FROM a comment at Fitzpatrick Informer:

I saw a comment on The American Conservative site today saying persecution is the seed of the Church. People often say this type of thing in an offhand way, but realistically how many of us are ready to be persecuted? It seems to me that even the ridicule and hostility that comes with, say, disputing the official version of things like 9/11 is beyond the ken of most Christians (including most traditional Catholics) these days, so it’s difficult to see how they’d cope with the full on persecution that a Hillary administration might well have hastened. We can only pray that some good will come from Trump’s victory – even if many of the hopes entertained by the alt-right are outlandish.

Indeed. There is a shocking amount of cowardice out there. It’s odd how people who consider themselves “traditionalists” place such blind trust in the establishment that gives them their news — or they are simply afraid to take risks, leaving the few to face the danger. Or they simply do not believe that systematic evil exists. Or they prefer not to think about it all; they are not connected to reality.

— Comments —

Lydia Sherman writes:

In the last ten years I have listened to religious people sitting in my own living room saying things like “What the church needs is a good dose of persecution!” And, “The Christian religion really grew when Christians were persecuted!” These people were supposing that persecution would make Christians stronger and more noble. They were also suffering from not having a strong purpose in their Christian life.

It was an eerie experience to see the euphoric sparkle of light in their eyes while they spoke of the glories and rewards of persecution. It made my blood freeze. If they wanted persecution, they ought to have tried it themselves before wishing it on others.

I gently informed them that in their haste to proclaim persecution the end-all to the problem of low church attendance and weak Christian character, Persecution would not allow his children to be homeschooled. Persecution is so severe that many Christians might not carry their cross with dignity, as these people hoped. Instead, many of the flock would be lost by giving in to the enemy when faced with bodily harm. The weaker-minded among them would simply run away. If these pro-persecution people really cared about others, they would be more sorrowful at how many souls would be lost through persecution.

Under severe persecution, many lives would be lost–perhaps even their own wives, parents and siblings; people who provide a great spiritual support system. Maybe Christianity would spread under persecution, but are these people who idolize it so insensitive to the suffering it would cause others? Some people who have a lot to contribute to teaching and giving stability to people in the faith, simply will not survive persecution.

Instead of romancing the persecution, men ought to elect good government that allows Christianity to thrive rather than suppressing it. Government does better when Christians abound. Christianity makes business and life more tolerable. The persecutors would make life and economy unbearable. We ought to look for ways to make Christianity more available, not send it away into hiding. How can anyone be the light of the world if they are hiding in a cave? The persecution advocates do not know what they are talking about.

That being said, doing what is right will naturally result in personal persecution, but it is the glorification of a Roman-type of persecution that does not seem right.

Steve writes:

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their intimidation; do not be shaken.” But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to articulate a defense to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But respond with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you will be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ~1 Peter 3:14-17

I think the ultimate point that is being made in Scripture, is that if we are to suffer from forces that may be out of our control, we are to weather it as best we possibly can … but not, as Lydia so eloquently alludes to, as some kind of Christian (or rather Churchian) ‘virtue-signalling’ – a very narcissistic trait that is so often found in great measure among those on the anti-Christian Left. I think a lot of Christians who talk this way are often motivated to enhance their (perceived) status within their Church(ian) circle of friends, and parishioners perhaps, to, at certain times and circumstances, seem to want to give off the ‘holier than thou’ vibe:

All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations–

Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. ~Isaiah 65:2,5

Earlier in the Book of Isaiah, a warning so eloquently, and forcefully, warning against those who say:

Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit, and wickedness as with cart ropes, to those who say, “Let God hurry; let him hasten his work so we may see it. The plan of the Holy One of Israel– let it approach, let it come into view, so we may know it.” Isaiah 5:18-19

This sounds an awful lot like the canon, gospel, and dogma of Evangelical Americanist Churchianity, doesn’t it???

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