Persecution of Christians Growing in the United States
Tuesday, February 6, 2001 (12:00 am)
by Thomas Horn
More Christians died for their faith in the twentieth century than at any other time in history, says Christian Solidarity International. Global reports indicate that over 150,000 Christians were martyred last year, chiefly outside of the United States. However, statistics are changing: persecution of Christians is on the increase in the United States. What's happening to bring about this change?
According to some experts a pattern is emerging reminiscent of Jewish persecution in post war Germany. "Isolation of, and discrimination against Christians is growing almost geometrically" says Don McAlvany in The Midnight Herald. "This is the way it started in Germany against the Jews. As they became more isolated and marginalized by the Nazi propaganda machine, as popular hatred and prejudice against the Jews increased among the German people, wholesale persecution followed. Could this be where the growing anti-Christian consensus in America is taking us?"
Tolerance of anti-Christian attitudes in the United States is escalating. Recently, a woman in Houston, Texas was ordered by local police to stop handing out gospel tracts to children who knocked on her door during Halloween. Officers informed her that such activity is illegal (not true), and that she would be arrested if she continued. In Madison, Wisconsin, the Freedom from Religion Foundation distributes anti-Christian pamphlets to public school children entitled, "We Can Be Good Without God." The entertainment industry and syndicated media increasingly vilify Christians as sewer rats, vultures, and simple-minded social ingrates. The FBI and the Clinton White House brand fundamentalist Christian groups as hate mongers and potential terrorists. The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago warns that plans by Southern Baptists to hold a convention in the Windy City next year might foment "hate crimes" against minorities, causing some Christians to fear that speaking openly about their religious beliefs will soon be considered a crime. All this, while Christianity itself is often a target of hate-crime violence. We remember the students at Columbine, and the United Methodist minister who was fatally beaten and burned in a remote part of Chattanooga, Tennessee, to name a few of the recent examples of interpersonal violence aimed at believers.
THE REAL ENEMY
Manly P. Hall once wrote, "They are the invisible powers behind the thrones of earth, and men are but marionettes, dancing while the invisible ones pull the strings." Satan's string pullers have patiently manipulated unregenerate architects of American society for over five decades, networking both visible and invisible principalities to discredit Christian causes. Indicators reveal the propaganda blame-game against western believers is working.
Even a casual observance of the facts reveals growing isolation of Christians as a people group, especially school age believers. Faculty and peer efforts to convince public school children that America was not founded on Christian ideals, and that our forefathers actually wanted a secular society, permeates public school interaction. History revisionists labor to eliminate any and all contradictory historical evidence from public school curriculum, and mockingly stereotype Christians as unenlightened fringe.
A few years ago, Dr. Paul Vitz, then professor of psychology at New York University, worked with a committee that examined sixty social studies and history textbooks used in public schools across the United States. The committee was amazed to find that almost every reference to the Christian influence of early America was systematically removed. Their conclusion: the writers of the commonly used textbooks exhibited paranoia of the Christian religion and intentionally censored Christianity's positive role in American history.
Intolerant, Christ-hating censors of religious expression target the media and public school curriculum because this is the best place, outside of the churches and families, to indoctrinate children and thus manipulate the future political and cultural landscape. If one succeeds in separating Godly principles from public education and the media, they deny citizens the knowledge of good and keep them from embracing the laws of God. To that extent, they are pawns of evil and subvert and destroy both the message and the messengers of righteousness.
REAPING THE WHIRLWIND
In an article entitled "Our Violent Kids," Time Magazine reported "an upsurge in the most violent types of crimes by teens." Through television, "by the age of 16, the typical child has witnessed an estimated 200,000 acts of violence, including 33,000 murders," the article went on to say.
A major study by Dr. Brandon Centerwell of the University of Washington's Department of Epidemiology concludes that "exposure to television" is related to approximately one-half of the homicides committed in the United States, or approximately 10,000 homicides annually. Exposure to television and other forms of propaganda is also related to a majority of rapes, assaults, and acts of violence according to the study.
Censoring the Christian model and denigrating biblical values has resulted in a generation where every day in the United States:
· 437 children are arrested for drinking or drunk driving
· 211 children are arrested for drug abuse
· 1,629 children are in adult jails
· 30 children are wounded by guns
· 10 children are killed by guns
· 135,000 children bring a gun to school
Social scientists claim this generation's inability to define absolutes, and a growing pattern of anti-Christian behavior, may ultimately result in the collapse of the American superstructure, as situation ethics, AIDS and other forms of sexually transmitted diseases, the redefining of the family unit, and other abandonments of biblical standards of morality come to their dangerous and natural conclusion.
WILL WE EVER LEARN?
History students compare the French Revolution and the horror of persecution and torture under Robespierre, with the Revolutionary War in America that resulted in unprecedented cultural and monetary success. While citizens in America rejoiced in newfound religious liberty and freedom, more than twenty thousand people died in Paris's guillotines. The years to follow in France brought a reign of terror leading up to totalitarianism and Napoleon.
Why were the American and French Revolutions followed by such contrasting societal conclusions? The difference was that the American Revolution was fought on Christian principles, while the French Revolution was anti-God. The forces behind the French Revolution were out to eliminate Christianity as the enemy of France. A statue of a nude woman was placed on the altar of the church in Notre Dame, and the God of the Bible was proclaimed dead. Soon afterward, the French government collapsed.
Is the Fabian process of gradualism taking modern America down a similar path? Perhaps. For the past five decades Americans have allowed the liberal Left to defend the use of public funds for pornography, explicit sex education, and anti-Christian curricula. The Hollywood elite have denigrated Christian values and mocked the virtues of purity. The highest courts in the land have ruled with contemptuous decree against God, against prayer, and against the free expression of religion. Is it any wonder we have become the most profane and violent society in the industrialized
world?
JUST THINK OF IT
America's Founding Fathers understood that all government is based on either a theistic or anti-theistic foundation. Adepts of history like George Washington understood that countries whose systems of government embrace national anti-theistic views ultimately come to ruin. Strong religious convictions therefore played a role in the development of the United States, which was established on Christian principles and open to all people of good will. In 1892 this was argued before the Supreme Court of the United States. After exhaustive deliberation, the Court said, "Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. [It is] impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian."
Imagine that. A nation whose laws and institutions are based on the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. Why, such a place would surely become the leader in education, invention, and the arts. Such a place would probably become a haven of religious liberty for more types and religions of people than has ever existed anywhere or at any time on earth. Instead of religious persecution and intolerance, such a place would offer hope and opportunity to the huddled masses of the earth.
By Thomas Horn
www.RaidersNewsUpdate.com
Thanks to Thomas Horn from Worthy News for this excellent article.
More Christians died for their faith in the twentieth century than at any other time in history, says Christian Solidarity International. Global reports indicate that over 150,000 Christians were martyred last year, chiefly outside of the United States. However, statistics are changing: persecution of Christians is on the increase in the United States. What's happening to bring about this change?
According to some experts a pattern is emerging reminiscent of Jewish persecution in post war Germany. "Isolation of, and discrimination against Christians is growing almost geometrically" says Don McAlvany in The Midnight Herald. "This is the way it started in Germany against the Jews. As they became more isolated and marginalized by the Nazi propaganda machine, as popular hatred and prejudice against the Jews increased among the German people, wholesale persecution followed. Could this be where the growing anti-Christian consensus in America is taking us?"
Tolerance of anti-Christian attitudes in the United States is escalating. Recently, a woman in Houston, Texas was ordered by local police to stop handing out gospel tracts to children who knocked on her door during Halloween. Officers informed her that such activity is illegal (not true), and that she would be arrested if she continued. In Madison, Wisconsin, the Freedom from Religion Foundation distributes anti-Christian pamphlets to public school children entitled, "We Can Be Good Without God." The entertainment industry and syndicated media increasingly vilify Christians as sewer rats, vultures, and simple-minded social ingrates. The FBI and the Clinton White House brand fundamentalist Christian groups as hate mongers and potential terrorists. The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago warns that plans by Southern Baptists to hold a convention in the Windy City next year might foment "hate crimes" against minorities, causing some Christians to fear that speaking openly about their religious beliefs will soon be considered a crime. All this, while Christianity itself is often a target of hate-crime violence. We remember the students at Columbine, and the United Methodist minister who was fatally beaten and burned in a remote part of Chattanooga, Tennessee, to name a few of the recent examples of interpersonal violence aimed at believers.
THE REAL ENEMY
Manly P. Hall once wrote, "They are the invisible powers behind the thrones of earth, and men are but marionettes, dancing while the invisible ones pull the strings." Satan's string pullers have patiently manipulated unregenerate architects of American society for over five decades, networking both visible and invisible principalities to discredit Christian causes. Indicators reveal the propaganda blame-game against western believers is working.
Even a casual observance of the facts reveals growing isolation of Christians as a people group, especially school age believers. Faculty and peer efforts to convince public school children that America was not founded on Christian ideals, and that our forefathers actually wanted a secular society, permeates public school interaction. History revisionists labor to eliminate any and all contradictory historical evidence from public school curriculum, and mockingly stereotype Christians as unenlightened fringe.
A few years ago, Dr. Paul Vitz, then professor of psychology at New York University, worked with a committee that examined sixty social studies and history textbooks used in public schools across the United States. The committee was amazed to find that almost every reference to the Christian influence of early America was systematically removed. Their conclusion: the writers of the commonly used textbooks exhibited paranoia of the Christian religion and intentionally censored Christianity's positive role in American history.
Intolerant, Christ-hating censors of religious expression target the media and public school curriculum because this is the best place, outside of the churches and families, to indoctrinate children and thus manipulate the future political and cultural landscape. If one succeeds in separating Godly principles from public education and the media, they deny citizens the knowledge of good and keep them from embracing the laws of God. To that extent, they are pawns of evil and subvert and destroy both the message and the messengers of righteousness.
REAPING THE WHIRLWIND
In an article entitled "Our Violent Kids," Time Magazine reported "an upsurge in the most violent types of crimes by teens." Through television, "by the age of 16, the typical child has witnessed an estimated 200,000 acts of violence, including 33,000 murders," the article went on to say.
A major study by Dr. Brandon Centerwell of the University of Washington's Department of Epidemiology concludes that "exposure to television" is related to approximately one-half of the homicides committed in the United States, or approximately 10,000 homicides annually. Exposure to television and other forms of propaganda is also related to a majority of rapes, assaults, and acts of violence according to the study.
Censoring the Christian model and denigrating biblical values has resulted in a generation where every day in the United States:
· 437 children are arrested for drinking or drunk driving
· 211 children are arrested for drug abuse
· 1,629 children are in adult jails
· 30 children are wounded by guns
· 10 children are killed by guns
· 135,000 children bring a gun to school
Social scientists claim this generation's inability to define absolutes, and a growing pattern of anti-Christian behavior, may ultimately result in the collapse of the American superstructure, as situation ethics, AIDS and other forms of sexually transmitted diseases, the redefining of the family unit, and other abandonments of biblical standards of morality come to their dangerous and natural conclusion.
WILL WE EVER LEARN?
History students compare the French Revolution and the horror of persecution and torture under Robespierre, with the Revolutionary War in America that resulted in unprecedented cultural and monetary success. While citizens in America rejoiced in newfound religious liberty and freedom, more than twenty thousand people died in Paris's guillotines. The years to follow in France brought a reign of terror leading up to totalitarianism and Napoleon.
Why were the American and French Revolutions followed by such contrasting societal conclusions? The difference was that the American Revolution was fought on Christian principles, while the French Revolution was anti-God. The forces behind the French Revolution were out to eliminate Christianity as the enemy of France. A statue of a nude woman was placed on the altar of the church in Notre Dame, and the God of the Bible was proclaimed dead. Soon afterward, the French government collapsed.
Is the Fabian process of gradualism taking modern America down a similar path? Perhaps. For the past five decades Americans have allowed the liberal Left to defend the use of public funds for pornography, explicit sex education, and anti-Christian curricula. The Hollywood elite have denigrated Christian values and mocked the virtues of purity. The highest courts in the land have ruled with contemptuous decree against God, against prayer, and against the free expression of religion. Is it any wonder we have become the most profane and violent society in the industrialized
world?
JUST THINK OF IT
America's Founding Fathers understood that all government is based on either a theistic or anti-theistic foundation. Adepts of history like George Washington understood that countries whose systems of government embrace national anti-theistic views ultimately come to ruin. Strong religious convictions therefore played a role in the development of the United States, which was established on Christian principles and open to all people of good will. In 1892 this was argued before the Supreme Court of the United States. After exhaustive deliberation, the Court said, "Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. [It is] impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian."
Imagine that. A nation whose laws and institutions are based on the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. Why, such a place would surely become the leader in education, invention, and the arts. Such a place would probably become a haven of religious liberty for more types and religions of people than has ever existed anywhere or at any time on earth. Instead of religious persecution and intolerance, such a place would offer hope and opportunity to the huddled masses of the earth.
By Thomas Horn
www.RaidersNewsUpdate.com
Thanks to Thomas Horn from Worthy News for this excellent article.
Copyright 2009 Worthy News. All rights reserved.
This is an open forum. Any opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Worthy News, or its parent ministry Worthy Ministries.
Increase
Decrease
We all have a right to believe in what we want and follow christ!
…to me “to live is CHRIST and to die is GAIN”
if we die for what we believe in “JESUS” we gain our life…
christian persecution in the united states is being blown way out of proportion. people that tout this kind of nonsense in the light of a few bad instances should be ashamed of themselves. go to communist china, pre 1991 russia, the middle east to name a few examples of where your christian brothers and sisters are really being persecuted by real bloodshed against them on a lot larger scale. i think people in those parts of the world probably would’nt feel real sorry for your gospel tract on halloween sob story. yes unbelief is on the rise but the christian believer is still the undisputed champion and holds sole possession on first place among believers and non-believers alike in this country so most christian persecution is coming from christians themselves. the church harbors more persecution inside its own doors than it ever feels outside. it doesn’t take long to do a google search and find theologians calling out one another and not just on simple interpretation issues, but issues like you listen to this guy he will send you to hell issues. until the church can get its own stories straight among itself there are other priorities at hand. go to the middle east or the african horn and call out the theologians there on holy scripture issues and see how long it takes you to appreciate just how good you really have it in america. also the fact that most “christians” in this country could really care less about their own religion should be a higher priority at, least in america, than this so called widespread persecution. i hope to never see real persecution in this country against anyone for personal religious beliefs. everyone has the right as humans to worship or not to worship. there will always be bad apples unfortunately but i think that it’s a little to soon to be having widespread panic about persecution of beliefs. i have lived in both worlds of belief and non-belief and i haven’t been told i need to shut my mouth more than being on the non-belief side. it is frustrating to see people complain on such a large scale when you don’t really know just how good you have it.
These sorts of things are only the beginning-it begins here and before long we’ll be where they are…count on it
i’m counting and also counting that 80% of people in this country are christian. so if you all want to persecute each other than go right ahead but saying that the other piddly 20% of the country is “persecuting” you is shameful and obnoxious. i wouldn’t be getting too scared for anything like that anytime soon. i think your in the clear for QUITE a while.
When persecution is at full force, we’ll see who the “true Christians” are standing up for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and willing to die for it.
80 percent say their christian, 4 percent believe Jesus is the way truth and the life the only way to the father.
Hey Trev,
Can I have your email so when I want to start something off slowly, like a holocaust, I can count on you to say the right things for me?
Christianity IS under persecution here in the US as well as throughout the world. The reason is because Christianity is the only EXCLUSIVE religion. Jesus said, “…no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” [John 14:6]. He invites ALL to Him, however, few take the “narrow way” [Mathew 7:14] of repentance of sins and acceptance of Christ as our Savior. To follow Jesus is to make yourselves a “living sacrafice” [Romans 12:1]. Here in the US, many of influence teach the opposite. They say there are many paths to Heaven, the Holy Bible is an out-dated relic used as a crutch by Christians, homosexuality is acceptable; if something looks good, eat it, if it feels good, do it. I could keep listing teachings that are contradictory to the Christian faith, however, my point is that the direction of society in the US is in opposition to everything we believe as Christians. I predict that it won’t be long before churches will have to remove crosses from outside because the crosses offend Muslims and athiests, private Christian schools will be foreced to close, and the Holy Bible will be considered hate literature. Even with all this adveristy, every true Christian knows the promise from God that Jesus will return and give us everlasting life. So I pray for those who know not God that they may be given light. Peace be with you.
Very well said sir.
Anybody who hates Christians will have to answer to God on Judgment Day.
I agree with who ever documented this blog completly. Trev, what you argued, is quite irrelevant to the topic to be quite truthful. You see, this blog isn’t complaining about how little persecution there is in America, it is stating the acceptance of the little that is occuring (which seems what you imply) is in fact what will soon lead to the dominant existence of it. We so rarely even address it occuring around the world, and blindly see it heading this way. In mainstream media, everything seems to come to light, but not neccessarily. When North Korea launched the rocket, it was all over mainstream media, before it was even close to occurring. But, it failed to reveal that in fact, North Korea is at the top of the list of the persecution of Christians. There are probably over 50 countries right now, where persecution of Christianity is very bad. But do we hear so much about it? Not at all. In light of the subject, people seem to think that it’s simply “not that bad here in America”, but take into consideration what morals and values our country is made up and where they came from. Our common cultural religion “Christianity”. Yes, our founding fathers did in fact base this country on many of our cultural principles, and even some laws from Christianity. But as this blog stated, the persecution of this has long begin, as soon as divorce came so openly excepted, teen rebellion, killing sprees became a norm, and as we have recently encountered, homosexuality being excepted in churches (pastors that are gay). The leader of our country encourages abortions. So Chuck was right, the beginning of persecution, began with Christians persecuting themselves, by taking Gods word out of their lives, hearts, and themselves and changing Gods commands, therefore the christians persecuting themselves by alleviating the God in them. They allowed worldly deceitfulness to creep into them, and turn them away from God, thus forth, persecuting their own selves. But what about those who haven’t? This is where America persecuting christians steps in. Many people are rising together forming rules and regulations (hate crimes) against those who have not taken upon themselves the deceit and rebelled against it. No, not fighting or any of that rebellion, but by simply standing and reminding people, as I am, what God said. The truth. Not using deceit as a veneer over my own desires. The Christians that are not turning away from what God said, are being accused of hating. The only thing I am guilty of is telling people to turn away from these sins, so that we all can rejoice in heaven together. Not hating anyone, just telling the truth. Hate is for the racist people, who say that a man is unfit for justice because of his color. We are all fit for heaven, all we have to do is come to God, and be obedient to his words. Should I be condemned for reminding my younger brother who is attempting to smoke crack that it is against what our parents taught us, and when he does begin to and becomes a frequent user of it, that all he has to do is to listen to what our parents taught us as we were growing up, that all he has to do to get back on the right track is to seek help at rehab, and helping him to get enrolled and being there for him? Or do I hate my brother for wanting good for him? The world has things all backwards, what is wrong is good, and what is good is wrong. That’s how we know the world is ending. Besides that fact, that the great antichrist that was foretold in the bible, was said to deceive many with his wise words and smooth talking, and happens to be standing right before us, and people are truly
deceived and don’t even recognize him. (Yes, the antichrist) There are many more vivid signs that he is who has been what was foretold, but people make up so many excuses and say “coincidence”. (back to main topic). So in a way I disagree, but I agree as well. Persecutions has long began, but now, the physical being of persecution is very soon to take place in America. Christians who do keep this in mind and still maintain what God said and try to help people, but will be refused that right and accused of hating, and literally punished. Sent to jail, made to go without food, publicly humiliated, and even tormented. Open your eyes people. It is right here right now, one foot in action, but two will end the game. The truth will set you free.
You are correct in what you say. This country is headed for real persecution and very soon. Our current leaders are leading this nation as far away from God as we have ever been. Currently our faith is “tolerated” in so far as we keep it inside the church walls. Christ didn’t tell us to do that so we will suffer persecution by our own government and brethren much more than we currenty are. Our own government has already labeled us terrorists when they won’t even call the real terrorists by that name. How ironic. Our true brothers in Christ really need to be praying for this nation and our communities for we are truly headed down a road the likes of which this country has never seen.
Tommy,
You are so correct and thank you Father for giving us this wonderful gift of discernment. Persecution is headed our way much sooner than people may think. Every true child of God’s needs to be praying in very continuous prayer for each other. What we are about to go through, we need to be very near to Christ Jesus. So many people, whether they are Christian or not, they are blinded and just dont see. Being totally wrapped up in their lives and so addicted to the toys our government makes for us (on purpose to keep us dumbed down), they are not going to wake up. We can only pray that many people’s eyes become opened, and frankly it worries me so much as I look out in the town around me. I don’t even hear the name God or Jesus anymore. It is a sad thing, but they are removing God from our world as we speak. The Sunday Laws will be enacted very soon and enforced on us and until people get to really know Jesus and study the Word, they won’t know what that means and what the mark of the Beast is and what the Seal of God is.
May God have mercy, but even so…Jesus come!
Thank you Tommy. If I understand the bill correctly, if this “Hate Crimes” bill passes, Christianity may even be banned from inside Church walls.