Have you ever noticed how Christians feel persecuted, even when they’re the ones doing the persecuting?
This concept of persecution is complex and involves deeply held beliefs and personal identities. Among Christians, there is a prevalent feeling of being persecuted, even in contexts where they may be seen as the ones imposing their beliefs on others. This paradoxical phenomenon is deeply ingrained in Christian consciousness from the teaching in the books of the Bible written by people who often found themselves in situations of adversity and persecution.
Historical Persecution and the Bible
The Bible is essentially a compilation of writings from people who frequently faced oppression, marginalization, and outright persecution.
Old Testament
Many books in the Old Testament were written during times of conquest and exile. For example, the Israelites faced oppression under various empires, including the Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians. Stories like the Exodus, where Moses leads the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, reflect a profound experience of persecution and deliverance.
New Testament
The New Testament was written during the Roman Empire’s dominance, a time when early Christians were often persecuted for their faith. The Gospels recount Jesus’ crucifixion, a clear example of state-sponsored persecution. The epistles (letters) written by apostles like Paul were often penned from prison cells or during periods of severe hardship.
Modern-Day Drama
Fast forward to today, where religious freedom is as protected as your grandma’s secret cookie recipe. Yet, some Christians still feel under attack. Why? Because the world is evolving and sometimes change can feel like a slap in the face. Secularism, LGBTQ+ rights, and reproductive freedoms can make some Christians perceive these changes as a direct attack on their faith.
The Paradox in Action: Sarah’s Story
Sarah is a devoted Christian, always front and center at church events, advocating for traditional values. When a new law pops up protecting LGBTQ+ rights, Sarah’s convinced it’s a direct assault on her beliefs. So, she stages a protest, claiming her religious freedoms are being squashed.
Alex is Sarah’s fabulous neighbor and a proud gay man who’s faced more discrimination than he cares to count. For Alex, this law is a long-awaited shield against harassment. Sarah’s protest from Alex’s perspective, feels like an attempt to undermine his rights and perpetuate discrimination.
See the paradox? Sarah feels persecuted for her beliefs while her actions contribute to Alex’s sense of being persecuted for his identity. It’s a classic case of “I’m the victim here!” from both sides.
Examples of the Perception Paradox
- School Prayer Shenanigans: Some Christians lose it when public school prayer gets banned, seeing it as a muzzle on their faith. But hold up! This policy is about respecting all beliefs, including those of non-Christians who don’t want to feel like outsiders in their own schools.
Hey Christians, if you can pray in school, then other religions can worship their way in schools as well. If that offends you or makes you feel persecuted, then how do you think you are making them feel? - Marriage Equality Meltdowns: Legalizing same-sex marriage has some Christians hollering about an attack on their values. Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ folks see it as a basic human right.
Hey Christians, no one is persecuting you or asking you to change your values! Denying marriage? That’s the real persecution. - Religious Symbol Showdowns: Court rulings against religious displays in public spaces make some Christians feel erased. But these decisions ensure public spaces stay inclusive for everyone, not just the cross-toting crowd.
Hey Christians, no one is persecuting you! You are free to display your symbols in your own space!
What’s Really Going On?
Why do some Christians feel persecuted even when they’re swinging the hammer? Let’s break it down:
- Identity Crisis: Religion is a big part of identity. Anything that seems to threaten religious beliefs feels super personal.
- Cultural Whiplash: Society’s evolving faster than a TikTok trend. As society becomes more pluralistic, some Christians perceive a loss of cultural dominance as persecution.
- History Lessons: The long shadow of historical persecution colors current fears, making even minor conflicts feel major.
- Media Mayhem: Media narratives often amplify feelings of persecution by highlighting conflicts and framing them in a way that resonates with existing fears and biases.
Moving Forward
To navigate this persecution paradox, we need a hefty dose of empathy and dialogue. Christians deserve respect for their beliefs, but so does everyone else.
Respectful conversations can help bridge divides and foster mutual understanding. Christians, you need to understand that there are other faiths and beliefs in the world and no one is telling you you can have yours. No one is persecuting you for your beliefs until you persecute them for not believing what you think is the “right” way.
One thing I have learned after reading the Bible is that it is full of stories of people with different beliefs. There is never a time, throughout the Bible or in history anywhere, where everyone was the same religion and followed along like good little soldiers. We are human. We have creative and expansive minds. We are free to think and discover. While you can force your beliefs on others through communist regimes, you can never stop the freethinkers and other belief systems. They will always exist.
The U.S. was an escape from the persecution of having to abide by one belief system. Why do Christians feel persecuted when others have different beliefs? This is America. A place where we should all be understanding a get along. There is no need to fight when someone thinks differently than you.
I honestly believe the lessons of the Bible are a clear indication that God feels like we will always have differences and conflicts. The stories are there to guide us to learn from history, not to revive it and create another apocolyptic event because we can’t figure out this human experience.