Christian Today: Barnabas Fund says Christians in the West need to be ready for persecution.
Christian Today have an article on ‘creeping persecution’ of Christians in the West, which I would like to examine.
So, to begin:
Barnabas Fund is inviting churches in the UK to dedicate one Sunday in November to the issue of persecution around the world – as well as at home.
Great idea, although I don’t think that persecution experienced in some parts of the world is comparable to that in Britain.
The theme of this year’s Suffering Church Sunday, ‘Be on Your Guard’, reflects Barnabas Fund’s growing concerns over the freedom of Christians in the West.
‘Be on your guard’? Sounds like something we should be watchful to avoid, which brings to mind this portion of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’:
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
No mention of running to the law courts. Anyway, moving on:
It [Barnabas Fund] described as “worrying” the case this week of Eunice and Owen Johns to decide whether their Christian beliefs make them unfit to foster children.
Barnabas Fund is asking churches in the UK to remember Christians in other parts of the world who are suffering for their faith but also equip themselves to be ready for persecution too.
Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, said: “It is understandable in the West – a bastion of freedom and tolerance – Christians tend to think that persecution is something that happens only to believers in far-flung places.
“But it is becoming increasingly apparent that we too need to steel ourselves for suffering if we are going to make a stand for Christ.”
Ashley Samelson, International Programmes Director for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, expressed concern over the case of the Johns.
“The outright violence and injustice endured by our brothers and sisters throughout the non-Western world, like the atrocious hostage siege in Iraq on Sunday, is what we tend to consider persecution,” she said.
“But more insidious threats are creeping into Western society – and we need to be prepared.”
And this is where it all falls apart. The Johns’ case is still awaiting judgement and what an insensitive insult to cite this against the backdrop of recent events in Iraq, in which over 50 Christians were brutally massacred.
Of course we view Islamic extremists, strapped with bombs, wielding AK47′s, bursting into a church and murdering dozens as ‘Christian persecution’. Are we really expected to view a couple who have been refused respite fostering care in the same light?
If we are to view what is happening in Britain currently as persecution, then we need to find a new word to define the suffering of our brothers and sisters abroad.
A couple of days ago, Richard of Connexions made this comment:
….Meanwhile, I keep hearing Christians in Britain and America bleating about persecution. And it makes me sick.
And me!
To continue:
Samelson went on to say that full religious liberty, including the freedom to choose one’s faith, was “under attack”. She said it was being “publicly undermined” by world leaders on the international stage, including US President Barack Obama, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and British Home Secretary Theresa May, who have adopted the term “freedom of worship” instead of “freedom of religion”.
I don’t even know what the difference between “freedom of worship” and “freedom of religion” is?
She said: “Any person of faith knows that religious exercise is about a lot more than freedom of worship. It’s about the right to dress according to one’s religious dictates, to preach openly, to evangelise, to engage in the public square.”
No, for many of our truly persecuted brethren, it’s about the right to stay alive, to earn a livable wage, feed their families and live in a climate free from gut crunching terror and routine physical intimidation.
Tags: Christian Persecution
November 5th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
his army shall he lead,
till every foe is vanquished,
and Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict,
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger,
and strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger,
be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next the victor’s song.
To those who vanquish evil
a crown of life shall be;
they with the King of Glory
shall reign eternally.
November 6th, 2010 at 8:09 am
To compare the very real persecution our brothers and sister endure elsewhere with the minor harassments we meet in the West is of course ludicrous.
That does not mean, however, that we can safely ignore the changes in the fundamental structures of morality in the West. These changes have the potential to radically alter the way Christians are perceived and treated and the Barnabas Fund are surely right to warn us to be aware of what is happening here.
November 6th, 2010 at 10:24 am
We seem to have to accept changes in the fundamental structures of language in the West. The new definition of ‘persecution’ seems to be ‘minor adjustment to a uniquely privileged position’.
Yes, we live in wonderful times when fallible humans struggle to evolve a moral and ethical structure appropriate to the age. We have already a far better moral law than we have had before. It’s important that special interest groups aren’t given a free pass to engage in unacceptable behaviour to the detriment of their fellow citizens.
November 7th, 2010 at 12:56 am
I think Mr & Mrs John may find that, in terms of persecution, the boot is very much on the other foot.
“Research has shown that two thirds of young gay, lesbian and bisexual pupils have experienced direct bullying in Britain’s schools. 92% of 1,145 lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils reported being subject to verbal abuse, and 41% had been physically assaulted… One in five lesbian and gay people in the UK said they had experienced bullying in the workplace as a result of their sexual orientation.” (source)
Wikipedia’s extensively referenced article on Violence against LGBT people says “promotion of the idea that homosexuality is immoral and can be corrected may make would-be attackers of homosexuals feel justified in that they are “doing God’s work” by ridding the world of LGBT people.”
Also “Hate crimes against gays made up 16% of total documented hate crimes across the United States in 2006, the FBI reported”
November 7th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Church leader urges Iraqi Christians to quit country
This is ethnic cleansing of christians by muslims.
“is a purposeful policy designed by one ethnic or religious group to remove by violent and terror-inspiring means the civilian population of another ethnic or religious group from certain geographic areas. (Commission of Experts Established Pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 780)”.