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Christian Persecution is Now In America, and How Is the Church Responding?

by John Clark 
07/16/16
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Persecution of Christians is here, in the United States of America. Very little is being said about it within the Christian community. Why? Either Christians are not informed or they are in denial. The average local church body is having worship and fellowship as if nothing is happening. Churchgoers are sitting in their comfortable seats soaking up messages while Christians in America are losing jobs and businesses, Christian schools are being targeted by the LGBT community, and pastors' sermons are being monitored by government agencies. 

     Christian television networks continue to air programs of people promoting their books or talking about prosperity theology and how God wants to bless your life,  while flower shops, bakeries, and wedding chapels owned by Christians are being forced out of business, and Christian colleges in California may be forced to surrender all of their distinctive beliefs or move to another state.

     While the focus of pastors should always be on preaching the word of God without compromise, they should at least be encouraging their flock to be aware and knowledgeable of the issues that directly affect religious freedom. Even though pastors need to be careful what they say, that does not excuse the Christian talk show hosts who have much more freedom. The issues need to be addressed and the people who are affected by them should be interviewed. For the most part, the talk shows are remaining silent, as are the pastors. 

     Here is a sample of recent headlines:

     TIME Magazine: "Regular Christians Are No Longer Welcome In American Culture"

     ADF Media: "Sermons on Biblical Sexuality Illegal In Iowa?"

     Breitbard: "Federal Lawsuit:Doctor Alledgedly Fired by State of Georgia Over Church Sermons"

     Gospel Coalition: "Transgender Laws Threaten Iowa Churches"

     "Democrat, LGBT Activists' Sinister Plan to Crack Down on Christain Schools"

     Chelsen Vicari: "How California's 'Nondiscrimination' Bill Threatens Christian Colleges, Religious Freedom"

     Derek J. Brown: "Religious Liberty In Jeopardy for Christain Colleges in California"

     Why are pastors not making people aware of these isssues?

     Why are Christian talk show hosts not talking about them?

     Why is Christian radio remaining silent?

     The answer is clear: There has been too much blessing and religious freedom in America for so long that the average Christian has taken it for granted. Now there is either a lack of awareness, denial, or possibly even camplacency. This nation is already beginning to silence Christians, or punish those who speak and stand up. We need a peaceful and united front of Christians who will not back down in the face of opposition. We must have believers who are willing to stand before government authorities and organizations or groups who go against biblical teaching and values, or it will be too late. And we must have Christians who whole heartedly stand for the word of God without compromise, even in the face of persecution. The days of "being easy to be a Christian" in America are over, folks. 

     Christian persecution is now in America. The question is, how will you respond to it? Even more important is, how will you respond if you are the one being persecuted?