Where does the theist persecution complex come from?

Question

Atheistic views are attacked on the back of the currency, our kids are forced to recite a pledge we don't agree with (or be ostracized), our federal government is spending money on new churches under the "faith based" banner, a University of Minnesota study found atheists to be the most distrusted minority in the United States, and somehow the religious people have a persecution complex.

Why is that?

Answer 1

The Christian persecution was far more pronounced during the time when the Bible was written and soon afterward. We may all be lucky that persecution of any group is significantly reduced now that it has been at most points in history.

That said, everyone is discriminated against. I feel this is the most important point for the minority as well as the majority to recognize. Perhaps, once we are willing to empathize with one another, our differences will be lessened.

To be fair, Christianity is attacked more than most any other religion at this point, except perhaps for Islam (unless you are counting atheism as a religion, which I feel is a bit paradoxical).

Answer 2

I've wondered that myself. The majority in this country are Christian, yet they consider themselves persecuted. Send them to Saudi Arabia for a month and they'll understand the meaning of persecution then.

Their definition of persection basically means that they don't always get their way. An example of so-called 'persecution' would be not allowing prayer in public schools. Unfortunately, they don't understand that yes, you are allowed to pray in public school, we just don't allow teacher-led group prayer since this would be akin to a state-sponsered endorsement of a particular faith.

Answer 3

It's akin to a child stamping its feet and holding its breath when it doesn't automatically get its way. How dare the world not see things the way Christian fundamentalists do?!!! That pesky First Amendment and the American tradition of freedom of conscience must give some selfish religious Americans an awful lot of grief. Standing in the way of their dream of a Christian nation like that! How rude! Blast those founding fathers and their notions of fair play!!!

Answer 4

Why are you bothered by such trivial things? Concentrate on taxing the churches instead. The fact that secularists omit this and drum up excitement about childish mumbo-jumbo is more evidence that they are agents of the right-wing, since all this phony outrage just tricks people into voting Republican.

Answer 5

I don't know, I am married to an atheist and she says more bad things about me than I ever thought of saying about her, so my question is. Why do atheists persecute christians? She calls me stupid all the time. I think you would to if I were around you. Why don't you guys just leave us alone.

Answer 6

don't forget the complaints we here when we actually ask for the Constitutional separation of church and state, and the removal of religious imagery from public buildings. somehow, they are being "persecuted" when they can't use public institutions to force their ways upon the rest of us.

Answer 7

Bill O'Reilly and their ministers? LOL! I don't think *all* theists have a persecution complex. Just the fundie Christian ones.

Answer 8

Unfortunately many religious fanatics have been indoctrinated with a Satanist persecution complex. ;-)

Answer 9

I am often labeled as evil by those who feel persecuted because they are not allowed to force me to believe as they do.

Answer 10

Hey! It worked for minorities and THEY got preferential treatment!

So the churches are deciding this is a way to get special treatment themselves!

Victimizing yourself pays, these days.