Persecution of Christians

Whether he was just stating the obvious or subverting the faithful, the statement by our president caught believers off guard. He said, “Whatever we once were, we’re no longer a Christian nation, at least not just . . .”

Now many would agree. We have strayed far from where this country began. A country founded upon the freedom of religion has become a country that seeks freedom from religion and incrementally, at least, believers are being intimidated.

Network coverage of abortion and homosexuality "are never done from the religious viewpoint," said Brent Bozell, of the Media Research Center. Instead, "religious figures are regularly portrayed as reactionary roadblocks while their positive influences are rarely covered." Except at Christmastime, when the networks traditionally broadcast "heartwarming" segments in their broadcasts, the news shows usually portray religious groups and their leaders "as cold, intolerant and oppressive," Bozell said

A Christian employee of Hewlet Packard was fired for posting Bible verses condemning homosexual behavior on his desk in response to posters displayed during a company campaign to promote a diverse work force

Tourists visiting Washington D.C. in 1997 were ordered by the police to stop praying in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol

In 1997, a high school student in Florida was suspended for handing out religious literature before and after - but not during - school hours.

A New Jersey public school banned the Charles Dickens play, "A Christmas Carol" because of its spiritual overtones and message of redemption.

And what is happening here pales in comparison to what goes on in the rest of the world. The militant Islamic Government of Sudan, for example, is waging a self-described religious war against Christian, non-Muslim, and moderate Muslim persons by using torture, starvation, enslavement, and murder. In Pakistan, the government has declared those that who “insult” Mohammed will be put to death. In Communist Laos more than 250 pastors and Christian workers have been arrested; more than 60 churches and Christian institutions have been shut down; and the government has forced many thousands of believers to sign documents to "renounce" their faith and belief in Christianity.

I must say that the surprising thing for us today should not be that we are beginning to be squeezed by our culture. The surprising thing for any believer should not be the presence of persecution, but its absence. For the last 300 years this country, founded in large measure by the devout has provided for the devout, but that is changing and that change isn’t the exception in our history, but the rule. It started with Jesus and it has been going ever since.