London: Talk by Rupert Shortt on Christianophobia

Rupert Shortt

On 29 October, 2005, three Indonesian schoolgirls were beheaded as they walked to school – targeted because they were Christians. Like them, many other church members around the world face violence or discrimination for their faith. Why is this religious persecution so widely ignored?

In his book Christianophobia: How the Global Persecution of Christians is Being Ignored, published by Rider Books, Rupert Shortt investigates the shocking treatment of Christians on several continents, revealing that they are oppressed in significantly greater numbers than members of any other faith. The extent of official collusion is also exposed. Even governments that have promised to protect religious minorities routinely break their pledges, with life-shattering consequences.

Young Christians don’t easily become radicalized but tend to resist non-violently or keep a low profile. This has enabled politicians and the media to play down a problem of huge dimensions.

Shortt demonstrates how freedom of belief is the canary in the mine for liberty in general. Published at a time when the fundamental importance of faith on the world stage is at last being recognized, this book will be essential reading for anyone interested in people's right to religious freedom, no matter where, or among whom, they live.

Rupert Shortt's talk on Christianophobia: How the Global Persecution of Christians is Being Ignored, takes place on Tuesday, 1 October, 2013, at 8pm in the Parish Centre, St Mary’s, East Finchley, 279 High Road N2 8HG.