This beautiful world God created is full of surprises to discover. There is hidden beauty to explore, and unique people to meet. However, in some of the most beautiful places in the world, our brothers and sisters in Christ struggle daily with persecution of their religious freedoms.
Did you know that popular “resort” destinations like Brunei consider the Bible an illegal book? In fact, if a Bruneian citizen is caught with a Bible, they could serve nine years in jail. The Maldives is where the water is so beautiful it was used as a location in a Star Wars movie. But there isn’t even a Bible published in the native language.
Places Denying Religious Freedoms
You’re thinking about an international trip. It might be good to do a little research on your destination—specifically around the level of Christian persecution. Some of the most popular vacation destinations and beach paradises have extreme levels of Christian persecution just below the surface.
With that said, here are seven popular resort destinations that rank high on the 2018 World Watch List of the 50 toughest countries for Christians. On the surface, these countries might boast beautiful scenery, well-oiled tourist industries, and colorful culture. But underneath there’s a secret war going on for religious freedom you should know about.
1. Maldives
Deep in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a tropical archipelago comprised of over a thousand coral atoll islands. Its clear waters are perfect for scuba. The waves are supreme for surfing. Countless islands to visit. It’s paradise. However, there’s much more than sandcastles and surf. Ranking at No. 13 on the 2018 World Watch List, Christianity is not welcome.
The government of the Maldives insists that the country be run according to conservative Islamic tenets. All citizens be Muslims. In effect, there is no religious freedom. Except expatriate Christians can practice their faith in utmost privacy. This means behind closed doors and in strictly monitored settings. The government is currently engaged in a political struggle with opposition forces. So any perceived threat (like Christianity) is quickly and harshly eradicated.
2. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Known for luxury cities like Dubai, the Emirates are filled with high-end places and beautiful beaches. However, being a Christian in the Emirates comes with its challenges. Ranking at No. 40 on the 2018 World Watch List, the Emirates are not friendly to Christianity. Expatriate Christian communities are relatively free to practice their faith. But hey also face restrictions. They are free to worship and practice their faith in private. But are prohibited from expressing their faith, worshiping, preaching, or praying in public. Proselytization of any sort is illegal. So Christians must exercise caution and self-restraint when interacting with Muslims. Meanwhile, converts from an Islamic background often keep their conversion secret out of fear of repercussions.
3. India
India is an explosion of culture and beauty with bright colored saris, beaming sunlight, unique foliage like the Frangipanis—a bright white exotic flower—and, of course, the Taj Mahal. But this beauty is in stark contrast to the underlying religious and nationalist tensions within the country. Ranking just outside the top 10 at No. 11, India is a powder keg of persecution. Because Hindu nationalist radicals view Christians as outsiders, they are experiencing increased persecution. These radicals are intent on cleansing the nation of both Islam and Christianity, and they employ violence to this end. The government continues to look away when people attack religious minorities. This indicates that violence may continue to increase in the coming years.
4. Mexico
Its proximity to the U.S. makes Mexico a favorite travel and vacation destination. The rich culture, beautiful weather, and prime beaches, like Cozumel and Cancun, make it an accessible and affordable trip compared to other international destinations. Coming in at No. 39, the strong presence of corruption at all levels of the Mexican government has resulted in various forms of persecution in the country due to lack of protections for Christians. Criminal groups attack priests and pastors, while indigenous leaders attack converts to Christianity. In recent years, aggressive secular ideology has become more prominent in the country, and associated groups are intent on eliminating religious expression in the public domain. While the Roman Catholic Church continues to enjoy certain privileges, Christian groups are disadvantaged, especially newer movements such as Pentecostalism and the Catholic Renewal Movement.
5. Brunei
This small but wealthy nation is on the coast of Southeast Asia. It boasts beautiful beaches, luxury resorts and spas—along with adventure opportunities in the dense rainforest. However, in this Muslim-majority nation that ranks No. 26 on the 2018 World Watch List, even converting to Christianity is illegal. Oh, and owning a Bible will get you nine years in prison. Christians in this small Southeast Asian country experience persecution from the government, family, and society at large. Legal policies favor Muslims over Christians and other minority groups are enforced across the country. Muslim and ethnic majority group leaders have significant influence over the Sultan of the country, who is obligated to be the ultimate protector and defender of Islam in the nation.
6. Vietnam
Known for its bustling cities, lively culture and Buddhist pagodas, Vietnam is a popular travel destination. It’s perfect to search for natural beauty, experience ancient architecture and sample unique foods. Vietnam has a lot to offer.
However, ranking at No. 18, Vietnam is one of only five countries in the world that is still ruled by a Communist party. Laws passed disadvantage the Christian minority. Their implementation at the grassroots level leads to persecution of religious freedoms from local officials. Roman Catholics are by far the largest Christian community in the country. But they see them as suspect for their perceived ties to foreign powers. In rural contexts, ethnic group leaders see Christians as traitors to the tribal culture and identity. Villagers often work with them to persecute believers accordingly.
7. Colombia
Think coffee plantations, beaches, rainforests, and, of course, the Andes mountains. Colombia is a beautiful country to explore with so many options. This includes sightseeing, relaxing by the water, exploring, and hiking. Resting on the northern side of South America, Colombia is an accessible and often affordable trip for those in the U.S. However, violent Christian persecution is commonplace in this South American country. This includes both at the hands of criminal and some indigenous groups, which is why it ranks No. 49 on the 2018 World Watch List.
Guerrilla groups force Christians to pay a “protection tax” as a sort of insurance against assault or murder. They issue death threats to Christians involved in evangelism, fearing that believers will continue to stand in opposition to the reign of terror these groups use to maintain power. And in smaller, rural communities semi-independently governed by indigenous groups, they see converting to Christianity as a betrayal of ethnic identity.
Be Aware of the Lack of Religious Freedom
Often, what looks like paradise on a travel show isn’t the whole story. In all of these countries, there are beautiful people, vibrant cultures, and rich histories to explore, but it’s also critical to be aware of the struggle that our brothers and sisters in Christ face, often daily, in these World Watch List countries.
Now, don’t cancel your plans if you’re already heading to one of these beautiful destinations. That’s not the point! But it’s important to be aware of the lack of religious freedom. If you make a visit, you might even want to take a portion of your time to encourage local Christians. Or even take a prayer walk in the morning to ask God to work in the local church—protecting believers and giving them the courage to stay strong in their faith.
This article by Robert Kenna was originally posted at Open Doors and can be found on their website.
