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Growing Christian Persecution in America:Believe It or Not by Carl Sterling Parnell, Ed.D. America from its inception has been a God-fearing, Christian nation. Our forefathers made sure that this became a part of our heritage. However, in modern America, certain forces are attempting to rid America of the Christian faith. The faith of America’s founders is hanging on by a thread. Even though churches in the United States are still operational, the spirit of Christ is being attacked throughout the land. Therefore, the persecution of Christians is growing in the United States. In the twentieth century, thousands of Christians have died for their beliefs all around the world. However, in the last five decades, this anti-Christian spirit has spread to America. According to Manly P. Hall, a well-known author and leading scholar in the fields of religion, mythology, mysticism, and the occult, “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.” (1) Even though most Americans have never been persecuted like the Jews during the Holocaust, the persecution of Christians in the future in the United States could take on some of the same characteristics. First, Jews were isolated and marginalized. Second, the propaganda machines made the German people hate and develop prejudice toward all Jews. Ultimately, this persecution led to the mass annihilation of over six million Jewish men, women, and children. Unfortunately, these are some of the same procedures being used in America today against the Christian population. (1) There are many seeds of persecution that exist in the United States. These “seeds” affect every part of the American culture. Since Americans are too involved with their day to day existence, they fail to see what is happening in their own country. Apparently, it is accepted that Christians would be persecuted in a communist country. However, Americans fail to realize that religious freedom in America today pertains to every religion except Christianity. This is seen in the ongoing effort by many members of Congress to pass Hate Crime legislation that targets the beliefs of Christians in the United States. Since Christian persecution abounds in the United States, it is extremely important to fight back against it. Therefore, it is also important to know what types of persecution are happening in America’s own backyard. However, it is so depressing to see how the United States government is banning the truth and replacing it with tyranny. America is becoming a nation that anything will be accepted except the truths of the Bible. According to William Penn on January 3, 1701, “If we will not be governed by God, then we will be ruled by tyrants.” (3) It is extremely important to meet the challenge of Christian persecution head on. Christians must not deny that persecution does exist in America. If the issue is not addressed now, it will be worse later. As stated by Mary Ann Collins, a former Catholic nun, “We will have to be willing to make sacrifices, be disciplined, persevere in the face of hardship, endure suffering, overcome frustration and inconvenience, and spend more money than we want to.” (2) Also, “If we don’t deal with it, then it will keep getting worse. It will become more widespread, cause more suffering, and be more difficult to deal with.” (2) Therefore, the general public must be made aware of what is happening in America. According to Berit Kjos of Kjos Ministries, “America’s tyranny toward Christians can be seen in the following trends and events. First, the United States Supreme Court is basing many of its decisions on United Nations and European models. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg stated, “The Supreme Court is looking beyond America's borders for guidance in handling cases on issues like the death penalty and gay rights.” (3) Also, Justice Breyer reaffirmed Justice Ginsburg as he stated, “The world is growing together through commerce, through globalization, through the spread of democratic institutions, through immigration to America. It is becoming more and more one world of many different kinds of people ... And whether our constitution fits into the governing documents of other nations, I think, will be a challenge for the next generation.” (3) Sadly, as stated by Berit Kjos, “Our world can't tolerate the old Biblical laws that identify certain behaviors as sin and certain beliefs as incompatible with Christian faith. Offended by the truth, it bans the convictions that once gave rise to social order and prosperity. Its new systems leave no room for an uncompromising moral standard which can't be conformed to man's shortsighted vision of the 21st century community. (3) Second, the trashing of the Ten Commandments has become a new trend in America. In fact, Roy Moore, Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, sacrificed his esteemed position in an effort to save the Ten Commandments from being removed from the state judicial building. However, the un-American activities of the U.S. Supreme Court prevented his agenda from happening. But, according to Judge Moore, “We must acknowledge God in the public sector because the state constitution explicitly requires us to do so. The Alabama Constitution specifically invokes 'the favor and guidance of Almighty God' as the basis for our laws and justice system. As the chief justice of the state's Supreme Court, I am entrusted with the sacred duty to uphold the state's constitution.” (3) The third major event in the persecution of Christians is the re-learning in government schools. Schools throughout the United States are eliminating all signs and symbols of the Christian faith. Discrimination toward the teachings of Jesus Christ has become the accepted norm in the public education systems in America. Any religion except Christianity is accepted in a nation founded on the Judeo-Christian ethical system. Students may write reports about Mohammed, but not Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten son. (3) Based on the methods used by intolerant, anti-Christian groups, public schools and the media are the major areas to be targeted for the purpose of indoctrinating America’s children. According to Thomas Horn, CEO of RaidersNewsNetwork, “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.” (1) As a result of the trends of persecution in America, Christian persecution is on the rise. It can be viewed throughout the complete spectrum of the American society, not just the public education system. As a result, there are several things that Christians can expect to happen in the very near future. First, as has already started, the governments of the world, including the United States, are gradually denying Christians the same privileges as other religious groups. Christians who preach against life styles that the Bible classifies as sin and an abomination to God will face many kinds of fear that will cause much stress for them. The different kinds of fear would be: 1. Fear of being arrested. New words to describe Bible-believing Christians are being introduced into the American society, too. Christians are being labeled as “intolerant” and they are even being grouped with the fight against “terrorism.” In fact, some fellow believers may even take on the “Judas Syndrome” and turn over their friends to the local law enforcement agencies. As described in Matthew 24: 9-10, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” (4) What must Christians in America do to return to the God of their forefathers and to defend their Christian heritage against the onslaught of anti-Christian forces? They must renew their covenant with God. If Christians are going to fight against the cohorts of Satan, they must first make sure that the God who they represent is with them in the battles that lie ahead. As happened too often to the Israelites, they would be led into captivity when they failed to serve God. When they returned to God, He always brought them out of captivity. If American Christians do not truly return to their God and Savior, the persecution that awaits them will bring them to their knees in agony. But, if they have their God on their side, they will be victorious over religious persecution in America. (3) Dr. Carl Sterling Parnell retired from public school teaching in 1999 from Lamar County School System in Barnesville, Georgia. He has taught history and other social science courses for over thirty years at the middle school, high school, and college level. He also was lead teacher and Principal of the On-Campus School at Georgia Baptist Children’s Home in Meansville, Georgia. Presently, he is teaching at Griffin Christian High School in Griffin, Georgia. Dr. Parnell served in the United States Army from 1968–1971 and served in the United States Air Force Reserves from 1983–1986. He was chosen Lamar County Middle School Teacher of the Year in l991 and was included in the 1993 and 1994 edition of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. References: |
