Christian treatment throughout the world

Yes, it is interesting how quite often people don't realize that the Christian faith is the one most hated in modern day -- not just among modern liberals, but also in many totalitarian countries and Muslim countries where non-government-sanctioned faiths or non-Muslim faiths are not tolerated. 

With regards to China, yes I do find it astonishing that Christianity continues to grow in spite of government difficulties. Perhaps many people seek a new ideology in their lives now that they can see how little their government actually sticks with its explicit ideology.

Regarding Vietnam, the issue is as historical as it is political. Christianity is seen by many Vietnamese as a leftover from the French colonial days, in which many of the collaborating Vietnamese took up Christianity to cement their allegiance to the French. As the imperialists and their allies lost the struggle, the Christian population in Vietnam is now naturally vulnerable to a government and public which looks at them as a pack of traitors.

Originally posted by flyingzone Originally posted by arch.buff I think a lot of the times a lot of naive countries view Christianity with the west or to be more specific, the US.     I find calling some countries "naive" quite insulting. As both Kom and Hellios point out, there are certainly good reasons for some people to associate Christianity with either European colonialism and American imperialism. Those people are not simply "naive". They've just learned their lesson.

Originally posted by Komnenos You surely can't blame Non-European societies for being suspicious of Christianity. During the eras of colonisation it was either the Christan misisonaries that were the first wave of European intruders, or the notion of bringing Christianity to the "poor heathens" was used as an apologetic veil for far more profane ambitions, e.g. economic exploitation. The incredible arrogance and tactlessness with which Christian Churches attempted and succeeded to destroy century old fabrics of societies outside of Europe, must have left a foul taste for all things Christian there. I'm not sure if the Catholic has finally abandoned its formerly declared aim to spread the good word into every last corner of the globe, but I know of many an Evangelical Church, usually based in the US, that still pursues missionary efforts in many Non-European/North-American countries with the same religious zeal and cultural imperialism that were the trademark of all former Christian missionaries. Up to a certain degree, I can understand some countries difficulties to find the right balance between allowing religious tolerance on one side and a weariness of a new wave of Christian missions on the other.

You misestimate them. Undoubtedly there were some who just used religious connections for exploitation, but there were many others who did not. Just look, for an example, at William Carey, who had more problems with the British East India Company fearing he would disrupt their monopoly or perhaps make a little less of an excuse for them to dominate the locals if they were Christians, than with the natives themselves!

Also, in general here we are not talking about persecution of missionaries, but rather the persecution of native Christians.

In Yemen and many other Middle Eastern countries, a Muslim can be executed for accepting baptism.

In China, if your church is not state-sanctioned, the pastors will be arrested and held in prison indefinitely without trial.

In many countries, people of the local religion (most commonly Islam, but it happens with others) will harass the Christians, and the government will look the other way. Indonesia is an example.

Even in Japan, which some hold up as an Asian paragon of Western tolerance, your children will be harassed in school if they fail to say a prayer in school to the Emperor who they are told to hold up as a god. I have friends there. I know this.

This is a small portion of the persecution of the Christian faith that goes on in this world today. Most people don't know the half nor the quarter of it.

Originally posted by Komnenos Originally posted by arch.buff I think a lot of the times a lot of naive countries view Christianity with the west or to be more specific, the US. For instance Vietnam, they view Christianity as a threat to their national security. Of course Vietnam is communist.    You surely can't blame Non-European societies for being suspicious of Christianity. During the eras of colonisation it was either the Christan misisonaries that were the first wave of European intruders, or the notion of bringing Christianity to the "poor heathens" was used as an apologetic veil for far more profane ambitions, e.g. economic exploitation. The incredible arrogance and tactlessness with which Christian Churches attempted and succeeded to destroy century old fabrics of societies outside of Europe, must have left a foul taste for all things Christian there. I'm not sure if the Catholic has finally abandoned its formerly declared aim to spread the good word into every last corner of the globe, but I know of many an Evangelical Church, usually based in the US, that still pursues missionary efforts in many Non-European/North-American countries with the same religious zeal and cultural imperialism that were the trademark of all former Christian missionaries. Up to a certain degree, I can understand some countries difficulties to find the right balance between allowing religious tolerance on one side and a weariness of a new wave of Christian missions on the other.

Originally posted by Aelfgifu Originally posted by arch.buff Why would you persecute a certain people because of religious beliefs and even go as far as to say that its a threat to national security. Is this not exactly what the west is trying to do to Islam?    I can see your point but would have to disagree. The West is going after specific groups and although there might be an increase in suspision of Islam, Muslims are still able to worship freely in the West without fear of persecution, the same can't be said for some of the countries listed in the report.    Are they possibly worried that Christianity and communism cant co-exist? They can't. Communism is anti-reliogious. It does not mix with anything that suggests there is a higher power than itself. Christianity is based on the idea of a higher power which is the only being to whom christians have to be loyal. That is a threat to a totalitarian form of state.   Although communism is an atheist ideology and although its true that in Christianity you uphold the law of God above all earthly laws, the Christain faith does encourage you to be subserviant to your authorities even if you disagree with it. In a sense, Christains might be easier to control than for instance atheists under a communist system.   Originally posted by Timotheus In many countries, people of the local religion (most commonly Islam, but it happens with others) will harass the Christians, and the government will look the other way. Indonesia is an example. And in many countries, christians are returning the favour to other religions. I am sorry for those who are prosecuted for their faith, but I do not see why this would be worse for christians than for others.   In which Christain-majority country do you get stoned for converting to another religion? Or fear physical attack for practicing another religion in public? I don't think you thought this through enough.   Even in Japan, which some hold up as an Asian paragon of Western tolerance, your children will be harassed in school if they fail to say a prayer in school to the Emperor who they are told to hold up as a god. I have friends there. I know this. And in the US, kids in highschool have to swear loyalty to the flag of the US each morning. How is this less disturbing?

Edited by Eondt - 18-Oct-2006 at 09:28

Originally posted by queenCleo I don't deny that Christianity has committed many horrible deeds over the centuries but its not fair to suggest they are the only religion to do so. I can't understand why people see the faith as the Big Bad Wolf of religion when many are far worse. I am not anti any religion but I think its important to see the bigger picture.

Christianity at its heart is anti-communist, that's why they hate it so much.

Originally posted by Timotheus Yes, it is interesting how quite often people don't realize that the Christian faith is the one most hated in modern day -- not just among modern liberals, but also in many totalitarian countries and Muslim countries where non-government-sanctioned faiths or non-Muslim faiths are not tolerated.

Timotheus,

You made an incorrect statement. Modern liberals don't hate Christianity. Many of us are Christians ourselves, and many of us became liberals through our reading of the gospels.