What are the stages of religious persecution in a society? Would it be helpful for us to know them… so we (anyone affected) could better assess where our present experience falls on that continuum?
So we could help each other do something about it?
Johnnette Benkovic, from Women of Grace, identified Five Stages of Religious Persecution in 2014. She was speaking at a fundraiser in Washington DC for WMET 1160 AM, a station in the Guadalupe Radio Network. She identified these five stages as both a point of information and a summons to courage.
Msgr. Charles Pope, of the Diocese of Washington, heard her speak… and added his own commentary in a blog publshed under the auspices of Community in Mission: Creating a Culture of Encounter. http://blog.adw.org/2014/09/the-five-stages-of-religious-persecution/
As you read the Msgr.’s blog (highlighted below), be thinking: Which stage(s) best characterize(s) our U.S. culture in early 2018?
Stage 1: Stereotyping the targeted group. Taking a quality or observation from a limited number of people and generalizing it to represent an entire group. For example, consistently describing Bible-believing Christians as a sad, angry, boring, backward, repressed lot… a laughable group, caught in a superstitious past, incapable of throwing off the “shackles” of faith.
Stage 2: Vilifying the targeted group for alleged crimes or misconduct. Indignation toward Christians arising from depictions of Church history as a litany of bad and repressive behavior as it conducted crusades and inquisitions, hated Galileo and all of science. Ignoring or discounting positive Church contributions (e.g., founding of universities and hospitals, preaching the Gospel that brought order and civilization following the Roman Empire, etc.).
Stage 3: Marginalizing the targeted group’s role in society. Growing secularization of society. Banishing faith from the public square, claiming it belongs only behind the walls of Church or home. Unacceptable, even intolerable, to mention God, pray publicly or bring Christian faith to bear on matters of public policy. Opposition to Nativity scenes, Christmas trees, “Merry Christmas”… even the colors red and green during school “Holiday Season” celebrations.
Stage 4: Criminalizing the targeted group or its works. Government mandates that, if enforced, would violate closely-held religious beliefs — e.g., requirements to provide abortion services, referrals, and/or morning-after pills; decertifying adoption agencies that will not place children with gay couples; Human Rights Commissions forcing businesses to serve gay marriages or withdraw from wedding business, etc.
Stage 5: Persecuting the targeted group outright. Aggressively utilizing demand letters and lawsuits to curtail and/or eliminate religious liberties that contradict progressive, humanistic and/or atheistic ideals and/or practices. Charging clergy and/or others with “hate crimes” for espousing Christian doctrine on socially controversial topics (e.g., homosexual activity). Imposing stiff fines and/or incarceration, etc.
What do you think?
Which stage(s) best characterize(s) our U.S. culture in early 2018?
More importantly… What should we do about it?
Please post your comments below.
Diana Furr, a.k.a. Abba’s Girl
This blog may have raised questions for you. If you’d like to connect, engage, or get further help from me, you can… EMAIL me at [email protected]; CALL me at 863-446-1660; or request a complimentary initial CONSULT with me at http://tinyurl.com/DianaFurr.