Animism

Officially, there are about 21 million animists in mainland Southeast Asia, but in reality, belief in the spirit world permeates nearly every major belief system in the region. Fear of angering the spirits is a major obstacle to the acceptance of Christianity. Those who leave animism to follow Jesus are often blamed for any negative event that happens in their family or village. And in extreme cases, converts to Christianity are banished, imprisoned, and even threatened with death to appease the spirits.

Buddhism

Although animism has been around longer, today Buddhism is the dominant religion in Southeast Asia, with over 175 million adherents. Officially, it is peaceable and tolerant of other belief systems, but it is deeply ingrained in both the cultural and national identities, and it is the state religion in both Cambodia and Myanmar. To forsake Buddhism for Christianity not only brings shame to one’s family but also offense to their country. In many Buddhist areas, the spread of the gospel is actively and sometimes violently resisted. For example, while many Buddhists oppose the current regime in Myanmar, Christians and other minority groups have been most heavily targeted by the military in the country’s current civil war.

Communism

More than 100 million people in Southeast Asia live under communist rule, with its secular, atheistic ideology. While Christianity is formally recognized by the government, it is viewed with suspicion because of its Western influence. This frequently leads to restrictions on public evangelism and the persecution of Christians in communist countries.