Christians are the majority of Mexico’s total population, but they are targeted by unlawful gangs for speaking out against criminal operations and violence. Cartels violently try to silence them. In rural indigenous communities, anyone turning away from traditional religious beliefs faces rejection and punishment in the form of fines, imprisonment, and forced displacement. Non-discrimination laws mean that any links between Christian faith and politics are placed under very strict legal scrutiny. In areas controlled by criminals or drug cartels, young Christian men are exposed to forced enrolment. Those who do not accept it face threats, potential abduction, and even death. Families are bribed and intimidated to force their children to obey the gangs. Church leaders are victims of blackmail because they have access to church funds. Mexico also has the highest rate of human trafficking in the world. Women are easy targets.
Mexico: Christians are persecuted
Written by David Fletcher 21 Apr 2022Additional Info
- Pray: for God to give indigenous believers courage to maintain their faith, even when their villages turn against them. May they be a strong force of Christianity in those areas. (Isaiah 40:31)
- More: www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/mexico/