It can irritate me sometimes when a person sitting in front of his/her own personal computer, in his/her safe little house, and who will attend his/her church without fear, claims "persecution".
Ahem.
there are real people in other parts of the world who are suffering real persecution.
In our safe little PC world (political correctness) where the largest "sin" around is the lack of tolerance, "persecute" has come to mean "
- To oppress or harass with ill-treatment, especially because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or beliefs.
- To annoy persistently; bother. (from answers.com)
It used to describe the torture and torments inflicted on the early Christians martyrs. And it still does.
GOKAK, INDIA (ANS) -- “I was cast out from my society for accepting Christ,” says Muthyappa, a helper fabricator who attends a church at Gokak in Karnataka state, India.
Muthyappa accepted Christ as his personal Savior, along with his family, some six years ago. The news of his acceptance of Christ spread throughout in their community and the elders called all the people in the society for a meeting to drive him out for accepting Jesus. The elders claimed that he had accepted a “foreign religion,” and also that he had dishonored the Hindu faith “and hence he is not fit to be a part of our religion and he needs to be kicked out from the company of his family and community.”
Muthyappa with his wife and 3 children Muthyappa made his way out along with his wife and his three children, with only a few pairs of clothing. Seeing his commitment to Christ, his sister left the family and followed Muthyappa.
He told me that he was “holding on” to the verse from Psalm 27:10, “When the father and mother forsake me, Then the lord will take care of me.”
Not knowing where to go, he searched for some labor to try and support his family and got work as a helper to a fabricator where he earns only Rs 60 a day($1.5USD).
People, having somebody disagree with your denomination is not the persecution in the Bible. Losing your job, your family, your home, your life is.
Elena
Perhaps you are aware of the story of St. Tarcisius? Tarcisius was covertly taking the Blessed Sacrament to Christian prisoners. On his way some youths started to taunt and tease him. Their taunts turned to pushes and shoves. This eventually gave way to slaps and punches, first with fists and then with stones. Tarcisius was eventually beaten to death.
Persecution exists on many levels Ellen. It starts small and grows. That does not mean that the small written pokes, unkind words etc don't fit under the category of "persecution." It all usually starts there.
Ellen
That's why it's best to keep comments impersonal (not making comments about the ability to think, making statements like "I hate those [whatever]" and taking personal pokes at individual websites.
If we can "begin" persecution at a very low level, then we give ourselves the ability to whine and claim that we are being persecuted, when in reality, we are nowhere near those in the Bible (Hebrews 11) ...and others experienced mockings and scourgings [they went together, like the scourging of Christ], yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated...
Remember, I've been personally named as one who was hated - and I don't consider myself persecuted for the faith, it's individuals holding grudges. Sinful, yes. Persecustion? no.
I'm not in the league with the persecuted from Scripture.
I do know people who have lost jobs (or may lose them or suffer demotion) because of their unwillingness to give up their Christian convictions. I'm honored to know them and support them. The ones that truly suffer (and not petty insults) are the ones who should be honored as persecuted.
Thanks for your comment.
Elena
If we can “begin” persecution at a very low level, then we give ourselves the ability to whine and claim that we are being persecuted, when in reality, we are nowhere near those in the Bible
I think what you are discussing is the degree of persecution. But I don't think you can judge that. What you might be able to withstand might be totally different than say, a young college student away from home for the first time. It's all a matter of past experience and perspective.
Ellen
Fine. It's called "persecution complex" for a reason.
We see it a lot on the web - the whiners that claim persecution for "contending for the faith", when what they really face is disagreement.
When you broaden the definition, it's much easier to complain that you're being persecuted, is it not?
I'll continue to support the truly persecuted, those who are faced with disagreement will be challenged in a good way.
I have a friend who may soon be faced with either losing a job or taking a demotion because of requests to violate Christian ethics.
Contrast that with various bloggers who seek out controversy and then claim persecution.
I stand in prayer next to the truly persecuted, but I am hardly in their league. To claim such is merely human pride.
Elena
Wow Ellen, does it say somewhere in your bible, "judge not?"
What is happening to your friend is persecution. What happens to the second grader on the play ground is also persecution.
If you only feel called to pray for those who are facing monumental persecution in the form of death or life altering consequences, God bless you! Follow your call!
However, that doesn't mean that there are not little forms of persecution going on all over the world including cyberspace that aren't equally as hurtful, humiliating and sinful.
Sometimes those little things can be just as destructive.
Ellen
Elena, okie dokie.