Religious persecution on the rise in Syria

Charlie Butts
12/11/2011

Syria is once again a focus of concern for Christian persecution, both now and in the future. As the country continues to be embroiled in violence challenging the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, Christians are being attacked.

Paul Estabrooks, a spokesman with Open Doors USA, explains: "They enjoyed a reasonable amount of peace and opportunity under the Assad regime to practice their faith, and even on a low-profile basis, share their faith. But they are very much afraid that changes in the country will limit them in both those situations in the days ahead."

According to the Estabrooks, they are extremely fearful that if an extremist Muslim group takes over and the Assad administration is deposed, it will be difficult for them to practice their faith at all. the rest

"They've gone into churches. They've destroyed churches. They've robbed them of any valuable things in the church and have limited people in their ability to meet together for worship and especially to share their faith," Estabrooks says.