There has been an alarming increase in violent attacks on churches in the United States over the past five years, according to a report from the Family Research Council (FRC).
The organization released its 2024 analysis of attacks on US churches and found at least 415 incidents. “[A]cts of vandalism remained the most prevalent type of hostility against churches, accounting for 284 of the 415 incidents.” Researchers found 55 arson attacks, 28 gun-related incidents, and 14 bomb threats against churches.
FRC warned that “with Christianity seemingly losing influence and respect in American life…there may be less societal pressure to discourage would-be criminals from targeting churches.”
🚨415 Churches Got Attacked Last Year
— Tyler O'Neil (@Tyler2ONeil) August 12, 2025
Yes, right here in the United States.
The Family Research Council @FRCdc keeps a tally, and the 415 churches that got attacked last year didn't even represent the worst year for churches in America😲
Here's more from the report.
🧵1/10 pic.twitter.com/Qv28Vk2fJ5
Reports of vandalism ranged from smashed windows to major thefts. In some cases, the vandals caused six-figure worth of damage. “It was angry, intentional, from all I could see,” said a Texas pastor whose church was targeted. “It hurts me there is that kind of anger towards a church.”
Four churches in Ohio faced serious damage from arsonists. A church secretary in Tennessee lost her life in an arson attack. In Florida, a woman who had received assistance from a church torched the building with the flames reaching “30 feet high before firefighters managed to extinguish them.”
In another disturbing incident, a man pointed a pistol at a pastor in the middle of a sermon in Pennsylvania. Fortunately, churchgoers tackled the man before he could open fire.
A "man" breaks into a church in North Braddock, Pennsylvania and tries to kiII the pastor but luckily the gun jams. Christians are under attack everywhere. pic.twitter.com/mufabNGAKa
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) May 6, 2024
Some of the attacks appear to be motivated by political ideology. In Florida, a man carried out a bomb threat when he left packages with notes decrying “wokism,” taxes, the war in Ukraine, and other grievances. In another incident, a Kentucky church staffer was assaulted with a hammer.
The report notes that “although the total number of incidents did not increase in 2024, it remained high, indicating a persistent lack of respect and even intolerance toward Christianity and religion in America.”
Other violent incidents involve pro-abortion activists targeting churches for espousing pro-life positions. After a Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe v. Wade was leaked to the public, a spate of pro-abortion violence against churches and pro-life organizations ensued. Vandals hurled Molotov cocktails at church buildings and wrote pro-abortion messages in graffiti on the buildings.
WAKE UP, PATRIOTS! Over 500 Christian churches attacked in America since 2020—arsons, vandalism, destruction surging! While leftists scream "tolerance," flames devour our sacred heritage. Is this the "progress" they promised? Or a war on faith? Buckle up—this thread exposes the… pic.twitter.com/U74CYabqAf
— Saggezza Eterna (@FinalTelegraph) August 9, 2025
However, many of the attacks did not involve political ideology. Instead, they were crimes of opportunity or personal vendettas. Some of the perpetrators stole copper wiring, air conditioners, and other items so they could sell them for financial gain. The report noted that “not all crimes against churches are motivated by hatred for Christianity.”
However, these attacks reveal a troubling reality: Respect for the church and Christianity seems to be waning in America. It might be tempting to believe that Christianity’s influence has also diminished over recent years. In some ways, I believe this is true.
A Gallup poll released in March 2024 showed that between 2021 and 2023, only 30 percent of adults attended religious services weekly or nearly weekly. This represents a 12-point drop from 42 percent in 2000 to 2003.
But I have to ask the question: If Christianity is no longer as influential in America, then why is it being targeted at unprecedented levels? After all, if the church isn’t exercising influence over the culture, there wouldn’t be a reason for these attacks, would there?
This tells me that while Christianity’s role in American society has taken a serious hit, it is not yet irrelevant. There are some who still view the church as a threat to their ideological agenda. This means all is not lost. Christians still have a strong voice in America. It’s critical that we make sure this doesn’t change.
