[Dex]

Originally Posted by iamnotafraid

This thread was originally about Christian bashing and not
about me in particular. I believe I had already made it clear
that what I've personally went through wouldn't compare to
some Christians no matter where they reside.

I don't believe you did. You said "in my own way I've had to deal with persecution" after listing experiences which I maintain are not examples of persecution, and I believe that calling them such is an affront to truly persecuted groups, such as the Christians in middle eastern countries which you later invoked. That is what I take issue with. I didn't mean that persecution of Christianity does not exist at all in the world.

Christian privilege is an interesting choice of words. Though
I don't know exactly what you mean, there has certainly been
an erosion of Christian rights (you may call them privileges).

I will. I know many Christians from many parts of the western world and they all seem to enjoy the same rights that I do.

As you seem to be concerned with my life as a Christian, I can
witness to you that even as a child I noticed a change in the way
Christians were treated in public schools. I started public school
in the early 1970's. We had bibles in our schools, we said the pledge
of allegiance with the words under God. And then sang "My
County, 'Tis Of Thee". And all these things were taken away in just
a matter of a few years.

You brought up your life as a Christian initially. And the points you discussed when doing so brought to light certain issues I needed to take up, so I did *shrugs*. As for the above, I cannot see how any of that amounts to a loss of Christian rights. Just because changes are made and you happen to dislike them doesn't mean your rights are being taken away.

Not being too personal, but I can tell you if you're a Christian you
get treated differently in school. But you wouldn't call the being
persecuted - but at the very least it's bullying. And if I was
witness to it in my day, I can only imagine it's much worse today.

I will not deny that bullying against Christian students exists in schools today. That is a fact. Although whether bullying against Christian students matches or exceeds bullying against members of most any other religious group or minorities of any other kind is something I'm highly skeptical of.

But in the end this turns out for the good of Christians...

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds
of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,
for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets
who were before you. Matthew 5:11,12

Well, that's good.

And how are we to keep our beliefs private?

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and
it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew
5:14,15,16.

You do not have to keep your beliefs private. I would never ask you to do such. I meant keep them in the private sector while operating in an officially secular democracy. As in, not in the government. Not in public schools. Not in displays on city-owned property. Feel free to discuss your beliefs and identity with anyone you who will listen, wear a cross in public, etc. Those are your protected rights, which certainly have not been taken from you.