Persecution is Already Here

[GodsGrace]

I just saw the below linked.
It's scary, to say the least.
And it'll just get worse.

What have we, as Christians, done wrong?

UK Woman Arrested for Silent Prayer

You would think a recent article was a news item about North Korea, but it's not— a woman in the UK was arrested for silently praying near an abortion clinic.

answersingenesis.org

 

[Christ_empowered]

Not to sound cold and uncaring but Jesus Himself speaks of persecution in the NT. At a worldly level…

Humankind’s default position is against Jesus. The world…society as a whole…same but more intense and also…

I think often more nuanced almost covert in some societies. In authoritarian religions regimes that are openly anti Christian the rules are clear. China…their national religion seems to be the state itself and their anti religious rules seem to change periodically probably to help the state achieve its goals is what I’m guessing. And then…

Democratic nations with more resources. So called progressive governments can be anti Christian but the hatred is hidden behind secular progressive speak and layers upon layers of bureaucracy and regulations. To be fair…

The USA government imprisoned some catholic anti war anti nuclear activists not too long ago…maybe more than 1 group? They had a trial in federal court…eek. So it’s not just the affluent nations with social programs and progressive speak. Scripture seems to indicate it’s the entire world system just variations in how it plays out.

 

[GodsGrace]

Not to sound cold and uncaring but Jesus Himself speaks of persecution in the NT. At a worldly level…

Humankind’s default position is against Jesus. The world…society as a whole…same but more intense and also…

I think often more nuanced almost covert in some societies. In authoritarian religions regimes that are openly anti Christian the rules are clear. China…their national religion seems to be the state itself and their anti religious rules seem to change periodically probably to help the state achieve its goals is what I’m guessing. And then…

Democratic nations with more resources. So called progressive governments can be anti Christian but the hatred is hidden behind secular progressive speak and layers upon layers of bureaucracy and regulations. To be fair…

The USA government imprisoned some catholic anti war anti nuclear activists not too long ago…maybe more than 1 group? They had a trial in federal court…eek. So it’s not just the affluent nations with social programs and progressive speak. Scripture seems to indicate it’s the entire world system just variations in how it plays out.

Right, in authoritarian regimes the religion has to be the state.
Ditto for communism - it came to mind.

But what I don't understand is why Christians?
Are Hindus persecuted - in general?
Buddhists?


I feel like Christians are doing something wrong - but I'm not sure what.
Jesus is used like an expletive word in movies,
priests are portrayed as being weak and dumb.

Maybe we didn't stand up for our rights?
Maybe we're too nice?

The woman in the article wasn't bothering anyone.
No more prayer in schools...maybe there should have been an outcry?
Now no more personal prayer just because we're on a street?
What's next.

 

[Christ_empowered]

Christians are more targeted than others. I think that’s actually been observed by secular ngos that gather data on such things. And…

Sometimes religious conflict is a cover for conflict over power resources land that kind of thing. Not always but…

A Hindu may say I hate the Buddhists but it’s more about the Buddhists having an edge in controlling land or political clout on and on.

From my perspective…Jesus is Truth…

And we…humankind…crucified Him once already and the hits keep coming. The transitions towards secularization and post Christian cultures n some nations..,

Seems to me to also represent a reversion back to a more pagan perspective on life society morality etc. so…looking at the NT from that perspective is both exciting and frightening.

 

[GodsGrace]

Christians are more targeted than others. I think that’s actually been observed by secular ngos that gather data on such things. And…

Sometimes religious conflict is a cover for conflict over power resources land that kind of thing. Not always but…

A Hindu may say I hate the Buddhists but it’s more about the Buddhists having an edge in controlling land or political clout on and on.

From my perspective…Jesus is Truth…

And we…humankind…crucified Him once already and the hits keep coming. The transitions towards secularization and post Christian cultures n some nations..,

Seems to me to also represent a reversion back to a more pagan perspective on life society morality etc. so…looking at the NT from that perspective is both exciting and frightening.

Right. I see the same end coming.

 

[jasonc]

Rights?

What do you expect Satan to simply stand by and let you pray him out of authority.?

If we are following the Lord it is likely these things will happen .in the west without such fervency church is a thing not a lifeline ,a source of respite .prayer Is a past time ,a hobby versus an act of desperation. .

 

[Christ_empowered]

Valid points.

I’d also say…

I think persecution is happening within the established Protestant church system. No idea what’s going on with the catholic community but I imagine they have or will have the same problems.

 

[hawkman]

I feel like Christians are doing something wrong - but I'm not sure what.
Jesus is used like an expletive word in movies,
priests are portrayed as being weak and dumb.

All it takes for the world to hate us is for us to be Christian .
John15

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.

23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Right, in authoritarian regimes the religion has to be the state.
Ditto for communism - it came to mind.

But what I don't understand is why Christians?
Are Hindus persecuted - in general?
Buddhists?


I feel like Christians are doing something wrong - but I'm not sure what.
Jesus is used like an expletive word in movies,
priests are portrayed as being weak and dumb.

Maybe we didn't stand up for our rights?
Maybe we're too nice?

The woman in the article wasn't bothering anyone.
No more prayer in schools...maybe there should have been an outcry?
Now no more personal prayer just because we're on a street?
What's next.

The scary part is that this is persecution legally for a THOUGHT CRIME. You cannot even have some thoughts.

IMO, she would have been wiser to say, “my thoughts (including prayer) are my own and I’m under no legal or moral obligation to tell you my thoughts.”

 

[Free]

Right, in authoritarian regimes the religion has to be the state.
Ditto for communism - it came to mind.

But what I don't understand is why Christians?
Are Hindus persecuted - in general?
Buddhists?


I feel like Christians are doing something wrong - but I'm not sure what.
Jesus is used like an expletive word in movies,
priests are portrayed as being weak and dumb.

Maybe we didn't stand up for our rights?
Maybe we're too nice?

The woman in the article wasn't bothering anyone.
No more prayer in schools...maybe there should have been an outcry?
Now no more personal prayer just because we're on a street?
What's next.

Both historically and currently, there are a number of things Christians have done to deserve some persecution, at least in the West. More than that though, it is largely the work of the enemy to deceive, so that people hate truth and righteousness; they love the darkness and find it offensive when people do not join them in doing evil:

Isa 59:14 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter.
Isa 59:15 Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. (ESV)

Joh 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
Joh 3:20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. (ESV)

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
Rom 1:19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
Rom 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Rom 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Rom 1:22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (ESV)

2Ti 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
2Ti 3:2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
2Ti 3:4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
2Ti 3:5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (ESV)

 

[GodsGrace]

The scary part is that this is persecution legally for a THOUGHT CRIME. You cannot even have some thoughts.

IMO, she would have been wiser to say, “my thoughts (including prayer) are my own and I’m under no legal or moral obligation to tell you my thoughts.”

That's what I may have done - who could know for sure.
Sometimes I actually stand up for my rights!

Sounds like 1984. The Thought Police.

I also found out that kids are not allowed to say mom or dad in school.
Can it be??? I think someone on this forum said this.

 

[GodsGrace]

Both historically and currently, there are a number of things Christians have done to deserve some persecution, at least in the West. More than that though, it is largely the work of the enemy to deceive, so that people hate truth and righteousness; they love the darkness and find it offensive when people do not join them in doing evil:

Isa 59:14 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter.
Isa 59:15 Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. (ESV)

Joh 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
Joh 3:20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. (ESV)

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
Rom 1:19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
Rom 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Rom 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Rom 1:22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (ESV)

2Ti 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
2Ti 3:2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
2Ti 3:4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
2Ti 3:5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (ESV)

What have Christians done to deserve persecution?

 

[electedbyHim]

This world will never get better, it will only get worse.

The beginning of birth pains?

Gods wrath is upon America because of the perversion of homosexuality and transgender acceptance. An abomination to God.

God has given this country over to a reprobate mind. It will only get worse until America is wiped out like every other society and empire the departed from God and allowed sexual perversion to dominate its culture.

We are living in Romans 1:18-32

Rom 1:18-32 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the likeness of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions; for their females exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the males abandoned the natural function of the female and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, violent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the righteous requirement of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.


Grace and peace to you.

 

[jasonc]

This world will never get better, it will only get worse.

The beginning of birth pains?

Gods wrath is upon America because of the perversion of homosexuality and transgender acceptance. An abomination to God.

God has given this country over to a reprobate mind. It will only get worse until America is wiped out like every other society and empire the departed from God and allowed sexual perversion to dominate its culture.

We are living in Romans 1:18-32

Rom 1:18-32 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the likeness of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions; for their females exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the males abandoned the natural function of the female and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, violent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the righteous requirement of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.


Grace and peace to you.

I believe that as well.

 

[Free]

What have Christians done to deserve persecution?

There are quite a number of things. Historically, there were many things done, including forced conversions and the killing of many without just cause. In modern times, God's name has been invoked to justify war, and there has been an ungodly joining of certain factions in Christianity with certain political factions, as well as much hate spewed by Christians on social media towards those they disagree with.

 

[WIP]

There are quite a number of things. Historically, there were many things done, including forced conversions and the killing of many without just cause. In modern times, God's name has been invoked to justify war, and there has been an ungodly joining of certain factions in Christianity with certain political factions, as well as much hate spewed by Christians on social media towards those they disagree with.

And Christianity used for political gain.

 

[GodsGrace]

And Christianity used for political gain.

I never thought this was a bad thing.
I guess the problem is that we're still human and
absolute power corrupts absolutely.

 

[WIP]

I never thought this was a bad thing.
I guess the problem is that we're still human and
absolute power corrupts absolutely.

In the last couple elections it seems I recall candidates made it a point to mention church affiliation, trying to win votes from that societal group.

 

[Free]

In the last couple elections it seems I recall candidates made it a point to mention church affiliation, trying to win votes from that societal group.

That and some of the rallies for political candidates were hardly different from a church service.

 

[Edward]

What have Christians done to deserve persecution?

Nothing, from the beginning of the world. The enemy can not touch God, so he picks on God's children because it's the only thing he can do.

God allows persecutuion to happen sometimes, because He suffered first. If we share in His suffering then we will share in His glory.

To borrow a line from, Unforgiven (1992)...Deserves got nothing to do with it...
WIlliam Munny