The mainstream media and progressive politicians don’t like to talk about the persecution of Christians around the world.

But it’s there and it’s increasing in scope and intensity, as reported by the U.S.-based Voice of the Martyrs.

In India, for example, informants for the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are in almost every village in India. They monitor and report on the movements of Christians and the results are attacks on Christians. They know that even if the attackers are captured, Christians will usually forgive them and not press charges.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Hindu nationalists, other Hindu extremists along with local governments want to “purify” India by making it completely Hindu. They believe they can appease the multitudes of Hindu deities by getting rid of Christians. They view Hindus who  convert to Christianity as traitors to the Hindu homeland.

Hindu extremists burned churches in India, disrupted worship services, destroyed crosses in graveyards, and confiscated Bibles along with other Christian literature. They have beaten and jailed pastors, some of whom are killed each year.

Indian Christians get arrested and held in jail for several weeks after being falsely accused of forcing Hindus to convert to Christianity. Then they must prove they are innocent to get free.

And there are similar actions by other false religions and atheists around the world, particularly in Communist China, parts of Africa and in Muslim nations in the Middle East.

Religious freedom is a valuable asset. And while the oppression in America is more verbal than violent, Bible-believing Christians are being told to shut up. Churches were told to close their doors during the pandemic while bars were allowed to open.

America needs to be a beacon of Christian influence here and around the world.