‘Watch with Mother’, (an early BBC children’s TV programme), used to start by asking “Are you sitting comfortably?” How about you? Are you sitting comfortably?
Most of us are in the West. Most Christian’s lives are so easy and comfortable that we can hardly image ever facing persecution or trouble. We get up, go to work, come home, watch TV, or go to a church event, a Bible Study or a Prayer meeting and never face any opposition.
This lack of opposition probably ought to challenge us. Why is no one offended by our lifestyle or our opinions? Why does no one take exception to our attitude to current issues, our political views, our…? Could it be that we are not being ‘salt and light’ in a dark world?
But even if you hold strong views and even if you are open about them, probably even if you are vocal about them, you will not often face ridicule or opposition let alone persecution. But it may not be very far away. Bubbling under the surface is a new militancy. One hundred years ago, fifty years ago, even ten or fifteen years ago there was an underlying respect for the Christians. Our laws, our culture, our collective morals as a society were built on and shaped by the Bible. This foundation is all but eroded away.
There is a very fast growing movement of people demanding ‘tolerance’, ‘liberalization’ and ‘freedom to express their views or lifestyle’, but these people are actually very intolerant, want strict rules about what people can say or do, (i.e. no discrimination against us but only against you), and freedom, well for us not you! In the video clip below you will see an 80 year old lady, Phyllis Burgess, who is…well you could say counter protesting against a pro gay marriage rally. In truth she hardly protests, but does carry a cross, it appears, with only the word ‘Jesus’ on it. (Leave a message if you can get a better image than me and can read more). A large and angry mob jostle her and knock the cross out of her hand and then stamp on it.
Palm Springs Prop 8 Rally Turns Ugly KPSP-TV
As you have seen she is treated in a very rude manner, one pro-’gay’-marriage protester screams at her “WE SHOULD FIGHT! WE SHOULD FIGHT!” and calls her a “stupid woman” The mob does not give Phylis an opportunity to speak. Her reply to all this anger and aggression is to say “I love you”, his reply to her is “GET OUT, GET OUT” I find it inconceivable that anyone could treat a lady like that, let alone an 80 year old lady. Notice the irony of the wording on the posters that they keep thrusting in front of her face. As she then walks away with the reporter she is followed and barracked all the way.
“Vote no on prop 8 EQUALITY FOR ALL”
Equality for all except Christians
This is not taking place in some third world run by warlords, but Palm Springs, Southern California, USA. Ray Gano of Prophezine raises the question of, “Are we seeing the rising of a new group of ‘Brown shirts’ or rather ‘Rainbow Shirts’?” Hitler would be proud. The video is available on this link, courtesy KPSP-TV in Palm Springs. The video has been posted on the San Francisco State University College Republicans’ website. Ryan Sorba, chairman of the college group said
“The video is astounding and chilling and speaks for itself, The end of this video illustrates the fate of religious freedom and marriage should pro-sodomy activists ultimately legalize so-called same-sex marriage by way of activist California courts.”
That’s where the anchor concludes the report with: “There’s a lot of anger and a lot of hate, quite honestly, on both sides.” On the Republicans’ comment page, there was outrage, one participant wrote
“There is simply no explanation for this kind of intolerance. For a group of people who claim to be fighting to expand their rights, they sure are willing to strip conservatives of theirs,”
Another poster wrote with tongue in cheek
“Yeah, the 80 year old woman was full of HATE. you could tell,”
Another said
“The anchor said there was a lot of anger and hate on both sides – there was no anger and hate portrayed by the little old lady holding the cross. She reminds me of Ghandi. The anger and hate was all one sided. To defile a crucifix like that is a very grave evil indeed.”
Fiona added
“Man, this is unbelievable,” . “I have never seen so much intolerance and hate in my life. Who is being silenced no? The new’s anchor obviously was not paying attention to what was going on, if he had the nerve to say there was hatred from both sides. … From what I saw, she was saying she loved the people, was praying, and had her belongings ripped from her and trampled on.”
It is good to see that there are still plenty of people who are prepared to say this is no way for a society to behave, but you can see just how easily hatred and violence against Christians can erupt. This is only the tip of the coming iceberg of persecution of the church. We still live in a society that is influenced by Christianity, but the influence is disappearing like a morning mist. We should not, I suppose, be surprised when trouble comes our way, for the Jesus is fairly clear on the matter. Trouble is coming, but do not worry – in fact, the Bible says that if you have persicution, you are blessed!
10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matthew 5:10-12
When talking about the signs of the end of this age, among wars, famines and earthquakes says
9. 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. 10.And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Matthew 24:9-10
As I said near the top, may be more than worrying about facing persecution – we should be thinking about why we are not facing it today. May be it we where a little bit more like Phyllis Burgess we would be. God bless.
P.S. Just after I posted this article I received an e-mail from Ray Gano of
prophezine.com directing me to a blog on much the same subject. The article begins like this:-
This is what we’re up against. On Sunday morning, amidst worshiping congregants and following unifying prayers that our President-elect be granted wisdom as he prepares to lead our nation through difficult global, social and economic challenges, the Michigan left declared open war on peaceful church goers. They did it with banners, chants, blasphemy, by storming the pulpit, by vandalizing the church facility, by potentially defiling the building with lewd, public, sex acts and by intentionally forcing physical confrontations with worshipers.
This didn’t take place in some dystopian, post modern work of fiction and it didn’t take place in San Francisco or Berkley. This was the scene at a Bible believing church in Lansing, Michigan.
Full blog here
