Religiously motivated hate crimes in England and Wales reached their highest level on record last year, according to new figures from the Home Office.
The data showed more than 7,164 offenses were reported, including 502 targeted at Christians.
Speaking to Premier Christian News, Nims Obunge, CEO of The Peace Alliance and pastor of Freedoms Ark, said the findings revealed “an unfortunate reality” about growing hostility toward Christianity in the U.K.
He said, “We need to recognize that an unfortunate reality is dawning upon us as a nation… there is increasing antagonism against our Christian faith and a conversation still to be had about why love is sometimes received with hatred.”
According to the Home Office, there was a three percent increase in religious hate crimes recorded by police overall, with hate crimes targeted at Muslims rising by almost a fifth, while offenses against Jewish people fell by 18 percent.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said too many people were “living in fear because of who they are or what they believe” and promised £50 million in funding to help keep places of worship safe.
Pastor Obunge added that part of the issue stems from “a lack of understanding of our faith” and urged churches and government to work together to “build unity, trust, and peace across all communities.”
The Peace Alliance is planning a national conference on hate crime, calling on faith groups to “respond together rather than react in fear.”