Persecution

[Lokabrenna]

I decided to start this thread because the original thread (“The Catholic Church known today is NOT the same Catholic Church in the time of the apostles?”) was in danger of being derailed, so, here we go:

I don’t really agree with you.

Interestingly I don’t see many pagan symbols today desecrated for the sake of insulting pagans. However I do see Christian symbols, such as the crucifix, being used as sex toys in gay festivals like the Folsom Street fair, Eucharist hosts being desecrated, Communion as a tradition being mocked (see the Doritos and Pepsi Communion commercial), Judas being presented as preferrable to Jesus (see Lady Gaga’s “Judas” being launched on Holy Week), the Virgin Mary being presented with feces all over her in paintings.

I wouldn’t really call this “persecution” per se. I see it more as popular culture doing what popular culture does best: being tasteless (in some examples) and drawing on symbols that their audience would recognize, since Christianity is the majority religion in North America, audiences are more likely to recognize the use of Christian symbols than they would, say, Wiccan ones.

In contrast, the dictionary defines ‘persecution’ as:
the act of persecuting.
2.
the state of being persecuted.
3.
a program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate a people because of their religion, race, or beliefs: the persecutions of Christians by the Romans. [bold mine]

By contrast, the Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance has compiled more than a few instances of recent clashes between Christians and Pagans (specifically Wiccans). It can be found here: religioustolerance.org/wic_conf4.htm

Of particular relevance is the last paragraph: “Wiccan periodicals and anti-defamation mailing lists frequently contain stories of Wiccans losing their job, accommodation, child custody and child access because of their religion. There have been many shootings, fire-bombings, instances of arson directed against Wiccans. Starting in 1999-FALL, we have attempt to record as many of these events as possible.”

From my perspective, when we start to see Catholics losing their jobs, custody of and access to their children, accommodations, for even MENTIONING that they are Catholic, when Catholics receive death threats for trying to hold religious gatherings, when you fear to express your religious views to your family because there’s a very real chance that they’ll kick you out if you do, when your place of business is vandalized because your neighbours don’t want a “dirty Papist” around, THEN come talk to me about religious persecution.

Until then, relax, you’re in the majority, after all.

 

[wmscott]

Maybe your view is a little simplistic, how about persecution as the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another group. The most common forms are religious persecution, ethnic persecution, and political persecution, though there is naturally some overlap between these terms. The inflicting of suffering, harassment, isolation, imprisonment, fear, pain or exclusion. I can see how five of these examples can and are applied in today’s world in every sector of society.

 

[Beautiful_Epona]

This is terribly sad and heartbreaking.
It is obvious this type of thing exists, but I was not aware it existed so much in these types of situations, as you mentioned. I have not heard of this happening here in Australia, but I am sure it does.

The Burning Times was one of the worst events in history, it makes me mad just thinking about it. I am shocked to think the Medieval times or Dark ages are still happening to a certain extent, that people are so closed minded, still! How does anyone have the right to terminate an Employee over their Religious beliefs, it boggles the mind. Do they think the Pagan/s in question will start a skyclad ritual in the office lunch room? Really! It’s upsetting beyond words.

I am surprised that the ‘New Age’ faith has not taken over the world a lot more. Some people do embrace the Buddhism, Neo-Paganism, Spiritualism, Taoism, ok so not all are ‘new’ but you get my point, I hope. I have so many friends that are into all of this. As I was/am. I embraced the Catholic Church again after a long time of being away. But I was still missing the other things too. So I still use my pendulum and crystals. I do not do spells anymore, or call on the Spirits. I enjoy the Catholic life and truly believe that all good people go to Heaven.

I think that some Catholics may be scared about the faith ceasing to exist in coming years because the way the world is now. The New Age has a big part in this. So many Christians see ‘the Devils work’ in a lot of the things that happen today. I don’t know about that, (and I know that you do not believe in the devil as you are Pagan), but I do feel this is becoming all too overwelming for a lot of people out there.

It is high time we all stop judging others on their beliefs and just accept everyone as our Brothers and Sisters, on one journey, together, as eventually, I believe, we will all end up in Heaven (Summerlands ) together anyway.

Blessings.

 

[Cheshangle]

I decided to start this thread because the original thread (“The Catholic Church known today is NOT the same Catholic Church in the time of the apostles?”) was in danger of being derailed, so, here we go:

I wouldn’t really call this “persecution” per se. I see it more as popular culture doing what popular culture does best: being tasteless (in some examples) and drawing on symbols that their audience would recognize, since Christianity is the majority religion in North America, audiences are more likely to recognize the use of Christian symbols than they would, say, Wiccan ones.

In contrast, the dictionary defines ‘persecution’ as:
the act of persecuting.
2.
the state of being persecuted.
3.
a program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate a people because of their religion, race, or beliefs: the persecutions of Christians by the Romans. [bold mine]

By contrast, the Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance has compiled more than a few instances of recent clashes between Christians and Pagans (specifically Wiccans). It can be found here: religioustolerance.org/wic_conf4.htm

Of particular relevance is the last paragraph: “Wiccan periodicals and anti-defamation mailing lists frequently contain stories of Wiccans losing their job, accommodation, child custody and child access because of their religion. There have been many shootings, fire-bombings, instances of arson directed against Wiccans. Starting in 1999-FALL, we have attempt to record as many of these events as possible.”

From my perspective, when we start to see Catholics losing their jobs, custody of and access to their children, accommodations, for even MENTIONING that they are Catholic, when Catholics receive death threats for trying to hold religious gatherings, when you fear to express your religious views to your family because there’s a very real chance that they’ll kick you out if you do, when your place of business is vandalized because your neighbours don’t want a “dirty Papist” around, THEN come talk to me about religious persecution.

Until then, relax, you’re in the majority, after all.

That’s a good post and I agree with the final paragraph.

In fact I was going to do a similar one. On holiday I met some very Jewish New Yorkers and over a drink I asked them if they ever encountered anti-semitism. "Oh yes, "they repiled, “every day”. Now I don’t think that any RC would claim to encounter anti-catholicism “every day”, if at all. I don’t think it really exists in England, though alas, it does in Scotland and to an even greater extent in the north of Ireland.

Anti-Protestantism was certainly virulent in post-Independence Ireland, but not now. I lived in the south of Ireland from 2005-09 and I never once came across it. The RC host community were warm and friendly.

 

[Fink]

***Off topic: but critical…***well…maybe…

The Burning Times was one of the worst events in history, it makes me mad just thinking about it. I am shocked to think the Medieval times or Dark ages are still happening to a certain extent, that people are so closed minded, still!

Is this what you mean by “The Burning Times”?:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burning_Times

i cant comment on Margot Adler, but, Fr. Matthew Fox is a former Dominican priest who left the Church, and is now an Episcopalian minister; and Starhawk is a witch. Both are New Agers. If you believe this film, then youre in trouble.

I have so many friends that are into all of this. As I was/am. I embraced the Catholic Church again after a long time of being away. But I was still missing the other things too. So I still use my pendulum and crystals. I do not do spells anymore, or call on the Spirits. I enjoy the Catholic life and truly believe that all good people go to Heaven.

You cant be a true Catholic, and, at the same time, believe and practise Pagan/New Age stuff. As our Lord said: "No man can serve two masters...". eg Matthew 6:24. What youre doing is a violation of the First Commandment.
Your screen name worries me, as well… you seem to be still firmly attached to Paganism (as already stated).

It is high time we all stop judging others on their beliefs and just accept everyone as our Brothers and Sisters, on one journey, together, as eventually, I believe, we will all end up in Heaven (Summerlands ) together anyway.

Blessings.

Not necessarily. You`re being simplistic: warm and fuzzy.

 

[Beautiful_Epona]

***Off topic: but critical…***well…maybe…

Is this what you mean by “The Burning Times”?:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burning_Times

i cant comment on Margot Adler, but, Fr. Matthew Fox is a former Dominican priest who left the Church, and is now an Episcopalian minister; and Starhawk is a witch. Both are New Agers. If you believe this film, then youre in trouble.

You cant be a true Catholic, and, at the same time, believe and practise Pagan/New Age stuff. As our Lord said: "No man can serve two masters...". eg Matthew 6:24. What youre doing is a violation of the First Commandment.
Your screen name worries me, as well… you seem to be still firmly attached to Paganism (as already stated).

Not necessarily. You`re being simplistic.

Hello ‘Fink’,

Ok, well, I was talking about the ‘actual’ burning times not a movie. The Burning of Witches on the Stake took place in the 1600’s, well this was the worse time for it. In Switzerland, France, Germany, Britain, Ireland, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, (to name a few) people, Men, Woman and Children were killed. This is a historical fact, I did not make this up. I have not seen the movie you gave the link to, so can’t comment if I ‘believe’ it or not. This is why I spoke of it, due to the thread being of ‘persecution’.

I am not saying I am a ‘True Catholic’, are there actually many true Catholics? I was baptised, did my Holy Communion and Confirmation and grew up Catholic. I was Pagan for many years, and later a Spiritualist. Recently, I returned to the Church and took it all on board completely, selling my Pagan things etc etc. I become sad and felt a loss of something? After talking to others in my Parish, I realised it is ok to have crystals around my home (as long as I do not use them in spells etc) they are not in themselves an evil thing, God created them after all, how can they be. The Pendulum, well, maybe I shouldn’t be using it still, but I do not take it very seriously anyway. I do not serve 2 Masters, I serve our Lord God. I love our blessed Mother Mary and the Saints and have upmost respect for our Church.

My screen name, is just a name. I am open to other belief systems and have no problem using it.

I hope you haven’t ‘persecuted’ me and have shown intolerance because of how ‘you’ believe a Catholic ‘should’ act.

There is much beauty in the world ‘Fink’ and I just have a deep respect for all of it.

Blessings.

 

[Chowdah]

On the global scale, Christians are not the majority. And right now, Christians are actually the MOST persecuted religion on the planet.

–One recent study estimated that 105,000 Christian are killed each year because of their faith, which equates to one Christian killed every five minutes. This excludes deaths associated with civil wars or conventional wars between states.

–Another study contends that 75 or out of every 100 people killed because of religious hatred are Christian.

Non-violent Anti-Christian discrimination is also wide spread. As the Russian Orthodox Church noted in May 2011:

“In some countries where Christians are a minority their freedom of faith is considerably restricted with regard to the right to celebrate, to own property and to establish and run theological schools. There are cases where Christians are rendered extremely severe court judgments and given even death sentences according to laws on blasphemy (as disagreement with the beliefs of other religions is described in such cases). But even in those countries where Christianophobia is manifested only in seeing Christians as ‘second-rate citizens’, our brothers in faith remain in distress. All this leads to the mass emigration of Christians from countries in which they have lived for centuries, as we see it in today’s Iraq and some other countries of the Middle East.”

I have sourced these items on my blog post: soldierofmary.com/2011/07/why-do-muslims-persecute-christians.html

 

[Fink]

Hello ‘Fink’,

Ok, well, I was talking about the ‘actual’ burning times not a movie.

Righto

I am not saying I am a ‘True Catholic’, are there actually many true Catholics?

Nobody`s a perfect one; but we should try to be. Holding on to any Pagan beliefs or practices is sinful.

I was baptised, did my Holy Communion and Confirmation and grew up Catholic. I was Pagan for many years, and later a Spiritualist. Recently, I returned to the Church and took it all on board completely, selling my Pagan things etc etc. I become sad and felt a loss of something? After talking to others in my Parish, I realised it is ok to have crystals around my home (as long as I do not use them in spells etc) they are not in themselves an evil thing, God created them after all, how can they be.

What caused the feeling of loss? Somethings not quite right. Sure, crystals in themselves arent evil; but whats causing your continuing reliance on them: attractive looking minerals, or something not so innocent...? In either case, you shouldnt need inanimate objects like crystals to satisfy a feeling of loss…

Don`t necessarily rely on what other parisioners tell you (about any subject), either: grab the Catechism.

The Pendulum, well, maybe I shouldn’t be using it still, but I do not take it very seriously anyway.

Don`t place any faith in it!

My screen name, is just a name. I am open to other belief systems and have no problem using it.

OK, except where they contradict Catholic Church teachings on Faith and Morals; and, somewhere along the line, all non-Catholic belief systems do. Otherwise, they`d be Catholic.

I hope you haven’t ‘persecuted’ me and have shown intolerance because of how ‘you’ believe a Catholic ‘should’ act.

i was obliged by Scripture, itself, to point out possible dangers to your immortal soul.*** Very serious!***

There is much beauty in the world ‘Fink’ and I just have a deep respect for all of it.

So do i; but vigilance is necessary. The Adversary is much smarter than we (as individuals) are. To think anything else can lead to spiritual suicide.

Anyway, i said my bit. You`re in charge of your own life.

 

[AnAtheist]

On the global scale, Christians are not the majority. And right now, Christians are actually the MOST persecuted religion on the planet.

Christianity is the biggest religion on Earth. Therefore it is statistically logical that it is also the most persecuted when it comes to absolute numbers (which is of course no excuse, just a sad fact).

 

[FabiusMaximus]

I can’t believe there are still some people here who believe that once upon a time a mean and evil Catholic Church went around massacring people for being witches.

It makes about as much sense as still believing in Santa Claus.

Pagans are not persecuted in modern America. A few bits of anecdotal evidence is not proof. Christians are harassed daily in this country, and we’re made to feel that we are part of an old, ignorant, “intolerant” culture that is being replaced by a new.

While Christmas is under attack, the solstice is being embraced as an alternative.Yeah, those poor pagans.

 

[Beautiful_Epona]

Righto

Don`t necessarily rely on what other parisioners tell you (about any subject), either: grab the Catechism.

Good point. I don’t have ‘the Catechism’ but will obviously need to get hold of a copy. I hear a lot of people on this forum speak of it, am really not quite sure what it is. It explains things in more detail?

Don`t place any faith in it!

You said this in regards to me using a Pendulum, and true, thank you.

Anyway, i said my bit. You`re in charge of your own life.

And thank you ‘Fink’ I do appreciate your thoughts on the subject and the time you have given to write it. Blessings.

 

[Beautiful_Epona]

I can’t believe there are still some people here who believe that once upon a time a mean and evil Catholic Church went around massacring people for being witches.

It makes about as much sense as still believing in Santa Claus.

Sadly it did happen, but Rome was apparently never involved. A lot of Catholics were killed too, in a small town in Germany for instance. About 400 Catholics that were accused of Witchcraft and Sorcery, not good. Mostly it was the Protestants that started and continued the Witch Hunts in the 1600’s.

And isn’t Santa real, what!

Pagans are not persecuted in modern America. A few bits of anecdotal evidence is not proof. Christians are harassed daily in this country, and we’re made to feel that we are part of an old, ignorant, “intolerant” culture that is being replaced by a new.

I agree with you here on the Christian persecutions. I have read a lot on this and it is soooo sad. I just do not understand how this is still happening.

While Christmas is under attack, the solstice is being embraced as an alternative.Yeah, those poor pagans.

Yes, this is so true too. I have even heard of some shopping centres not putting up the Nativity Scene in case they offend people of other Religions. To me, Christmas is a Christian time. The Calender is based on this and it saddens me to think this could change someday.

There is the subject of the Pagan holidays being taken over by the Christian’s, ie; Christ was not born on Christmas Day (but a different day throughout the year)…mmmm, guess that’s for another thread though.

 

[Chowdah]

Christianity is the biggest religion on Earth. Therefore it is statistically logical that it is also the most persecuted when it comes to absolute numbers (which is of course no excuse, just a sad fact).

Christianity is the biggest religion (2.1 billion), you are correct. But if you consider the persecution by proportion, Christianity is still, by far, the most persecuted religion. My point is that a Christian in a Muslim world has a much greater risk of persecution (and death) than a Muslim in a Christian world. This is an undisputed fact, not a value judgement or bias. A sad fact indeed.

I realize that Muslims do not have it that easy in the Western world either. One can compare the fact that one Muslim group cannot seem to build a mosque near the site of the World Trade center, with the fact that Coptics in Egypt cannot build churches there. But even in that example, we are ignoring the extremes. Muslims can still build churches anywhere else in the United States, while Coptics cannot build churches anywhere, ever.

This is an important difference in understanding the reality of Christian persecution. It also helps us to understand the reality of Islam and its attitude today towards other religions.

On a positive note, the Vatican was able to construct a small, yet historic agreement with Azerbaijan (99% Muslim country) on religious freedoms for Catholics. I would like to see this throughout the rest of the Middle East and North Africa.
Source: catholicnewsagency.com/news/holy-see-and-azerbaijan-strike-historic-agreement/

 

[AnAtheist]

But if you consider the persecution by proportion, Christianity is still, by far, the most persecuted religion.

Are you sure? Let’s say there are a 100.000 incidents per year (~270 per day), that makes less then 0,00005 incidents per Christian per year. Enough? Too low? Just a wild guess.
Given that nobody knows how many Neopagans are around, estimations run from a couple of thousands to 3 millions, let’s say there are 3 million Neopagans. With the same amount of persecution calculated above we get 145 incidents per year, about half of what happens to Christians in a day. As I know many Neopagans I hear quite often that someone was threatened, attacked, or their holy places were desecrated. Rare, anecdotal incidents/evidence, yes, but that is no surprise, if the calculation above is roughly correct. 145 incidents per year that’s a handful max in the vincinity and nobody except the people involved probably notice. 270 incidients per day and the papers are full of it, if only the worst 0,1% of the cases are worth reporting (makes one article per week).

My point is that a Christian in a Muslim world has a much greater risk of persecution (and death) than a Muslim in a Christian world. This is an undisputed fact, not a value judgement or bias. A sad fact indeed.

Yes, absolutely. But a pagan or atheist in the Muslim world has much greater risk. While Christians and Jews are 2nd class people in Islam, pagans and atheists are 3rd class. And Muslim apostates have the greatest risk of all.
The Muslim world has yet to learn that persecuting others for their alleged wrong faith is wrong. It took the Christian world 300 years to unlearn that and 1500 years to learn that again (well mostly, some are still ignorant), I fear we won’t see the day that is happening in Islam in our lifetime.

 

[mathematoons]

Whether or not “Christian symbols, such as the crucifix, being used as sex toys in gay festivals like the Folsom Street fair, Eucharist hosts being desecrated, Communion as a tradition being mocked (see the Doritos and Pepsi Communion commercial), Judas being presented as preferrable to Jesus (see Lady Gaga’s “Judas” being launched on Holy Week), the Virgin Mary being presented with feces all over her in paintings” counts as persecution, it’s still blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which Jesus said is the one unforgivable sin. Repeat: The one UNFORGIVABLE sin.

And anyone who doesn’t think Christians are being persecuted in Western culture obviously doesn’t know what it’s like to be one. They’re like white people who say there’s no racism against minorities, or men who say there’s no sexism against women–i.e. they don’t know what they’re talking about.

Now I don’t think that any RC would claim to encounter anti-catholicism “every day”, if at all.

I do, in lots of little ways. I can’t tell anyone at work I’m Catholic, for fear that I might lose my job (it’s San Francisco after all ); my mom has the same problem. I’ve had to stop watching TV (except for kids’ shows) because nearly every show and movie mocks the values we stand for. The Protestants who know we’re Catholic have no qualms telling us our rituals are voodoo. Then you have the “pedophile priest” jokes and charges of “intolerance”… and don’t even get me started on the attacks on Christmas and other Christian traditions!

It’s a bit like being Muslim, except we don’t have the Left defending us. As much as I disagree with the teachings of Islam, I do feel sorry for them, because as a Catholic, I know what it’s like to be hated for one’s religion.

So why don’t you ask a real Catholic if we encounter anti-Catholicism instead of speculating?

 

[Beautiful_Epona]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/holy-see-and-azerbaijan-strike-historic-agreement/

Hi ‘Chowdah’,

You made some great points. I enjoyed reading your link too. This is really good news!
Let us pray it continues.

 

[Cheshangle]

Whether or not “Christian symbols, such as the crucifix, being used as sex toys in gay festivals like the Folsom Street fair, Eucharist hosts being desecrated, Communion as a tradition being mocked (see the Doritos and Pepsi Communion commercial), Judas being presented as preferrable to Jesus (see Lady Gaga’s “Judas” being launched on Holy Week), the Virgin Mary being presented with feces all over her in paintings” counts as persecution, it’s still blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which Jesus said is the one unforgivable sin. Repeat: The one UNFORGIVABLE sin.

And anyone who doesn’t think Christians are being persecuted in Western culture obviously doesn’t know what it’s like to be one. They’re like white people who say there’s no racism against minorities, or men who say there’s no sexism against women–i.e. they don’t know what they’re talking about.

I do, in lots of little ways. I can’t tell anyone at work I’m Catholic, for fear that I might lose my job (it’s San Francisco after all ); my mom has the same problem. I’ve had to stop watching TV (except for kids’ shows) because nearly every show and movie mocks the values we stand for. The Protestants who know we’re Catholic have no qualms telling us our rituals are voodoo. Then you have the “pedophile priest” jokes and charges of “intolerance”… and don’t even get me started on the attacks on Christmas and other Christian traditions!

It’s a bit like being Muslim, except we don’t have the Left defending us. As much as I disagree with the teachings of Islam, I do feel sorry for them, because as a Catholic, I know what it’s like to be hated for one’s religion.

So why don’t you ask a real Catholic if we encounter anti-Catholicism instead of speculating?

I think that a lot of what’s been said here refers to being anti-Christian (or even anti-religion) as opposed to specifically anti-catholic. In England we have aggressive “new atheism”, secularism, etc. I get the odd anti-Christian jibe and anti-Anglican one too (not least on this forum, I’m sorry to say). But to be fair, Anglicanism is regarded as being fairly harmless, so it’s not too bad.

With the exception of some fairly hard-line barbarians on the internet, I’ve never met Protestants like the ones you describe. Perhaps I don’t know any “real Protestants”, and by the sound of it, I don’t want to. (The impression I get is that they wouldn’t regard Anglicans as “real Protestants” anyhow).

I’m not sure what you mean by a “real catholic”. The RCs I know, including my sister-in-law and her family, have never complained about persecution. Perhaps they’re not “real catholics”.

 

[Chowdah]

Are you sure? Let’s say there are a 100.000 incidents per year (~270 per day), that makes less then 0,00005 incidents per Christian per year. Enough? Too low? Just a wild guess.

But a pagan or atheist in the Muslim world has much greater risk. While Christians and Jews are 2nd class people in Islam, pagans and atheists are 3rd class. And Muslim apostates have the greatest risk of all.

The Muslim world has yet to learn that persecuting others for their alleged wrong faith is wrong. It took the Christian world 300 years to unlearn that and 1500 years to learn that again (well mostly, some are still ignorant), I fear we won’t see the day that is happening in Islam in our lifetime.

You may be right as far as the proportion of pagans and of course the Jews who are persecuted. The problem with comparing them with the much larger religions (Christianity or Islam) is that their numbers are statistically insignificant in comparison. This is not to say that the plight of pagans or Jews is not important. Ineed, in WWII one third of ALL Jews were killed and there are very few left in Europe (only 12 million world wide). Certainly, pagans, gypsies, and others were wiped out as well.

Now with separate studies agreeing that more than 100,000 Christians die per year specifically for their faith, we have a major problem. I’m talking about 100,000 Christians in areas where they are already a minority (Middle East and North Africa mainly, also parts of Asia). I’m suggesting that literally ALL Christians in these areas face discrimination, persecution, or death. I can’t speak for neopagans, but they likely face the same persecution based on anecdotal evidence like you’ve mentioned.

My goal is to bring to the attention of people in the West, especially the United States, that their Christian faith – while vibrant, strong, and free here at home – is under mega assault elsewhere. Many Christians are oblivious to this.

And the good news is that any effort to promote religious freedom in the Middle East and North Africa, which the Vatican is trying to do, will also benefit neopagans, Jews, and other Christians. By the grace of God, this is where we can work together! We all benefit when we make religious freedom the cornerstone of our foreign policy.

I realize that some of my enemies like to reference the Crusades to justify killing Christians today. Some studies suggest that altogether, in a 200 year period, roughly 200,000 people were killed during the various Crusades, Muslims and Christians included.

Today, we’re talking 105,000 Christians killed per year. Killing Christians is the new normal.

Now, I will switch to another thread and argue that China’s claim to “preventing the birth of 400 million babies” is a genocide of catastrophic proportions…

I think evil is winning.

 

[meltzerboy]

That’s a good post and I agree with the final paragraph.

In fact I was going to do a similar one. On holiday I met some very Jewish New Yorkers and over a drink I asked them if they ever encountered anti-semitism. "Oh yes, "they repiled, “every day”. Now I don’t think that any RC would claim to encounter anti-catholicism “every day”, if at all. I don’t think it really exists in England, though alas, it does in Scotland and to an even greater extent in the north of Ireland.

Anti-Protestantism was certainly virulent in post-Independence Ireland, but not now. I lived in the south of Ireland from 2005-09 and I never once came across it. The RC host community were warm and friendly.

I’m curious as to what kind of antisemitism Jewish New Yorkers meet every day, that is, living in New York City.

 

[jesuspsr]

Whether or not “Christian symbols, such as the crucifix, being used as sex toys in gay festivals like the Folsom Street fair, Eucharist hosts being desecrated, Communion as a tradition being mocked (see the Doritos and Pepsi Communion commercial), Judas being presented as preferrable to Jesus (see Lady Gaga’s “Judas” being launched on Holy Week), the Virgin Mary being presented with feces all over her in paintings” counts as persecution, it’s still blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which Jesus said is the one unforgivable sin. Repeat: The one UNFORGIVABLE sin.

And anyone who doesn’t think Christians are being persecuted in Western culture obviously doesn’t know what it’s like to be one. They’re like white people who say there’s no racism against minorities, or men who say there’s no sexism against women–i.e. they don’t know what they’re talking about.

I do, in lots of little ways. I can’t tell anyone at work I’m Catholic, for fear that I might lose my job (it’s San Francisco after all ); my mom has the same problem. I’ve had to stop watching TV (except for kids’ shows) because nearly every show and movie mocks the values we stand for. The Protestants who know we’re Catholic have no qualms telling us our rituals are voodoo. Then you have the “pedophile priest” jokes and charges of “intolerance”… and don’t even get me started on the attacks on Christmas and other Christian traditions!

It’s a bit like being Muslim, except we don’t have the Left defending us. As much as I disagree with the teachings of Islam, I do feel sorry for them, because as a Catholic, I know what it’s like to be hated for one’s religion.

So why don’t you ask a real Catholic if we encounter anti-Catholicism instead of speculating?

I strongly agree.

Jesus g