Countries Where Christianity is Restricted or Effectively Banned
Christianity is not outrightly banned in most countries, but in some nations, it is heavily restricted, persecuted, or illegal to convert to or share the Christian faith. Here’s a list of countries where Christianity faces severe legal or social restrictions, based on sources like Open Doors’ World Watch List, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and other religious freedom watchdogs:
1. North Korea
– Status: All religions are banned under the regime’s ideology of Juche.
– Details: Practicing Christianity is punishable by imprisonment, torture, or execution. An estimated 50,000–70,000 Christians are in labor camps.
2. Afghanistan (Under Taliban Rule)
– Status: Islamic Emirate enforces strict Sharia law.
– Details: Conversion from Islam is apostasy, punishable by death. No public churches exist; secret believers face extreme risk.
3. Saudi Arabia
– Status: Public practice of non-Islamic faiths is illegal.
– Details: No churches allowed; private worship is risky. Foreign Christians practice discreetly, but evangelism is banned.
4. Somalia
– Status: Islam is the state religion; extremist groups target Christians.
– Details: Converts from Islam face violence or death. No legal churches operate.
5. Yemen
– Status: Islam is the state religion; civil war fuels persecution.
– Details: Christians (mostly refugees) worship secretly. Apostasy is punishable by death under tribal law.
6. Iran
– Status: Christianity is tolerated only for historic Armenian/Assyrian communities.
– Details: Converts from Islam face arrest, torture, or execution. House churches are raided.
7. Maldives
– Status: Constitution mandates all citizens be Muslim.
– Details: No churches exist; foreigners may worship privately, but evangelism is illegal.
8. Mauritania
– Status: Apostasy from Islam is punishable by death.
– Details: No churches operate openly; converts risk imprisonment or violence.
9. Pakistan
– Status: Blasphemy laws target Christians and other minorities.
– Details: False accusations lead to mob violence or life imprisonment. Churches face bombings.
10. Libya
– Status: Islam is the state religion; extremist groups operate freely.
– Details: Churches are banned; converts face persecution.
11. Eritrea
– Status: Only state-approved religions (Orthodox, Sunni Islam, Catholic, Lutheran) are allowed.
– Details: Evangelical Christians are jailed in harsh conditions; thousands are imprisoned.
12. China
– Status: State-controlled “patriotic” churches are legal; underground churches persecuted.
– Details: Bibles are restricted, crosses removed, and pastors imprisoned. Uyghur Christians face severe repression. (tight surveillance, censorship, and church closures)
13. Uzbekistan
– Status: Proselytism and unregistered religious activity are criminalized.
– Details: Churches face raids; converts from Islam are monitored.
14. Turkmenistan
– Status: All religious groups must register; unapproved activity is banned.
– Details: Christians are harassed, and foreign missionaries expelled.
15. Brunei
– Status: Sharia law penalizes apostasy with death.
– Details: Churches exist only for foreigners; locals risk severe punishment for converting.
Other Countries with Harsh Restrictions on Christianity
These countries don’t “ban” Christianity outright but do heavily restrict or persecute Christians:
- Sudan
- Qatar
- Mauritania
- Algeria
- Tajikistan
Important Note:
In many of these countries, Christianity still grows underground, even under intense pressure. Faith is alive—even if hidden.
Notes:
– Persecution ≠ Total Ban: In most cases, Christianity is not officially banned but is suppressed through laws, societal pressure, or extremist violence.
– Dynamic Situations: Conditions vary (e.g., expatriates vs. local converts).
– Sources: Refer to the World Watch List (Open Doors) and USCIRF reports for annual updates.
Last modified: April 16, 2025
