Posted on 08/13/2025 6:09:41 PM PDT by lightman
There has been an alarming increase in violent attacks on churches in the United States over the past five years, according to a report from the Family Research Council (FRC).
The organization released its 2024 analysis of attacks on US churches and found at least 415 incidents. “[A]cts of vandalism remained the most prevalent type of hostility against churches, accounting for 284 of the 415 incidents.” Researchers found 55 arson attacks, 28 gun-related incidents, and 14 bomb threats against churches.
FRC warned that “with Christianity seemingly losing influence and respect in American life…there may be less societal pressure to discourage would-be criminals from targeting churches.”
Reports of vandalism ranged from smashed windows to major thefts. In some cases, the vandals caused six-figure worth of damage. “It was angry, intentional, from all I could see,” said a Texas pastor whose church was targeted. “It hurts me there is that kind of anger towards a church.”
Four churches in Ohio faced serious damage from arsonists. A church secretary in Tennessee lost her life in an arson attack. In Florida, a woman who had received assistance from a church torched the building with the flames reaching “30 feet high before firefighters managed to extinguish them.”
In another disturbing incident, a man pointed a pistol at a pastor in the middle of a sermon in Pennsylvania. Fortunately, churchgoers tackled the man before he could open fire.
Some of the attacks appear to be motivated by political ideology. In Florida, a man carried out a bomb threat when he left packages with notes decrying “wokism,” taxes, the war in Ukraine, and other grievances. In another incident, a Kentucky church staffer was assaulted with a hammer.
The report notes that “although the total number of incidents did not increase in 2024, it remained high, indicating a persistent lack of respect and even intolerance toward Christianity and religion in America.”
Other violent incidents involve pro-abortion activists targeting churches for espousing pro-life positions. After a Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe v. Wade was leaked to the public, a spate of pro-abortion violence against churches and pro-life organizations ensued. Vandals hurled Molotov cocktails at church buildings and wrote pro-abortion messages in graffiti on the buildings.
However, many of the attacks did not involve political ideology. Instead, they were crimes of opportunity or personal vendettas. Some of the perpetrators stole copper wiring, air conditioners, and other items so they could sell them for financial gain. The report noted that “not all crimes against churches are motivated by hatred for Christianity.”
However, these attacks reveal a troubling reality: Respect for the church and Christianity seems to be waning in America. It might be tempting to believe that Christianity’s influence has also diminished over recent years. In some ways, I believe this is true.
A Gallup poll released in March 2024 showed that between 2021 and 2023, only 30 percent of adults attended religious services weekly or nearly weekly. This represents a 12-point drop from 42 percent in 2000 to 2003.
But I have to ask the question: If Christianity is no longer as influential in America, then why is it being targeted at unprecedented levels? After all, if the church isn’t exercising influence over the culture, there wouldn’t be a reason for these attacks, would there?
This tells me that while Christianity’s role in American society has taken a serious hit, it is not yet irrelevant. There are some who still view the church as a threat to their ideological agenda. This means all is not lost. Christians still have a strong voice in America. It’s critical that we make sure this doesn’t change.
I'm going to one next month.
I disagree. IMHO God's church has been having a greater effect than in the recent past. Especially the ones still teaching dedication and holiness living -- the stuff the left hates. Or as Rush often said --- the left always show you whom they fear the most.
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,“
Mathew 24
The core craving of the Democrat is the violent annihilation of Christianity.
“We must combat religion—that is the ABC of all materialism, and consequently of Marxism.”That is what is at the core of the left’s violence towards Christianity.
— Lenin, “The Attitude of the Workers’ Party to Religion”
One should always be vigilant.
That said..
Trust the Pro-Ukraine, Never Trump, Phoney Perkins at the risk of your own credibility.
Yes, you must have absolute obedience to the state for communism to work, that means Eliminating our love of both family and God to achieve that goal. The democrats are well on that way to that goal.
Newsflash: Jeff Charles doesn’t know a “soft target” when he sees one.
evil cant stand the mirror the church shows them of themselves.
I mean .. think about it.. for a leftist to admit that abortion is murder of a child.. is to admit THEY murdered their own child. The sheer hatred of desperately trying to fight against condemning themselves drives them to crazy acts of violence.
Oh gee, I dunno...maybe because ‘Christian’ and ‘Conservative’ go hand-in-hand and Liberals hate that?
Attacks against churches have been the norm for a long time.
The prime suspect: Rat Party Headquarters
Does not fazee a bit, with all the liberty the mohams have found in this nation.
I agree. God isn’t losing influence.
God essentially refused to let this nation under Him be destroyed.
That’s why Trump’s life was saved and why Trump won in a landslide.
In the meantime, the democriminal marxist, islamist party has withered on the vine and has only an 18% approval rating. People have left this floundering party in droves.
The democriminal party is run by globalists who see Christians and Jews as the enemy. They are not amenable to brainwashing and conquest.
With all the church burnings in Europe, the influence of an increased population of Muslims must also be taken into account.
Because as we get closer to the end times, more and more hostility towards God and his people will increase. More and more people will, exchange truth for lies, preferring the darkness to the light.
It’s not “Christianity seemingly losing influence and respect in American life”...
It’s the greatly pronounced rise of communism, Marxism and socialist in America.
So many Churches in the USA have become lost and apostate.
Breaks my heart.
God help us. Deliver us. Forgive our sins.
1-Criminals face no real penalties anymore.
2-The devil hates God and His children.
3-it’s going to get worse before Christ returns.
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