By now, one might guess that I don't praise Jesus either.
I don't fear religious folk...unless they pull a knife on me.
You froggies need a spine.
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Christian persecution complex. Is there validity to it or not?
- Thread starter Twilight Hue
- Start date
I don't fear religious folk...unless they pull a knife on me.
You froggies need a spine.
Likewise being a Muslim. And in a few places being Jewish.
It seems to me that true Christians know how to respond and what remains is to see if they try to practice it:
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
...
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Kharisym
Member
I have had a knife pulled on me. It was combined with words about pinning me to the ground and cutting off my hair. These were fine, upstanding and godly folk who had issues with long hair looking to sissy. Its a rather safe bet that their opinion about male gender expectations were born of a dislike of gays, and that they supported that dislike of gays because of their religion.
We got spine but we don't have anti anything not Christian Christians with guns
I know that violence happens.
I just don't see the south as being so dangerous.
I don't fear other people with guns.
They just made the same choice that I did.
Jolly good
It is one thing to tell conservative Christians that their beliefs are no longer normative in the culture. That is not persecution. My question is whether or not progressive morality will soon become so ascendant that its dissenters (conservative Christians) will be effectively barred from participation in public life. Wave the pride flag or you're fired. Affirm that gender is a spectrum or be fined for hate speech. That sort of thing.
Kharisym
Member
History has shown this to not be a valid concern. Someone who's against mixed race couples doesn't *have* to go to the wedding. Someone who is against women working, or women in positions of power don't have to swear fealty to their woman bosses, or are required to praise their accomplishments even on the job. Someone who thinks black people shouldn't be allowed to mingle with white people are not required to celebrate black history month, and they're still absolutely free to fly a confederate flag.
I just don't see any evidence that conservative Christians will suffer persecution over gay rights. This is unwarranted fear born of concern for losing the privilege to persecute others.
Sand Dancer
Currently catless
In America, discrimination is generally against non-Christians, especially non-theists. In Muslim countries, Christian persecution is definitely a problem.
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Yerda
Veteran Member
By the standards that Christians (in America) are persecuted every grouping in the world is persecuted. The article cites people being challenged or sometimes "punished" for their "Christian beliefs" which involves persecuting others. It's a bit like a violent domestic abuser standing up in court claiming to be a victim because they were arrested and charged for beating their partner.
HonestJoe
Well-Known Member
Those things aren't mutually exclusive. Christians can certainly face persecution, but not necessarily any more (or less) than any other defined group, especially in the context of their numbers and prominence.
There are most certainly Christians who greatly exaggerate the scale, scope and nature of persecution against Christians, sometimes minimising similar persecution against other groups, especially when it is committed by other Christians (and occasionally the same Christians complaining!).
Ultimately, I'd say all of this is a set of common human problems though. Christians just happen to be a large, powerful and often outspoken group in America.
You didn't give anyone reason to shoot you, did you?
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber & Business Owner
I was taught the world would hate me and I would be persecuted for Jesus' sake--it's in the Bible, afterall--I never knew religious persecution, discrimination or bigotry of any sort until after I left the Church, and it was at the hands of Christians I learned what it's to go through that persecution thing they so yearn and pray for to happen to them.
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber & Business Owner
It's amazing, and frightening, how the American Evangelical have purple nurpled such passages into a narrative that has then wanting this. They aren't happy that they get the privilege of a peaceful existence, but they take such passages and not only expect the world to treat them as such but want it to test their faith and obedience to Jehovah over man.
These types I do fully believe would themselves sacrifice and kill their own child if they believed Jehovah commanded it and proceed in full faith there would be a last minute intervention.
Sand Dancer
Currently catless
I think we should challenge ridiculous beliefs that they want to put in the government. Punishing them would be wrong though.
No, other than not talking Christian.
I've never had a problem with not talking Christian.
In some parts of the world, sure it’s an issue.
The impression I get from certain US Christians (not all) is that they desperately want to be able to claim persecution. They look for it and expect it. Like it’s a badge of honour or validates their beliefs or something. It’s weird.