Christian Persecution Watchdog Launches First-Ever Global Database Tracking Religious Violence

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The US-based Global Christian Relief (GCR) persecution monitoring group has launched the first-ever database tracking incidents of violent religious persecution worldwide, the Christian Post (CP) reports. Intended to be used by anyone advocating or reporting on behalf of the persecuted church, the GCR’s Violent Incidents Database is available to the public.

According to a report by Aid to the Church in Need organization, more than 4.9 billion people live in 61 countries where their lives and wellbeing are at risk because of their faith in Christ, CP reports. “[The Violent Incidents Database] helps give a voice to the voiceless by recording and sharing details of specific attacks suffered by Christians and other people of faith globally,” GCR’s CEO David Curry explained in a statement.

The database records violence perpetrated by ethnic group leaders, extended family, government officials, ideological pressure groups, multilateral organizations, civilians, organized crime, political parties, religious leaders, revolutionaries or paramilitary groups, and violent religious groups, CP reports.

The violence documented includes murder, rape, arrests, kidnappings, harassment, pressure and forced marriages. It allows searches by country, religion and perpetrator, offering an unprecedented level of verification, CP reports.Research for the database is conducted by the International Institute for Religious Freedom and is funded by GCR. The database is currently tracking more than 6,000 incidents, CP reports.

“We live in a world where the violent persecution of Christians and other religious groups is rampant and increasing,” Ronald Boyd-MacMillan, GCR’s Chief of Global Strategy and Research said in a statement. “This database not only helps us track the violence but helps us better understand what persecuted Christians really need from their brothers and sisters around the world.”

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