Originally posted by whag
View Post
1) Persecution isn't 'proof' of salvation.
2) Persecution takes many forms and, assuming the guy you are talking about is reporting correctly, you are mistaken about whether or not he has been persecuted. He has (retaliation/shunning, presumably). Whether or not he 'asked for it' doesn't negate that it is persecution, presuming that the reason is not actual justification (in which case it becomes punitive/revenge).
For myself, I don't see a person's mental disorder as legitimate grounds for retaliation. I don't see your case at all. If it's not a disorder, why shouldn't he tell the world he is going to be mutilated? His wife and kids would certainly have grounds for complaint in either case, but not coworkers in the latter.
Again for myself, I'd say he should be treated professionally in the workplace, but that in personal interaction, he has no right to expect others to conform to his beliefs (or in this case, delusions).
3) Unless you believe that gays weren't morally entitled to marriage, I don't see how you can make the rest of this case. If, as I recall, you do believe that, then you would agree that denying it is a form of persecution, would you not? Gays certainly haven't been subject to wide spread violent persecution yet the argument has been made repeatedly that they are persecuted to a degree. If it's true for them, then it would be likewise true for Christians who have suffered whatever adverse reaction from someone or group for their beliefs.
For myself, I don't think mild persecution is something we should get upset about - but I also don't think it should be tolerated in any case. No causing harm to people or their property or livelihoods just because we don't like something about them.
And no, fussing when both parties are in it, does NOT constitute 'persecution'. This thread, silly as it is to me, is not persecution.
4) I've had people react adversely to me because of my faith. I wouldn't call it persecution but that may be a question of degree - and a greater testament to how powerfully Judeo-Christian ethics still rule in the US.
Comment