For a few weeks now, I’ve been reading stories about a Christian persecution taking place overseas. I’m not talking about remote countries where tribes are fighting daily, or a radical Muslim group, this persecution has been taking place in Great Britain. Let me just provide you with a brief overview of the latest two:
February 12, 2009 – U.K. A school secretary’s 5 year old daughter who mentioned the name of Jesus was scolded by her teacher for doing so. Because her daughter became so upset over the matter, the mother emailed a prayer request about the situation to some of her friends at church. The school found out about the “prayer email” and now the secretary faces disciplinary action for professional misconduct because of both her and her daughter’s profession of faith. WND
February 2, 2009 – U.K. A Christian nurse was suspended for failing to display “personal and professional commitment to equality and diversity.” Her crime? The community nurse visited an elderly woman and asked the patient if she could pray for her, to which the patient said no. When she returned home that day, she found a message on her answering machine stating that she had been suspended without pay and would be forced to attend a disciplinary meeting. She has since been reinstated. WND
I don’t recall hearing either of these in the mainstream media, as they were likely dismissed as trivial, but there are patterns of this behavior that are beginning to take shape. Which is why I wasn’t surprised when I heard the latest story of Christian persecution. Except this time it happened in the United States, specifically in California. The story broke in 2006, also not covered in the mainstream media, but a lawsuit was filed just last week on behalf of a veteran youth counselor, for abused/abandoned children, who was suspended 6 weeks without pay. Her crime, “exposing children to unapproved religious activities.” You might be thinking, “Who is she to be preaching to kids about her faith? Those children could have different beliefs and she shouldn’t try to influence them.” Maybe, only she wasn’t preaching or sharing her own faith. The counselor had taken four teenage girls on an approved field trip to the Anaheim 5k run and then to the beach. While there, the group watched a surfing contest from the pier and overheard a few minutes of Christian music. Let me repeat that, the group overheard a few minutes of Christian music. This resulted in the suspension of the youth counselor. The counselor has since filed suit on February 13, 2009, for religious discrimination. ChristianPost
I know these are just three incidents and there are a lot more, many of which are happening in countries of our closest allies, but many also are happening here in the U.S. This isn’t a pattern that is short-lived or isolated. I believe this is what is coming. I don’t say that to strike fear in the heart of anyone, but for it to serve as a wake-up call to Christians everywhere. Now is the time to strengthen your faith, return to church, begin reading your Bible and praying.
Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
