The Government is to hold a summit between Britain's major political and faith leaders to tackle the growing problem of Christian persecution across the globe.
The meeting, which is expected to take place early in the New Year, follows comments by Faith Minister Baroness Warsi, who said Christianity is in danger of 'extinction' in some countries because of the growing persecution against believers.
Christians are being reportedly driven out of regions in countries such as Syria and Iraq, where the religion first took root. In a speech at Georgetown University in Washington DC, the senior Foreign Office minister called for unity in confronting the intolerance and sectarianism that leads to minority communities being persecuted around the world, including a "mass exodus" of Christians.
Baroness Warsi, Britain's most senior Muslim politician, said the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities is a "global crisis".
"There are parts of the world today where to be a Christian is to put your life in danger. From continent to continent, Christians are facing discrimination, ostracism, torture, even murder, simply for the faith they follow," she said. Adding: "Christian populations are plummeting and the religion is being driven out of some of its historic heartlands.
There is even talk of Christianity becoming extinct in places where it has existed for generations – where the faith was born."
Baroness Warsi argued for a "spirit of unity" to "stir the world" against the persecution of religious minorities.
"From Apartheid to gay rights, intolerance and inequality have only been defeated when the mainstream has got behind the cause," she said.
John Newton from anti-persecution organisation Aid to the Church in Need told Premier's News Hour what he thinks can stop the exodus:
Last week, an MP told a parliamentary debate that the persecution of Christians today should be compared to the Kristallnacht attack on Jews instigated by the Nazis.
Listing "a preponderance" of anti-Christian violence, including forced conversions on pain of death, kidnappings and attacks in Christian homes, churches and businesses, Fiona Bruce MP highlighted increasing reports of "extreme persecution", especially in the Middle East. The MP told Premier's Des Busteed on the News Hour now is the time to act.
Numerous MPs such as Stephen Timms also highlighted problems for Christians in Iran, including Andrew Selous who highlighted the case of Farshid Fathi, imprisoned since December 2010 and serving a six-year term "simply for wanting to run a church".
And David Simpson MP said: "It is estimated that 130 countries around the world persecute Christians. Every hour, a Christian is tortured and murdered somewhere in the world. Surely, in this day and age, something more can be done to protect people and their faith."
David Burrowes MP said: "The term 'Christian persecution' is sometimes bandied about carelessly... if there is Christian persecution in this country then at worst its victim is likely to be sued, but in the Middle East the victim will be killed. That is the stark reality that we are facing."
Fiona Bruce also said the persecution of Christians in the Middle East by militant Islamists is a problem with global implications which the Government in the UK must respond to.
She expressed her hope, "as a result [of this debate], we will have many more debates in the House on the persecution of Christians" to press the Government to do more to protect and help Christians being persecuted around the world. Commenting, Foreign Office Minister, Hugo Swire MP, said: "Protecting human rights, including religious freedom, is an important part of British foreign policy."