Here some quotes from an article I read recently taken from the President of Public Advocate of the U.S. Hon. Eugene Delgaudio in his article “Christianity under Attack.”
“There is no longer any doubt that our Christian faith is under attack.
And I’ll prove it with the 3 shocking stories below.
First is the story of Michael Salman, a man who spent 60 days in prison for being a witness for Jesus Christ.
No, not in Iran or China or some other third world dictatorship, but right here on American soil in Phoenix, Arizona.
I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true.
If you haven’t heard this story, I’m not surprised.
Michael Salman was locked in jail for holding a bible study in his home — for witnessing the gospel to his friends, family, and neighbors.
How did this happen?
You see, his city government claims there’s a special permit required to use his home as a church.
That’s right, local bureaucrats require “special permission” to host a bible study in your own home.
If that’s not a blatant violation of religious freedom, I don’t know what is.
Ever since the time of the Apostle Paul, homes have been a common place for Christian fellowship and worship.
Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians about Aquila and Priscilla and the “church that meets at their house.”
The Book of Acts tells us that Paul traveled “from house to house” preaching the good news.
How can anyone deny the war on Christianity when the age old house church tradition is being torn apart by government bureaucrats?
But there’s even more.
The story of Elaine Huguenin shows how bad the persecution can get.
Elaine is a wedding photographer in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
When asked to photograph a homosexual “commitment ceremony,” she politely declined.
In Elaine’s own words, “the message a same-sex commitment ceremony communicates is not one I believe.”
That should be the end of the story, right?
Unfortunately, that answer wasn’t acceptable.
Elaine was investigated by the “New Mexico Human Rights Commission” which found her guilty of discrimination and ordered her to pay $7,000!
Elaine responded by saying, “[i]f it becomes something where Christians are made to do these things by law in one state, or two, it’s going to sweep across the whole United States … and religious freedom could become extinct.”
Elaine fought this all the way to the New Mexico Supreme Court, which ruled that a business owner does NOT have the right to turn away work that violates his or her Christian beliefs.
Unfortunately, that’s exactly what’s happening.
That’s why I’m taking action with Public Advocate and our pro-family, pro-Christian grassroots members committed to fighting back against these government abuses.
And if you and I don’t band together for our religious liberty right now, imagine how much worse it will get in just 5, 10, or 15 years.
I shudder to think of the danger.
If you and I can spread the word, perhaps we can finally restore religious freedom in America.
The sad fact is more and more Christian business owners are facing this same persecution.
When Baronelle Stutzman, a florist in Washington State, was asked by a regular customer to provide flowers for his homosexual marriage ceremony, she took his hand and told him, “I am sorry. I can’t do your wedding because of my relationship with Jesus Christ.”
She had never refused this customer before and insists her choice had nothing to do with discrimination.
She merely cannot support a ceremony she believes to be wrong.
Since then she’s been harassed day and night — and even received an arson threat!
Now she’s being sued [by the Attorney General of Washington State].
And if she loses, she’ll be forced by law to either support homosexual marriages or pay a massive fine.
If that’s not a clear violation of freedom of religion, I don’t know what is.” Eugene Delgaudio
This is where persecution of Christians is going in the United States. We should not think it strange here is what St. James says: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1: 3, 4
Also, St. Paul tells us: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3: 12, 13
These are only an indication of what will happen more and more to Christians in the United States. These things have been happening to Christians in other English speaking countries like England, Canada and Australia.
We need to realize these things are happening around us to our fellow believers, but to take heart, it has not taken our God by surprise and He has said these things will befall Christians on their way to heaven. “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:21b) Yes, we need to do what we can to fight against these things, but in the end we need to understand that God is Sovereign and that He has everything under His control!
That’s the way I see it,
Gary Thomas Panell
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