You are not being persecuted

Time and time again I've seen people express the belief that Christians are being persecuted in the United States. I really don't know where this notion comes from, but it seems to be rather pervasive. And rather foolish. So, being the nice guy that I am, I thought I'd help those with a deep-seated persecution complex understand what persecution really means, and how the concept does not apply to American Christians.

Let's start by seeing what Noah Webster has to say:


persecution (pur' si kyoo'shen) 3. a program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate a people because of their religion, race, or beliefs.

Where it up to me, I would extend that defintion to include sexual orientation or identity.


Now, let's see what the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has to say:


"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

I deliberately highlighted the most salient point regarding this topic.

When the definition of persecution is viewed in the context of the First Amendment, do you honestly believe you are being persecuted? If so, then I must ask you how you can believe this to be true. 4 out of 5 Americans claim to be Christian. Exactly how are the rest of us trying to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate you? The simple answer: we aren't.

Personally, I don't care what you believe. I don't really care what anyone believes, but when people start to make outrageous claims based on little or no evidence, I take notice and speak up. Especially when those same people paint themselves as victims while victimizing others.

In 1987, George Bush, Sr. stated, "I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God." While I'll admit that this statement is not an example of persecution, as such, it comes a lot closer than anything American Christians have experienced. But wait, there are more current examples. Namely, the way a lot of you Christians treat members of the LGBT community. Too often have you tried to make them submissive or subservient to your will. You have tried to tell them they will go to hell for their non-existent sins. You have told them that they are a threat to society. You have told them they are an abomination to god. You have tried to convince them they are ill and need to be cured. Look up the word 'subjugation' in your dictionary. Then, compare it to the definition of persecution. I'll save you some time and let you know that you are guilty of the very same persecution of which you claim to be victims.

I could go further back in history and examine some other examples, but I'll assume we all know about the abhorrent acts of Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, et al, the struggles of African Americans to gain justly deserved civil rights, ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, etc., and I really don't think it's necessary to go over it all again. Suffice it to say that these are examples of real persecution.

Nobody is trying to drive Christians out of the U.S. Nobody is trying to exterminate American Christians. Nobody is trying to subjugate you. In fact, you have used persecution as a means to turn the U.S. into a Christian theocracy. This will not do. You do not have the right to inject your beliefs into the lives of others. You do not have the right to legislate morality. You do not have the right to bend others to your will simply because they have a different lifestyle, disagree with your beliefs, live by a different moral code, or choose to think for themselves. You do not have the right to claim that your constitutional rights are being violated when other people stop you from infringing on the rights of others. The U.S Constitution is not your personal chew toy to be used as you see fit. It applies to all Americans, regardless of race, religion, creed, sexual orientation, personal identity, country of origin, or any other label you choose to apply. The First Amendment gives you the right to practice whatever religion you choose. It does not give you the right to tell others that they must choose your religion. That is a fact, so stop trying to play the persecution card when you can't have your way. Stop externalizing your anger and realize that it is you who are guilty of persecution.

In short, you are not being persecuted.