Christians in Afghanistan are already being killed by the Taliban, says religious freedom expert

 (Photo: Unsplash/Jessica Delp)

Afghanistan's Christians are already paying the price for their faith as the last remaining British and US troops prepare to leave, according to one religious freedom expert. 

"I'm not exaggerating by saying that the Taliban are killing Christians," said Nina Shea, director of the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom. 

She told Blaze TV that the Washington DC-based think tank was trying to get one Christian man out whose brother and father had been killed in the last week. 

"And he is in hiding near the airport hoping to get out, hoping to be rescued because he will be next. And it's because he's a Christian." 

Shea said it was so dangerous for Christians in Afghanistan now because most were converts from Islam.

"And that is considered in the Taliban's eyes to be apostasy that must be punished with death," she said.

But she added that Afghan Christians are "doubly jeopardized" because they are "conflated with Americans and the West". 

"So when the Taliban sees them, not only are they considered apostate, which is punishable by death, but they are considered the enemy." 

Last week, Dr Rex Rogers, President of Christian media ministry SAT-7 North America, said there were reports of Afghans being killed on the spot if they are identified as Christian.

Another Christian told SAT-7 that their family members were receiving death threats.

Dr Rogers said, "We're hearing from reliable sources that the Taliban demand people's phones, and if they find a downloaded Bible on your device, they will kill you immediately.

"It's incredibly dangerous right now for Afghans to have anything Christian on their phones. The Taliban have spies and informants everywhere."

News
Wildwood Kin’s Meg Loney on how a 24/7 prayer meeting brought her back from the brink 
Wildwood Kin’s Meg Loney on how a 24/7 prayer meeting brought her back from the brink 

Meg Loney went from the depths of drug addiction to being a follower of Christ bringing hope and healing to others with her music.

How going to prison for a crime I didn’t commit changed my life – for the better
How going to prison for a crime I didn’t commit changed my life – for the better

In 2008, Wilson Femayi was wrongly convicted and sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He had just graduated from Bible college. His arrest — the result of a personal vendetta — was a devastating moment. But even in that dark place, God was at work. Today, Wilson is the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Zimbabwe, leading programmes that are restoring prisoners and reuniting families across the country.

Christians in Africa face worsening violence, report finds
Christians in Africa face worsening violence, report finds

A new report from International Christian Concern (ICC) has revealed a disturbing rise in violence against Christians across parts of Africa, with Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Kenya experiencing a surge in attacks, abductions, massacres and forced displacements.

Nicaragua crackdown on Christianity deepens amid political power grab
Nicaragua crackdown on Christianity deepens amid political power grab

A new policy brief released by Open Doors has exposed as a systematic campaign of repression against Christian communities in Nicaragua.