Is there Persecution of Christians in Modern America?

(Part 5 of America as a Christian Nation)

Last year my Resilient Faith: How the Early Christian “Third Way” Changed the World was published (Brazos Press), which I have mentioned before (and will no doubt mention again!).

In that book I explore the topic, among many others, of Roman persecution of Christians. Roman persecution changed over time, growing increasingly massive and violent. We have no idea of exact number of deaths. They weren’t very high, probably only reaching into the thousands, though we can’t be sure. The execution of Christians was usually public, intended to entertain the masses, intimidate Christians, and warn people that death could be the cost of following Jesus.

Stories have traveled down through the centuries. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, was burned at the stake in the year 155. He was 86 years old. Blandina died in the arena with over 40 other Christians in the year 177. In 202 Perpetua died with six others in Carthage. She was only 22 years old, a new Christian and a nursing mother.

Perpetua’s story is unusual because she kept a diary while in prison. An unknown writer added to the account, telling the story of her actual execution. Roman soldiers escorted her from the prison to the arena. Her courage and joy enraged the thousands who watched. Though Perpetua appeared to suffer defeat, she behaved as if she were achieving ultimate victory. Such was her confidence in the kingdom.

Why did Rome persecute Christians? For one, Christians posed a threat to the Roman way of life because they lived so differently. They refused to attend the games, placate the gods, visit temples and shrines, participate in festivals, and bow the knee to the emperor. Their way of life exposed Rome’s idolatry and immortality. Second, Christians challenged the hegemony of Roman authority by proclaiming Jesus as Lord. They were usually model citizens, even praying for emperors. But they refused to worship emperors.

The persecution of Christians has persisted to this day, usually in places where Christians were—and are—a minority. But Christians have reversed roles, too, sometimes persecuting others, including other Christians. This is one of the bitter ironies of history. The very group that faced persecution early on in its history has often become the persecutor. Power can do that to people. Power can do that to Christians.

We find evidence in American history, where religious freedom prevails. The Puritans sailed to the New World to secure freedom of religion, but they denied it to Baptists and Quakers. Mainstream groups like the Congregationalists and Episcopalians opposed the evangelistic efforts of upstart groups like the Methodists. Protestants harassed Catholics for over a century. White Christians have hounded their black brothers and sisters, even lynching them.

Not ALL Christians have behaved this way, of course, but enough to make life hard for outsiders.

More recently Christians in America have begun to experience what some of their brothers and sisters in Christ encounter around the world—hostility and opposition. They are often quick to cry foul, complaining about the bias against Christianity in secular media, entertainment, and higher education, about heavy-handed courts that deprive them of their rights, and, since Covid struck, about the government “close down” of the church.

These complaints are not altogether illegitimate. There is evidence that certain segments of the culture do in fact marginalize, criticize, and oppose Christianity. I make my living in higher education. Not everything that happens in this industry is friendly to Christianity. I share the same concern.

Still, I would urge caution. Why?

First, we should be careful in our choice of words. Not every form of opposition and criticism is “persecution.” Using such a charged word does damage to the use of language. It has the inflationary effect of undermining the true meaning of the word. Early Christians were persecuted. Do we really deserve to be included in their company? Perhaps in a few cases, but not many.

Second, we should be careful about exaggerating the degree of opposition in order to use it as an excuse to justify responding in kind. There are too many nasty, defensive, and reactionary Christians in America. This kind of meanness does damage to Christian witness.

Third, we should be careful about developing a siege mentality. Christians in America have an open field of play. We are hardly hemmed in by constant and brutal opposition. Christians study at virtually every university in America, even the most elite. Christians teach at these universities, too, even the most secular. I found the University of Chicago, an elite graduate school, very open to me as a person and to my point of view. Not that it is always easy for Christians to study or teach at universities. But it is possible.

Opportunities for Christian influence abound in America, even in settings most hostile to Christianity. Isn’t that where Christians should thrive?

Finally, we should keep in mind the strength of the church in America. Some 70% of Americans self-identify as Christians. Few nations on earth can boast such numbers. The biggest problem is not opposition, to say nothing of persecution; it is liberal theology, Christian nationalism, and the prosperity gospel, among others. Christians in America are undisciplined and undiscipled, which makes us more whiny and less resilient. We behave like football players protesting one bad call when we are losing the game 64-0. Bad refs are not the problem. Poor preparation and witness are.

There is some persecution in America, to be sure. But the bigger problem is a weak church.