So you think there isn’t persecution in America? Well its probably because most of us aren’t living any different then those who aren’t Christians.
But these Christians in California were worshiping and praying on a street corner in San Fransico, and a mob gathered around and started yelling and hitting them.
The corner they were standing on is in the Castro district which is deemed as a homosexual neighborhood of San Fransico.
They had to be escorted out because of the violence of the mob.
Here is the video of them being escorted out.
The literal sense of the word ‘persecution’ applies to this case. But ‘persecution’ when applied in a context such as this alludes to religious persecution.
However, religious persecution is systematic persecution – which is constant. This video is hardly an example of religious persecution. The Christians were there on their own accord, own free will and were not forced to be there. Religious persecution can only be deemed ‘religious persecution’ when said persecuted group is forced into such a situation with no other viable alternative. The Christians were advised to leave by the cops, but they refused too.
Given the recency of Proposition 8, the Christians should have been aware of the hostility. After all, it WAS various Christian groups that lobbied for Proposition 8. Suffice to say, if you strike someone first – they’re going to strike you back. Same concept here, you take away their rights to marriage, and you come preaching your gospel in their neighborhood, they’re going to strike you back. It’s all about respect. You have already denied their right to gay marriage, why are you going in there to preach still? They are going to perceive your actions in their neighborhood as ‘rubbing it in your face that we took away your right to gay marriage’.
So don’t call it ‘persecution’, because it’s not.
They weren’t there to preach, just to praise the Lord and pray. And everyone has a right to do that.
And its not us that has “taken” away their right to gay marriages. It’s not about what we are against. It’s about what we are for. And we are for righteousness and justice reigning in our country. Homosexuality, as well as sexual immorality, adultery, abortion etc… are all unrighteous. God desires for His kingdom to come and His will to be done. That is what is happening.
You can give whatever definition to persecution you want. Thats fine, but the Christians are being hated because of what they believe. So I guess we can call it hatred instead…
I do not wish for any prolonged argument, so consider this my last comment on this issue.
1.) You can praise the Lord and pray where ever you want. But why a gay neighborhood? I understand it is part of an outreach program and the purpose of an outreach program is to spread the word of God. But clearly, homosexuals have rejected Christian ideology. What then is the purpose of praising the Lord and praying in such a neighborhood which clearly rejects Christianity? My guess? Those Christians wanted to cure them of their ‘unrighteousness’ and ‘wickedness’; which in essence is to urge acceptance and compliance of Christian doctrine. That’s what the definition of preaching is (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/preach).
2.) “It’s not about what we are against. It’s about what we are for. And we are for righteousness and justice reigning in our country.”
I completely sympathize for what you stand for. You are for righteousness and justice reigning in this great country. And I think that’s admirable. But if you are for righteousness and justice, then logically speaking, you are against unrighteousness. And you have mentioned unrighteousness includes homosexuality, sexual immorality, adultery, abortion etc. So in essence, misdirecting the issue as being ‘what we are for’ and not ‘what we are against’ really doesn’t change the fact that you are for being against homosexuality. It’s best to state that you are clearly against it.
3.)If you are adamant about Christians being persecuted and hated, I’ll agree with you. But don’t worry about it though. Statistics show that more than 75% of the U.S adult population identify themselves as Christian. So .. since you guys have the numbers, isn’t it time Christian America went on a religious crusade to make 75% –> 100%?
Just a side note, (and I don’t mean to make further argument out of this) but historically, it has always been the majority that persecutes the minority.
Full statement on the events here: http://www.jhopsf.org/