CHRISTIANS: How do you deal with persecution for your beliefs?

Question

My daughter, 17, is agnostic.
My mother mocks my PRO LIFE advocacy work.
My friends are primarily all Christian and the ones that arent are turning away from me.
I find comfort in Jesus and the love He shows me in the everyday burdens and blessings of my life that bring me closer to God.
I just get worn out sometimes, seems very depressing at times too.

I like all the answers...all of them have something powerful behind them...I have the hardest time dealing with mother mocking my Pro Life advocacy, especially since she knows nothing about abortion, fetal development or the damage it does to a womans emotions and sometimes her body as well.

Answer 1

Mat 10:22 And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but the one enduring to the end shall be kept safe.

Mat 24:9 Then they will deliver you up to affliction, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

Joh 15:18 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it has hated you.

Joh 17:14 I have given them Your Word, and the world hated them because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world.

It goes with the territory. Christianity is a hard road and not for wimps. They hate us because they first hated Christ. Hang in there, keep your eyes on Christ and the reward to come. Never compromise, never give in. Keep fighting the good fight.

Answer 2

Your daughter is Agnostic - are you tolerant of her beliefs?

Your mother is pro-choice - are you tolerant of her beliefs?

Your non christian friends - are you tolerant of their beliefs?

And for all of the above - - - are you accepting of the boundaries they set when it comes to you sharing yoru "comfort in Jesus?"

You may be mistaking other peoples wish for privacy with a persecution of your own beliefs. To persecute means: a program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate a people because of their religion, race, or beliefs. Do you truly feel that you are being exterminated? This sounds a bit dramatic to me. More likely your life has changed and not everyone is as excited as you. Change happens, you learn to cope. Eventually you will have a new support group so you feel less depressed. In the mean time though - - re-examine your relationships with these people and how you can improve them without forcing them into Christianity.


*** You say: " especially since she knows nothing about abortion, fetal development or the damage it does to a womans emotions and sometimes her body as well." - - - Was your mother in a Coma the whole time she was pregnant with you? She knows nothing about the affects of pregnancy on the body or fetal developement?? You have a daughter - were you completely unaware of what was happening when you were pregnant? Maybe you can talk to your mom about why she feels the way she does and see if you can come to a place of mutual respect that allows you both freedom to believe what you do.

Answer 3

I agree, I will pray for you and especially your Daughter.

Don't give up on her, she is at a tough age! Keep communication going!

I also tend to hang out with other Christian people more and more, although I do have friends that are not Christian.

Stay strong, pray for peace and strength!

I try to spend most of my Internet time at: www.Catholic.com.

It helps, just stay away from the "inter faith discussion" if you are having a stressful day.

Peace, and God Bless you and your Family!

Answer 4

Don't forget, Jesus said blessed are you when people revile you, and say all manners of evil against you for His sake, great will be your reward in heaven. Remember that these people who are mocking you, or turning away from you, do not have the benefit of the precious knowledge that God has imparted to you. You know about Jesus, about the word of God. They cannot understand. Pray for them, don't argue with them, give them freedom to express their opinions and have what they want to say heard. Your life may be changing, some people may be going out that God doesn't want in your life, He may be bringing others in.

Also, we are not to return evil for evil. I'm sorry your own mother mocks your work in pro-life. Don't argue with her, be obedient, be respectful, don't return insults.

God has you on His road of righteousness...remember, dear sister in Christ, Psalm 37 tells us not to be weary in well doing. We need to keep our eyes on the prize; our high calling in Jesus Christ. Do what is right, do what is good, do what is loving and Godly. Let the Most High handle everything else.

Answer 5

Consider the possibility, however unlikely, that it is not in reference to your beliefs, but instead refers to an abrasive element in your personality. People who insist that they are right and everyone else is wrong will likely provoke defensiveness and pulling away. Most Christians get along fine with the larger community. What about you as a person (not as a Christian) contributes to your increasing isolation?

Answer 6

well, i cant say i believe in a god, because that would be a lie. i do however understand this situation. i get the same thing as an atheist. i don't persecute Christians, but am persecuted by them. why can the world just agree to disagree. i don't shove my beliefs in their faces, but they do in mine. it is a cruel world, have hope upon your path, whatever it may be. it brings you strength as mine does me. that is the most important part of it all. allow your daughter to believe in what she believes, don't force anything on her. as far as pro life, i do agree with it. but as far as stem cell, they happen every day, routine surgery to save the mothers life, use them to help others, they never will have a chance, but another will.

Answer 7

I have really found fortitude and enlightenment in the Adoration Chapel.

Here I can meditate and get away from all of the stuff that persecutes my religion - like hearing a Nun who ministered to the sick was murdered - YA jokers/ Hecklers (God bless them - Giggle) - the evening news - all the temptations. They all disappear when I'm sitting in silence in the Adoration Chapel looking directly at the Eucharist. The mind, heart, and soul silences too giving me rest.

Answer 8

Your daughter is still young and going through a rebellious stage.Give her time to grow up. As far as your mother goes,I hear you.My mother has never agreed with me about anything,good or bad.It's just the way she is.I laugh at her now. But you aren't being persecuted.You still have your friends and all of the people who believe in you.Forget about your family,they are just being controversial,cause they want to control you.Ignore them.

Answer 9

this is not persecution. i'm sorry, but once upon a time "persecution" described real harrassment, like the racism that minorities have dealt with. or, like being crucified or tortured by the inquisition. the romans fed christians to the lions, and you are shaken by your mother's teasing?

do you honestly feel that you should have the right not to be mocked for your beliefs? that is what faith is for! it carries you through those moments when life is cruel, with the certainty that you believe in the right thing and that your actions are good.

how is your daughter's agnosticism persecuting you? faith is internal, because god made it so. do not expect it to protect itself, that is why you keep and cherish it for what it is for YOU!

i am an agnostic. please know, that the only reason i am not an atheist, is because of people like you. do you believe or not? i cannot feel anything, and so i look for god himself. if he were wind moving over the surface of a lake, the words of his followers would be the ripples on the surface. but that is all i can see.

stand up for your own faith, but it is yours. i can't have it for you, nor should you expect me to.

Answer 10

I have been there. Drive on. Take comfort in Jesus and your Chirstian friends. Respond in love. Love those people for who they are. Jesus does. Don't be drawn into loud arguments or display a holier-than-thou attitude. And keep doing what your heart knows is right. Press on toward the high calling...