The Challenge: Persecuted Christians

I have not posted in quite some time due to the fact that it came to my attention that my employer discovered my blog.  The VP of HR called me to her office to remind me to be inclusive and politically correct in my conversations and dealings with my fellow employees.  I had no idea what she was talking about, as I don't discuss this blog or my personal feelings at work.  Later I learned from a friend that HR was interviewing co-workers to see if I discuss my personally held beliefs with co-workers.  I no longer work for that organization, so feel free to post again.  With absolutely no evidence to support their investigation, my employer treated me as if I was spewing hate speech in the workplace.  Yes, I was persecuted for my beliefs.

It’s true that Christians are persecuted even here in America, and in harsher ways than the open criticism we’re used to receiving. We see the steadily tightening grip of government regulations closing in over the free expression of our faith and we see the public becoming increasingly more and more OK with it.

Western Christians, especially Americans, have grown to neglect our freedom. Our complacency is evidenced in our general acceptance of tightening regulations here at home, but it’s most apparent in our unconcern for the true plight of Christians who aren’t afforded the freedoms we take for granted. Around the world, 2014 was a record year for the persecution of Christians, though we didn’t hear much about it in the news. And 2015 is on track to be even worse.

Open Doors is a non-profit organization that serves persecuted Christians in more than 60 countries. According to its website, 322 Christians are killed for their faith every month and 772 forms of violence (including rape, beatings, abductions, and forced marriages) are committed against Christians.

On the Open Doors’ list that ranks the 50 most oppressive countries toward Christians, North Korea is as at the top for the 13^th consecutive year. There are 50,000 to 70,000 Christians imprisoned in labor camps in North Korea today, and anyone found engaging in unauthorized religious activity anywhere throughout the country may be arrested, tortured, or executed....

We cannot remain unaffected by the suffering of Christians on the other side of the world, even if we choose to turn a blind eye to it. Persecution is like a cancer that will continue to spread, intending to destroy the entire body. We see it slowly creeping into the lives of Christians here at home already.But we can choose, as the stronger parts of the body, to assist our injured and struggling counterparts, and thereby strengthen the whole. 

The Challenge: Persecuted Christians