For generations, Baptists have affirmed religious freedom as a sacred gift from God — not a privilege granted by governments. That conviction calls Baptists today to pay close attention to the suffering of Christians in Myanmar (Burma), where faith itself has become a target of state-sponsored violence.
Since the Burmese military overthrew the country’s democratically elected government on Feb. 1, 2021, repression has escalated into open war. The military — known as the Tatmadaw — has not only crushed political dissent, but also has systematically targeted faith communities, particularly Christians, as a means of control and intimidation.
For more stories at your doorstep, subscribe to The Baptist Paper.
SIGN UP for our weekly Highlights emails.
From the earliest days of the coup, the Tatmadaw demonstrated its willingness to use violence against civilians, firing on unarmed protesters in the streets of Yangon. By the end of 2021, it had launched a full-scale assault on communities across the countryside. Historically, Myanmar’s ethnic and religious minorities have borne the greatest cost under military rule.
Today, Christians are experiencing a similar pattern of targeted repression.
As the military attempts to legitimize its rule through sham elections, violence against churches and Christian communities has intensified. These elections are not free or fair. Instead, fear, displacement and religious repression are used to compel participation and silence dissent — especially in ethnic minority regions where Christianity is deeply woven into community life.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Zo Tum Hmung and Robin D. Stoops and originally published by Baptist Standard.
