Why do Christians think they are "persecuted"?

Question

They're putting up a HUGE cross next door at the local church. You can see it for blocks in either direction. Meanwhile, I've actually been physically threatened for wearing a small pentagram necklace to the grocery store.

I've noticed a LOT of the Christians here on Answers saying, "Well, the Bible says Christians will be persecuted...". Huh? How exactly are you persecuted? I live in America and I see a cross everywhere I go. We've never NOT had a president who didn't at least claim to be Christian, and every time I turn on the TV, I see a political speech, a sporting event, or a college graduation ceremony being "opened in prayer".

I'm terribly confused as to how, exactly, you guys are getting the short end of the stick. When was the last time you actually thought someone would hurt you for wearing a cross? Because I have to hide my pentagram if I want to truly feel safe....

And if "making fun" counts as persecution, I'd like to know how their religion is persecuted more than any other religion out there. Wiccans are moade fun of all the time as spaced-out hippies and we don't whine about it.... too much. :p

Great Caesar's Ghost! How am I "putting down" Christians just by asking this question? Are you really that sensitive?? o_O

Cleaner, the pentagram is five-pointed and is used primarily by Wiccans and Pagans. The Jewish star is six-pointed and is called the Star of David. I have no idea what Satanists use, but they might use the pentagram. Up to them, really.

Answer 1

They're like an only child who suddenly has siblings. It isn't persecution when mom forces you to share your toys with little Susie - you're just no longer getting your own way. A lot of children have a hard time with that concept, and let's face it, based on the name-calling many Christians on this site and elsewhere resort to, they have a tendency to act like children.

)O(

Answer 2

Meh... all religions will always be persecuted in someway (some obviously more than others). I do agree Christians have the least right to whine about it.

As long as there are different religions there will be persecution and war. I personally say live and let live, but that's not the case in most of the world. People die all over the world for their religious beliefs... I thought religion was supposed to be peaceful, but the truth is if we could somehow remove all organized religion from the world I bet it'd be a much better place. I'm not saying you shouldn't be free to believe in a higher being, or an afterlife... but organized religion is so cult like it really frightens me.

But yeah, in today's world (unless you travel to some crazy area of the world with super radical muslims who want to kill all christians), christians don't really have anything to fear except a diminishing church attendance.... because youths today (thankfully) realize that the bible is just simply a story that was written a really long time ago and it shouldn't be taken at face value.

Answer 3

It's different in the areas of the nation that you live. I live in the North East... Philadelphia PA. There was a church that for years had a cross that lit up at night that said "Jesus Saves" on it but recently a tenent in an apartment accross the road complained that it was offensive and the church HAD to remove it. There WERE Bacheloriate services held before highschool graduations that was a prayer service where many different religions were represented by their pastors or teachers. Students did NOT have to attend these services, they were open to the students who wanted to. But because a few atheists complained, most of the schools here and in NJ as well are no longer allowed to have them. a Church was vandelized recently, but in the paper and the news, they justified the vandelism because the church doesnt believe in same sex marriage. When can distroying someone elses property be justified? Come up to Philly or NYC and you'll see Christian persecution first hand.

Answer 4

There is more persecution where Christianity is considered a threat or illegal. Alot of Christian persecution in Iran and other Middle East Countries despise Christianity. There isn't alot of persecution here on the level that is in other countries. Also China is one. There is something called the underground church that is severely persecuted in these countries where Christianity is taboo. I would also check out a mag called the voice of the Martyrs. Christianity is the most persecuted religion in history. No other religion has ever received such persecution, and that is why it is said. I have received persecution on spiritual levels, such as spiritual attacks or like you said "making fun of" or a debate or a challenge or belittling. It's all persecution whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual attacks because it all starts in the heart, whether it's carried out to murder, the hate in someone all comes from the same place and thus can be considered persecution.

http://etools.ncol.com/a/jgroup/bg_wwwpersecutioncom_persecutionblog_9.html

this might be helpful!

Answer 5

It says that in the Bible about Christians b/c the apostles and followers of Jesus risked their lives by sharing the gospel. It still rings true today...there are still places in this world where doing just that could get you killed...abroad and right here in random America. May I ask, why you hide your pentagram? I don't think the people building the church would harm you...if anything,it should draw them to you and invite you in. Could that be your motivation to hide?
Lots of people call themselves Christians...some live out their faith and call themselves sinners.Look for those people....and ask all the questions you need to,pentagram fully displayed. The problem with persecution is that hate and judgement stand in the way of understanding each other.

Answer 6

Christians are a group of people that believe and worship our Lord Jesus Christ, all Christians are born into the family of God, maybe you don't see persecution in the USA like you see in other countries it is however here. When a brother or sister in Christ is being kill, tortured just for spreading the Gospel of Christ we all grieve. This country was founded on Christian values, though we are not perfect we are a blessed nation. Christians are bound to spreading the Gospel to all who will listen, please do not judge the Word of God from a few short sentences, search the scriptures for truth, look up "Mike Warnke" on the Internet he came from your background. I am sorry that someone would hurt you for your beliefs, no Christian should persecute you, but your father the devil loves it when Christians are threatening you. I hope this has answered a few of your questions, and pray you find the answers you are looking for.

Answer 7

I'm a christian, and I honestly don't think I'm being persecuted. I'm not saying everything is perfect, but I have never had some one try to hurt me for being a Christian. It is kind of hard to get people to see my side of things in a religious debate because of the extreamists in my faith. But I think every group has that problem. Ten to one, when you think of a christian, you think of a white, bible thumpin loud mouth proclaiming damnation if you don't turn, but we all aren't like that. Just like not all who are Muslim are terrorists. I do believe that in the future, namely when the Anti-Christ has come, Christians will be persecuted everywhere, not just in India and other place like to day. But right now, we live in what seems like a Christian based country, so anyone saying Christians are persecuted is really over exagerating. But, that's just my thoughts. <><

Answer 8

All you need to do as look at some of the answers or questions here to see some of the persecution.

However, there are millions of Christians around the world that don't have the freedoms we have here in America. Some are tortured and some are killed. Some attend underground Churches because of the persecution.

There is more persecution now than ever before in history (there are more people and more believers.) It will only get worse.

I personally don't have it bad...however there are many that do.

Answer 9

I'd probably never go so far as to say all of anything sucks. For me, the problem occurs when the subject matter takes precedence over the music, and I've found many Christian bands tend to do that. Sometimes, it's like they just wanted a way to convey their message, rather than with many pagan bands, it seems they just needed a theme for their music (certainly not always). Of course, I haven't listened to them all, and wouldn't shun a band just because they're openly Christian. I did like the ones you linked, especially the second one. MQ2: Orphaned Land includes Christian themes, but they're not "Christian metal"... so not really BQ: I might like a song more if I find the subject matter interesting (something historical), but I'm fine with anything as long as there's no supremacism.

Answer 10

Religion will die if it chooses a political party, which it is dangerously close to doing. In my opinion, religion does most of the persecution, and has done so throughout history. Let's not forget all of the people persecuted outside of abortion clinics, and ceremonies of gay marriages... How many times have you seen a large group of people outside of a church yelling at it? It really lies in the control factor... look like the victim, then you can't be attacked.