I. Introduction: Faith Under Fire 
In Colombia, religious minorities often find themselves trapped in the middle of ongoing conflicts between guerrillas, paramilitaries, and criminal groups. Churches, congregations, and faith-based organisations are targeted, not because of their beliefs alone, but because they represent centres of community organisation and moral authority. As a result, religious minorities face persecution, violence, and displacement, forcing many to seek refuge abroad. Their plight illustrates how Colombia’s conflict undermines not only politics and security but also freedom of faith. 

II. Historical Role of Religion in Colombia 
Religion has long been central to Colombian society, with Catholicism historically dominant. However, the growth of Protestant, Evangelical, and other minority faiths has reshaped the religious landscape. While these groups provide essential social services, education, and humanitarian aid, their independence and community influence have made them targets of armed groups seeking control. 

III. Targeting of Religious Leaders 
Religious leaders are frequently targeted by armed groups for speaking out against violence, corruption, and human rights abuses. Pastors, priests, and lay leaders have been threatened, kidnapped, or killed for refusing to cooperate with guerrillas or paramilitaries. Their moral authority and role as protectors of vulnerable communities make them both influential and vulnerable. 

IV. Protestant and Evangelical Communities at Risk 
Protestant and Evangelical churches, especially in rural areas, face intimidation and harassment. Armed groups accuse them of spreading ‘foreign’ ideas or undermining traditional authority. These congregations, which often shelter displaced families, are accused of siding with one faction or another, leading to violent reprisals. 

V. Indigenous Spiritual Traditions 
Indigenous communities practising traditional spiritual beliefs are among the most at risk. Armed groups often invade their territories, disrupting sacred sites and persecuting spiritual leaders. These violations amount to cultural erasure, compounding the humanitarian crises already affecting indigenous Colombians. 

VI. Religious Institutions as Safe Havens 
Churches and religious institutions frequently serve as sanctuaries for displaced persons. This humanitarian role, however, places them in direct conflict with armed actors, who view these sanctuaries as threats to their control. As a result, religious institutions are often attacked, raided, or monitored. 

VII. Harassment by State Forces 
Religious minorities not only face threats from guerrillas and paramilitaries but also from state security forces. Faith leaders critical of corruption or human rights abuses are subject to harassment, surveillance, and arbitrary detention. This adds another layer of persecution, leaving religious minorities trapped between multiple hostile actors. 

VIII. Gendered Violence Against Women of Faith 
Women in religious minorities face particular risks, including sexual violence and harassment. Female faith leaders, or women active in church groups, are targeted both for their activism and their gender. This violence reinforces patriarchal exclusion while silencing voices of dissent within religious communities. 

IX. Internal Displacement and Migration 
Religious minorities disproportionately suffer from displacement. Entire congregations are uprooted, and leaders are forced to flee cities or the country entirely. Asylum claims from Colombia often cite religious persecution alongside political and security threats, highlighting how faith has become a factor in forced migration. 

X. Diaspora Faith Networks 
Colombian religious minorities in exile rebuild their communities abroad. Diaspora churches and organisations provide crucial support for new arrivals, offering not only spiritual guidance but also legal, financial, and psychological assistance. These faith-based networks keep exiled Colombians connected to their heritage while mobilising international awareness of persecution back home. 

XI. International Human Rights Advocacy 
International organisations have condemned the persecution of religious minorities in Colombia, linking it to broader human rights abuses. Reports by watchdogs emphasise the need for greater protection of faith communities and accountability for crimes against them. Yet, implementation of protections remains weak, leaving communities vulnerable. 

XII. Conclusion: Freedom of Faith Under Siege 
In Colombia, religious minorities are caught in the crossfire of ongoing conflicts, facing violence, displacement, and persecution from multiple actors. Churches and faith communities, once safe havens, are now targets. For many believers, migration represents the only escape from violence and the only way to preserve their freedom of faith. Until Colombia strengthens protections for religious diversity, these communities will remain vulnerable, and their exodus will continue.