Attacks on U.S. Churches Doubled in 2024, Report Shows
A new report released by the Washington-based conservative Christian advocacy organization, The Family Research Council (FRC), recorded over 400 acts of hostility against churches across the United States. FRC's "Hostility against Churches in the United States" report, which was released Monday morning, ranged from vandalism and arson to gun-related threats, bomb hoaxes, and physical assaults.
The report found at least 415 hostile acts across 43 states, affecting 383 churches, based on open-source documents, media reports, and official records, The Christian Post reported.
"Although the motivations for many of these incidents remain unknown, the rise in crimes against churches is taking place in a context in which fewer Americans are attending religious services or identifying with a specific faith," the report notes.
Following the report's release, FRC President Tony Perkins noted "how religious freedom faces substantial threats here at home."
"The American woke Left has been intentional in spreading its hostility toward the Christian faith throughout every corner of America," Perkins wrote on X. "We applaud the efforts of the Trump administration, but efforts must be taken at every level of government to protect and promote this fundamental human right."
Today, @FRCdc released the newest edition of its Hostility Against Churches report.
— Tony Perkins (@tperkins) August 11, 2025
This report clearly shows religious freedom faces substantial threats here at home.
The American woke Left has been intentional in spreading its hostility toward the Christian faith throughout… pic.twitter.com/UiinmF44Rl
Although the total was lower than the number of reported incidents in 2023, which was about 485, it was still above the yearly totals from 2018 to 2022. The overall total number of recorded incidents in 2018 amounts to 1,384 incidents.
"Although the motivations for many of these incidents remain unknown, the rise in crimes against churches is taking place in a context in which fewer Americans are attending religious services or identifying with a specific faith," the report noted.
In a 2024 Gallup report, only 30% of U.S. adults attend religious services regularly, down from 42% two decades ago.
"It is important to note that not all crimes against churches are motivated by hatred for Christianity. Some vandals appear to be motivated by financial gain through theft, while other culprits are teenagers engaging in a destructive pastime," the report states.
"However, there are still incidents that seem to be targeting church intentionally and with malicious intent. Regardless of the perpetrator's motives, such crimes can leave churches in physical, financial, and emotional disarray. Some churches struggle to cover the costs of repairs and fear future offenses."
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Christin Lola
Originally published August 12, 2025.
