Is there such a thing as Christian persecution in the west?

Question

I have often heard protestants such as evangelicals and fundementalists say that they have been persecuted for their faith.

Do people think this is true at least in the western world.

I know many will be told to "go away" because of their narrow minded and often bigoted behavior but does that constitute persecution.

For example if one comes to your door and tells you that everything you believe is wrong and everything they believe is right and that you are doomed unless you change your mind and become like them. So if you dont believe that and respond with equal vigor are you persecuting them.

In short are they being persecuted or just being a pain in the a$$.

Answer 1

I have heard fellow Christians claim "PERSECUTION!" because, "My co-worker doesn't like me becasue I'm a Christian." or "Someone hung up on me." or "Someone made fun of me becasue of my faith." or recently on Answers, "Someone marked out the name of God on my dollar bill."

These people need to GET OVER IT! If you want to know what REAL persecution is, go spend some real time on the missions field, or spend some time learning what our Christian brothers in the east, in Africa, or on the Asian subcontinent experience. Then come back and whine about your petty "persecutions."

Answer 2

Speaking as a Christian, I'll say that there is a great deal of persecution of Christians--in Egypt, in Indonesia, in a lot of other places that are NOT the USA. However, the USA has made a cult out of victimhood. So, it's fashionable to claim to be persecuted. Every group makes the "victimy-er than thou" pose, not just Christians. I think of them each as a different fine estate whine. There's the oaky Christian "we're being persecuted like prophecy foretells", which is contrasted to the tart, almost acidic atheist "this country is run by Christians who persecute us all the time". Of course, one can always fall back on the more conventional table whines of "we're persecuted because we're black/asian/Indians/etc." Each with its own bouquet and mouthfeel.

Just remember, any whine is best had with jeez.

Answer 3

I can't speak for everyone or every place there is a Christian, but in The USA we do not have religious persecution. I hear the horror stories of people being beaten, killed, churches burned and that is persecution to me. Name calling does not prevent me from worshiping as I wish.

Answer 4

There are many here in the US who travel. They are persecuted sometimes in the severe use of the word. Then there is legal persecution, where some try to make Laws against them specifically. Then there is the kind of persecution where we are attacked in public or on Yahoo!Answers. There are many levels of persecution, but I expect that and tend not to complain.

Answer 5

I suppose there's the occasional nut-job stalker type that does full-on persecution, but in the big picture, I'd say intolerance and general rudeness would be a better way to describe what's happening.

Of course that happens to (and from) almost any nameable group out there...that's life in a land of free speech (overall, I'd say it's worth it).

Answer 6

It's not persecution for me to tell someone that comes to my home uninvited that I am not interested.

No one should be rude to them, but neither are they required to stop their day and defend their beliefs or lack of.

Answer 7

Many practising Christians find job opportunities harder. Christian groups carrying out community work find it more difficult to get LA grants.
Guess you could call that persecution.

Answer 8

The Muslims persecute Christians in the west, in the east, in the north and in the south. They crucify Christ everyday with their words and deeds, and pierce his side continually.

Answer 9

Complete bunk... if anyone is persecuted its the unbelievers... at my wife's workplace for example, they don't hide the fact that you MUST be a Christian to get hired (its a health clinic, not a church)

Answer 10

It happens inside of western households very often.