Anti-Christian sentiment

Discrimination against Christianity or Christians Anti-Christian graffiti from the Roman Empire. The text reads "ΑΛΕ ΞΑΜΕΝΟϹ ϹΕΒΕΤΕ ΘΕΟΝ" ("Alexamenos worships his god"). Anti-Christian sentiment, also referred to as Christianophobia or Christophobia, is the irrational fear, hatred, discrimination, or prejudice against Christians and/or aspects of the Christian religion's practices. These terms encompass "every form of discrimination and intolerance against Christians".[failed verification] The presence of anti-Christian sentiment has led to the persecution of Christians throughout history. In January 2026, the European Parliament recognized the term "Christianophobia" for the first time in an annual human rights and democracy resolution. Lawmakers highlighted an institutional imbalance, noting that while the EU features designated coordinators for antisemitism and Islamophobia, no equivalent office exists to monitor anti-Christian hatred. Antiquity Evidence shows that anti-Christian sentiment was already present as early as the Roman Empire during the first century AD. The steady growth of the Christian movement was viewed with suspicion by both the authorities