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The Aaron Renn Show

AUSTIN KNUPPE: The Fate of Middle Eastern Christians

Oct 14, 2024
Austin Knuppe, an assistant professor at Utah State University and expert on Middle Eastern politics, discusses the plight of dwindling Christian communities in the region. He highlights the historical significance of these groups, particularly in Lebanon and Egypt, and challenges misconceptions about their identities. Knuppe argues that America's Global War on Terror has accelerated their decline, particularly following the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The conversation also touches on the awareness gap among American Christians regarding the persecution faced by their Middle Eastern counterparts.
40:54

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Quick takeaways

  • The decline of Middle Eastern Christian communities has sharply accelerated due to U.S. foreign policy and military interventions since 2003.
  • A significant gap exists in American Christians' awareness of the rich historical presence and struggles of Eastern Christian populations, impacting advocacy efforts.

Deep dives

Demographics of Christianity in the Middle East

Christian communities in the Middle East are historically concentrated in countries such as Israel, Palestine, Egypt, and Lebanon. Presently, Christians make up less than 10% of the population in most of these countries, with Lebanon having the largest Christian plurality at around 25%. Despite the shrinking numbers, Egypt's Coptic Christians still represent a notable population, estimated between 10% to 15%. Interestingly, recent calculations suggest there are now more Christians in Egypt today than during the time of the Islamic conquest, reflecting a significant numerical presence despite the percentage decline.

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