11 Facts About Religious Discrimination

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1. Religious discrimination is unequal treatment of an individual or group based on their beliefs.^["Religious Discrimination." Religious Discrimination. http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/religion.cfm (accessed July 27, 2014).]
2. In 2012, religious hostilities increased in every major region of the world except the Americas.^["Religious Hostilities Reach Six-Year High." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. http://www.pewforum.org/2014/01/14/religious-hostilities-reach-six-year-high/ (accessed July 29, 2014).]
3. While Americans are protected under the First Amendment to practice religion freely, hundreds of countries are not protected by their government and instead harassed for their beliefs.^["Compliance Manual Section 12 - Religious Discrimination." Compliance Manual Section 12 - Religious Discrimination. http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/religion.html (accessed July 29, 2014).]
4. In a four-year study of religious discrimination around the world (2006-2010), Christians were the most-discriminated against group, experiencing harassment by the government and society in 168 countries.^["Rising Tide of Restrictions on Religion." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. http://www.pewforum.org/2012/09/20/rising-tide-of-restrictions-on-religion-findings/#groups (accessed July 29, 2014).]
5. Muslims make up the second largest religious population in the world and were discriminated against in 121 countries worldwide between 2006 and 2010.^["Rising Tide of Restrictions on Religion." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. http://www.pewforum.org/2012/09/20/rising-tide-of-restrictions-on-religion-findings/#groups (accessed July 29, 2014).]
6. As of, 2009-2010, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Indonesia had high restrictions on religious freedom.^["Rising Tide of Restrictions on Religion." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. http://www.pewforum.org/2012/09/20/rising-tide-of-restrictions-on-religion-findings/#groups (accessed July 29, 2014).]
7. Harassment of women over religious dress occurred in nearly 1/3 of countries in 2012^["Religious Hostilities Reach Six-Year High." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. http://www.pewforum.org/2014/01/14/religious-hostilities-reach-six-year-high/ (accessed July 29, 2014).]
8. Jews make up less than 1% of the population, yet experience discrimination in 85 countries — the third most of any religious group.^["Rising Tide of Restrictions on Religion." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. http://www.pewforum.org/2012/09/20/rising-tide-of-restrictions-on-religion-findings/#groups (accessed July 29, 2014).]
9. After the political uprisings in 2010-2011 known as the Arab Spring, the Middle East and North Africa experienced an increase in religious hostilities.^["Religious Hostilities Reach Six-Year High." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. http://www.pewforum.org/2014/01/14/religious-hostilities-reach-six-year-high/ (accessed July 29, 2014).]
10. Government hostilities can include favoritism of a religious group, limits on conversion, foreign missionaries, attempts to eliminate a group, prohibition of worship or practice of certain beliefs, violence towards a minority group, and more.^["Religious Hostilities Reach Six-Year High." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. http://www.pewforum.org/2014/01/14/religious-hostilities-reach-six-year-high/ (accessed July 29, 2014).]
11. Nearly 50% of countries increased their religious discrimination between 2009 and 2010, and only 32% saw decreases.^["Rising Tide of Restrictions on Religion." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. http://www.pewforum.org/2012/09/20/rising-tide-of-restrictions-on-religion-findings/#groups (accessed July 29, 2014).]