I want to cover both positive developments and approaches as well as the very severe problems. I will begin by examining some of the reasons for religious persecution. The reasons differ from country to country and within particular countries from religious group to religious group. One reason is a fear of external influences. Many Asian countries are particularly sensitive to the prospect that there will be destabilizing external influences.
China is very vocal in that regard, as are a number of other Asian countries.
Many religions are considered foreign and are therefore particular targets. In some cases, groups that have a separatist agenda are often also both ethnically and religiously identified. Sometimes these groups are supported by external religious organizations or people who are identified with a particular religion. There is also fear in a number of these countries regarding internal political stability and the integrity of borders. Third, many of these countries fear religions, both domestic and foreign, as possible alternate sources of legitimacy and allegiance on the part of the people that may undermine the state s ability to control its population.