State of Universal Persecution (Part 3, And Yes, There's Going To Be A Part 4)
Persecution is a topic of high priority because it's universal issue that effects everybody regardless of there beliefs or views.
Editor's Note: I
originally wanted to keep the whole piece as one article. However, with
the inclusion of the links, the articles exploded in size. As a result,
this will be a multi-part series.
Persecution Is A Real Thing That Can't Be Discounted
A couple of weeks
ago, the shooting at the two Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand
occurred. This event reaffirms that violence based on religion is a
universal issue that requires a interfaith response. This was further
highlighted by the church bombings in Sri Lanka. Religious extremism
have to be dealt with, as the cycle of religious violence will continue
until there addressed. Since this is a issue that inflicts all religious
groups, there has to be that interfaith response.
Persecution is a very real thing. However, there is a real danger of misrepresenting this topic. On one hand, preachers and spiritual/religious leaders do raise a lot of awareness. However, in most cases, this "persecution" is typically applied as loosing perceived political privileges in a society that strives for civic equality. This does not bring awareness to those that actually are suffering from religious persecution. It also makes those referencing the topic seem only concerned about their own grievances. Due to this self-righteous and pompous attitude, many have turned the shooting into a contest between religions duking it instead of a opportunity to dealing with extremism dead in its tracks.
I admit that this is one of the reasons as I've been very angry with the response. Instead of a united front of dealing with the ugly face of extremism and recognizing those who truly are suffering from religious persecution, many have turned it into a contest. A contest where the tally is recorded in blood. That anger will be reflected constantly in this article in particular.
It doesn't help that when this topic is referenced, it's usually not from a reputable site that has done plenty of research on the topic, but from a random bloggers or websites with a strong political slant or places that promote conspiracy theories. Pieces that were randomly found on Facebook and then incorporated on impulse without validating the facts.
No time was spent on seeing if the articles presented have taken anything out of context or omitted very important information to cast the event in a certain light (I'm looking at you Breitbart). In short, there is plenty of misinformation. Where these articles in question really intended to highlight the suffering of others or are they taking advantage of the religious climate by reflecting that bloody contest with no winners? Who wins in this divisive climate: the extremist, regardless of who they are.
The term persecution is in danger of being weaponized as its vaguely redefined as anything that critiques or criticizes a person. Essentially, the word persecution has been reduced from all importance to a sensationalist, click-bait term. The word has been made universally accessible to those that want to cry wolf. The ones who looses in the weaponizing of the term persecution are those in various parts of the world that actually are suffering because of there religious beliefs. There horrific suffering is ignored and overlook because many decided to abuse the word and cried wolf when it came to their own political grievances.
A interfaith response to religious violence is required. It's a problem that occurs to everybody. Persecution knows no religion. If this problem is treated as something that only Christians go through, and no one else, then people won't take the issue seriously. As a result, harm is done to both other religious groups and Christians at the same time. We need to show solidarity to those who go through religious violence, because others go through that pain as well. Stronger bonds are formed in the process as people can relate to others due to the pain that they've gone through. As horrible as the shooting was, a opportunity to challenge hatred has been provided. Jesus compelled us to provide love to those in suffering.
Acts of persecution do occasionally happen in this country. They're called hate crimes. Nobody is exempt from it. Awareness needs to be addressed to tackle hate crimes in this country. We need to be recognizing persecution for what is actually is; a force of hate that leads to verbal or physical assaults because of a person's background. Awareness and exposure needs to be reflected to those that inflict this pain, regardless of whether they're Radical Muslims or White Supremacist. When it comes to extremism, there's no difference between the two!
Persecution is a very real thing. However, there is a real danger of misrepresenting this topic. On one hand, preachers and spiritual/religious leaders do raise a lot of awareness. However, in most cases, this "persecution" is typically applied as loosing perceived political privileges in a society that strives for civic equality. This does not bring awareness to those that actually are suffering from religious persecution. It also makes those referencing the topic seem only concerned about their own grievances. Due to this self-righteous and pompous attitude, many have turned the shooting into a contest between religions duking it instead of a opportunity to dealing with extremism dead in its tracks.
I admit that this is one of the reasons as I've been very angry with the response. Instead of a united front of dealing with the ugly face of extremism and recognizing those who truly are suffering from religious persecution, many have turned it into a contest. A contest where the tally is recorded in blood. That anger will be reflected constantly in this article in particular.
It doesn't help that when this topic is referenced, it's usually not from a reputable site that has done plenty of research on the topic, but from a random bloggers or websites with a strong political slant or places that promote conspiracy theories. Pieces that were randomly found on Facebook and then incorporated on impulse without validating the facts.
No time was spent on seeing if the articles presented have taken anything out of context or omitted very important information to cast the event in a certain light (I'm looking at you Breitbart). In short, there is plenty of misinformation. Where these articles in question really intended to highlight the suffering of others or are they taking advantage of the religious climate by reflecting that bloody contest with no winners? Who wins in this divisive climate: the extremist, regardless of who they are.
The term persecution is in danger of being weaponized as its vaguely redefined as anything that critiques or criticizes a person. Essentially, the word persecution has been reduced from all importance to a sensationalist, click-bait term. The word has been made universally accessible to those that want to cry wolf. The ones who looses in the weaponizing of the term persecution are those in various parts of the world that actually are suffering because of there religious beliefs. There horrific suffering is ignored and overlook because many decided to abuse the word and cried wolf when it came to their own political grievances.
A interfaith response to religious violence is required. It's a problem that occurs to everybody. Persecution knows no religion. If this problem is treated as something that only Christians go through, and no one else, then people won't take the issue seriously. As a result, harm is done to both other religious groups and Christians at the same time. We need to show solidarity to those who go through religious violence, because others go through that pain as well. Stronger bonds are formed in the process as people can relate to others due to the pain that they've gone through. As horrible as the shooting was, a opportunity to challenge hatred has been provided. Jesus compelled us to provide love to those in suffering.
Acts of persecution do occasionally happen in this country. They're called hate crimes. Nobody is exempt from it. Awareness needs to be addressed to tackle hate crimes in this country. We need to be recognizing persecution for what is actually is; a force of hate that leads to verbal or physical assaults because of a person's background. Awareness and exposure needs to be reflected to those that inflict this pain, regardless of whether they're Radical Muslims or White Supremacist. When it comes to extremism, there's no difference between the two!
The Persecution Complex (When One Turns A Act
of Spiritual Suffering Into A Game)
Within
Christianity, it's taught that many have been or will be persecuted for
spreading Jesus's name. Whenever persecution occurs within the Christian
body, we rely on Jesus during the harshest of times. Relying on Jesus
is the most important thing to do, especially during harsh times. He
provides the guidance for one to get through and his guidance is
important for one of there spiritual walk.
Part of that Christian walk is to be strong in your faith and defend it in case situations arises. It means have deep knowledge in God's word and keeping it in your hearts. It also means realizing what Jesus's ministry was all about. It means recognizing why Jesus died on the cross for our sins. We realize that he's God's Son and that he provides God's Salvation to those that believe in him. We build that relationship by reading God's word and understanding his wants and needs by praying to him. Our Christian faith calls on us to defend our faith when we are placed in that situation.
It's not persecution when one engineered the suffering to happen to them in a planned manner, as if it was a lab experiment designed to get those results from the start. This isn't done to glorify those who have suffered in the names of Jesus. Often times, this pain isn't inflicted as a enhancement to strengthen one's spiritual walk, but provide that "I told you so" moment and demonize there perceived critics.
For some, the action of defending there faith might be genuine. They want to relate to the suffering of Christians in Nigeria or the Middle East. However, because the vast majority of these Christians in this country have never been in life-or-death situations of faith like in those other countries or regions, they can't relate to there suffering.
On one hand, this is a major blessing as there is nothing in this country stopping anyone from practicing there faith, regardless of whatever faith that is. The limitations are those self-imposed on those who feel hesitant (and will blame secularism and/or "evil liberals" later for that hesitation and claim that they were "under assault"). However, the freedom is there, which is more than what you can say in several countries. However, for some though that feel that there faith isn't validated until they've been persecuted, this is a real challenge.
This is why I feel that many would be tempted into partake in the activity above. Perceived critiques or criticisms are elevated on par to those who suffer in the Middle East, Uganda, Nigeria, or Sri Lanka (as mentioned in previous articles, this is a huge disservice to those that actually have suffered in those regions due to there faith). Those Christians that killed in the Sri Lanka bombings are now in a very special place. A place that they got to because of there faith. A place that they also got to because they were part of a very unfortunate situation, not because they weren't trying to prove something or make a point. That what makes there deaths even more profound.
Victims that should be remembered to the highest, but are quickly forgotten by those that claimed persecution because there was of a difference of opinion. Someone who wasn't in danger of there views are presents there challenges of opinion as a divine struggle. It makes things appear much more grand than it actually was. Some wanted a challenge that they couldn't get because they were blessed to be born where they were, and instead of embracing it, they get the temptation of testing God by potentially creating situations to give provide themselves that opportunity and elevated there grievances to those in other parts of the world that have it so much worse.
I could go around and say that I'm at risk for posting this article. I'm under threat that my views would be "under assault" if this article was posted. That is what this writer would do if I wanted to play into that mindset though, which I'm not. This is because there is nothing to gain or to loose with the posting of this article. This is just another article among many that touches on this topic. Nothing more and nothing less.
I realize that at this point, I sound very harsh. In fact, I admit to this. At the same time, I feel that these are aspects that need to be referenced in the church setting that are often ignored by many spiritual leaders. It's with this attitude that the idea of the persecution complex takes hold. The views of the believer aren't validated until persecution happens to them. Persecution is welcomed as it confirms there worldview and provides that "I told you so" moment. They feel that persecution and terror on the mass scale is necessary (privately, some believers might even be wishing for this to happen) for the beliefs of others to be validated as well. Otherwise, that faith isn't real.
Part of that Christian walk is to be strong in your faith and defend it in case situations arises. It means have deep knowledge in God's word and keeping it in your hearts. It also means realizing what Jesus's ministry was all about. It means recognizing why Jesus died on the cross for our sins. We realize that he's God's Son and that he provides God's Salvation to those that believe in him. We build that relationship by reading God's word and understanding his wants and needs by praying to him. Our Christian faith calls on us to defend our faith when we are placed in that situation.
Noticed that I've said when we are placed
in that situation. Not when we purposely place ourselves in that
situation so that we feel as if we have something to prove. Essentially,
this is when someone creates there own conditions for the purpose of
defending there faith. That is not glorifying God, but testing him. This
is not done to build a stronger relationship with Jesus, but to fulfill
one own spiritual ambitions.
This person inflicts suffering onto oneself to validate there own ideas of what suffering to claim spiritual bragging rights. The "I'm more Christian than you because I suffered" is a attitude taken by the self-righteous thrill seeker, not a sincere Christian. Persecution becomes a contest when people use it for there own pursuit. A contest to prove there own faith or the lack of faith in someone else.
This person inflicts suffering onto oneself to validate there own ideas of what suffering to claim spiritual bragging rights. The "I'm more Christian than you because I suffered" is a attitude taken by the self-righteous thrill seeker, not a sincere Christian. Persecution becomes a contest when people use it for there own pursuit. A contest to prove there own faith or the lack of faith in someone else.
It's not persecution when one engineered the suffering to happen to them in a planned manner, as if it was a lab experiment designed to get those results from the start. This isn't done to glorify those who have suffered in the names of Jesus. Often times, this pain isn't inflicted as a enhancement to strengthen one's spiritual walk, but provide that "I told you so" moment and demonize there perceived critics.
For some, the action of defending there faith might be genuine. They want to relate to the suffering of Christians in Nigeria or the Middle East. However, because the vast majority of these Christians in this country have never been in life-or-death situations of faith like in those other countries or regions, they can't relate to there suffering.
On one hand, this is a major blessing as there is nothing in this country stopping anyone from practicing there faith, regardless of whatever faith that is. The limitations are those self-imposed on those who feel hesitant (and will blame secularism and/or "evil liberals" later for that hesitation and claim that they were "under assault"). However, the freedom is there, which is more than what you can say in several countries. However, for some though that feel that there faith isn't validated until they've been persecuted, this is a real challenge.
This is why I feel that many would be tempted into partake in the activity above. Perceived critiques or criticisms are elevated on par to those who suffer in the Middle East, Uganda, Nigeria, or Sri Lanka (as mentioned in previous articles, this is a huge disservice to those that actually have suffered in those regions due to there faith). Those Christians that killed in the Sri Lanka bombings are now in a very special place. A place that they got to because of there faith. A place that they also got to because they were part of a very unfortunate situation, not because they weren't trying to prove something or make a point. That what makes there deaths even more profound.
Victims that should be remembered to the highest, but are quickly forgotten by those that claimed persecution because there was of a difference of opinion. Someone who wasn't in danger of there views are presents there challenges of opinion as a divine struggle. It makes things appear much more grand than it actually was. Some wanted a challenge that they couldn't get because they were blessed to be born where they were, and instead of embracing it, they get the temptation of testing God by potentially creating situations to give provide themselves that opportunity and elevated there grievances to those in other parts of the world that have it so much worse.
I could go around and say that I'm at risk for posting this article. I'm under threat that my views would be "under assault" if this article was posted. That is what this writer would do if I wanted to play into that mindset though, which I'm not. This is because there is nothing to gain or to loose with the posting of this article. This is just another article among many that touches on this topic. Nothing more and nothing less.
I realize that at this point, I sound very harsh. In fact, I admit to this. At the same time, I feel that these are aspects that need to be referenced in the church setting that are often ignored by many spiritual leaders. It's with this attitude that the idea of the persecution complex takes hold. The views of the believer aren't validated until persecution happens to them. Persecution is welcomed as it confirms there worldview and provides that "I told you so" moment. They feel that persecution and terror on the mass scale is necessary (privately, some believers might even be wishing for this to happen) for the beliefs of others to be validated as well. Otherwise, that faith isn't real.
I'm surprised that the idea of the persecution complex isn't
addressed more within the church setting. It's a topic that demands
attention as its embraced by many Christians today. It's a mockery to
those who have actually have suffered for their faith by being at the
wrong place at the wrong time. The ones that didn't ask to suffer for
their beliefs, but were part of unfortunate situations where things were
beyond there control. That what makes persecution real. What also makes
there faith real is they still stand up for their faith despite the hand
that life gave them. These are the truly persecuted ones, not the ones
that see persecution as a game. These are the believers that will
receive God's love.
Those who see persecution as a game could potentially get themselves in a horrible situation if not be spiritually prepared. Unnecessary pain could result. The persecution complex is the spiritual equivalent of a pointless street fight. One better have that strong relationship with God before embarking on that spiritual street fight. If one picks a fight that they weren't ready for, they would have made poor use of God's word for selfish, spiritual pursuit instead of his glory. Those that see persecution as a sport fail to realize why Jesus suffered on the cross. This will be part four.
This is where I will end part three. These articles are much longer than I anticipated. For a long time, I though that this was going to be the last part. It's funny how things play out. There was a lot that I wanted to say about this topic. Some might say that this writer had too much to say! There is a devil. It's our own personal moral and ethical shortcomings. It can manifest in fear, paranoia, prejudice, and ignorance. It consumes us when we let it take over. As a result, we become our own worst enemies.
The biggest threat to Christianity isn't secularism or Islam. The biggest danger to Christianity is the one in the reflection of the mirror when we ourselves when we let our anxieties and prejudices take over.
Because these articles are more social and/or politically oriented, I feel that it would be very inappropriate to post part four on either Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. As a result, the last part will be posted on the 28th. I know that these articles have been heavy at times. Remember this though; these articles are based on observations and personal interpretations, and not validated fact. With that said, take it easy and Happy Easter!
Those who see persecution as a game could potentially get themselves in a horrible situation if not be spiritually prepared. Unnecessary pain could result. The persecution complex is the spiritual equivalent of a pointless street fight. One better have that strong relationship with God before embarking on that spiritual street fight. If one picks a fight that they weren't ready for, they would have made poor use of God's word for selfish, spiritual pursuit instead of his glory. Those that see persecution as a sport fail to realize why Jesus suffered on the cross. This will be part four.
This is where I will end part three. These articles are much longer than I anticipated. For a long time, I though that this was going to be the last part. It's funny how things play out. There was a lot that I wanted to say about this topic. Some might say that this writer had too much to say! There is a devil. It's our own personal moral and ethical shortcomings. It can manifest in fear, paranoia, prejudice, and ignorance. It consumes us when we let it take over. As a result, we become our own worst enemies.
The biggest threat to Christianity isn't secularism or Islam. The biggest danger to Christianity is the one in the reflection of the mirror when we ourselves when we let our anxieties and prejudices take over.
Because these articles are more social and/or politically oriented, I feel that it would be very inappropriate to post part four on either Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. As a result, the last part will be posted on the 28th. I know that these articles have been heavy at times. Remember this though; these articles are based on observations and personal interpretations, and not validated fact. With that said, take it easy and Happy Easter!
Articles of Interest
State of Universal Persecution (Part 1)
Kixmiller Pigeon
RKIXMILLER.DUDAONE.COM
State of Universal Persecution (Part 2)
Kixmiller Pigeon
RKIXMILLER.DUDAONE.COM
Christian Persecution – Fact or Fiction
Patheos
WWW.PATHEOS.COM
It’s Not About Muslim or Christian. It’s About Extremism
Patheos
WWW.PATHEOS.COM
“God’s Not Dead” and the Angry Atheist Professor: That Was Not My Experience
Christ And Pop Culture
CHRISTANDPOPCULTURE.COM
“God’s Not Dead,” But this Trope Is
Christ And Pop Culture
CHRISTANDPOPCULTURE.COM
‘The Ladder Down to Hell’: How Social Media Breeds Hate Speech
Snopes
WWW.SNOPES.COM
Snopes
WWW.SNOPES.COM
Does This Photograph Show Nigerian Christians Burned Alive by Muslims?
(Warning: Several of these pictures are graphic in nature. Caution advised)
Snopes
WWW.SNOPES.COM
DR Congo fuel truck victims buried in mass graves
BBC
WWW.BBC.COM
Did ‘Muslim Militants’ Kill 120 Christians in Nigeria in February/March 2019?
Snopes
WWW.SNOPES.COM
Did Muslim Terrorists Bomb a Church in the Philippines “Yesterday,” Killing 30 Christians?
Snopes
WWW.SNOPES.COM
Boko Haram
WIKIPEDIA
EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG
WIKIPEDIA
EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG
FBI data shows sharp rise in US hate crimes
The Guardian
WWW.THEGUARDIAN.COM
FBI: US hate crimes rise for second straight year
BBC
WWW.BBC.COM
WWW.BBC.COM
2016 Hate Crime Statistics
The FBI’s latest hate crime statistics report includes information detailing
the offenses, victims, offenders, and locations of 6,121 criminal incidents
reported in 2016.
FBI.GOV
U.S. hate crimes rise for second straight year - FBI
The number of hate crimes committed in the United States rose in 2016
for the second consecutive year, with African-Americans, Jews and Muslims
targeted in many of the incidents, the FBI said on Monday in an annual report.
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