Open Doors: How Many Countries is the Bible Banned in? 
When the Open Doors research team creates its World Watch List, they include questions about the Bible and Christian materials in the country. The team has found that the Bible is not banned in many countries, but it is still being challenged. The following list includes some of these places. You can learn more about them here.
52 countries
Currently, the Bible is banned in 52 countries around the world. Those who are Christian in those 52 countries are faced with constant abuse. Many of these countries have strict laws that prohibit the Bible, and there are legal and customary restrictions in place. This list was compiled by the Open Doors organization, which asks country experts about Bible access and Christian materials. The organization has found that even in countries where the Bible is not illegal, it is still challenged in other ways.
Some countries have passed laws outlawing the Bible, including North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Iran. In addition, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been banned by the Russian Supreme Court. And in the 1950s, churches in China were forbidden from using Chinese Bibles written in Latin letters. Despite these laws, the Bible remains the world’s largest best-selling book. Yet in countries like Morocco, Christians cannot teach their children about God’s word or practice their religion.
China
The United Nations has published a list of 52 countries where the Bible is banned or severely restricted. These countries include countries such as Somalia, where Christians face continuous abuse. The list also includes countries such as Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Kyrgyzstan.
While a formal “ban” on the Bible is rare, it is still illegal to distribute or own the Bible in many countries. In countries like Libya, reading a Bible is an illegal activity. There are laws against evangelism in that country and Bibles are often seized by government officials.
The Bible is still widely available in China, but is only available in official church bookstores approved by Beijing. Until two years ago, the Chinese government banned online Bible sales. Despite this, audio Bible players are popular among believers in the country.
Maldives
Maldives is a string of 1,190 islands in the Indian Ocean that are considered a tourist paradise. Islam is the state religion and non-Muslims are not allowed to practice their religion or even become citizens. A Catholic teacher from India, Shijo Kokkattu, was deported in late September after the police found a Bible and rosary in his home.
The Maldives’ government imposes strict Islamic tenets and has made owning a Bible a criminal offense. Several Maldivians have left the country due to the repressive religious climate. Some Christians meet secretly outside the capital to pray and worship, but are subject to police raids. Even tourists have reported getting in trouble for possessing a Bible. The Maldivian government is also very strict on importing Christian literature.
Somalia
Although the Bible is rarely banned, it is subject to strict controls by the culture of the country. In many countries, access to the Bible is very difficult, and it is even illegal to carry a Bible translated into Arabic. However, in other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the Bible is not banned per se. In these countries, some Christian communities may be allowed to possess the Bible under strict restrictions.
The Bible is regarded as a sacred text and it is believed to be the words of God. As such, it is believed to dictate the behavior of Christians. It is also considered to be the last authority on Christian practice and teaching. In Morocco, for instance, it is illegal to carry the Bible in Arabic. Despite this, Christian abuse is rare and children are not subject to strict instruction from their parents.
Morocco
The Holy Bible, also known as the scripture, is the holy book of the Christian religion. Its content dictates the behavior of Christians and is considered to be God’s own words. Some countries, such as Somalia, even prohibit the carrying of Bibles in Arabic. Other countries have strict laws prohibiting the distribution of the Bible and its translations. In these countries, Christians must ask the government for permission before they use the Bible.
The Bible is banned in 52 countries. However, there are still many ways to access the Bible. Many ministries have found ways to get the Bible to those who cannot afford it. Some use traditional methods like printing and selling Bibles, while others use cutting-edge digital technologies to make Bibles available in difficult locations. Other methods use recycled material, such as discarded items.