FBI data reveals a shocking 100% increase in attacks on religious institutions since 2021, leaving communities fearful and congregations implementing armed security measures to protect their places of worship.
Key Takeaways
- Attacks on religious facilities have doubled from 2021 to 2023, according to FBI data, prompting the Justice Department to prioritize prosecutions with severe penalties.
- Religious institutions across America are implementing heightened security measures including armed guards and alarm systems in response to the growing threat.
- The Department of Justice recently closed a federal civil rights investigation into a Muslim-centered planned community near Dallas, finding no Fair Housing Act violations.
- White nationalism has been identified as a significant driver behind many attacks, particularly targeting minority religious communities and LGBTQ-friendly congregations.
- Recent high-profile prosecutions include individuals sentenced to decades in prison for plotting attacks on religious establishments.
Religious Communities Living in Fear
The wave of violence targeting houses of worship across America has left religious communities on edge, forcing many to balance their spiritual duties with unprecedented security concerns. Alan Hausman, president of the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, still carries the weight of the 2018 attack that claimed 11 lives at his congregation. The psychological toll continues years after the tragedy, affecting how religious leaders approach their sacred duties and community outreach. For many congregations, worship now occurs under the watchful eyes of armed security personnel, with elaborate camera systems and emergency protocols that would have seemed unthinkable just a decade ago.
“Every time I see another attack, it’s like someone picked the scab off of my wound,” Alan Hausman, President of the Tree of Life synagogue board
The statistics paint a disturbing picture. FBI data confirms that attacks on religious institutions have increased by nearly 100% between 2021 and 2023. This dramatic rise has particularly affected synagogues, which have experienced increased vandalism and harassment following events in Israel. Many congregations report spending significant portions of their budgets on security measures rather than community services or religious education. The financial burden compounds the emotional strain as houses of worship struggle to maintain their primary mission while ensuring the safety of their congregants.
Justice Department’s Aggressive Response
President Trump’s Justice Department has made combating attacks on religious establishments a top priority, viewing these crimes not merely as property damage or assault but as acts of domestic terrorism designed to intimidate faith communities. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon has taken a particularly strong stance, pushing for maximum sentences for perpetrators. Recent prosecutions demonstrate this commitment, including the 25-year sentence handed down to Rui Zhang for plotting an attack on a Virginia church and the conviction of Zimnako Saleh for targeting churches across multiple states.
“I think it’s a form of terrorism, because attacks on churches are meant to terrorize people. And they’re meant to deter people from going there. And so it makes everyone feel unsafe,” Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.
The Justice Department’s approach reflects an understanding that these attacks represent more than isolated incidents. They form part of a broader pattern of intimidation against religious communities, particularly those from minority faiths. Kevin Colantonio, who pleaded guilty to setting fires at a predominantly black church, and Elias Rodriguez, accused of murdering Israeli embassy officials, represent just two examples of the government’s expanding caseload. The administration has made it clear that attacks motivated by religious hatred will face swift prosecution and severe consequences.
The White Nationalism Connection
A disturbing aspect of the rising violence against religious institutions is its connection to white nationalist ideologies. The Southern Poverty Law Center has documented this trend, noting that many attacks specifically target minority religious communities and those known for welcoming LGBTQ members. This ideological component adds another layer of complexity to law enforcement efforts, requiring intelligence gathering and monitoring of extremist groups alongside traditional investigative techniques. The deliberate targeting of vulnerable communities suggests these attacks are not random acts but calculated attempts to intimidate specific religious groups.
“We want to shut that threat down by making sure that no one feels like churches, houses of worship, or people of faith are soft targets in the United States. That is why it’s a priority,” Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.
While the Justice Department has aggressively pursued perpetrators, the deeper challenge involves addressing the ideological roots of religious hatred. Education initiatives and community outreach programs represent important complementary efforts to the law enforcement response. Religious leaders have called for greater interfaith dialogue and solidarity, emphasizing that an attack on any house of worship represents an attack on religious freedom itself. These collaborative approaches aim to build resilience within communities while supporting law enforcement’s deterrence efforts.
Muslim Community Development Cleared After Investigation
In a related development highlighting religious liberty concerns, the Justice Department recently closed its federal civil rights investigation into EPIC City, a Muslim-centered planned community near Dallas, without filing charges. The investigation began after Senator John Cornyn raised concerns about potential discrimination against Christians and Jews. The developers, Community Capital Partners (CCP), maintained throughout that they were being unfairly targeted due to their Muslim identity. The Justice Department’s decision validates their position that the development complies with the Fair Housing Act and will be open to people of all faiths.
“The false accusations that have been swirling around the development were based solely on misinformation, lies, and false rumors,” Dan Cogdell, Attorney for EPIC City.
The controversy surrounding EPIC City highlights the challenges facing Muslim communities in particular. The development, which plans to include over 1,000 homes, a faith-based school, and various community facilities, faced multiple investigations from state officials and allegations of imposing Islamic law. The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned these investigations as discriminatory and violating religious freedom principles. This case illustrates the delicate balance between legitimate government oversight and potential religious discrimination, with implications for how faith communities develop their infrastructure in an increasingly polarized environment.
The Path Forward
As attacks on religious establishments continue to rise, America faces a pivotal moment in protecting one of its foundational principles: religious freedom. The Justice Department’s aggressive prosecution strategy represents an important first step, but sustainable solutions will require broader community engagement and bipartisan cooperation. Religious leaders are increasingly collaborating across denominational lines, sharing security protocols and standing in solidarity when any faith community is targeted. These interfaith initiatives strengthen the resilience of all religious institutions while demonstrating unity against intimidation tactics.
For many congregations, the way forward involves difficult practical considerations about security balanced against their spiritual mission of openness and welcome. Metal detectors, security guards, and surveillance systems have become standard features at many houses of worship, particularly those belonging to minority faiths. Despite these challenges, religious communities across America remain committed to their spiritual missions, refusing to allow threats and intimidation to diminish their faith practices. Their resilience in the face of rising violence represents a powerful testament to America’s enduring commitment to religious liberty.
