A new report from Family Research Council (FRC) shows that there were 415 attacks on churches in 2025, affecting 383 different churches.
The report, Hostility Against Churches in the United States: Analyzing Incidents from 2024, explains that these attacks include vandalism, arson, gun-related incidents and bomb threats. Other crimes included “physical assault, disruption of church services, and general threats of harm.”
FRC notes that these are reported attacks, but “many cases likely went unreported to law enforcement or unpublished by news outlets or other publicly available sources,” which the organization relied on as sources for the data.
The organization, which advocates in Washington, D.C., for life, marriage, family, free speech and religious freedom, was founded by Dr. James Dobson in 1983. From 1988 to 1992, FRC was a division under Focus on the Family.
The first report on hostility against churches was published in 2022, but that initial analysis “covered incidents that occurred between January 2018 and September 2022.” While 2023 had the highest number of crimes against churches, at 485, this past year had the second highest number. Overall, there has been a significant increase in attacks on churches since 2018.
The report explains the types of crimes that took place in 2024.
Vandalism was once again the category with the most incidents (284). There were also 55 instances of arson, 14 bomb threats, and 47 “other.” The number of gun-related incidents (28) was more than double the previous year’s total (12). Thirteen incidents fell into more than one category, the most frequent combination being vandalism paired with either gun-related incidents or other forms of physical aggression.
Regarding those acts of vandalism, FRC found,
Some acts of vandalism appear to have been motivated by anger toward a particular church or churches in general. Other incidents seemed to have had political motivations, targeting churches based on their views regarding human sexuality or dignity.
Some perpetrators were juveniles or individuals likely dealing with mental health challenges. A few vandals appeared motivated by financial gain, stealing valuable materials such as copper wiring and air conditioning parts. Several incidents were investigated as hate crimes.
The report indicates our popular culture has become more hostile toward and intolerant of Christianity and “is often treated lightly or outright mocked.”
The report acknowledges that President Trump signed an executive order, Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias to combat animosity toward people of faith. In addition, as the Daily Citizen reported, the president launched a Religious Liberty Commission to safeguard our religious freedom.
But in a press release, FRC President Tony Perkins spoke about the reality that Christians must continue to battle for the First Amendment guarantee of religious liberty, “Religious freedom is seldom handed to the passive; it is claimed by those who exercise it even when a hostile culture says they may not.”
This report clearly shows religious freedom faces substantial threats here at home. The American left intentionally spreads its hostility toward the Christian faith throughout every corner of America.
We applaud the efforts of the Trump administration, but efforts must be taken at every level of government to protect and promote this fundamental human right. Christians must expect and demand more from their government leaders when it comes to prosecuting and preventing criminal acts targeting religious freedom.
The report explains, “Not all crimes against churches are motivated by hatred for Christianity,” adding,
“Some vandals appear to be motivated by financial gain through theft, while other culprits are teenagers engaging in a destructive pastime. However, there are still incidents that seem to be targeting churches intentionally and with malicious intent.”
But the overall affect is very harmful to churches and church members.
“Regardless of the perpetrator’s motives, such crimes can leave churches in physical, financial, and emotional disarray. Some churches struggle to cover the costs of repairs and fear future offenses.”
FRC Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs Travis Weber expressed his hope that “Hostility Against Churches” would cause others to “sit up and take notice.”
The fact that hundreds of churches around the United States are denigrated in this manner highlights the broader reality that Christians, Jews, and others are no longer “automatically” safe to live and worship in peace in the United States – a trend that is at work in other Western countries as well.
Government leaders should do their part in ensuring that our laws and constitutional protections for the free exercise of religion are enforced, and our culture and its institutions must do their part in ensuring honor and respect for religious freedom.
Weber concluded with a warning for believers, saying, “Meanwhile, we must prepare ourselves for how to live amid such hostility, should this trend continue or perhaps get even worse.”
Read the full report, Hostility Against Churches in the United States: 2024.
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