IDF confirms authenticity of a photo of a soldier destroying a statute of Jesus Christ

[childlessbutconcerned]

https://x.com/idf/status/2045973415643767091?s=46

Disgraceful.

“Anyhow, do you agree with what I say about being persecuted is a part of many sects of Christianity ?”

What do you mean? I’m not interested in talking about my opinions or people’s “feelings” of persecution.

I’m talking about the documented data / evidence of actual religious persecution that I’ve provided in the link.
Do you mind sharing what country you’re in since you live in one of the 50 countries mentioned?

I won't name the country on social media.

My question about persecution as a part of Christianity is not about anyone's feelings, I am asking if you agree that factually, my statement is true. An example of my supporting evidence :

Mat 5:10-12 Blessed those persecuted for righteousness' sakebecause theirs is the kingdom of the heavens. Blessed are you whenever they may reproach you, and may persecute, and may say any evil thing against you falsely for My sakerejoice and be glad, because your reward [is] great in the heavens, for thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (LSV)

edit formatting

This line from the scriptures says that people who speak up for what is right or do what is right, in the face of persecution, will be rewarded in heaven.

The fact that persecution has always existed does not make it ok .

What is your point? I really don’t understand.. It almost seems as if you are saying that Christians have always been persecuted and always will be and that’s the way it is…

If you won’t say what country you’re from then this is an odd conversation.

Im not sure you’re posting in good faith .

I am just asking, do you agree with the premise that being persecuted is a requirement for some Christians ? That is, that being persecuted makes many Christians feel closer to their god ? Because of what the Bible says.

Do you agree with that ?

The verses about persecution are to help Christians cope with persecution. Which was probably common in the years following Paul's teachings on it.
It's not a requirement that Christians be persecuted for their faith. It's advice on how to deal with it if it happens.

But he is basically saying you will be blessed if you are persecuted.

My understanding of that is that even if not persecuted, many Christians might claim anything they consider as offensive, as persecution. That is a large part of evangelical identity after all. Re Fox reporting on the war against Christmas and so on.

You'll also be blessed if you help heal the sick, give to the poor etc. The blessing is a consolation for all the pain you're currently being required to put up with in the name of your faith. Persecution isn't a required part of Christianity.

Do some humans feel self absorbed and sorry for themselves? Yes. Are some of those humans in America? Yes.

Jesus is saying you will be blessed if you are persecuted in the cause of truth and righteousness.

You are clearly not Christian and you claim you live in one of the countries where Christianity persecution is recorded as some of the worst in the world . But you won’t tell us which country that is .

“My understanding of that is that even if not persecuted, many Christians might claim anything they consider as offensive, as persecution. That is a large part of evangelical identity after all. Re Fox reporting on the war against Christmas “

If you click on the link https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/

you will see that in the 50 countries mentioned the level of persecution involves far more than “ anything they consider offensive”.
Violence, threats, imprisonment, abduction, murder, rape, torture …. These are the kinds of persecution that happen in the worst cases.

To take one country from the list - Pakistan ( half way down the table)
These are the kind of threats facing Christian women
“WOMEN
Christian women and girls in Pakistan face severe gender-specific persecution. Christian girls are abducted, raped, and forced to convert and “marry” their abductor, with victims as young as seven, including girls with disabilities. Families often never see them again, while the police rarely act and the courts frequently fail victims. Survivors endure shame, PTSD, and social stigma in Pakistan’s honor-
based culture. Christian women are also targeted with acid attacks, workplace harassment, blasphemy allegations, and honor killings. Many remain trapped in debt-bonded labor, such as brick-kilns, where they
face additional sexual violence and exploitation.
Female typical pressure points:
Abduction
Denied access to social community/networks
Discrimination/harassment via education
Forced marriage
Incarceration by family/house arrest
Trafficking
Violence – death
Violence – physical
Violence – psychological
Violence – sexual”

If @RedTagAlan really is from one of the countries listed he needs to say which one if he wants to have any credibility.

Yes. And it is easier for a MAGA Christian, for example, to claim blessings by being persecuted than it is through helping the sick and poor.

🙄

Anything to ignore the topic of actual vulnerable minority communities in countries where real persecution is taking place 🙄

Why ?

Could it be you are just deflecting from trying to answer the question ?

https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/

for @RedTagAlan

I recommend you actually click on the link and read about the actual problem.
You don’t have anything sensible to say at the moment so unless you actually have something useful to say I will ignore you ( as you have ignored the information I have provided)

I did click on the link. It is still open actually. I have it on the page about Nigeria. There is a prayer for Nigeria. And it's a bit odd really, because it's a prayer to the same God as the Islamists pray to.

So, about Christians and persecution. Not going to answer ?

Key findings in that report you “read”
Key findings
“Christians suffer from a severe combination of ethno-religious hostility, Islamic oppression, Dictatorial paranoia and Organized corruption and crime. Mostly in northern Sharia-governed states, Christians are deprived of essential freedoms. All over the north, Christians suffer from Islamist militant violence by different groups. Most of the violence against Christians is carried out by Muslim Fulani militants
and “bandits” of Fulani descent, more than by Boko Haram and ISWAP combined (ORFA, August 2024).
In recent years, violence has increased and spilled into southern states. Much of it is done by Muslim Fulani militia hiding in the forests of southern states and performing guerilla-style attacks. Another contributor to insecurity for Christians in the south-east is IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra). IPOB has also oppressed and persecuted Christians, particularly Christian leaders, who do not conform to its
ideological requirements. Many southern states have witnessed a revival of African traditional religion,sometimes encouraged by state governments. This may lead to Clan oppression. Christians are forced took obey traditional religious concepts they consider contrary to their Christian belief”

Nigerian Christians are heroic .

From the same report you claim to have read

”How are men and women differently affected?
WOMEN
Christian women and girls in Nigeria face extreme risks from Muslim Fulani militants, Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, and so-called bandits. They are raped, forced into sexual slavery or marriage, abducted for ransom, or killed. Blasphemy accusations add further
dangers. Widespread child marriage compounds
the vulnerability of girls. Women often witness
their husbands and sons being beaten or killed. In IDP camps, Christian women and girls face sexual violence or forced marriage.
Female typical pressure points:
Abduction
Denied custody of children
Economic harassment via business/job/work access
Enforced religious dress code
Forced divorce
Forced marriage
Forced out of home/expulsion
Violence – death
Violence – physical
Violence – psychological
Violence – sexual
Violence – verbal
MEN
Christian men and boys in Nigeria face targeted
killings by Muslim Fulani militia and other terror
groups. Survivors risk forced conscription, or ransom kidnappings. Men face systemic discrimination ineducation, employment, and business. In IDP camps,men are deeply traumatized by being forced to
witness violence against their wives and daughters.Some attempt to return to their villages to cultivate their fields and help their families survive, but returnees risk ambush and death.
Male typical pressure points:
Abduction
Denied inheritance or possessions
Discrimination/harassment via education
Economic harassment via business/job/work access
Forced out of home/expulsion
Imprisonment by government
Military/militia conscription/service against
conscience
Violence – death
Violence – physical
Violence – psychological

Thank you for essentially forcing me to print out this information @RedTagAlan
Because you were misrepresenting persecution of Christians so badly.

I won’t let you deflect from the subject of real persecution of Christians. Too many people in the west are completely oblivious because Christians are not (generally) persecuted in the west.
The most persecuted minority in the UK is not Christianity but Judaism.

If you honestly believe Christians and Islamists pray to the same God then you're unserious on the whole conversation.

Abrahamic religions. Same god.

I only asked you about the persecution bit of Christianity. I am not deflecting. Just trying to get an answer.

Let me rephrase it. If a Christian is persecuted, is that good or bad for them ? In terms of being blessed ?

Persecuting others is always a bad thing @RedTagAlan . One shouldn’t twist the meaning of the scriptures to mock those who suffer.

I’m beginning to suspect you are someone who might happily collude in the persecution of Christians in the country you come from ( which you tell us is on the watch list for persecuted Christians)

I am not twisting or mocking anything.

It's an easy question to answer. Does the Bible say that to be persecuted in the name of Jesus is a blessing. Simple yes or no.

@RedTagAlan wrote the following
“For many Christians, they have a need to be persecuted. Not all of course.”

His motives on here are very suspect.