The latest mass shooting at a Minnesota Catholic school underscores a dangerous trend: America’s churches are increasingly under siege. New data reveal that political violence, arson, and even attempted massacres at houses of worship are not isolated events but part of a disturbing rise in hostility toward religion.
According to the Family Research Council (FRC), a conservative, evangelical group in Washington, DC, between January 2018 and December 2024, 1,384 incidents of hostility against churches were documented. Fox News highlighted the most recent tragedy:
The report comes amid the Wednesday morning shooting that unfolded at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minnesota, leaving two children dead and 18 others injured, including more than a dozen kids from the school.
The scope of the crisis is staggering.
The group recorded 50 incidents in 2018, 83 in 2019, 55 in 2020 and 98 in 2021. The report then found a dramatic rise in incidents beginning in 2022 when there were 198 recorded instances, followed by 485 in 2023 and 415 in 2024.
Even though 2024 saw a slight dip, the situation remains dire.
“In 2024, the number of incidents leveled off with 415. However, this total from one 12-month span is nearly equal to the findings from our very first report, which covered 57 months.”
California led the nation with 40 attacks, followed by Pennsylvania (29), Florida and New York (25 each), Texas (23), and Tennessee and Ohio (19).
But the most chilling development is the rise in gun violence.
“Gun-related incidents were the only notable increase in comparison to previous years. In 2023, there were 12 such incidents, but that number jumped to 28 in 2024.”
One of those incidents nearly turned catastrophic:
“A man walked into Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church and pointed a gun at the pastor mid-sermon. A church deacon quickly tackled the gunman, preventing a potential tragedy.”
Arson, vandalism, and bomb threats continue to devastate communities. In Ohio, four churches in two counties were completely destroyed by fire within months. In Houston, Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church was attacked when a woman opened fire inside during services.
As the report warns:
“Acts of hostility against churches can send the message—regardless of whether it is the perpetrator’s intent—that churches are not wanted in the community or respected in general. This may cause congregants or church leaders to feel unsafe.”
With declining church attendance and pop culture openly mocking Christianity, the normalization of hostility toward faith is fueling violence. What used to be safe sanctuaries are now frontline targets in America’s growing political and cultural battles.
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