Christian Persecution: How the Early Disciples Died

Hostile.

That's about the only word that adequately describes how the vast majority of the worlds non-Christians feel about Christians these days. I see it every single day in the media. I mean, literally... Every. Single. Day. From news stories and the comments that follow, to sitcoms and late-night jokers. We are labeled ignorant, fools, idiots, bigots, intolerant and hate-mongers, just to name a few. I can't include a lot of other things we're called because the words are not ones I would ever type let alone say. Mr. Cathy of Chick-fil-a recently experienced an outpouring of hate because he expressed his biblically based beliefs regarding marriage. The Family Research Council headquarters in Washington DC was attacked by a gunman and a guard was shot, all because the shooter didn't agree with what the FRC stands for. Just this week the FRC put out a report called the "Study of Religious Hostility in America" illustrating over 600 examples of what it characterized as "religious animosity shown by judges, government bureaucrats, schools and secular groups" toward Christians.

But we American Christians have it easy as far as persecution goes. Our rights are being attacked every day to be sure, but we still have the freedom to worship in our churches, carry a Bible in public, have Christian radio stations, etc. etc., where as Christians in other parts of the world can't. They could face prison or even death if they are caught with a Bible or meeting together.

Is any of this new? Of course not. Jesus Christ himself was persecuted until death, and he made it clear that we, his followers, would be too. So, lest we begin to feel sorry for ourselves because of what is going on in the world, here is a reminder of what our forefathers -- the very first Christians -- went through for the sake of Christ:

Peter: He was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross. According to church tradition it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ had died.

James: The brother of Jesus and leader of the church in Jerusalem, was thrown from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple, over 100 feet down, when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club.

James the Great: The brother of John, was beheaded at Jerusalem. His amazing faith in the end so impressed his Roman guard that the man, overcome with conviction, declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.

Mark: Died in Alexandria, Egypt, after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was dead.

John: Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in a huge basin of oil in Rome. Miraculously delivered from death, John went to prison on the island of Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelation. After his release, he died an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully.

Paul: After suffering years of torture and imprisonment, Paul was beheaded by the Roman Emperor Nero.

Luke: The physician, author of Luke and Acts, and travel companion of Paul, was hanged in Greece.

Andrew: Peter's brother was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece.

Thomas: The doubter who ultimately claimed Jesus as "my Lord and my God" was stabbed with a spear in Madras, the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Barthalomew: Also known as Nathaniel, was a missionary to Asia and present day Turkey. He was flayed to death by a whip for preaching in Armenia.

Jude: Also one of Jesus' brothers, was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.

Matthias: The apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas, was stoned and then beheaded.

These men never gave up. They never denied Christ. They didn't give in to those who opposed them.

We can do no less.
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This week's Prayer Shout-Out countries are:
USA, Russia, United Arab Emirates

I Support Chick-fil-A

Eat mor chikin!

Chick-fil-A was founded by a man named S. Truett Cathy in 1946. You can Google Mr. Cathy and read all about him, so I won't get into all of that here. But one thing I do want to point out is that Mr. Cathy has never, ever hidden the fact that he is a Christian businessman. He has never, ever hidden the fact that Chick-fil-A was founded and built upon Christian principals. All of his restaurants are closed on Sundays to allow employees a time to worship and be with their families. Hobby Lobby, the art supply chain, also closes on Sundays for the same reasons. Chick-fil-A and Mr. Cathy have donated millions upon millions of dollars to needy children, to furthering education through scholarships, and the Cathy family has opened their home and their hearts to over 150 foster children. Our country--our world!--needs more businessmen like Truett Cathy!

Recently, however, Chick-fil-A has come under fire by an organization called The Human Rights Campaign. They claim the company and its founders are "anti-gay" because they support traditional marriage and provide food to organizations supporting marriage, marriage conferences and retreats, and the like.

First of all, Chick-fil-A is a privately owned company founded on Christian principals. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon (ha!) to figure out that they will probably support organizations and gatherings that fall into the category of traditional family, which is, of course, their right.

Secondly, I believe the Constitution allows all of us the right to Free Speech. You don't have to agree with my speech, but I have every right to speak it. Just as gay people have the right to their speech. I don't agree with them, but I certainly have no right to silence them based on my beliefs.

Thirdly, Chick-fil-A is not anti-gay. The president and founders are Christians with Bible-based beliefs about marriage. They are pro-traditional marriage. Same as me. If you call me anti-gay because of my pro-traditional marriage stance, I may have to slug you in the arm. I happen to love someone who is gay. I'm not anti-anybody.

What aggravates me is this: The Human Rights Campaign and any other pro-gay groups are free to host a conference and have a restaurant donate the food. That's their right. Should I and other Christians boycott that restaurant and call the Human Rights people anti-heterosexual?

{picture me rolling my eyes}

The Human Rights Campaign is fighting for equal rights for the LGBT community. And I get it. I really do. But what about Chick-fil-A's "equal rights" to donate food to whomever they want? What about their founder's and president's rights to believe traditional marriage is right and good?

Apparently only if you agree with THRC are you allowed equal rights.

My family loves Chick-fil-A! You can bet we'll be eating mor chikin at our house!

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UPDATE: July 25, 2012

Chick-fil-A is once again under fire by organizations and businesses who don't agree with their stance in support of traditional marriage. Recently, Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy spoke his feelings about gay marriage and God's judgement, which is absolutely his right as a human being, an American, and a Christian businessman. However, in response to his statement, the Hensen toy company ended their business relationship with Chick-fil-A. And, once again, the Human Rights people are calling for boycotts of the fast food restaurant, and the mayor's of several cities are trying to block the franchise from coming to their city -- which is not their job! -- and on and on.

To show our support of Mr. Cathy and Chick-fil-A, our family will join the millions of other supporters on Wednesday, August 1 for "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day." Eat mor chikin' at your local Chick-fil-A that day!

Heck, we didn't even wait for August 1. We had dinner there last night!