How did American christians develop such a severe persecution complex?

Question

Self-proclaimed "christians" keep claiming that there's some vast conspiracy against them in America.

They whine about persecution when their brethren in other countries actually risk getting KILLED for their faith.

Yet they see their own attempts to persecute others as divinely inspired, the height of morality.

They try to hijack the government to promote their beliefs at the expense of anyone who disagrees, but the instant a non-christian tries to express an opinion they scream bloody murder.

They can't stand not being allowed to put their own religious symbols on every available surface at taxpayer expense, but a stamp honoring another faith's holiday, or a movie that questions their beliefs sends them through the roof.

What is wrong with these people? Is their faith so weak it can't stand up to the slightest scrutiny?

Marty, in what way is my premise untrue? Are you saying that self-proclaimed christians in this country do NOT claim ot be persecuted? There have been entire books written solely based on this false assertion. Do you claim that they have NOT tried to hijack governmental power to promote their faith? Again, there are countless instances of them doing just that. Do you claim that they do NOT object to expressions of other faiths? Again, there is actual evidence in the real world of them doing this.
Or do you claim that the persecution they complain about exists outside their delusional minds? And what is the evidence of this?

David, what color is the sky in your world? You are a perfect example of the kind of whining self-righteous pseudo-christian I'm talking about. And you'll never see it.

Actually, I don't think the leaders of this movement actually believe they are being persecuted. I think they just find it useful to lie to their gullible followers.

Answer 1

I think at some level they enjoy the martyr complex. They wish to be figuritively crucified; to live like christ.
It reinforces their fantasy.

Answer 2

You have a point. American (enter almost any group here)s have gotten so spoiled that any criticism or disagreement is followed by screams of "Persecution!", "Discrimination!". Ellen Degeneres (sorry if I spelled that wrong) and I don't see eye to eye on ..... well, almost anything. But that just means that she should exercise her freedom of speech and right to vote in favor of her opinions, and I with mine. People in other parts of the world probably look at us and see our disagreements as just a bit of jolly back and forth banter. Neither has thrown a grenade or pulled a rifle on the other. Both have the freedom to express opinions ON TELEVISION, PUBLICLY!! In Islamic countries, Christians and homosexuals wouldn't be "taken off the air", we'd both be "taken off life support".... you know, that AIR that we breathe without a second thought!

Yes, living in the greatest, most free country the world has ever known has spoiled some of us Americans, and resulted in us calling "foul" at lesser offenses than in other, less friendly places, but that may simply be the natural evolution (weird, me using that word...) of how the debates unfold in a land of much peace and where justice of, for and by the people is the rule.

Answer 3

Wow you almost sound as wacky as they do. Look I'm tired of Christians butting into my politics too, but I don't think they're conspiring against us because they feel like we're persecuting them.

I will say this though: Christianity is playing far too big a role in our political system. People are voting for politicians based on a pro-life/anti-gay marriage/how many times they can say god bless America quota and it's making me and my 1st Amendment right feel sick. Half the politicians they're choosing couldn't care less about abortion or gay marriage, and get excited over the idea of going to war, killing people- another not so Christian, and probably lie.

So what I'm trying to say is, no, they're not conspiring against us, but there are plenty of politicians abusing their "faith" to win votes, and really irritates me. They legislate as if everybody in the US where Christian, which many aren't and most aren't religious enough to agree with them.

I have nothing against Christianity or Christians/Catholics/whoever, but I'm sick and tired of them not minding their own business. They need to butt out of my life. I have my own morals and beliefs thank you, so if you want to rule my life under the name of your messiah then you also want to unconstitutionally vote for a war hawk president to strip away a bit of my freedom of religion and separation of church and state just because he's against abortion and thinks he's the second coming of Christ.

One other thing- half the people who take things too far with their religion, you know, the point where it effects the rest of us, do it because they're guilty about what they've done wrong or they're too inconsiderate to respect the fact that their religon is not the only one people follow.

Answer 4

It's what comes from the fact that up until the 1960's Christians defined the culture. That loss of cultural influence is still viewed as a negative thing by many Christians. Not myself, though. I think Christianity (like Judaism) is at it's finest when it is not "in power". Both of them shine their brightest and purest when they are "in exile".

Peace to you.

Answer 5

Consider the fact that in America it is considered perfectly OK to be anything except a Christian. People do not even care if you are Islamic, but those Christians are intolerant. Ha--Ha--Ha please. The Koran states that if an infidel (incidently that would be you) does not turn to Allah they are to be killed, and yet we are called intolerant. Meanwhile you claim we are not persecuted. Not all persecution has to do with murder consider the "Gay and Lesbian persecution". For some reason, though, you are not saying that they are not being killed and thus are not persecuted.

Answer 6

You misunderstand. In medieval Europe the masses were persecuted almost to death - certainly to daily starvation, all in the name of a loving god. Whom they never saw.

Work was mandated by this unseen god and punishmnts arbitrarily handed out by this unseen god.

So, when they got to American, the god they had grown to despise was separated in the founding powers.

It is an illusion that the founders of the USA loved god. They feared and hated him in the majority.and that is why you have separation of church and state.

Answer 7

Persecution?! You have GOT to be kidding me.

I'm a christian who has lived in the USA and outside of it & I think your question is just plain loaded. The premise of your question is just untrue....and by answering it at all, other contributors are saying that they agree with your view that American christians are a bunch of cry-babies.

Answer 8

It's easier for them to live from a place of fear than it is to live from a place of love and to actually do things to better the world. Doing things would take effort and will create change. And change scares them...by complaining about how hard life is, they can feel like they're doing something and they are always right...b/c their life is hard....just ask them.

Answer 9

The feeling of being persecuted is absolutely necessary to the True Believer. It bonds groups of believers together, and enhances the feeling of importance.

Answer 10

Weak faith. I believe you answered your own question.