Christian Persecution  

I sat there, almost in awe that my topic had no response. I expected for the Archives to reply that “there was nothing on my topic,” however, it was never addressed in the email. As if my topic was never sent to them. One of the female workers at the Archives asks, “Was that on the list?” Then, she later proceeds to tell me that they wouldn’t have anything on Christian Persecution. “Shocking!” I saw a lot on their website about the persecution of Muslims! But that is all right, can I really be surprised? 

Most people are aware of the persecution of Christians in other countries; however, it is going on in our own country. We are not yet enduring famine and sentences to death for owning a Bible, like North Korean Christians, but this is because America is too politicly correct for that. In America, Christians are persecuted differently. Whether it be movies blaspheming the Lord’s name, people mocking our faith, secularism, celebrities, etc. Christians in America too are persecuted. I must point out that if someone made a mockery of Allah for example, in a movie, there would be an outrage. However, if you mock Jesus, it’s okay? Christians are being told to keep silent, endure ridicule, and if not, we are deemed crazy or promoting hate speech. And yes, more Christians need to be aware of the problem. The Bible says, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.” But with that said, it is the Devil’s tactics that persecute Christians.  

Among one is called Secularism. Let’s look at what’s happened in Florida recently. 

Christian Service Center Vs. USDA 

A Christian charity and ministry in Lake, Fl for homeless people was threatened with their food supply being cut off from USDA. The ministry has several portraits of Jesus, the Ten Commandments, as well as a banner that reads ‘Jesus is Lord.’  When the homeless come in, they are fed and offered prayer and to learn about Jesus. They are also offered Bibles. This charity had been serving homeless for thirty-one years as a funded charity by USDA before this occurred: A state of Agriculture Department Official told them they would no longer receive USDA food unless they remove their decor of Christ and stop giving Bibles to the needy. “Under current law, organizations that receive USDA nutrition assistance can still engage in religious activities so long as the activity is not used to create a barrier to eligible individuals receiving food.”  The barrier they’re accused of. It is potentially making the homeless uncomfortable. Can we just pause for a moment? Are they serious! I can’t tell you how many times teachers use the Lord’s name in vain at school who don’t even believe in him in a place that is supposed to be “Secular,” and I'm uncomfortable and annoyed, however, that is different. I cannot control anyone’s mouth, but in this situation the homeless do not have to accept the prayer or Bible. They may simply come in and get food if they’d like. It is obvious this Official had an unclean spirit. Or the whole USDA does. I discovered through my research that this was not just the first occasion USDA has treated Christians unfairly. As you can see, the laws which are put in place, very well persecute Christians. In America, Christians are fined, threatened to have their business shut down if they do not comply with laws against their beliefs, loss of jobs, arrested, jailed, and ridiculed for the gospel. 

Ariana Grande 

There are many times celebrities mock the Lord. There was a recent song that came out called ‘God is a Woman’ by Ariana Grande. My mom, she loves to watch award shows. So, we both got to see how repulsive Arians Grande’s song and performance was. If you look at the cover of her album you will see her legs spread out over the world. She’s saying women are gods because of our vaginas. She is trying to tell women. Including young girls to feel liberated threw sexuality. I guess she was trying to empower them. What made me especially upset was her performance. In case you didn’t catch it, Ariana mocked the Lord’s supper on stage. She had several women with her at a long table. Looking like prostitutes of course, (what a young Jezebel she is) and doing lots of sexual dances. Many of the women were wearing crosses. To mix crosses and Jezebels misrepresents Christianity. A cross Is supposed to be in remembrance of Jesus lying down his life to save people from sin. Instead, it has become something else. It is a trend now. There are many people at school I see wearing cross necklaces or having cross tattoos, but I’m not sure they even know what it’s about! A twitter user asked Ariana about the song and this is how she responded, “Sex is empowering, it’s the source of all life.” The source of all life! She references Adam in her song, has a choir worship her, among many other symbols and demonic images in her video. What is so sad about this is that there are so many ignorant Christians who think this among other things that disrespects the Lord’s holy name. Therefore, it is so important to read the Bible! Matthew 4 shows us that the Devil himself quoted the Bible when he was trying to tempt Jesus so we must know it too and in its correct context, like Jesus did, to combat evil. The Devil uses The Word to twist things to make people think certain things are okay. So of course, she had to twist the Bible. Not the Quran or the Vedas or any other religion’s book. I cannot express to you how much her song infuriated me. This was plain in everyone’s face and yet it is not a big deal! Ariana was spreading blasphemy. Teaching false doctrines by twisting my God’s word. By rewriting it. And this wouldn’t be the only case of rewriting God’s word. I’m not sure if she’s a feminist but I will say, I am not. The man is the head, according to the word I live by. But of course, society now wants to say that the Woman is all powerful. Yes, I know feminism is “for equality” but let’s be real here. This, “who run the world?” thing isn’t new. 

Now, if you don’t mind. I would like to show you a bit about what goes on in other countries. 

North Korea 

North Korean Christians are enduring very hard persecution. North Korea is a dictatorship in which Kim Jong is leader. From a very young age, children are taught that he is like God. There are statues of him that they salute and bow to. And television praises him. Everything is filtered and the citizens see only what Kim wants them to see. I have listened to people who grew up there, and it is very clear that they are indoctrinated as to believe he is everything. There is widespread famine in North Korea. Christians are the last to receive their rations. Also, people who oppose to Kim are put in labor camps. Christians are often thrown in because they cannot give praise to anyone but their God. In these camps, people are worked to death. Literally. I found a clip of a documentary where there was a story of a man who loved his Bible. He would read it every day. It gave him hope. The Korean officials came knocking on his door, so he quickly hid his Bible. One official found it. And later returned to the man’s house. He gave his Bible back and said that he too, was a believer. It was a true blessing that-that particular official found the Bible. Had it been another, they would have been killed on the spot. Many Christians in North Korea are in suffering. And North Korea isn’t the only place! Places like China, India (which should tell you something because India is a place of acceptance of Gods, as many God’s as you want and whatever God, but they’re not all fans of Jesus) and Nigeria where Christians are shot. Or Isis killing Christians and the White House not acknowledging the death of Christians as genocide. 

All in all, it is important that we understand that this is only a small portion of the persecution that Christians endure. I would argue that Christians are the most persecuted in the world and will continue to be. That it will become There is no such place on the Earth were Christians can go to escape possible ridicule or danger. Christian persecution is often covered up as well. I see on the news, that white men go to black churches and open fire. The first thing that everyone says is that they hate black people. But what if they hate Jesus? Why doesn’t anyone acknowledge that as Christian Persecution? It is the teachings of God’s word that upset people. There is no set group of people or person that persecute Christians. It is not just Islam's killing Christians or Kim Jong-Un or ISIS. Anyone can persecute a Christian. It is the unclean spirits within these people. And it is not a coincidence that Christians are persecuted in ways that Jesus himself was. Mockery, murder, unfair treatment, etc. The Devil is the real enemy to Christians. I cannot possibly go through every little thing the Devil does to destroy God’s people. Christian persecution is unlike any other. It is all around us and has so many moving parts. Hopefully, this gave a glimpse into a bit of issue. 

 

SOURCES 

“Florida Official Tells Christian Charity to Choose between Jesus and Cheese.” Fox News, FOX News Network, 9 Sept. 2013, www.foxnews.com/opinion/florida-official-tells-christian-charity-to-choose-between-jesus-and-cheese. 

 

Charles, Jeff. “The Most Persecuted Religion in the World.” Liberty Nation, 20 Mar. 2017, www.libertynation.com/the-most-persecuted-religion-in-the-world/. 

 

Ministries, Follow Me To Christ. “North Korean Christians Are Being Tortured and Executed.” YouTube, YouTube, 7 Dec. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgIZTWEcEeM. 

 

Grande`, Ariana. “Ariana Grande - God Is a Woman (Live on The MTV VMAs/2018.” YouTube, YouTube, 24 Aug. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKm4YqadSGw. 

 

rescuechristians. “North Korea Has the Deadliest Level of Christian Persecution in the World.” YouTube, YouTube, 7 Feb. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_trSJf7Zec.