in my old school

we didn't have

winter break.

we had

christmas break.

time off to roll in

the sweet corruption of

capitalism.

i celebrated christmas,

but i had friends who didn't.

my jewish friend had to go to school

on her holiday.

my muslim friend had to

skip school

to participate in her holiday.

but christians

got their time off.

no matter what branch

of christianity you

are part of

you always get

christmas day off.

because it's not winter break.

it's not designed

to accommodate everyone.

it's just another priviledge

of the majority.

the day my friend was absent

in gym class

i realized just how privileged we are.

even if i'm not a christian,

i celebrate christian holidays,

because here,

we've been taught, however subtly

that christianity is right.

it is embedded in our very culture,

in our very world.

persecution is having to skip school because

your holiday is not

accommodated.

persecution is

listening to someone say

merry christmas

when you don't even

celebrate it.

persecution is

going on christmas break

even when

you don't get

a break of your own.

Christian Persecution.

I’m sure you’ve heard this thrown around before. There have been several cases in the past where Christians have thrown the word ‘persecuted’ when things don’t go their way, or when they’re called out on their bullshit. We’ve seen films made by Christian studios such as PureFlix depicting Christians as the persecuted minority in the United States. What a fucking load of bullshit.

The whole idea that Christians in the United States, a country where roughly 70-75 percent of its population is Christian, is bullshit. Christians are not being persecuted in this country. They are not being denied a job or a loan based on their faith. They are not the ones who are denied a wedding cake based on their partners. No one in this country is calling for the extermination of Christianity, or shouting at them to go back to their country. It’s obsurd and disgusting.

From what I’ve seen in my life Christians are not persecuted, they’re normally the persecutors. Obviously when I speak about Christians I don’t mean all Christians. I’m not saying that all Christians are like this. I’m not saying all Christian groups and denominations act like this. When I talk about Christians I’m talking about the homophobic, antisemetic, racist, Young Earth believing, Confederate flag waving, MAGA supporting, have prayer in public schools Christians. I’m referring to Evangelists, Pentacostals, Westboro Baptists, and Jehovah’s Witnesses (although the latter can be considered a cult rather a Christian denomination). I’m talking about the Christians that stormed the Capital back in January. Admittingly, it’s not fair to even call them Christians. Let’s call them what they really are: American ISIS.

So why are these fanatic groups behaving like this? Well it’s like I said earlier, they’re being called out on their bullshit. Back in 2013 a Christian baker refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple due to their beliefs and they rightfully got called out for it. Now I’ve stated before that I don’t have any issues about a person’s belief unless it involves hurting someone. This baker’s belief that gay people shouldn’t marry is an example of their self righteous belief hurting someone.

In the United States Christians are the one the hold the most power. They’re the ones running successful businesses and are in political offices. However as more people of different backgrounds start succeeding and gain influence over the public that causes a power shift, something Christians are definitely afraid of. They like to be in control. They want Christianity to be the only influence in the country. But that’s not how it works. The United States is meant to be a secular nation where all people of different faiths can have an equal share. But in order to gain a footing in the world they had to struggle. Christians don’t struggle. As I mentioned they aren’t pressured to conform to normality. They aren’t the ones who are denied health care. They aren’t denied a job based on their beliefs. They aren’t denied a wedding cake. For the most part they are privileged. And as the old saying goes: when you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.

#religion #Christianity #atheist #atheism #reality #persecution #essay

Persecuted for their beliefs in the United States? You mean the land where the first amendment states that we all have freedom of religion, but you can't be gay or trans because the Christain God says it's evil and not their inclusive, all-loving idk wiccan god or goddess, for example? A land where you must bear children no matter what and can't have abortions in some areas because God says it's murder? A land where you swear on the Bible in court? In court!! A place that upholds the laws, including freedom of religion, tells you to swear on a Bible! Maybe not as much anymore, but the option certainly still is there, especially in states that are not as progressive. Christianity is literally taking over the laws in some areas (in particular more conservative areas) and they feel like theyre being persecuted? Someone please give these people an island to live on where they can live and judge all they want against other like-minded asswipes.

I'm sorry, but just because those who follow a different religion or no religion are saying "hey, that's enough stop pushing your beliefs on me" does not mean christians are being persecuted. They're just a bunch of whiny babies who play victim when things don't go their way, even though their way hurts thouands and even millions. What does God have to say about that? Gosh they're so annoying, just a bunch of jokes. I'm over them. All they want is to feel powerful. That's literally it. Fuck 'em. Not literally of course...don't let them reproduce.

Also, I know not EVERY Christian is like this, but the majority of them are, especially those evangelists. If you're anything close to it literally do not talk to me, I have nothing to say to you and nothing learn/hear from you.

Also, also, sorry if it's hard to read or follow along, I didn't feel like going back to edit so good luck lol.

my younglife leader was twenty years old when i was fifteen

he was charismatic

he was popular

and he could drive

he sneaked me out of my house on new year's eve to get ice cream in the cold

makes you think: what kind of logic is that?

everyone thought he was stupid

he failed calculus

but he was brilliant in other ways

a master manipulator

he took his god's words and twisted them

he gave himself power above me

and he was always right

because he is a man

a man chosen by his god

to lead me to the light

he left me in a closet

a dark one

alone and lost with no sense of self worth

still the only thing that i have is myself

a presence much warmer than his god

ever could be

This needs a little history so let me explain.

In 1630, John Winthrop, head of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, would make a speech incorporating a sentiment from Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” This sentiment captures the spirit of American exceptionalism, that its citizens had something special to say and teach the world. A rejection of the hidebound old Europe, these new Israelites had been gifted with a Promised Land, empowered to expel its inhabitants, and destined for earthly success as long as they honoured God's law. And their constant record of early success was proof that God was on thier side.

Despite the arraogance, this wasn't all bad. No nation can stand the scrutiny of history, and their reord includes great moments like the Marshall Plan. They embraced individual freedom and the can-do spirit, and with it democracy, free enterprise and a penchant for good works. They were a light to the world in their way. And this belief has lasted. Reagan would base his presidency on it. And it worked. He tore down the evil Soviet empire.

There is of course much more nuance to American history,and much more self-interest, but don't underestimate its value, or its importance in American Christianity.

And understand that also is exceptional in its own way. The other great religions (Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, etc.) remain attached their roots. Christianity however knows no geography. Beginning in the Middle East, its next centre would be Europe, then to the Americas, and more recently to China. The current focus of Christianity is in the Southern Hemisphere. It has always been fluid, but as its wave passed over the United States, it also joined with that culture.

Not every part of course. The New England Puritans were overrun by the more flexible Baptists and Methodists from further south. The (German) Lutherans and the (Irish and Italian) Catholics always remained a side show. The heresies of 1830's upstate New York (Mormons, Later Day Saints, Milleniallists, Spritualists, etc.) would tend to go their own way. The Second Awakening of the 1840's was mostly political (Emancipation, Suffrage, Prohibition) with white women learning to use the church as their platform outside the home, determined to get their menfolk out of the bars. Even without the Civil War, the protestant of the southlands would need to double down, and then came Darwin.

Step back for a moment and recognize a Conservative will espouse a political philosophy that values tradition and social stability, preferring only gradual development, and then only if necessary. The Progressives in America would deal with evolution by deconstructing the Scriptures, denying the Bible's (the Word of God's) inherency and thereby leaving conservatives without any anchor. Their reaction was to enshrine Protestant faith into Fundamentalism, elevating belief in Scripture to the inflexible. May I now put the pieces together?

American fundamental Christianity has over time and become intimately associated with American exceptionalism, resulting in a conviction that both Scripture and America knows best. Moreover, if I were to guess, I suspect that American exceptionalism as an ill-defined belief now outranks Scripture, but both are under attack.

There is China. Global warming. Covid. School prayer. Abortion. Crime. Vietnam. Toyota. Islam. Social Media. Wherever they look, the wheels are coming off. That explains why they feel defensive but if you want these people to change without drama, you might want to learn a little history instead of just poking the bear.

To be honest in the first place christianity was brought to America and was even somewhat forced upon the first inhabitants. In fact the settlers killed people for not following their ways or exciling them. But in other countries they were definetly killed for following christianity, but in America it practically never happened.