The Family Research Council completes an annual review of incidents of vandalism, arson, bomb threats, gun-related incidents, and other crimes against US churches. Below is a chart documenting total hostility over time.

Note the dramatic increase in 2023 as compared to the modest decrease in 2024. Data from the most recent year (415 incidences) was spread across 353 churches in 43 states. Twenty-two percent of these events were related to LGBTQ issues. Vandalism was the category with the highest incidents (284), followed by arson (55), gun-related (28), bomb threats (14), and other (34).

Distribution by state was largely correlated to corresponding population density as follows:

A Broader View of Christian Hostility

Of course, “hostility” can take many forms, and what we see in other countries related to religious persecution puts our experiences in perspective. According to a recent article from Christianity Today, the following are the most persecuted countries for Christians …

Biblical Confirmation of Persecution

Though heart-wrenching, none of this should be a surprise to mature Christians. Scripture is clear that we should expect persecution and hostility based on our beliefs.

2 Timothy 3:12 - Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

John 15:18 - If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.

Luke 6:22 - Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.