Can you describe (at least) one time where you had been "persecuted" for your religious beliefs?

Question

(or lack thereof)?

Answer 1

Yes. Every Christmas since I was 6 years old. My nuclear family (i.e. brothers and parents) were raised Catholics. When my dad's brother died, his family turned into Born-Again Christians. Every Christmas, I have to hear about how I will go to hell because of my sinful life (I once got arrested when I was 16 and they never let it go) and that they pray for my family because we do not follow their God; or we DO follow their God, but not as much as we should. If I even bring up the word "Abortion", it sets off a Christian alarm, and every member of the family gets into an argument. My cousin (who says "Lord" way too much during Grace) draws laughter from me and my older brothers because of the abundance of "Lord, oh Lord, dear, sweet merciful Lord" and so on. Our giggles usually draw dirty looks from those who "pray" before the meals. So, yes, I can definitely say that I am annually persecuted for my beliefs (or lack thereof).
Also, for a short period in my life, I was a Pastafarian (a follower of the Flying Spaghetti Monster) and got sent home from work when I dressed up as a Pirate on National Talk Like A Pirate Day in September.

Answer 2

Those who are fundamentalists in their religions-be it Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Aethism (lack of religion) or any other religions, have a tendency to not only defend their beliefs and right to believe, but to "attack" those who do not agree with their beliefs. I am not saying all do, as that would be an incredibly large number, but many do, and most of them fall in the category of fundamentalist for their religion.

Fundamentalists are those who are most vehemently attached to their religion. For example: By dividing the degrees of belief into three sections, we can classify aethiests. Division One (least radical) - those aethists who say "I do not believe in God". Division Two (moderately radical)- "I REALLY don't believe in God and have a strong belief that he does not exist". Division Three (most radical; otherwise known as fundamentalists)- "God does not exist."

While these may all seem to say pretty much the same thing, there are subtle differences that are very important. The first example expresses a personal belief, without judging others, the second the same thing but with a hint of "and im right". The third basically says that anyone who thinks otherwise is down-right wrong, no questions asked. The attitude changes with the degree of faith-hence the last is more likely to "persecute" others due to their religious/spiritual beliefs.

I think that nearly everyone who has been involved in a serious religious discussion has been persecuted to some degree. Learning to cope with this persecution is merely learning to accept that not everyone will agree with you and some will react more vehemently against you than others. Acting like that back to them will only encourage such behavior, though, so I suggest avoiding doing so.

Answer 3

Yes!! My wedding was entirely planned for me by my husbands family, I ended up standing in front of a congregation at a lutheran church of all places saying vows to marry my husband. I feel I was persecuted in that way. I don't follow a religion, they just couldn't accept that, and so passive agressiveness took over and I was forced to lie to a pastor about being pregnant, and religious. It was grueling and compromised my moral ethics. I will never do something like that again, even today, people still tell I shouldn't make such a big deal about it.

Answer 4

I do not discuss my religious beliefs with people I am not close to. This eliminates the possibility of being persecuted, as everyone just thinks I'm Christian in a Christian world (where I live, that is).

Other than here, of course.

Answer 5

I am persecuted frequently for my religious beliefs due to my involvement with trying to help those who are in need... men, women, and children. For instance, on one occasion an elderly Caucasian woman with red hair approached me with a white birthday cake box that had black writing on it, which said "No longer exist!" On a few occasions, I've had people approach me usually men that make terrible comments related to Hitler. The strange thing is that I am not Jewish but Roman Catholic. I have never done anything to hurt anyone. Please note that the people persecuting me are most likely from different religions. I am wondering what they are being taught to make them believe that it is their right to do so.

Answer 6

Well, maybe not "persecuted" as such, but when I was 12 years old, I went into a Catholic Church with my friend, who was Catholic, and a nun came over to talk to her and asked about me. My friend said I was her Jewish friend and the nun then asked me point-blank if I believed that Jesus was my Savior. I said no because I'm Jewish and then she told me to leave at once and chastised my friend for bringing me into the church. In elementary school, the Jewish children were told that either they sing religious carols or must leave the room. Once when I had a workman at my home about 10 years ago, he saw a book on my shelf called "Basic Judaism." He said, "Why don't you people believe in Jesus anyway?" in a very snide tone as though I was stupid or something for not believing in Jesus. Do these things qualify?

Answer 7

Exile...Nero, Roman Emperor Times

Answer 8

I haven't experienced much more than verbal insults for my beliefs. You know - "you're going to hell." "you're a wolf in sheep's clothing," random stuff like that.

It's not so bad really, 150-200 years ago people of my religion were getting tarred and feathered, their houses burned to the ground, a state Governor even signed a law making it perfectly legal for anyone to kill any member of my religion.

Yeah, I'd say I got it pretty easy now.

Answer 9

I have received death threats via email from some of the "people" here on YA.... I was hit by rocks thrown at me because some thought I was a Christian. this was in Tulcarum a former Jordanian town next to the Kibuttz I was staying on in Israel.... 29 yrs before I became of the Christian Faith.

Answer 10

Yes how many times have you referred to us as bone collectors? That's persecution. We are just looking for that missing link you people keep hollowing about. It's for your benefit. We are quite satisfied as it is. Anyway we think we have it narrowed down to a man's rib. We just can't seem to find it. Now where could that thing be?