The United States witnessed a concerning increase in attacks against Christian churches in 2024, encompassing vandalism, arson, shootings, and bomb threats. Although the number of incidents slightly decreased from the record in 2023, the figures remain significantly higher than those observed in previous years, such as 2021. The report details a range of crimes, including vandalism, arson, shootings, and bomb threats, with some incidents resulting in fatalities. Financial repercussions have been substantial, with congregations incurring significant costs for repairs due to deliberate destruction. The motivations behind the hostility are diverse and often unclear, with a decline in abortion-related vandalism and anti-LGBTQ+ attacks compared to previous years.
4 months ago
In 2024, the United States experienced a significant number of hostile acts against Christian churches, with 415 incidents reported across 383 congregations 1 2 4. This figure, while a slight decrease from the record 485 incidents in 2023, remains historically high compared to just 98 attacks in 2021 1 2 4. The Family Research Council (FRC) documented these incidents, which occurred at an average rate of 35 per month, with peaks in June (49 incidents) and February (45 incidents) 2 4.
The attacks encompassed a wide range of hostile acts, including 284 cases of vandalism, 55 arsons, 28 gun-related incidents, and 14 bomb threats 1 2 4. Additionally, 47 other hostile acts were reported, such as physical assaults and disruptions of worship services 1 2 4. Some incidents resulted in severe consequences, including a church secretary's death in Athens, Tennessee, and significant financial damage, such as one Oklahoma congregation spending $100,000 on repairs 1.
Geographically, the most populous states saw the highest numbers of attacks, with California reporting 40 incidents, followed by Pennsylvania (29), New York (25), Florida (25), and Texas (23) 1 2 4. In contrast, several less-populated states reported no incidents 1.
The perpetrators and their motives remain largely unclear for most incidents 2 4. While some acts appeared to be driven by anti-Christian sentiment, others seemed motivated by financial gain or "destructive pastime" by teenagers 2 4. A notable trend is the sharp decline in abortion-related vandalism, which dropped from 59 incidents in 2022 (following the overturning of Roe v. Wade) to just two in 2024 1 2 4. Similarly, reported satanic symbols or messages decreased from a dozen in 2023 to only one last year, and anti-LGBTQ+ attacks on churches also saw a slight reduction from 42 to 33 cases 1. However, 33 incidents in 2024 specifically targeted churches that embraced "LGBT" pride, often involving the theft of pride flags 2 4.
FRC President Tony Perkins stated that the report "clearly shows religious freedom faces substantial threats here at home" 2 4. Arielle Del Turco, director of FRC's Center for Religious Liberty, emphasized that religious freedom relies not only on legal protections but also on cultural support, urging political leaders to condemn such actions 2 4. FRC Vice President Travis Weber suggested that some hostility could be linked to divisive rhetoric from organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which lists FRC on its "hate map" 1. Despite disagreements, FRC explicitly condemns all attacks on churches, including those on pro-LGBTQ+ congregations, asserting that theological differences do not justify violence 1.
The report also notes a growing awareness within the federal government regarding anti-Christian sentiments, citing President Donald Trump's executive order to establish a task force aimed at eradicating anti-Christian bias in federal policies 2 4. Perkins urged Christians to demand greater action from government leaders in prosecuting and preventing these criminal acts 2 4.
What is the Church's teaching on religious freedom?
The Catholic Church teaches that religious freedom is a fundamental human right, rooted in the inherent dignity of the human person . This teaching was significantly articulated in the Second Vatican Council's Declaration Dignitatis Humanae .
The right to religious freedom is not based on a supposed equality among all religions or cultural systems, but rather on the ontological dignity of the human person . Human beings are endowed with reason and free will, and are therefore impelled by their nature and bound by a moral obligation to seek the truth, especially religious truth . They are also bound to adhere to the truth once it is known and to direct their lives in accordance with its demands . This intrinsic vocation to seek truth and relate to God is the radical and ultimate foundation of religious freedom .
Religious freedom means that all individuals and communities should be immune from coercion by any human power . No one should be forced to act in a manner contrary to their beliefs, whether privately or publicly, alone or in association with others, within due limits . Society and the State must not compel a person to act against their conscience or prevent them from acting in conformity with it . This immunity from external coercion is essential for individuals to fulfill their obligation to seek and adhere to the truth .
It is important to note that religious freedom is not a moral license to adhere to error, nor does it imply an implicit right to error . The teaching on freedom of conscience and religious freedom does not contradict the Church's condemnation of indifferentism and religious relativism; rather, it is fully in accord with it . The truth cannot be imposed except by virtue of its own truth .
While the practice of religion primarily involves voluntary and free internal acts directed towards God, human social nature requires that these internal acts be given external expression . This includes communicating with others in religious matters and professing one's religion in community . Therefore, religious freedom encompasses both private and public manifestations of faith .
The Church teaches that this right to religious freedom should be recognized in the constitutional law governing society, thereby becoming a civil right . The curtailment or violation of religious freedom is considered a radical injustice and an attack on human dignity, regardless of the religion professed .
Pope Benedict XVI taught that religious freedom is the synthesis and summit of all other fundamental rights, not reserved solely for believers but shared by all people . When respected, it is a sign of a political and legal society that guarantees authentic and integral human development . Conversely, a lack of respect for religious freedom at any level—individual, communal, civil, or political—offends both God and human dignity, leading to social disharmony .