If you choose a broad definition of persecution, you will find that more Christians are persecuted than if you work with a narrow definition. With its distinction between broad and narrow definitions, this article attempts to give a quick overview of a complicated issue.
Charles Tieszen's broad definition
American professor Charles Tieszen has developed the following broad definition: Any unjust act of mild to intense hostility directed against Christians, with varying degrees of commitment to their faith, resulting in varying degrees of harm, which does not necessarily prevent or limit the ability of those Christians to practice their faith or propagate their faith appropriately, from the perspective of the victim, as the primary impetus for the persecution is religious, namely that the victims are identified as Christians (Tieszen, 2008:79).
Based on this broad definition, all Christians can experience persecution. Tieszen, in his article from which the above definition is taken, calls ridicule persecution. Likewise, he uses the word persecution for physical violence and deprivation of liberty.
Peter Lodberg's narrower definition
Professor Peter Lodberg has developed a definition that is narrower than Tieszen's: Persecution of Christians is violent and judicial attacks against Christians, Christian groups and congregations because of their Christian beliefs and practices. Violence is understood to include physical harm, lack of state protection, theft of land and property. Judicial is understood as discrimination in legislation in the form of blasphemy and apostasy laws (Lodberg, 2020:8).
The Danish European Mission has asked why ridicule and disinformation are not included in this definition. Peter Lodberg answers: I have endeavored to emphasize the seriousness to public authorities, both in countries where the persecution takes place, but also in countries like Danmark that fight for religious freedom in other countries. I worry that if you make the definition too broad, almost anything can become religious persecution. And then we lose the sense of how serious it is - and that it is the responsibility of the authorities to prevent it. I realize that persecution can start innocently in public debate. We also saw this against the Jews in 1930s Germany, but I think there is a fine line between general criticism of religion and persecution of religion. That's why I stick to the slightly narrower definition.
Johan Candelin's phase model and narrow definition
Finnish pastor Johan Candelin works with a phase model that not only divides different forms of resistance against Christians into three phases, but also describes their interrelation.
The first stage is disinformation, where prejudices and lies about Christians or other minorities are spread in the media, social media, in educational materials and through opinion leaders' statements. This disinformation creates tension and intolerance between different groups in society.
I developed the model so that it could be used as a tool, e.g. in foreign policy, to counteract disinformation developing into discrimination and discrimination into persecution - Johan Candelin [Quote page 15]
This creates a culture that forms the basis for the discrimination phase, where Christians, for example, find it more difficult to get their own church buildings compared to other faiths. Apostasy laws are discriminatory as Christians are allowed to convert to Islam, but it is punishable for Muslims to become Christians. It is also discrimination if minorities are not given access to education and public sector jobs on equal terms with the majority of the population. According to Candelin, if discrimination is not stopped, it will lead to the persecution phase - defined as violence, terror, imprisonment and torture on the basis of faith. Candelin's definition of persecution is thus narrow.
Why did you develop this model? "I developed the model so that it could be used as a tool, for example in foreign policy, to counteract disinformation developing into discrimination and discrimination into persecution." Johan Candelin Danish European Mission replies via email from Finland and elaborates: "The model can thus be used to strengthen democracy and human rights. If we are aware of the steps that lead to persecution, we can try to prevent it."
Bibliography
Candelin, Johan (2000). The Message of the Cross And the cross of the Message in Evangelical Review of Theology, volume 24, number 1.
Lodberg, Peter (2020). When are Christians persecuted? in the Think Tank for Persecuted Christians' publication: Danmark's responsibility for persecuted Christians.
Tieszen, Charles (2008). Towards redefining persecution in International Journal of Religious Freedom Vol 1:1. Charles Tieszen is a professor at Fuller Seminary in Texas, USA. He has written a number of articles on persecution and Christian relations with Muslims.
