Hellfire preachers who claim that they are being persecuted

[Universalist Catholic]

As we know, the scripture speaks about being hated, and persecuted.  However many religious groups, Christians and Muslims have cried out "persecution" as proof that they are the true people of God.  Every religious group has dealt with persecution, be it Jews, Christians, Muslims, Pagans, Hindus, Muslims, Atheists, Buddhists, Agnostics, Taos, indigenous, pantheists, animists.  However these Fundamentalists groups claim that they are being persecuted because people do not want to be told what to believe, hear "Fire and brimstone" speeches in public, hear people condemn people outside their religion, homosexuals.  Plus people do not want to be told what they can and cannot do, such as birth control, dressing a certain way, being a feminist, ect.  It becomes pretty obvious that most people do not like being told how to live their lives, especially when they see Fundamentalist views oppressive.  SO, how do we explain the persecution and hate they claim to recieve.  And its true many people do not take kindly to them, and are often mocked, criticized or rejected.  Universalists on the other hand do not seem to be as reviled by the rest of the world who are not ultra religious.  Yet the religious community seems to attack Universalists quite a bit. 

[Lefein]

It was the Pharisees who called for Christ to be crucified.  Not the Gentiles, the sick, the maimed, the Samaritans, the adulteresses, the prostitutes, the sinners, the prisoners...even the Romans...Pilate saw no fault in the man.

It was through a disciple of the faith, and the legalistic Sanhedrin that Satan used to issue out the warrant of arrest for their very own King.

[thinktank]

I think these more fundemental christians are good at protesting and helping to keep morality in our laws, if it wasnt for them perhaps it would be illegal to say the word Jesus Christ in public and other oppressive laws. But I do fear that in these days, because of their message is mostly about the threats of ET, then a backlash might happen, which will hasten anti biblical laws against christians. Because of these hellfire preachers many who have no respect, I mean I saw on tv these hell fire preachers who were protesting during an Americans soldier's funeral of all things! That events like these cause people to desire antichristian laws, but when you ban one type of group you ban them all from sharing the gospel and once that happens the land will plunge into darkness.

[WhiteWings]

I think these more fundemental christians are good at protesting and helping to keep morality in our laws, if it wasnt for them perhaps it would be illegal to say the word Jesus Christ in public and other oppressive laws. But I do fear that in these days, because of their message is mostly about the threats of ET, then a backlash might happen, which will hasten anti biblical laws against christians.

muslims are hell preachers too. I don't see a ban coming.

Because of these hellfire preachers many who have no respect,

Fully agreed.

[Universalist Catholic]

I think these more fundemental christians are good at protesting and helping to keep morality in our laws, if it wasnt for them perhaps it would be illegal to say the word Jesus Christ in public and other oppressive laws. But I do fear that in these days, because of their message is mostly about the threats of ET, then a backlash might happen, which will hasten anti biblical laws against christians. Because of these hellfire preachers many who have no respect, I mean I saw on tv these hell fire preachers who were protesting during an Americans soldier's funeral of all things! That events like these cause people to desire antichristian laws, but when you ban one type of group you ban them all from sharing the gospel and once that happens the land will plunge into darkness.

Personally I think that the Christian "Turn or burn" message has brought us into more darkness than any Atheist belief in nothing after death could create.  Now about keeping morality in our laws, I have to say thats not the Governments job.  Certain things, like against theft, stealing, murder, violence, abortion, those are about protecting our freedom and safety.  I personally think its best to have God hold us accountable for our actions, not the governments.  As we know, it seems like anything the government touches anymore goes bad.  Plus if I recall, when Christianity entered into the Governments back in the Middle Ages, the Christian message turned from this joyful spirituality of the Savor of all men, to this legalistic Church ran by an angry God who would cast you into hell forever if you did not follow the way the Churches prescribed.  Plus I believe their involvment in politics is just going to kee the message of Christianity a dead letter based solely on codes

[thinktank]

what about things such as gay marriage? how can the government not be involved? For they are the ones who issue civil marriage contract etc, so things like this do effect society to a large degree and isnt this about morality?

Things like abortion? I think that the tradditional hell fire preachers and the catholic church are good at protesting against issues such as these, and my concern is without these zealous Christians, nobody would defend the rights of Christians, because groups like universalists tend to just mind their own business, but as much as I like the idea of people not poking their nose in other peoples business, sometimes it is ineivatable that people have a differences of opinion as to what is acceptable in society and here is when one must fight for our freedoms, just as the Allies fought fought for their freedoms against a evil German government during world war 2.
:2c:

[Lefein]

To change the politics, you must change the people, to change the people you must change the hearts, to change the hearts you must reach inside them with the light of God.

It is not from The Law...or any form of it, whether it be the new and improved Roman Law that is our western society's governing constitutions, or the full doctrine of any church that will create positive change in politics, or in the lives of the governed.

I am actually working on an article about "Heavenly Politics", which lead to an answer to the whole "Marriage in Heaven" problem ironically...lol.

But to change government policy, you need to change the people, and the best way to do that is by being and doing what the church should already be being and doing; The Light of the World, not to condemn, and damn the world, but to save it.

[thinktank]

To change the politics, you must change the people, to change the people you must change the hearts, to change the hearts you must reach inside them with the light of God.

It is not from The Law...or any form of it, whether it be the new and improved Roman Law that is our western society's governing constitutions, or the full doctrine of any church that will create positive change in politics, or in the lives of the governed.

I am actually working on an article about "Heavenly Politics", which lead to an answer to the whole "Marriage in Heaven" problem ironically...lol.

But to change government policy, you need to change the people, and the best way to do that is by being and doing what the church should already be being and doing; The Light of the World, not to condemn, and damn the world, but to save it.

This is a great post, for the law is a burden to the unregenerate heart, they want to steal, but the government says no, but then they despise the government and hate it's authority and they become rebellious until Jesus Christ transforms their heart.

But the point im making is that not all will change and sometimes the only thing that can stop them is laws and goverment that God said were given by him as a gift to keep us safe. But without that protection, then society becomes like anarchy.  :2c:

[Universalist Catholic]

I wonder if what is really happening is not so much "Hated for his namesake", but "Reeping what they are sowing".  When they disrupt public events, bother people on the street just to deliver some condemnation against those who dont follow them, they are pretty much asking for it.  If they go around persecuting everyone else, everyone else is going to persecute them.  If they try to use politics to oppress others, other people are going to use politics to oppress them.  In my personal opinion, Christians are no more persecuted than people of other faiths.  I can see people looking down on someone for burning a bible, just as much as burning a Koran, whether or not they are Christian or Muslim.  Plus, there are people who will mock another person no matter what religion they practice, be it Jew, Christain, Hindu, Muslim or Buddhist.  Not to mention, much of the stuff many Fundamentalists promote is just wrong.  I dont find sexism acceptable, their hatred towards Gays right, and many other actions.  
What Jesus meant by persecution was not to go out looking for Persecution, but not to be put down by it.  And I know Universalists are heavily persecuted by the Fundamentalists.  I've seen many go right out calling us names, such as stupid, idiot, fool, humanist.  Ive also seen accusations of serving the devil, trying to justify sin, telling people what they want to hear, create a feel good gospel, glossing over sin, being a relativist.  And Universalists are not persecuted for being a biggot, bothering people, being close minded or promoting oppressive views.  We are persecuted for not conforming to a Church system, and following orthodox creeds.  Are we looking for trouble? I doubt it.  Plus the scriptures tell us not to argue, or force others to listen.