America’s Churches TARGETED—Is There a War On Religion?

Several Bible editions stacked on a bookshelf.

Churches, once the heartbeat of American sanctuary, now risk becoming battlegrounds—are we witnessing the end of safe Sunday worship?

Story Snapshot

Church attacks are surging in the U.S. and abroad, with motives ranging from hate crimes to ideological extremism.
Recent incidents include arson, attempted mass shootings, and bomb threats, shattering the perception of churches as safe havens.
Government and advocacy groups are responding with task forces and heightened security, but fear and disruption linger.
Experts warn this trend reflects deep societal divisions and could reshape how Americans experience religious freedom.

America’s Churches: Under Siege and Under Scrutiny

Seattle’s Laestadian Lutheran Church burned to the ground in August 2023, marking only the beginning of a disturbing string of attacks targeting U.S. churches. Within months, Park Valley Church in Virginia narrowly escaped tragedy when security foiled a planned mass shooting. By early 2024, advocacy organizations were reporting an eightfold increase in anti-Christian acts since 2018, prompting the formation of President Trump’s “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias” task force. The message is clear: American churches are no longer untouchable sanctuaries.

Bomb threats, arson, and violence have become so frequent that congregations are rethinking security. Recent events in Michigan, where Brian Browning was killed during an attempted mass shooting at CrossPointe Community Church, illustrate how ordinary worship can turn into chaos within seconds. These attacks, once shocking, now risk becoming routine, challenging the very notion of spiritual refuge.

Global Dimensions: No Sanctuary Beyond Borders

Church violence is not confined to American soil. In March 2025, a Russian drone strike on Emmanuel Church in Kyiv killed two congregants, underscoring the global scope of religious targeting. Similar incidents in India, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sri Lanka highlight how religious sanctuaries are vulnerable to state and non-state actors, ideological extremism, and even international conflict. The international red list of persecuted churches continues to grow, documenting bombings, shootings, and forced closures worldwide.

Legislation like anti-conversion laws in India further exposes churches to risk, blurring the line between official policy and violent targeting. Advocacy groups such as International Christian Concern and Open Doors report a steady rise in attacks, warning that religious freedom is under threat in both stable democracies and unstable regions.

Motives, Mental Health, and Ideological Extremes: Decoding the Surge

Law enforcement officials identify a complex mix of motives behind these attacks: mental health crises, personal grievances, and ideological hatred all play roles. Hate crimes are prosecuted at the federal level, with the Department of Justice emphasizing the need for vigilance and swift response. Security experts recommend active shooter training and comprehensive risk assessments, but acknowledge the psychological toll on faith communities.

The politicization of religion and amplification of extremist rhetoric online are accelerating the trend. Scholars argue that declining respect for religious institutions, paired with increased societal polarization, creates fertile ground for violence. Church leaders, once focused on spiritual guidance, now spend time on security protocols and crisis management, fundamentally altering the open-door nature of worship.

Ripple Effects: Security, Community, and Religious Freedom

The perception of churches as sanctuaries erodes, leading to increased security costs and, potentially, declining attendance. The financial burden is matched by emotional fallout—fear, distrust, and fragmentation within communities. Political mobilization around hate crime legislation and religious freedom intensifies as stakeholders demand action.

The security industry is booming, with churches investing in surveillance and active defense. Advocacy groups push for policy change and victim support, shaping public discourse. The challenge remains: can society restore trust in the church as a safe haven, or will faith communities adapt to a new reality of permanent vigilance?

Expert Analysis: Is This the New Normal?

Family Research Council and International Christian Concern agree that anti-Christian hostility is rising, corroborated by law enforcement and government agencies. The DOJ classifies recent incidents as hate crimes, emphasizing their seriousness. Yet, some experts caution against declaring a permanent “new normal.” Motives in cases like the Michigan shooting remain under investigation, and overgeneralization risks obscuring unique local realities.

Academic perspectives highlight the intersection of mental health, ideological extremism, and social polarization as key drivers. The sanctity of church, both historical and psychological, is under siege, but not beyond redemption. Continued monitoring, cross-sector collaboration, and thoughtful policy may be the only path forward. Whether church attacks become a tragic norm or provoke meaningful change, American religious communities stand at a crossroads, their sanctuary status now a question mark rather than a guarantee.