NationStates Jolt Archive

I was woundering, do other religions get this much persecution? I dont hear very often Muslims getting killed in China,or something like that. Or is it just me? And there really is persecution of other religions.

So the only way a group can be persecuted is if they're being killed?

Fascinating.

I was woundering, do other religions get this much persecution? I dont hear very often Muslims getting killed in China,or something like that. Or is it just me? And there really is persecution of other religions.

Erm... but you DID hear of Muslims getting killed in Iraq and Palestine, didn't you?

I was woundering, do other religions get this much persecution? I dont hear very often Muslims getting killed in China,or something like that. Or is it just me? And there really is persecution of other religions.

Oh no. Many Muslims get their heads lobbed off too in China, but it's Xinjiang/Sinkiang/Turkestan, so you don't hear too much of it.

I was woundering, do other religions get this much persecution? I dont hear very often Muslims getting killed in China,or something like that. Or is it just me? And there really is persecution of other religions.
*cough* jewish people have had the worst luck since the beginning of time.

I think if you're a Tibetan monk, you've got a fair chance of martyrdom in China as well

All religions have been persecuted in the past. Also many religions have learned that they can benefit from people's sympathy if they act like victims, so they claim to be persecuted now. In a few cases they actually are being persecuted, but IMHO it's usually a ploy to win sympathy.

Almost every religion gets persecuted in some place in the world.

Erm... but you DID hear of Muslims getting killed in Iraq and Palestine, didn't you?
But was that religious persecution or political strife?

It's really easy to make fun of - er - "persecute" Christians...
I mean when you put yourself out there like that.... and all those crazy whackjobs that do things in the name of Christianity... And that attitude... jeesh!

Almost every religion gets persecuted in some place in the world.

"Cuius regio, eius religio"

I was woundering, do other religions get this much persecution? I dont hear very often Muslims getting killed in China,or something like that. Or is it just me? And there really is persecution of other religions.
There's a hell of a lot of persecutions of other religions. Not to condescend, but do you follow the news? Ever heard of the Middle East, especially Israel? Look it up, there's a prime example. And that's stretching out, as well, not just within regional borders. And no, you don't often hear of Muslims getting killed in China, for instance, because China is mostly Buddhist or Taoist, both of which are peaceful religions and don't give a crap what the Muslims choose to believe. For the most part, Asia stays out of the Middle East and the Western worlds' religious affairs, and China's too busy worrying about the ethnic cleansing of Tibet (I won't believe it's over until the Dali Llama's back where he's a right to be).

In other news, in the Western world, Christians persecute EVERYBODY. You ever met a Christian you liked? Well, read some of the God-esque threads on here and it might change your mind, at least on some of them. There are some, like myself, who really couldn't care much less what you believe, as long as you're not going to argue MY beliefs (which I keep to myself around dissenters, unless they start something), but apparently I'm a rarity. Plus you've got Christians v. Christians, an amusing little parody of things that really matter. But in my opinion, the people who downright, worldwide, get the most crap, would probably have to be Christians, you're right.

On the other hand, to get a little conspiratorial.....how do you know the Christians aren't just upping their supposed "oppression" to further the cause? Not that I believe that for a second, but.....I wouldn't put it past certain individuals, that's for sure.

But was that religious persecution or political strife?

I think in Palestine at least you can't seperate the two... Iraq is up for discussion. IMHO it's about religion as well as other important matters... oil, for example.

1. They REALLY get on people's nerves due to those members who coherce, lie, oppress, and push their faith on other people. The have a LONG history of it. This behavior has lead to backlash. You have your regular christians, and then you have that 10% in the congregation that use it to get elitist that then go nuts. Now imagine that in historical terms in which christians were all over the place pissing people off world-wide. You get a better picture then.

2. While a minority of muslims are doing this now, they will get a backlash eventually in the future in their own regions if they continue. They however were relatively less annoying compared to their chrisitan counter parts historically. But as they say, what comes around, goes around

3. Muslims ARE persecuted in China. China really doesn't approve of cults outside of Taoism, buddahism, and shintoism if I recall.

4. Muslims are kind of persecuted in parts of America.. namely the bible belt regions.

This is why seperation of church and state is VERY important. You really need to keep these nuts out of our government so people can't call us on being biased.

Muslims are being persecuted in Uzbekistan and they're under the watchful eye of the government in Mexico. Until very recently American religions were heavily persecuted. They aren't any more but there's not much left.

Every group on earth has been persecuted at one point (or, at least, like to say that they have been).
No one has a monopoly on suffering.

3. Muslims ARE persecuted in China. China really doesn't approve of cults outside of Taoism, buddahism, and shintoism if I recall.


This is why seperation of church and state is VERY important. You really need to keep these nuts out of our government so people can't call us on being biased.

Shintoism is Japanese. Some claim Shintoism is one of the causes of Japanese militarism. I tend to agree.

I agree with the last point, even if I'm a Christian. You HAVE to acknowledge and respect the legitimacy and existence and rights of other religions, even if they counter your own.

'Christians' have been persecuted and they have persecuted others.

I should know. My ancestors were driven out of the USA in the 1800s. There was an extermination order against them by the govt. of one of the states. That's right I'm mormon, a type of christian. but it doens't usually matter persecution can happen across any line.

'Christians' have been persecuted and they have persecuted others.

I should know. My ancestors were driven out of the USA in the 1800s. There was an extermination order against them by the govt. of one of the states. That's right I'm mormon, a type of christian. but it doens't usually matter persecution can happen across any line.I thought mormons didn't like being called Christians...

I thought mormons didn't like being called Christians...

I thought so, too.

I've always believed they were more of a cult than an actual religion, anyway.

I thought so, too.

I've always believed they were more of a cult than an actual religion, anyway.
If only someone could explain the planet thing that mormons believe in...
The planet we're on before Earth, and the couple we're on after we die... that would clear things up

If only someone could explain the planet thing that mormons believe in...
The planet we're on before Earth, and the couple we're on after we die... that would clear things up

The thing is, I don't think that even Mormons could explain half of the ridiculous crap that makes up the "religion."

Simonist']And no, you don't often hear of Muslims getting killed in China, for instance, because China is mostly Buddhist or Taoist, both of which are peaceful religions and don't give a crap what the Muslims choose to believe.

In other news, in the Western world, Christians persecute EVERYBODY. You ever met a Christian you liked?



Er, no... China is definitely not mostly Buddhist or Taoist! Only 1-2% of the population is Buddhist, Taoist, OR Muslim, and 3-4% of the people are Christian. However, China is officially an ATHEIST country, because Communism replaces religion. Communists don't believe you can be loyal to the governemnt and to a religion at the same time so that's why they don't like you to have a religion if you live in China.

But other than that, I agree with what you said. I just wanted to point out that one thing.

lol

ok, the planet thing is symbolism. lol. We are here. We die and go to a spiritual 'world'. Then we are judged and go to God's 'world'.

And yes Mormons are christians. The actual name of the church is :
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

*points to the name "Christ" in the name of the church*

(this is my oppinion. You don't have to agree)
Christianity is the true religion. Satan doesn't want any more people to be saved and go to Heaven. It's as simple as that.

It's really easy to make fun of - er - "persecute" Christians
I doubt the original poster is talking about the US or Europe. There are places in the world where Christians do suffer genuine persecution.

Shintoism is Japanese. Some claim Shintoism is one of the causes of Japanese militarism. I tend to agree.
Indeed, Shinto was the official state religion of Japan until 1945.

The thing is, I don't think that even Mormons could explain half of the ridiculous crap that makes up the "religion."


if people would actually ask mormons instead of making up stuff, they could find out :) I was a missionary for the church for 2 years and am pretty confident that I could answer any question (though that is not the topic of this thread)

Er, no... China is definitely not mostly Buddhist or Taoist! Only 1-2% of the population is Buddhist, Taoist, OR Muslim, and 3-4% of the people are Christian. However, China is officially an ATHEIST country, because Communism replaces religion. Communists don't believe you can be loyal to the governemnt and to a religion at the same time so that's why they don't like you to have a religion if you live in China.

But other than that, I agree with what you said. I just wanted to point out that one thing.
Oh, guess I could've worded that better....I meant that statistically Buddhism and Taoism are the majority RELIGIONS. What....you didn't know? *sigh* It's not MY responsibility to clear this crap up now, is it?! Read minds, damn you!

Yeah, so......it's been an off day, I apologize for not making that more clear....

Simonist']In other news, in the Western world, Christians persecute EVERYBODY. You ever met a Christian you liked?
Where the hell do you live? I am an atheist living in the western world, and I don't see Christians persecuting anybody. Most of my closest friends are Catholics.

(this is my oppinion. You don't have to agree)
Christianity is the true religion. Satan doesn't want any more people to be saved and go to Heaven. It's as simple as that.
I have to say, and you may disagree, that is the most illogical thing I have ever heard...next to hearing country singers trying to rap.

This whole thing comes down to perspective. If you don't like Christians then you believe they are the persecutors not the persecutees. If you like Christians then you see signs of persecution all around. If you don't care about religion either way so much then you state that everyone is being persecuted somewhere.
I would have to say the third option it the correct one even though I am a Christian. Christians face a weak, blackballing kind of persecution in western countries, Muslims as well although they are a bit more protected by the forces of political correctness. In places like the Sudan and Saudi Arabia Christians face real persecution of the oppressive, violent kind. In China Muslims face the same kind of violent oppression.
Everybody is getting kicked in the teeth somewhere, it is the natural ebb and flow of life.

Basically when you have 2 people who disagree, the one with the most self control is generally the persecuted one. (I say generally ,not always)

Christians are mainly persecuted by other Christians, fuelled by consumerism and the mass media. Think of the last US election - recall the whole "win for Jesus" thing that pit moderate Christians against fundamentalists? Or all the fundamentalist Christians who have told me that as a Catholic I'm doomed to hell? We're our own worst enemies. For real. Think of the Inquisition or the Protestant Reformation and all the burnings. *shudder*

if people would actually ask mormons instead of making up stuff, they could find out :) I was a missionary for the church for 2 years and am pretty confident that I could answer any question (though that is not the topic of this thread)


I have a question, actually.

On what book do Mormons base their beliefs?
If it's the Book of Mormon (as opposed to being the Bible), how can they be Christian?

Does it not bother you that there is no evidence supporting the Book of Mormon?

Christianity is the true religion.

Well alright for you alienating 3/4ths of the planet.

Your mama must be very proud.

I have a question, actually.

On what book do Mormons base their beliefs?
If it's the Book of Mormon (as opposed to being the Bible), how can they be Christian?

Does it not bother you that there is no evidence supporting the Book of Mormon?

Actually, on both. And two other books of scripture.
Does it bother you or me that there is little to no physical evidence supporting the Bible? no, we both believe in the Bible despite that fact.

Where the hell do you live? I am an atheist living in the western world, and I don't see Christians persecuting anybody. Most of my closest friends are Catholics.
I live in the Midwest, where it's weird to even be Jewish. I'm a Catholic because it's what I'm happy with, but a lot of people my age are Catholic or otherwise Christian because otherwise they'll be considered "out of order". I live in the Kansas City area, where I can go try to have a relaxing night at a coffeehouse in the arts district, and end up with some Protestant (let's say Baptist, for kicks) telling me off for not being whatever religion he is, while another Protestant (let's say......oh, Episcopal, though some of our local churches are separatist these days) is arguing that THEY'RE the one that's actually right, and then the onlookers sit and wonder why I'm grinding my teeth and ignoring the both of them and not arguing back about Catholicism.

Like I've mentioned a million times before......I'm a rarity in my region, and I'm sick of having to say that.

Well alright for you alienating 3/4ths of the planet.

Your mama must be very proud.
That's nothing. I once alienated 4/5 of the world.

no, we both believe in the Bible despite that fact.


No, actually, I don't believe in the Bible.
I'm pretty much an atheist.

Thanks for clearing up my question, though.

That's nothing. I once alienated 4/5 of the world.
Meh, I alienate the entire world and some nearby planets on a regular basis.

Can we try to distinguish christianity from wacky apocalyptic creationist nitwits?

Christians face a weak, blackballing kind of persecution in western countries, Muslims as well although they are a bit more protected by the forces of political correctness.
Quit whining. No religion is persecuted in the western world anymore. At least, not mainstream religions like Christianity and Islam.

I challenge you to drag up one item of Christian persecution in the west, that is only targeted at Christians and not others.

Simonist']I live in the Midwest, where it's weird to even be Jewish. I'm a Catholic because it's what I'm happy with, but a lot of people my age are Catholic or otherwise Christian because otherwise they'll be considered "out of order". I live in the Kansas City area, where I can go try to have a relaxing night at a coffeehouse in the arts district, and end up with some Protestant (let's say Baptist, for kicks) telling me off for not being whatever religion he is, while another Protestant (let's say......oh, Episcopal, though some of our local churches are separatist these days) is arguing that THEY'RE the one that's actually right, and then the onlookers sit and wonder why I'm grinding my teeth and ignoring the both of them and not arguing back about Catholicism.

Like I've mentioned a million times before......I'm a rarity in my region, and I'm sick of having to say that.
Are you from Kansas City Missouri? I drove from St. Louis to Kansas City and back again. It seems you guys have only three types of billboards along the highway. Christian Bookstores, Fireworks, and Porn are the only things advertized. That may account for the weirdness.

Quit whining. No religion is persecuted in the western world anymore. At least, not mainstream religions like Christianity and Islam.

I challenge you to drag up one item of Christian persecution in the west, that is only targeted at Christians and not others.
Did you get beat up by the Christian extremists as a small child or something? Or is this personal?

I'm just wondering, especially seeing as how everybody's version of "persecution" seems to differ, and you seem to be taking the higher, more hardcore road of persecution....

Quit whining. No religion is persecuted in the western world anymore. At least, not mainstream religions like Christianity and Islam.

I challenge you to drag up one item of Christian persecution in the west, that is only targeted at Christians and not others.

Whining? heh heh, I guess I would be whining if I cared about it. Whining. :D

Are you from Kansas City Missouri? I drove from St. Louis to Kansas City and back again. It seems you guys have only three types of billboards along the highway. Christian Bookstores, Fireworks, and Porn are the only things advertized. That may account for the weirdness.
Nope, the Kansas side of the Metro. Johnson County, which is really the only money IN Kansas City (please God, don't let the Jackson Countiers find out I said that)....but you're right, that's about all there is to the Missouri side.

I'm a Christian though i don't claim it because i've developed my own veiw on most stuff. Also Christian are getting treated the way that they treated other groups .And now on of my favorite quotes

"If God is almighty then can he make a boulder so heavy he can't lift it,
If so then he is not almighty."-Unknown

Quit whining. No religion is persecuted in the western world anymore. At least, not mainstream religions like Christianity and Islam.

I challenge you to drag up one item of Christian persecution in the west, that is only targeted at Christians and not others.


yeah, its been just barely 100 years since my people were killed, tarred and feathered, and evicted from the US.

And we are now the 4th largest religion in the US. lol

Simonist']Did you get beat up by the Christian extremists as a small child or something? Or is this personal?
no, why do you think that?

On the whole - at any given moment in time, there's very little persecution of anybody going on in the world. That being said, at one point or another, just about everybody will be persecuted by somebody else.

We all need to give that rotten old tribal tendency of humankind a miss more often.

I was woundering, do other religions get this much persecution?
It's seemed to happen a lot to Jews too....

(this is my oppinion. You don't have to agree)
Christianity is the true religion. Satan doesn't want any more people to be saved and go to Heaven. It's as simple as that.

you are going to make some major enemies if you keep talking like that.

and, don't take this the wrong way, but why do Christians whine so much about how they're being persecuted when the Jews went through a Holocaust, Muslims were dirt after 9/11, and there was the whole Inquistion thing in the 1600s (or 1500s, i'm not that great at history) ? if you ask me, the reason Christians are persecuted is because they're the ones doing the persecuting. i think you should look at the bright side: at least you're not the victim of genocide.

Buddhism has it worse than Chistianity. Unlike Chirstians, they DON'T persecute other religions. The truth is, while there is religion, they will attack each other. It's the fucked up way humans think. Religion sucks.

Why are Christians persecuted?

Because they are stuck up... A lot of religions are like that (there are some who aren't).
'Religion' as an organization is a bad idea in my opinion. Why can't we all just have beliefs without either forcing them on others or condemning those who have different beliefs? All this comes mostly from 'Religion', not individuals with beliefs, but masses who join together.

Religions (interpret that word however you wish) are, in my experience, nothing more than an infantile (but, apparently effective) approach at control over the masses by the few "leaders". What better way to acquire, and keep, the masses in line, except with some story about the big, bad ... insert appropriate noun (wolf, demon, god, etc).. standing over you, ready to reward or punish for whatever you do in life.

As far as persecution goes, well, how else is one to pick a fight with someone, logically, than to say, "Oh, they're not such-and-such, so they deserve to die." To me, they (religions) and persecution go hand in hand.

--- Christian sons, Christian daughters,
Lead me along like a lamb to the slaughter.
Purify my brain, and hose down my soul.
White perfection, perfection is my goal.

--- And, Mormons aren't Christians, no matter what way you look at it.
I was a Mormon before I was excommunicated (proudly framed letter).

Christians are persecuted because a) There's a lot of them, and b) At least some of them make a lot of noise. If you're noticable, you get picked on, unless you also have the strength to hold them off. Christianity is, correct me if I'm wrong, at least to some extent pacifistic. Major target right there.

-- as to the Mormon question, it all depends on how you define Christian. If you say 'Followers of Christ' then yes, they are -- they just happen to have a bit more information on him. If you define it as 'Those who believe the Old and New Testaments are the only forms of scripture' then no, they aren't. As to the question of what they /like/ to be called, the only one I'm aware of knowing is adamant that she's Christian. It's a complicated issue which has nothing to do with this thread, so I'll drop it with this 'both yes and no' answer.

If so called Christians were really following Christ then maybe the world wouldn't be in such a big mess. As Gandhi said, "I like your Christ - it's Christians that I can't stand!"

Maharlikana

The Bahai Faith has been persecuted in Iran and all over the Middle East for well over a century. Our Holy Sites have been paved over for parking lots and sewage treatment plants. Teaching the Faith is punishable by death. No one in the west gives damn, expect the Bahais living here (like myself) The New York Times did do a very nice series of articles about the situation last November, but only after the NYC Bahai Spiritual Assembly took out a FULL PAGE ad decrying the atrocities.

Christians are getting prosecuted? Join the club. Besides, a religion which venerates suffering should be able to face a little bit with nobility and composure. Much like the early Christians did. Much like present day Christians in Saudi Arabia do. Any perceived persecution of Christianity within the US is a backlash against years of of small minded people forcing their religion on others with the very laws of the country. Most Christians I've met don't like the ones with a preachy and overbearing attitude anymore than the non-christians do.

Maybe we should also start giving a damn about how the First nations (Natives) of North America had cultural genocide carried out on a vast and systematic scale by all three nations in North America (and it continues to this day in Mexico)

--- And, Mormons aren't Christians, no matter what way you look at it.
I was a Mormon before I was excommunicated (proudly framed letter).
Can you post a bit of the letter?

Am I missing something here? In the western world the Christians are the ones who do all the persecuting....

Its really sad, but it seems like the one thing EVERY religion has in common is being persecuted at some time. Christians (all sects), Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Zen Buddhists, Hindis, Confusists...every religion I can think of (and even non-religions like atheism) have been persecuted in some way

Its really sad, but it seems like the one thing EVERY religion has in common is being persecuted at some time. Christians (all sects), Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Zen Buddhists, Hindis, Confusists...every religion I can think of (and even non-religions like atheism) have been persecuted in some way
It's becuase we all hate each other, don't care enough to meet someone and learn about their culture and so find it easier to just go blast them away or keep them far away. It really sucks.

I was woundering, do other religions get this much persecution? I dont hear very often Muslims getting killed in China,or something like that. Or is it just me? And there really is persecution of other religions.

Sorry, but do you simply just not follow the news at all? How did it come to pass that you are unaware of the killing of Muslim in China (Uighurs), the former Yugoslav states, Israel, India, Thailand, Europe, etc.?
On a compartive basis, Christians are much less persecuted.

Buddhism has it worse than Chistianity. Unlike Chirstians, they DON'T persecute other religions.


Like the Buddhist who *clearly AREN'T* persecuting Muslims in Thailand, as we speak? :rolleyes:

I was woundering, do other religions get this much persecution? I dont hear very often Muslims getting killed in China,or something like that. Or is it just me? And there really is persecution of other religions.

Christianity is persecuted? Oh, like Christians haven't persecuted other religions in the past two-thousand-plus years...

*cough*the crusades*cough*
*cough*the inquisitions*cough*