There are a number of reports that document, analyze and highlight the global persecution of Christians by state and non-state actors: Islamist regimes (e.g. Saudi Arabia and Iran), communist regimes (e.g. China and North Korea), religious nationalism (e.g. India, Sri Lanka) and secular regimes (e.g. the post-Soviet regimes in Central Asia).
However, there are few solid and valid reports on how persecuted Christians respond to persecution. But the 2017 report "In Response to Persecution" - a systematic global survey and interviews of persecuted Christians in 25 countries conducted by 17 internationally recognized researchers in 2014/15 - does. It focuses on how persecuted Christians use different strategies depending on the societal context in which they find themselves and identifies three different strategies in response to persecution:
The most reactive strategy is the survival strategy (Survival 43%), where Christians (mostly) focus on preserving their lives and securing the main activities of the church, either by going "underground", conducting their church activities in secret, making cultural adjustments, displaying patriotism in public, or (rarely though) entering into a tactical alliance with the regime. This happens in some old - traditional - churches in the Middle East to ensure their continued presence (e.g. in Syria and Iraq). Others flee, either to another place in the same country or to a place outside the country's borders, which means that areas are often emptied - more or less - of Christian presence.
A more proactive approach is the association strategy (Association 38%) where Christians can engage in interfaith dialogues to promote peaceful coexistence, cooperate with other Christian denominations, other religions, political parties and NGOs, and build coalitions and partnerships within the country and/or work with churches, advocacy groups and governments in other countries. Others engage in social work as a way to live out their faith and a way to gain credibility and build bridges with hostile actors.
The third strategy is the confrontation strategy (Confrontation 19%), where Christians publicly challenge the governments and non-state actors that persecute them in order to highlight injustice and mobilize others to counter injustice.
It is this diversity of persecuted Christians that Danish European Mission must relate to. Will you join us in praying for wisdom and guidance for the leadership, staff and partners of the Danish European Mission so that we can walk in "prepared deeds" and act in the best and wisest way to support the persecuted church most effectively?
