Do you think living in the U.S. makes is easier or harder to be a Christian than in other countries?

Question

I am so thankful to live in a nation where I am able to worship as I wish and talk about Christ with almost no persecution. Does it make it harder though to be a Christian in the U.S. considering all of the excesses we have here. For instance, we have so many worldly things that try to draw us from our faith- abundant food, drugs, tv, sex, greed, etc.
Considering we live in a nation where we complain and get impatient when a web page takes more ten seconds to come up, while those in other countries walk two miles just to get water for their family how can we truly know what thankfulness is?
In some places people are slaughtered for the sole reason of being a Christian, while here, a Christian's biggest threat is the ACLU trying to take down a cross somewhere.
Does this make us too complacent and not take our faith (in general) seriously enough?
It is nice though, to be in a country where there is such a diversity of people to share my faith with.

What do you all think?

Answer 1

I think you made some truly valid and good points. It's interesting that, in the bible, it seemed that the "church" would blossom under persecution, that it actually strengthened believers. I do agree that with such luxuries, as many of us have in the US, it is easy to get complacent. That's why we need to stay in God's word, pray, and try our best to walk as He would have us.

You are right, there are places in the world where professing faith in Jesus could mean your life. We have an incredible freedom here in the US and we need to be grateful, just as you pointed out. I know I am!

Answer 2

Well, it depends on what "other countries" you mean. If you mean other countries where christianity is practiced lawfully, it really depends on the economy. While it is harder for America and Europe because of all the cultural influences, it is harder in a different way in places like south and central america where poverty and political unrest send people into dispair. Then there are countries where it is not "lawful" or "popular" to be Christian, these people have a harder time worshiping and have many pressures to deny their faith. I think that would be the hardest of all.

In our society, being Christian is not "popular" but at least it is not against the law. We do tend to become more tolerant of other people expressing their own opinions, but as long as we don't let it affect our opinion, we have to remember that their free speech is ours also. If they didn't have it, we wouldn't either. It is a trade-off, but a lot of zealots find they are out of place in such a tolerant society and to some extent feel that they are being hushed and ignored.

I feel blessed that I live in a free society. It doesn't mean I don't have struggles. I just look forward to the day that the Lord comes back and everything will be restored to perfect order. Until then, God gives us the strength to face the challenges we are dealt. Through prayer and our relationsip with him, we will find his way even through all of these distractions.

Answer 3

I think it might be harder with all the stuff available in the US but at the same time there are some countries that have just as much moral crisis in them. We have the extreme groups like the ACLU but at least we don't have a situation like in Saudia Arabia where you could be killed. Also many of the European countries have strict rules on what Christians can say or do. I think the US is the best country for freedom of religion

Answer 4

If you were to go to England, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, and almost any other civilized nation, you would be allowed to worship and talk about Jesus much more freely than here. If you wore a cross to work and someone was offended, the boss would say "tough.. this is a Christian country and if that offends you, leave" In most of those countries the Bible is still taught in public school, they have a GREAT deal less crime than the US and don't open their doors to people of other religions especially those who's religions teach them Christians and Jews must be destroyed.

Answer 5

There are many reasons why its easier to be a Christian in the U.S. than in many other countries. The first is the legal protection we enjoy. It is illegal in this country to round up everyone who professes faith in a given religion and execute them. This is not the case in every country in the world.

Furthermore we have better resources. Posession of a bible in many countries constitutes a serious crime. Yet in american households, one can usually find a small collection of bibles and bible-reference books. Not to mention internet access.

As far as the abundance of temptation, that's the same everywhere. Its just that people of other cultures are tempted by different things.

For true Christians, the relative ease of life does not make us complacent. That's why U.S. churches send out so many missionaries. The bible says that more is required from those who have much. We have much, and we're doing our best to share.

Answer 6

Easy in Vatican city? Hardest place on Earth! Oh wait, someone hasn't made the distiction between true Christianity and Catholicism. Christians follow Christ. They do not pray to Mary because "1 Tim. 2:5-6 (KJV)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. "
This is proof that praying to Mary is a waste of time! And don't say you don't do that because I had a co-worker who said she did it because she thought Mary is easier to talk to. It's easier to talk to a woman, she thinks. But, that's because Mary isn't without sin like Jesus was. So, of course she'll go easier on you, but it is still pointless because Mary is powerless to save you from your sins! Period.

Also, my savior already paid his price. He has rissen. He is no longer nailed to the cross. Take him down from your crosses already! He has suffered enough...for ALL of us!

Another thing...full of Pagan practices. They even have the pagan Gods as artwork there like on the walls and such. I've seen it on video.

You come to ME for forgiveness! Do 50 sit-ups and 25 push-ups and you'll be forgiven! Or say "Hail Jesus" 100 times! Somehow I don't think I can forgive you no matter what you do to please me and it's pretty much the same with that guy in a robe in the confessional. Gasp! I guess that means you weren't really saved or forgiven the last time you came into my box and I made you do those things! Guess you better go get forgiven by the man with the real authority and power, huh?

If this offends any Catholics out there, then I guess it REALLY would be harder at the Vatican then, huh! This WAS the land of the free. Now, it's becoming the land where everyone gets by with everything unless they try to do something morally correct, like try to save souls, stop gay marriages, stop abortion, or say "God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Good grief!

Anywho, yes it could be worse. We could be in Pakistan or Afghanistan or any other place that embraces Islam more than we do. Not that these PEOPLE are bad, but Islam is wrong and these people would be totally against our preaching Gospel and trying to convert. Atheists usually just don't care!

Answer 7

very good points you make... you are very wise!
it is awful how we take for granted the freedoms we have to worship as we wish. in other countries they are persecuted for their religious beliefs all the time - that happens here too, but not to the same degree of punishment.
I am thankful that I can serve a living God and not have the government beating on my door telling me I have to bow down to some statue.
I think in America the more freedoms we have the harder it is to serve our God the way we should. Temptation is at every turn. In other countries serving God is their temptation - I would much prefer their temptation over ours.

Answer 8

Honestly, I think it makes it easier to be a Christian, but harder to be a STRONG Christian. It's fairly acceptable to be a Christian, as long as you don't ever bring it up, and as long as you don't avoid things (like nudie-bars) that have become a staple in America, yet go against the Word of God. It's very easy to be someone with a weak faith here.

Answer 9

I wanted to ask about your reference to the ACLU taking down a cross. Why is that a threat at all? To me, it shouldn't really matter if you get to tack up that religious symbol in public or not. Churches are free from that regulation and you can put whatever you want in there. Shouldn't putting up a cross only be a demonstration of your faith, not a necessary pillar to hold it up?

Answer 10

My brother is a teacher in England. He teaches religious education and openly professes himself as a Christian to his students without fear of consequence (although he teaches about all faiths in his classes.) Here in the U.S. he would be heavily reprimanded and probably fired.

On the other hand, he knows virtually no Christians over there and says he misses the fellowship of other believers. So go figure.