Towards the end of the Roman Empire, the Christians were used as entertainment for the masses when they were fed to the lions in the Roman Colliseum. The Romans like many civilizations enjoyed watching violence and felt it was great sport to select the Christians as the Lion's food.
While we're not exactly being fed to any real lions, do you ever feel like we're being treated the same way, like we're the sport for the current-day Romans?
If so, how can we respond so that we continue to represent Christ?
2006-11-12 16:22:10 · 12 answers · asked by Searcher 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes. I was rather shocked actually by all of the anti-christian feeling on the Internet. I am in a couple of Yahoo discussion groups and when I bring up the point that I see Christian symbols in the Harry Potter books, I get burned at the stake by some of the others.
Sometimes I want to respond in anger. Then I have to stop and remember that once I was an Atheist too and that I must not return evil for evil. People only respond to love, and some not even to that. So one must not respond in anger, cool off before you reply to someone and remember Who you are representing.
Peace.
2006-11-12 16:29:39 · answer #1 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes but differentially I don't get into arguments about religion but I also don't back down either.You have to be patient with people .
You have to realizes they are probably not where you are spiritually and that's OK . The more they fight and ask sincere questions shows they really have an interest in religion and this is OK . So you say What would Jesus do would he be mean and hateful no he would be calm and explain .
You have to realize a lot of people feel they blame God for not getting an answer to a prayer they don't realize sometime the answer is No and sometimes we are affected by free agency here on earth. We can't make people love us or like us we can't prevent death when its imminent God follows rules of life just like we have too.
We are being thoroughly tested while we are here on this earth to show where in the end will stand with God or give up at the first little problem that comes along our way . Kind of Gods way of refining us for heaven.
Diane
2006-11-12 16:55:55 · answer #2 · answered by dianehaggart 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At no other time in history has there been greater persecution of the Church (for Jesus Christ). People are currently being beaten and are dying for saying that the name of Jesus is Holy.
Matt 24:9 "Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. 10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.
John 15:18 If the world hates you, it hated me first.
It's a fact that the enemy wants to destroy all that is good.
1 Peter 1:6-9
6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 3:8-12
8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. 10 For the Scriptures say,
"If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil."
1 Peter 4:14 So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.
2006-11-12 16:51:29 · answer #3 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do you live in America?? If not then forgive me and ignore the following answer.
I feel like people of other religions are the ones being fed to the lions here. Christians own this country. I don't understand where y'all get this idea that you're being persecuted.
2006-11-12 16:27:34 · answer #4 · answered by Reject187 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Of course not. There is no doom and gloom in God. The world has no effect on my walk with God. In spite of how it might seem sometimes, they have enough on their plate. Can you imagine what it's like for them to face day to day life with no hope and no peace? I can't. Scripture says the rains fall on the just and the unjust. Do we have rough days sometimes? Sure. But everyone does. The difference is we can tell God about it and He'll take care of it. My worst day in God is by far much better than living without hope, without Him!
2006-11-12 16:40:07 · answer #5 · answered by AK 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
this is a response--martyrdom--very christian even though you have no idea what persecution really is--it's christian, just not something anybody is going to respond favorably to--pity the lion thing went out of style
2006-11-12 16:26:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Oh, please.
I think what you have happening today is more like this:
The Christians will taunt the proverbial lion, who is just hanging around, minding its own business. Then, when the lion finally loses its temper, and eats them, they play the 'victim' card.
2006-11-12 16:26:05 · answer #7 · answered by Lunarsight 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
WE WILL NEVER KNOW THE PERSECUTION OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS.
AT THE VERY TIME IT GETS THAT BAD THE CHURCH WILL BE CAUGHT AWAY.
THOSE REMAINING WILL SUFFER -IF THEY FIND JESUS.
THEN THE GREAT BATTLE.
WE WILL WIN.I READ THE BOOK.
RESPOND IN LOVE-I KNOW ITS HARD-BUT TRY
GOD BLESS
2006-11-12 16:44:30 · answer #8 · answered by funnana 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's pretty over-dramatic. Christians aren't persecuted on nearly the same level; in fact, the tables have turned and the Christians are the ones doing the persecuting now.
2006-11-12 16:25:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
Ohhh... we have it much better - there are many believers out there.
It's a little tough on this site though.
2006-11-12 16:25:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋