I think that it is important for people on all sides here including Christians, Pagans, and Atheists to recognize what really constitutes persecution.
Repeatedly being witnessed to even though you've made it clear you aren't going to be changed may be annoying, insenstitive, and downright cloddish but it is NOT persecution.
Some of the stupid, incredibly hurtful things (not counting witch hangings and burnings --Salem and all--that really DID constitute religious persecution) Christians have done to non Christians here in America (and there are plenty of ways we have really screwed up and hurt people!) does NOT constitute persecution.
Christians, having a school Christmas parade cancelled, the phrase Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, and the Target urban legend DO NOT constitute religious persecution.
So what does? Being beheaded because somebody heard you praying the wrong prayer? Having your places of worship vandalized?
2007-10-04 07:35:11 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Persecution is denial of rights to a specific group extended to the rest of the population. It can be anything from denying a job to someone because he is an atheist, laws preventing homosexual to marry, to laws making it a criminal offense to be a Communist (as were on the books in several American states), to executions of apostates in Iran.
Persecution comes from governments and companies and other organised groups, not private individuals. What many people see as persecution from individuals is discrimination. Of the examples you gave, I would call the beheading persecution, but the vandalising is discrimination.
The 'happy holidays' thing isn't anything. It doesn't even approach persecution.
2007-10-04 07:38:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Persecution involves getting constant violations because another group intends to predominate and cannot tolerate any opinion that goes against their Holy K....Book.
Such as the ones who make it their business that no one can criticize, question, or contradict what is in their Holy K.....Book.
The ones that intend to take over not only Yahoo Answers but the whole world and suppress any opposition to their Holy K....Book.
I'm approaching Level 5 again. This time I'd like to keep it there for at least a day.
Yes, I feel a sense of persecution here and it makes me look around and wonder: Is it true what people are saying about them and their Holy K.....Book?
I'm mad too if you didn't get that.
I mean if that's not clear to everyone.
Peace
2007-10-04 07:57:07 · answer #2 · answered by Prof Fruitcake 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
*ahem* The Salem witch trials were hysteria, not persecution. The "witches" were believed to not only be conspiring with the devil but also with torturing a number of village girls through magic, causing the girls to go into fits. If I thought someone was maliciously and deliberately causing a child to have fits, (regardless of method) I would want them on trial too! These women were not targetted because they were of a different religion, race, whatever, and thus it bears no resemblance to persecution.
2007-10-04 13:36:59 · answer #3 · answered by Nightwind 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Religious persecution?
Being forced to answer history questions in school according to another religion's beliefs, or face failing grades.
Being given a ticket by a cop because you are not a particular religion.
Being fired due to your religion.
Not being promoted/hired because of your religion...
2007-10-04 07:45:01 · answer #4 · answered by 006 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think Abdul Hassan has a good definition.
An example of persecution in modern day America under that definition would be denying homosexuals the right to marry.
2007-10-04 07:40:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Persecution simply means severe mistreatment. I certainly don't see that happening in America.
The slightest misjudgement is grounds for a million dollar law suit. The accidental denial of even the most trivial rights might make national news.
Persecution in America? HUH!
2007-10-04 07:44:15 · answer #6 · answered by Groucho 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
All these are forms of persecution. You might easily say being deprived of your property and put into a Ghetto isn't persecution either, but we ALL know what it leads...
2007-10-04 07:43:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Persecustions come in many forms:
The things you mentioned about "happy holidays" and such are minor....but yet....hurtfull to us.
We are persecuted daily for our beliefs. But it's okay with me. I'd rather be a friend of God than a friend of the worlds'.
2007-10-04 07:39:55 · answer #8 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋