Christianity and persecution
Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 4:43 pm
Recently on two separate occasions the issue of Christians being persecuted was raised. Both times the argument was put forward that Christians no matter where they live are persecuted and that society is out to stop them from being able to practice their beliefs. I am wondering, given that I live in Australia and these comments were Australian based, just how Christians are persecuted here. I can understand if these remarks were made from someone living in a country whereby freedom of the right to choose a belief was non-existent, but not from someone living in Australia.
I question whether the term persecution has been taken completely out of context by Christians to what it is actually meant to apply. It refers to cruel and unfair treatment of a person because of their political or religious beliefs. When I raised this point with the people concerned they said that Christians are often tanted for their belief. I inquired as to what they meant by taunted and they replied that people think you are mad for believing in it.
If this is what Christians call being persecuted then they have a lot to learn. It is not! It is only a difference of opinion. Unless the comments are so derisive and/or the inclusion of cruelty it is not persecution. So what if they think you are mad for believing. Probably most people who barrack for a particular sporting team would think that someone who barracks for an opposing team is mad. Everywhere in life people have different beliefs in things and different opinions regarding them.
Even if certain laws are brought in (such as the formerly preposed religious vilification bill) that is not persecution. It is an exciting challenge in front of you! It does not in any way stop people from being able to practice Christianity. That is the whole meaning of what persecution refers to. Stopping you!
It seems to me that there are too many people eager to jump on the bandwagon like other non-Christians and apply a term because it sounds good to them. In Australia last time I knew (and that was today), you can still go to Church; you are still able to freely buy and read a Bible and you can still become a Christian anytime you choose. In some countries this is not possible, and it was these places that Jesus refers to in the Bible.
Is there anyone from down under who has an opinion on this issue?
I question whether the term persecution has been taken completely out of context by Christians to what it is actually meant to apply. It refers to cruel and unfair treatment of a person because of their political or religious beliefs. When I raised this point with the people concerned they said that Christians are often tanted for their belief. I inquired as to what they meant by taunted and they replied that people think you are mad for believing in it.
If this is what Christians call being persecuted then they have a lot to learn. It is not! It is only a difference of opinion. Unless the comments are so derisive and/or the inclusion of cruelty it is not persecution. So what if they think you are mad for believing. Probably most people who barrack for a particular sporting team would think that someone who barracks for an opposing team is mad. Everywhere in life people have different beliefs in things and different opinions regarding them.
Even if certain laws are brought in (such as the formerly preposed religious vilification bill) that is not persecution. It is an exciting challenge in front of you! It does not in any way stop people from being able to practice Christianity. That is the whole meaning of what persecution refers to. Stopping you!
It seems to me that there are too many people eager to jump on the bandwagon like other non-Christians and apply a term because it sounds good to them. In Australia last time I knew (and that was today), you can still go to Church; you are still able to freely buy and read a Bible and you can still become a Christian anytime you choose. In some countries this is not possible, and it was these places that Jesus refers to in the Bible.
Is there anyone from down under who has an opinion on this issue?