1 yr after Taliban takeover, early signs of church growth despite Christian persecution?

Aug 16, 2022 by Jill

from Release International:

August the 15th is a year to the day since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. And the persecution of Christians is continuing unabated.

The violence and despair that has followed the Taliban resurgence are causing many young Afghans to ask searching questions about their culture and their convictions. And there are early signs that the Christian faith could be growing among Afghans despite – or because – of violent persecution.

UK-based Release International supports the persecuted Church in some 30 countries. Its latest Persecution Trends report highlighted Afghanistan as a country of particular and growing concern.

Christians in danger

Several Christian TV companies are reporting deeper religious persecution and restrictions in every area of life in Afghanistan.

One Christian viewer of SAT-7 said, ‘The security situation for someone like me who has accepted another faith is extremely concerning. Pray for us.’

Another reported soon after the takeover: ‘The Taliban have started doing house-to-house searches and are confiscating people’s smart phones.’ That viewer was concerned about the Christian content on his own mobile.

SAT-7 PARS is SAT-7’s sister channel and a Release International partner. Viewer ‘Daanesh’ said: ‘Fear and dread have taken all of Afghanistan and have especially affected religious and ethnic minorities. At checkpoints, peoples’ mobile phones are checked.’

Early reports of the Taliban demanding to see phones are persisting. Similar accounts are reaching another Christian TV channel broadcasting into Afghanistan.

Read here