A sincere question for Christians...?

Question

Do you feel you are part of a persecuted, victimized group? Or can you honestly say you are happy with your standing in the world as it relates to your self-identity as a Christian, expecting no more for yourself to reinforce it?

Answer 1

I am honestly happy with my self-identity as a Christian. I don't feel victimized any more than anybody else, Christian or not. But being Christian, I DO expect to reinforce my self-identity with continued education, continued service to others, continued experiences, challenges, successes, and so forth. Once a person stops reinforcing everything, why continue living?

Answer 2

Jesus repeatedly told his disciples that they would be persecuted. For instance, he said: “A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me [which they certainly did], they will persecute you also.” (John 15:20; 16:2; Matthew 10:22, 23) Moreover, Christ left no doubt about the chief instigator of this persecution when saying to one of the “seven congregations”: “Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of you into prison that you may be fully put to the test.” (Revelation 1:1, 4; 2:10) Yet, what is the Devil’s aim in persecuting witnesses of Jehovah?

Satan’s aim in bringing pressure and persecution upon servants of Jehovah is to force them to compromise their faith. He wants to destroy the precious relationship they have with their heavenly Father. Why, at the very inception of sin, Jehovah God foretold enmity between the “serpent” and God’s symbolic “woman,” and between their respective ‘seeds’! (Genesis 3:14, 15) Jesus unquestionably identified the serpent as Satan and told His persecutors that they were ‘from their father the Devil,’ hence, being of the Adversary’s “seed.” (John 8:31-59) In these “last days” the Devil’s time is short and his anger is great indeed. (2 Timothy 3:1-5; Revelation 12:7-17) So enmity between the ‘seeds’ goes on, and everyone on earth must line up eventually with either the godly seed or the devilish seed. (Compare 1 John 3:10.) Hence, if an individual is faithfully serving Jehovah God, he is or will be the object of persecution. Satan the Devil will see to that.—2 Timothy 3:12.

Answer 3

As a christian in the United States, persecution is really mild. It is so much worse in other countries that, to me, to call any opposition I've ever faced persecution would just be ridiculous. The worst that I've ever faced was when I was threatened with suspension for talking about God at my school back in the day. Compared to people who are kidnapped, arrested, tortured, raped and killed for their faith in other places, I feel very privileged to live in a place where I have the freedom to worship and believe as I like.

Answer 4

This is my sincere answer to sincere people who believe in God.
I have been in Q&A for exactly a week now, and the general opinion of "christians" does'nt seem to be very good.
But I am not part of an organized group, I am just one of the billions of anonomous people living in the world, I have no standing in the world. I was a baptized member of an organized "christian" group once, but that was not because I wanted to prove to the world that I believe in God. I was seeking answers to many of the questions that are being asked on this site. This group said they could answer all my sincere questions, and I believed them. I was sadly disalusioned after about 5 years. I found that org. rel. makes people judgmental. Makes people look down on other people. Makes people narrow minded because they tell you to only read thier literature because the other group literature is from "satan", and try to scare you. In the "church" setting, there is no place for open discusion. It is very structured. After I became a baptized member, I learned that my parents were sinners, all my family and friends were sinners because I was part of thier organization, who thinks that they are the only "cristian" group that is going to be saved when the end of the world happens.
My final disalusionment with this group was when I needed thier help and some of the group set up a meeting at my place for discusion and litiature. When that day came, I waited and waited, and finally phoned to inquire if I had got my dates mixed up. Well the group had forgotten all about it and had went shopping at the mall. Perhaps I was naive, but I was stunned, I couldnt believe it. They took so lightly, what was of utmost importance to me. It was shortly after that, that I wrote them a letter (as "the elders") had taught me, requesting that all my records of service, and the record of my baptizm, and name be removed from thier institution. (I am from a small town so you can image) After two weeks of hearing nothing, the phone rang, and the "elders" told me right away that this was a three way conversation. They basically called to see if I had lost my mind. Are you sure that you know what you are doing? (Well I wasnt to sure at the time, and was starting to crumble.) When you are threatend with being left behind in the dark world, it terrifies me. I don't know what gave me the strength to stand my ground.
It was just that scripture about the 99 saved sheep, rich and increased with goods, could not be bothered to help the one lost sheep, that had no vehicle to come to them. But now I thank God for giving me that experience, which was very tramatic for me at the time. My eyes were opened. But I like having discussions with sincere people about God, and I think this medium is perfect for it. Sorry to give such a long answer.

Answer 5

I would say the latter. I certainly am not persecuted, I live in North America. Neither am I victimized.
In many parts of the world, of course, Christians are persecuted.
I am happy with my standing before God, and in my self-identity as a Christian.
I have exactly the same troubles as a non-Christian would have. Family, health, financial, social, at different times. But I wouldn't want to live without Christ in my life.

Answer 6

It never crosses my mind that I'm being persecuted for my beliefs. The only place I ever get mocked is here; not me personally, but my belief in the bible and Jesus. In real life, people would never say these kinds of things to Christians.

My attention is not on mocking words anyway....it is on the person of Jesus Christ. My purpose is to know Him and speak of Him. Why? Because I know what is at stake.

Answer 7

I am a Christian but I also lived in the Bible belt, so I am quite inexperienced about people with other religions or beliefs. Most people around where I live are Christian so no, I do not feel persecuted.

Answer 8

I have never felt like part of a "persecuted, victimized group" I don't think I've met anyone who says that they feel that way. I've had lots of conversations with other people of different religions about theirs and if it ever turns into an argument that's when the conversation ends. I don't think I should have to justify why I believe what I believe. If you don't agree with me, then you don't agree with me. I'm not going to sit and argue about why you think I'm wrong.

Answer 9

Hello Bad Liberal.. :)

Though I may be persecuted, I do not consider myself a victim..

I do consider myself very Blessed..for Blessed are those that are persecuted for His Name sake.. :)

Loving Everyone with an Agape Love, gives me Great Joy and Peace.. :)

Have a Great Thanksgiving.. :)

In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With Love..In Christ.. :)

Answer 10

I'm happy where I am, but I know that in other parts of the world, Christians are heavily persecuted.