If someone asks a disparaging question about your religion, is that persecution?

Answer 1

Nope. Persecution is an unwarranted arrest, imprisonment, beating, torture, or execution...or something else that's really nasty and harmful. Words are just words.

Answer 2

If it is a genuinely disparaging question then your faith should give you enough strength to counter all such attacks.
But it depends on your interpretation, a genuine question may seem offensive to you because it may be challenging a deeply held belief or precept.
If you are able to argue your religious beliefs in an intelligent rational manner, without condemning the questioners as being in some way, inferior, mad or unworthy, because you may not agree with their viewpoint. And you reciprocate whilst discussing with those of other or no faiths.
Then you would see genuinely disparaging questions as what they really are.
Ignorance, whether such questions are directed at ones faith or lack of faith.

Answer 3

Depends on the question. I'd say that if the question was intended more as a statement, it can certainly be persecution. If the point was merely to show a problem with the religion, it might have been used as persecution. If it is simply a question that ends up having some unpleasant answers, it is not persecution.

Persecution lies in the intent.

Answer 4

No, I do not think so. But I do not even like the word religion. I believe that Jesus came down here to free us from religions. I believe that He wanted to teach us how to love one another and how to have a personal relationship with God.

I think it is good if we can give answer to people and share the reason for the hope we have.

Answer 5

No. Persecution is when you are fired for your beliefs - especially if you have said nothing about them. If you are fired for your beliefs because you won't stop proselytizing, that's called maintaining a stable work environment. If you are fired because you're Wiccan, Buddhist, Hindu, Pagan, Jewish, Muslim or an Atheist and one of your coworkers "outs" you, that is persecution.

)O(

Answer 6

If the question is ask for information, with respect, and sincerely, no. No honest question would be persecution.

But the same question can be ask in a way that is deliberately insulting, design to anger, for the purpose of causing trouble, etc. That would be persecution.

Answer 7

No; unless you are insecure in your belief and therefor feel a need to defend it. I believe you are actually defending yourself indirectly but hiding behind religion. It is Gods place to judge coz only God KNOWS the hearts intent. We can only respond as truthfully as we can believing that the asker seeks only understanding.

Answer 8

No, it is called stupidity. There are ways to politely ask any question without hurting one's feelings. Tell anybody who asks you a question you feel is out of line, "Excuse me, but I hear my mother calling". Then walk away. You don't have to answer anything you don't want to. If it offends you, just turn around and walk away like you didn't even acknowledge them to begin with.

Answer 9

It is the search for knowledge... just in an inappropriate way. I get more upset about people who post nasty answers to genuine questions about my religion.

Answer 10

It depends on how its asked.

If I say: So how do Christians explain how Noah fit all those animals on one boat?
That is not offensive.

If I say: Why do Christians have such low IQs, molest children, beat their wives, kill Iraqis, and shop at Walmart?
That tends to sound rather offensive.

Read them both a few times and I suspect you will see the difference.