Religion under pressure: Where governments restrict faith the most

A new study reveals that nearly 60 countries now enforce strict limits on religious practices, with governments playing an active role in controlling what people believe and how they express it. The findings, gathered by researchers who track religious freedom worldwide, show that restrictions have grown in many regions, reaching levels not seen in years. While some nations impose rules that seem minor—like banning certain clothing worn for religious reasons—others go much further, punishing people for their faith or forcing them to abandon it. The areas facing the toughest crackdowns are in the Middle East and North Africa, where every single country reported some form of government interference in religion last year. Half of these nations also restricted religious attire, making it harder for people to follow their traditions openly. Europe, often seen as a place of tolerance, has also seen an uptick in restrictions, with governments criticized for not doing enough to protect religious groups from discrimination.China stands out for its heavy control over religion, with authorities monitoring worshippers, limiting religious education, and allegedly mistreating Muslim minorities in one region. The Taliban in Afghanistan has taken extreme measures, forcing strict religious rules on society and targeting anyone who doesn’t follow their version of Islam. Iran, too, has a long history of targeting religious minorities, especially the Baha’i faith and converts from Islam, by arresting worshippers and penalizing dissenting beliefs. Even in some Western countries, religious freedom is not fully guaranteed. France, for example, has faced criticism for policies that some argue limit religious expression. Other nations like Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania have also seen rising restrictions, partly because governments struggle to prevent discrimination or provide fair solutions when conflicts arise. The data comes from a system that scores countries based on 20 different measures of religious control, from harassment to funding discrimination. Nations like the U. S. scored low on this scale, meaning it has fewer government-imposed barriers to faith. But in other places, the rules are so strict that people risk punishment just for practicing their religion openly.