Faith-Based Security Headlines
These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.
Upcoming FB-ISAO Event: Standing Up Teams
For various reasons, many houses of worship are devoid of a formal security team. Though that is a difficult reality, there are things that can be done to help enhance your organization’s security posture, even with limited resources. This session will explore ideas around a bottom-up approach to protecting the house of worship and its members, investing in skills to beef up the sole practitioner’s knowledge and skills, and considering ways to leverage community-based resources. Most importantly, this session will help members with attaining the perspective and support needed to not burn out! For more information on Standing Up Teams visit FB-ISAO Standing up Teams.
White Supremacist Propaganda Focused on Jews and Immigrants in 2024
The ADL’s 2024 report on white supremacist propaganda reveals a troubling nationwide trend, with such propaganda being distributed in every U.S. state (except Hawaii) and D.C. The majority of these materials focused on antisemitic and anti-immigrant themes. Many white supremacist groups blamed Jews for the presence of non-white immigrant populations, while others targeted all minority communities with generalized hatred. Recruitment was also a common goal, with many propaganda pieces containing group contact information like URLs and QR codes. While the focus on Israel and Zionists remained present, it was less pronounced compared to the aftermath of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Additionally, anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda saw a decline in 2024.
Analyst Comments: The ADL’s 2024 report on white supremacist propaganda highlights significant concerns from a Faith-Based perspective, particularly in relation to antisemitism. The widespread distribution of propaganda that targets Jewish communities, accusing them of conspiracies, spreading harmful myths, and promoting hate, underscores the deep-rooted religious intolerance still present in society. Faith-Based institutions should combat the spread the hate through education, interfaith collaboration, and by advocating for policies that protect the rights of vulnerable populations.
Attorney General James Urges Jewish Communities to be Cautious of Discriminatory Practices Ahead of Passover
New York Attorney General Letita James issued a consumer alert on March 27, 2025, urging Jewish communities to be vigilant against discriminatory pricing practices leading up to Passover. Reports have emerged of car wash businesses in predominantly Orthodox Jewish areas charging higher prices for Jewish customers seeking services for Passover cleaning, which is illegal under New York law. James emphasized that exploiting religious observances is unacceptable and called on anyone who experiences such discrimination to report it. The alert also warns against potential price gouging for Passover-related goods and services, including food, cleaning services, and travel accommodations.
Analyst Comments: The New York Attorney General’s alert highlights an important issue from a Faith-Based perspective: the ethical and moral obligations that businesses and individuals have to treat all customers fairly, regardless of religious background. Passover, which celebrates freedom and the liberation of the Israelites, hold profound meaning for Jewish people, and the exploitation of this sacred time for financial gain can be seen as a violation of the values of respect and dignity. We are entering a period of significant holidays for multiple religions around the world, and the FB-ISAO will be updating our threat assessment in the coming todays.
Report by Christian body shows sharp rise in violence against community in 2024, UP most hostile
A report by the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) revealed a significant rise in violence against Christians in India in 2024, with over 840 incidents, up from 601 in 2023. The attacks included physical assaults, church vandalism, disruptions of prayer meetings, and wrongful arrests under anti-conversion laws. Utter Pradesh was identities as the most hostile state, with 188 incidents. The report highlighted the misuse of anti-conversion laws to target Christians, and emphasized the vulnerability of religious minorities, especially during politically sensitive periods. The EFI urged the government and civil society to uphold the constitutional promise of religious freedom for all.
Analyst Comments: The rise in violence against Christians in India, highlighted by the Evangelical Fellowship of India’s 2024 report, raises significant concerns for from a Faith-Based perspective. Religious freedom is a core principle in many faith traditions, and the increasing attack on Christians, particularly during religious observances and prayer gatherings, directly conflicts with the fundamental values. Faith-Based organizations can provide essential support to affected communities and can help nurture resilience and hope within communities facing persecution.
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