Rising Hostility Against U.S. Churches

Hostility toward churches in the United States remains a significant concern, as highlighted by a recent study from the Family Research Council. The organization’s annual “Hostility Against Churches” report, released on Monday, documented 415 hostile acts targeting 383 churches across 43 states in 2024. Although this represents a decrease from the 485 incidents recorded in 2023, it is still more than double the number reported in 2022. The report underscores a troubling trend of increasing aggression towards religious institutions.

Analysis of Hostile Acts

The report, which relied on publicly available data, found a total of 1,384 acts of hostility against churches from January 2018 through December 2024. This figure is likely underestimated due to unreported cases. Vandalism emerged as the most common offense with 284 incidents, followed by arson (55), gun-related incidents (28), bomb threats (14), and other forms of assault or disruption (47). On average, there were approximately 35 attacks per month in 2024.

Regional Impact and Specific Incidents

Certain regions experienced repeated and severe attacks. In southern Ohio, for instance, four churches were completely destroyed by arson. Gun-related incidents notably increased in 2024, while pro-abortion-motivated attacks decreased significantly from previous years. Anti-LGBTQ-related acts also saw a decline but remained concerning with 33 reported cases.

Cultural Shifts and Implications

The report suggests that cultural shifts away from Christianity may contribute to an environment where attacks on churches are more tolerated. With church attendance declining from 42% to 30% over the past two decades, societal pressure to deter such crimes may be weakening. The Family Research Council emphasizes the need for government action to protect religious freedom and prevent further hostility.

Government Response and Future Outlook

In response to these challenges, President Donald Trump issued an executive order creating a task force to address anti-Christian bias. The Family Research Council calls for continued efforts at all government levels to safeguard religious freedom and prosecute those responsible for targeting churches.