a Christian in that environment — the joy, the hope, the peace that Christians carry."
As the debate over religious freedom continues, the call for action from leaders like Trump highlights the urgent need to address the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide.
Why it matters
- Trump's UN speech highlights the urgent issue of Christian persecution, emphasizing the need for global action to protect religious liberty.
- The assassination of Charlie Kirk underscores the dangers faced by Christian evangelizers, drawing attention to the broader crisis of religious violence.
- Open Doors reports alarming statistics on Christian persecution, with 12 Christians killed daily, raising awareness of this human rights issue.
- Criticism of the U.N. for inaction on religious persecution reflects a growing concern among U.S. lawmakers and advocacy groups.
What’s next
- Open Doors is urging American Christians to sign a petition for protection and justice for persecuted Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- The American Center for Law & Justice continues to call for U.N. action against atrocities committed against Christians, particularly in Nigeria.
- Trump's administration may face further scrutiny regarding its stance on religious freedom and treatment of Christians in the U.S.
