Christians, what is the worst treatment you've suffered...?

Question

Hello, all:

This is a sister question to one that I just asked about Wiccans/Pagans and how they are treated.

I was thinking today about how there is a general perception that Christians are put upon by members of other religions and philosophies, in particular certain types of atheist.

As a result, I was wondering what the worst experience is that you have suffered, or have heard tell of, as a result of being Christian. Naming no names, of course, if it has to do with another Y!A user.

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to respond.

Answer 1

The worst religious treatment I've suffered was an anti-Catholic incident that happened to me when I was a child. Long story, but it was truly frightening. I was accosted at a park where I'd been playing alone (my mother had wandered off to talk to someone) and I was terrorized by a mentally unstable adult who knew that my family was Catholic. Nothing else has compared to that. It wasn't the only anti-Catholic incident in my life, but was the scariest. As for atheists, I'm friends with plenty of them, and in general, they treat me well. Sometimes, I do have to put up with the occasional derogatory remarks about my religion by non-believers of all sorts, but that's just a mild nuisance (or a fun debating opportunity), and isn't anything that I'd consider genuine trauma.

Answer 2

Like Leith C said, most of the so-called "persecution" of Christians (particularly in this forum) is in response to unwelcome preaching -- not really persecution, more like standing up to religious bullying. The worse I usually get is just the rare email from someone trying to convert me. Usually it just leads to some fun, but largely unproductive dialog. I haven't gotten one of those in a while, though. And, one time when I was a young Pagan living at home, I went into the woods behind my house to burn some sage and do a short ritual. Somebody saw me, and called the cops on me, so I had to explain myself to a cop on my front lawn with my parents freaking out in the house. I don't think of that as mistreatment, so much as a misunderstanding. I mean, if you didn't know anything about Paganism or Wicca (and I was Wiccan at the time) and you saw someone in the woods chanting, burning something, and waving a dagger around, what would you think? But, as soon as I explained myself, the cops just rolled their eyes and walked away, with little more than a "burn it at home next time."

Answer 3

My personal sufferings have been pretty light. Just social ostracism, insults, being passed over for promotions, and the like. But I have a friend who was nearly fired from her job and would have been imprisoned (she was in another country as a teacher - some kids asked her why she was so happy - she told them it was because of Jesus - and the authorities found out about it - she was able to escape it, but it was difficult).

In the US, you'll probably not find as many people who have serious problems because we have religious freedom here (although definitely there are exceptions like in Columbine or the African American church bombings - which are usually classified as racial crimes and not religious crimes). But in many other parts of the world it is very intense. I know of another couple that was jailed for having a bible in another country - they were released. These are just a couple of examples, but there are many more.

Answer 4

The worst treatment has been here at R&S by other christians & I got my eye poked (rude off the wall swearing remarks) at by a couple of crazy women yesterday here at R&S, I'm Catholic enough said although in the real world I've never experienced anything except from a fundie that threw a bible at me once. haha

Answer 5

I was in a church van once when people started throwing things at us, but the driver got us out of the neighborhood befpre we got hurt. Other than verbal abuse, professors making fun of me in front of the class, being left out of social groups, that's about the worst. Christians in other countries suffer much, much worse--rape, beheadings, mutilation, prison, loss of jobs. That is real persecution.

Answer 6

I have been teased, bullied, beat up, and called a variety of
'colourful' names. Pastors sh@!, etc.
when I told the principal she said:
serves you right, you shouldn't force your beliefs on others.
I said:
I wasn't forcing I was just explaining what I believe
She said"
Well you are not allowed to do that on school grounds during school hours.
Then she suspended all my activities, i got kicked off/out of
Home ek
woodshop
arts and crafts
swimming

Answer 7

Actually nothing more than a little mocking, which isn't much to deal with.

Not being confrontational on the topic of religion tends to defuse the situation in 9/10 cases, and makes it much easier to actually discuss things. That's the point of speaking, after all, to make yourself understood.

Answer 8

Personally I have alway been treated great, I do wear my Christianity on my sleeve, but everyone knows I am a good person who will accept each as they are. I know others have been persecuted, but God has protected me and I love to teach what I know to whomever would listen.

Answer 9

At the hands of my own church, when i was a teen. I took a good friend as a guest, but this person was the "wrong" color and we were asked to leave and not come back.

I never went back. I was so embarrassed for my friend! It still makes me angry.

Answer 10

In real life, not much really.

On Answers, I'm constantly amazed at the horrid things people say about Christians, Jesus, God and the bible. People are much more brazen given anonymity.

I fear for them, more than get upset over it.