Indonesia

What’s Life Like For Christians?

Indonesia has taken on a more conservative Islamic character in recent years, which puts pressure on Christians, especially those from Muslim backgrounds.

Indonesians brought up as Muslims who become Christian believers will likely face disapproval and rejection, verbal abuse, and social isolation. In some cases, families will withdraw all support, and married women may keep their new faith secret to avoid the threat of their husbands divorcing them. Some women are faced with lots of psychological abuse, including death threats, for practising Christianity.

If a church is seen to be preaching and spreading the gospel, they soon run into opposition from Islamic extremist groups, especially in rural areas. In some regions of Indonesia, non-traditional churches struggle to get permission for church buildings, with the authorities often ignoring their paperwork.