Christian persecution complex

[PatrickSebast]

It seems to me that many Christians, both Catholic and protestants, tend to claim that they are enduring persecution for Christ whenever the world goes against them. However in some cases this is clearly not the truth (such as the Qu’ran burning thing going on now or the fight against interracial marriages in the past) of the matter and they are instead being persecuted for their own actions. What is the best way to avoid falling into that trap? I have become very wary of ever making a claim to any personal persecution, but I have also heard it said by many that if you don’t feel the world is against you then you aren’t doing enough for Christ so maybe I am in the wrong on that point? Does that idea even come from anything legitimate or is it just something people say to make themselves feel better when people get understandably angry at them when they tell them they are going to Hell?

 

[Edward_H]

It seems to me that many Christians, both Catholic and protestants, tend to claim that they are enduring persecution for Christ whenever the world goes against them. However in some cases this is clearly not the truth (such as the Qu’ran burning thing going on now or the fight against interracial marriages in the past) of the matter and they are instead being persecuted for their own actions. What is the best way to avoid falling into that trap? I have become very wary of ever making a claim to any personal persecution, but I have also heard it said by many that if you don’t feel the world is against you then you aren’t doing enough for Christ so maybe I am in the wrong on that point? Does that idea even come from anything legitimate or is it just something people say to make themselves feel better when people get understandably angry at them when they tell them they are going to Hell?

Patrick…wow…that’s a packed set of thoughts and questions. I guess my initial take on it is…we shouldn’t be surprised to find the Cross if we’re near Christ (Saints have used this very phrasing)…but the key thing is what is our response when presented with the Cross…is it self-forgetting love or is it self-protection, self-defense, wall building type behaviors?

Expect and embrace the Cross, to be sure, and be ready to truly love in response, asking for God’s continuous and generous grace. Our response needs to be costly (and yet confident) love, with God, for God, and for the witness to others.

What if this pastor had instead had a prayer service for all muslim families who have been torn apart by wars in their lands, raising money for some pre-checked org that delivers the goods to these families. What if instead of burning books, they simply went quietly inside, closed the door, and prayed alone, in quiet? There are probably 30 other things they could have done, springing from love, rather than some sort of other orientation.

I can’t see the burning as an act of love. Just can’t resolve that one. And yet we’re called to only love.

 

[roveau]

It seems to me that many Christians, both Catholic and protestants, tend to claim that they are enduring persecution for Christ whenever the world goes against them. However in some cases this is clearly not the truth (such as the Qu’ran burning thing going on now or the fight against interracial marriages in the past) of the matter and they are instead being persecuted for their own actions. What is the best way to avoid falling into that trap? I have become very wary of ever making a claim to any personal persecution, but I have also heard it said by many that if you don’t feel the world is against you then you aren’t doing enough for Christ so maybe I am in the wrong on that point? Does that idea even come from anything legitimate or is it just something people say to make themselves feel better when people get understandably angry at them when they tell them they are going to Hell?

Well then, I must be one of those not doing enough for Christ. I also understand the distinction of being persecuted for your own actions rather than Christ like actions.

When appropriate I tell my colleagues, even strangers, what I do in terms of living the Catholic life, like when I go to Mass, about aspects of my religion that I think they may be interested in. I’m ready to answer any questions, which I do get asked (and maybe don’t always give the perfect answer to).

There have been times in Church history that our brothers and sisters have been persecuted and killed but unless you live in certain parts of Africa or Asia this is not a time of notable or systematic persecution for those of the western world.

I remember as a kid there was a lot of anti-Catholic feeling but the Catholics gave as good as they got. The only ‘persecution’ I get these days is from my best friend who resented my return to the Church.

 

[Aboveallbereal]

That The Church is loathed in western culture and is wholly counter cultural in our age is surely a given. Go to any non Church site and read the acid bile Catholicism attracts. It rivals nad in many ways outdoes islam as the “pet hate” of western man.

In that sense yes Christians are persecuted but look at it like this…that is also a given.