The Greatest Story Never Told

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Human Events:




In all the reviews and lists of the most important events of 2010, one story of devastating importance was scarcely mentioned: that of the persecution of Christians throughout the world, particularly in majority Muslim countries.

Christian persecution has been on the rise for years, but it seemed to reach a new level of intensity in 2010. In fact, it’s not an exaggeration to suggest that Christians in countries such as Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt now confront the prospect of extinction at the hands of radical Islam.

When Pope Benedict XVI recently said,"At present, Christians are the religious group which suffers most from persecution on account of its faith," many in the Western media rolled their eyes. But various governmental and non-governmental groups (most recently the Vatican) have released reports documenting the breadth and depth of abuse against Christians the world over.



A comprehensive Pew Forum report earlier this year found that 70 percent of the world's people live in countries where religious freedom is severely restricted, and that a disproportionate share of religious persecution happens in Muslim-majority countries.

Many countries make the practice of Christianity, or conversion to it, punishable by death, while others merely treat their Christians as second-class citizens.