World Politics, 5/18/15, Word count, Christian Persecution Religious persecution can be definite as the exploitation of an individual or group just because of their belief. Persecution is to some extent aggression knowledgeable from the world such as a result of one's identification as a Christian. Starting from spoken harassment to aggressive state of mind, attitudes and actions, Christians in areas with severe religious limitations pay a heavy worth for their belief. Beatings, mental torture, imprisonment, separation, rape, severe punishment, suppression, judgment and discrimination in education and employment, and even death are just a small number of examples of the persecution they experience on a day-to-day basis. Agreeing to The Pew …show more content…
The devil hates Christians, in fact, he plans war upon believers in Christ (Revelation 12:17), and since he is still head of state of this world, up until Christ comes (John 12:31). The uses the world to carry out his objectives. Nonetheless, the Cross guarantees the Christians of suffering, not the escape from persecution. "It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony” (Luke 21.13). There have been limitless stories of persecuted Christians who have died without seeing the producers of their labor. Nevertheless, God see everything that has been and all that is to arise. Christian’s hard work is not in vain, it is in His hands (Isaiah 55:8-9). Like Christ, a person who suffers oppression for their faith offers a powerful meaning that their faith is worth suffering for. It is firm. It is …show more content…
As soon as a person becomes a Christian and begins to admit his faith with the words he says and the life he lives, the world becomes angry and begins to oppress. Real Christians who are free of persecution, cannot overlook the Christians under horrifying persecution and the threat of death, on the other hand, Christian must act and do something about the condition, for “when one member suffers, all suffer” (1 Cor. 12:26). Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ. The obligation is to pray, contribute, acknowledge and to encourage one other with the love of Christ. The world is not our home we belong where Christ is in heaven. Numerous persecuted Christians time and again feel isolated and alone, ever since they are not capable to fellowship with other
Christianity’s role in America has rapidly changed over the last decades. Although it is still the most popular religion in the country its power over the people has decreased significantly. However, there are still many misconceptions towards American Christianity and in order to understand the unique nature of this religiously diverse country; one must understand its history and its citizens own views on the matter.
Christian Response to Third World Poverty and Injustice b) Every disciple, every authentic Christian, must be on the road: not yet arrived or perfect, but moving, striving, falling and restarting in hope, and this ethos applies to the tackling of Third World poverty and injustice. Over one billion people are living in poverty today. The gap between rich and poor is getting wider. All over the world, disparities between rich and poor, even in the wealthiest of nations is rising sharply.
After reading The Next Christendom by Philip Jenkins I found that this book reminded me of a memorable passage from the movie Apollo Thirteen: a military man in the tense Houston control shares with a political figure his forewarning that the tragedy before will be the catastrophic moment for the space program Mission control flight chief Gene Kranz overhears their conversation and addresses it: 'With all due respect, gentleman, I believe this will be our finest hour.' This summarizes the book quiet well as the apparent demise of the western church (when the day comes) is forecasting on its fate over against the perceived adversaries of secularism and post-modernism. Jenkins reminds us that when view through a wide-screen lens so to speak, the inherent threat often yields to a broad outlook of opportunity, painting a clear picture of the future of Christianity in colors unaccustomed to American thinking, outlining the characteristics of the fast growing Christian churches that are outside of Western Europe and US. Jenkins also shows the possibility of conflicts between Christianity and other major religions (such as Islam or Hinduism). Speculating what affects this will have on established churches of having a Christian majority outside the west. The basic premise of this book I think is simply: the heart of Christendom has moved from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere, what is surprising about this premise is that the northern hemisphere did not see the move, and still deny that it is moving.
In 2013, a study taken by Open Doors, a group that works against Christian persecution worldwide, showed that the number of Christians killed for their faith had nearly doubled since 2012. The number of Christians killed in 2013 was 2,123, whereas the number in 2012 was 1,021. While religious persecution may not be as much of a threat in the United States, where religious freedom is celebrated, this persecution occurs around the world to many different groups – even ones considered a majority in the U.S.
Christianity and Politics The descriptions of the Roman Empire and state authority offered in Christian texts seems to be one that is oppressive. Since the state often punished Christians for disturbing the peace, the Empire is often shown as merciless and callous. However, texts seem to suggest that the Empire did not treat Christians any differently from the other citizens of the state. Christianity in itself was not illegal under Roman law, so Christians were not targeted specifically as a group.
Christianity has its challenges. It places demands on us that set us apart from the rest of our world. The bible calls us a peculiar people, who navigate the challenge of living IN the world, without being OF the world. When we say ‘no’ to temptations that are enjoyed by the masses, we are labeled as self-righteous snobs, religious weirdoes, or worse. But we persevere, and we press toward that invisible line the Apostle Paul drew in the sands of time…for the high calling in Christ Jesus.
Religion and Politics Both liberals and conservatives have become quite adept at mixing religion and politics in our current society. One also continues to observe an ongoing practice of civil religion demonstrated by presidents and office-seekers on both the left and right. Generally, the leftist merger of religion and politics has received greater social acceptability because it has been cloaked in such rights' causes as civil rights, women's rights, or economic rights (the social distribution of wealth). The advocating of these rights issues have provided an appearance of transcending religion, keeping the left relatively free from criticism of any church and state overlap. Christian Conservatives, however, have found it more difficult to reasonably combine faith and politics because they have more overtly recognized that their political positions are grounded on faith assumptions.
Studies say that there was a four year study over religious discrimination around the world and Christians were the most discriminated against group, experiencing harassment by the government and society in 168 countries. Muslims are the second biggest religious population in the world and they were discriminated against in 121 countries worldwide between 2006 and 2010. Jews are the third religion that gets discriminated against, even though they make up one percent of the population (11 Facts). . Freedom from discrimination is a fundamental principle of human rights (Nygren).
Trip, D. (1999), “The Christian view of suffering” [Online], Exploring Christianity. Available from: http://www.christianity.co.nz/suffer4.htm [Accessed 18 April 2008].
The role of religion in politics is a topic that has long been argued, and has contributed to the start of wars, schisms (both political and religious), and other forms of inter and intra-state conflict. This topic, as a result of its checkered past, has become quite controversial, with many different viewpoints. One argument, put forth by many people throughout history, is that religion and the government should remain separate to avoid any conflicting interests. This view also typically suggests that there is one, or several, large and organized religions like the Roman Catholic Church, which would be able to use their “divine” authority to sway the politics of a given state by promising or threatening some form of godly approval or disapproval. By leveraging their divine power, individual figures within a religion, as well as the religion as a whole, could gain secular power for themselves, or over others. A second view, which was developed by many theologians through history, suggests that that without religion there would be a general lack of morality in the people and leaders of a given state, which would give way to poor political decisions that would not be in the interest of the people and perhaps even God (or the gods). This argument, however, does not address the fact that morality can exist without religion. In sociology, it is commonly accepted that social norms, which include morality, can result from any number of things. Religion, laws, or the basic desire of survival can all create these norms, so it suffices to say that as a society, our morals reflect our desire to live in relative peace through the creation of laws that serve to help us to survive. The argument of whether or not religion and politics should mix...
During the first half century after the crucifixion of Jesus, the Roman government including governors in the eastern provinces took no active measures against Christians. The attitude of the higher Roman authorities had always been that Christianity was merely a sect of Judaism, and as such, were entitled to share in its privileges as a recognized religion. In 64 A.D. this attitude suffered a severe alteration. On July 19, 64 A.D. occurred the great fire of Rome. Half a million people were left homeless. Popular rumor persistently asserted that the fire was started by incendiaries acting under the orders of the Emperor Nero. It was said that Nero wanted the city burnt down so he could build a new city which was to be re-named after himself. Nero felt that something must be done to deflect the public indignation against him. To do this he contrived that accusations should be brought against the Christians. So Nero began an aggressive persecution of the Christians in Rome. Those who confessed their guilt were brought to trail. During these trials a great number of other Christians were uncovered and were also brought to trial. Oddly enough, these people were not charged with starting the great fire of Rome, but rather for “hatred of the humankind.”
Christianity is the world’s most prominent religion, with more than six billion people practicing worldwide. Although Christianity has come to dominate the world of religion, it began as a small and mysterious cult in Ancient Rome. Small, and poorly understood, Christianity soon became an enemy of Rome, marked with persecution, martyrdom, and murder. By the end of the third century CE, tens of thousands of Christians had been arrested and killed for their beliefs.
Sacrifice and suffering are part of the pattern of Christian life, of God's plan, taking up our crosses. help us become better Christians and help us grow in faith. We should not despair in times of suffering but turn and pray to God as Jesus. did in Gethsemane, when he cried out, "Abba, Father take this cup away.
...ering is always going to be painful no matter if God is the one who is doing it to us or not. What we need to realize is that suffering with faith in God is much more justifiable than suffering without. In I Peter it says "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name."(I Peter 4:16). So suffering as a Christian is all right because it means that you share an aspect of Christ's life, and you should continue to praise God. "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good"(I Peter 4:19). This is our answer: Have faith in God, through the good times and especially the bad, for during the bad times is where our faith will truly be tested, and when the "Problem of human suffering" arises, it won't seem like much of a problem at all.
The heartbreaking effects of religious intolerance on society, goes back thousands of years into human history and is even present in modern times. The inquisitions were prisons intended to “convert” and punish people of Jewish and Islamic beliefs or anyone else who disagreed with the ideals of the Catholic Church. During the 350 year time period, an estimated total of around 125,000 prisoners of the Inquisitions were “investigated”, tortured and starved. In 1095 Pope Urban II convinced many Christians that it is not a sin if they kill non-Christians or non-believers.