Running Head: Christian Persecution

Christian Persecution in America

Azlyn Calvillo
The University of Texas at El Paso
Professor Hernandez
RWS 1302

Christian Persecution

Over the course of time, America has molded itself into a very
divergent nation. America is now defined as a nation of various
transitions and variation amongst its people, yet with hidden limits that
no one beyond its current boundaries knows. It has confounded its
people of their values and freedoms that were once promised to them,
many of which include the freedom of religion. America is known to be
a nation composed of various ethnicities, cultures, religions etc.,
however, throughout this literature review I will propose my focus on
one specific category; religion. Religion will always retain its own
criticisms and controversies no matter which one it is, or the people
that are involved in it. Within these religions, Christianity will be the
focal point of this paper.
Christianity was the core of Americas foundation, establishing
the nation that it is today. However, from 1776 to present day America,
America seems to have drastically shifted away from its godly
principles and values it had once obtained. More and more each day
we observe a completely different nation, who has drawn its people
away from their freedoms and has slowly persecuted its own people on
a personal level, simply because of who they choose to be, believe in
and live by. This goes directly to the Christians who are living in the
United States, who are being singled out on a daily basis, to the point
of being persecuted on a physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual
level. The nation who has labeled itself as, One Nation under God,

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has merely deceived themselves of something completely heinous. It

has besieged a very distinct group of people, which will be further
acknowledged throughout three relevant questions over this topic:
1. What ever happened to "freedom of religion"? Has America been cheating
Christians of their beliefs by threatening them to keep themselves conserved?
2.

How could one specific religion be attacked more than others?

3.

Is the Christian himself/herself being persecuted, or the title itself?

These questions will provide a grand amount of information regarding the Christian
persecution in present day America, as well as what influenced it and so forth.
What ever happened to freedom of religion? Has America been cheating
Christians of their beliefs by threatening them to keep themselves conserved?
The Constitution of the United States clearly identifies two very crucial clauses
over the matter of religion, which are; the establishment of religion and the freedom
religion. The establishment of religion, prohibits any government from establishing a
church, in order that no religion may be favored more than another (Goidel, Freeman,
Smentkowski, 2015). On the other hand, the freedom of religion says it all in its name, it
gives every person in the United States the freedom of expressing his/her beliefs, without
being discriminated or punished. Yet America has turned most of its promised freedoms
into a myth, making certain godly principles stated throughout the nation vulnerable
(Kirby, Craig, Brian, 2015), most of which has been observed since day these
amendments were established.

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In 1886, a man by the name of Charles B. Reynolds was announced guilty after
holding a meeting, allowing any person to come in and discuss the conspiracy of their
own religious beliefs which were soon being minimized. Soon after this incident
Pennsylvania made a clause protecting the name of Almighty God, but made no clear
promises of truly protecting anything at all. This leads back to the hidden limits the Bill
of Rights display, contradicting itself with the whole Separation of Church and State
clause, written by Thomas Jefferson, who himself is caught guilty for many religious
conspiracies as well, who was also partnered up with James Madison, which were both
inspired by John Locks idea to remove its tentacles from religion without fear of
anarchy. (Sehat, 2011) The Separation of Church and State also denies the factuality of
giving every American citizen its religious freedoms by taking away every opportunity to
express their own beliefs, by removing public prayers at school, the Ten Commandment
display in courtrooms, and many other religious objects.

Figure 1. The graph describes the percentage of people who felt their First
Amendment rights was being taken or not.

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However, that may not be true for others. A recent survey study was conducted
asking about 45 participants 5 different questions over the course of this research, which
was primarily over the matter of Christianity. One of the questions asked was, Do you
feel as though your first amendment rights are slowly being taken away?. As shown
above, about 50% said yes and 50% said no, leaving 10% of the participants unsure. This
created a different viewpoint, which could indeed be seen amongst a list of other
Americans as well (Figure 1). Yet within the circle of religions America seems to revolve
around, we see one very specific religion being attacked more than all the others,
Christianity.
How could one specific religion be attacked more than others?
Christianity is the longest known religion in American history, being the
foundation that also begun this nation. Even Conservatives have agreed that Christianity
has always been the most prominent religion (Sehat, 2011). With that in mind, most
people can agree that with popularity comes resentment, which is what most researchers,
authors and political commentators can all concede on. This sense of popularity created a
number of religious opponents, making most Christians seem unacceptable (Corrigan,
2015).
From a political viewpoint, most of our religious freedoms come from our elected
officials, or in other words, our President. It all comes down to who is running America,
and how they are doing so. Or as Suarez states, it is the nations own political tools that
create the laws in which we now are bound to follow. Meaning every single religion is

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bound to be attacked one way or the other, no matter what. Whether its Christianity,
Judaism, or Buddhism, there will always be a battle between them and America.
For instance, ever since September 11ths attack, Muslims have received a bad
image. This lead to an array of problems, which still go on today, mostly because of other
attacks involved as well. Such tragedies have created a barrier between America and
Muslims, putting them in a very crucial position making them afraid of expressing their
beliefs in public (Smith, 2007).
Although most religions are prone to be attacked, it all comes down to whos
really being attacked or discriminated; the religion itself or the person with that religion.
Is the Christian himself/herself being persecuted, or the title itself?
In most cases, the religions name seems to be attacked more than the person
within its belief system. This is again observed with Muslims, as they are being
discriminated based on what other individuals did, making most Americans horrified
because of them as a whole, rather than only being concerned about the people who
committed those crimes (Smith, 2007). Yet there seems to be a different viewpoint for
Christians, who are mostly attacked based off of the God they believe in, rather than
anything they did or didnt do. A great example of this could be clearly observed in
American politics, specifically during election season, where a republican is mocked after
stating something directly from the Bible or any other godly matter such as childhood
abortion. But the mocking doesnt necessarily come from what they said; it comes from

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the source of their statement, leading up to their religion, leading up to hatred because of
that religion. (Christian title is being mocked)
Throughout American history, Christians have been attacked in various occasions.
For example, not too long ago in Roseburg, Oregons Umpqua Community College, 9
college students Christians were shot after professing that they were Christians. In
Oklahoma City, the Ten Commandments monument was also removed after being
approved by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, with their reason not wanting any religion to
dominate the other. There are many other cases in which Christians have been persecuted
one way or the other, causing many to question, Why Christians? or even more, Why
not any other religion, race or person?.
On the other hand, most Christians in America dont feel that way. They feel is if
theyre still being treated the same, with no fear of being able to express their faith in
God. It all draws back to how the person views their presence in America, whether they
get a sense of persecution or freedom. As see again a recent survey study, nearly 65%
participants felt satisfied towards their Christian beliefs, feeling nor afraid or convicted of
being a Christian.
Conclusion
Christian persecution in America has played a huge part in what this nation is
shaping to be. It has a created a list of questions most Christians may think about, or have
yet to ask. The events involved have also brought attention and awareness to both
audience members within this discourse community and those outside. By developing

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this research, the audience can go further within the given information, extending their
knowledge of America beyond the thought of Christianity or religion itself.

References
Corrigan, John (2015). Emptiness : Feeling Christian in America. Retrieved from
http://www.eblib.com
Goidel, Kirby; Freeman, Craig; Smentkowski , Brian (2015). Misreading the Bill of
Rights : Top Ten Myths Concerning Your Rights and Liberties. Retrieved from
http://www.eblib.com
Sehat, David (2011) . The Myth of American Religious Freesom. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Smith, J. I. (2007). Muslims, Christians, and the challenge of interfaith dialogue. New
York: Oxford University Press.
Suarez, R. (2006). The Holy Vote: The Politics of Faith in America.
Ten Commandments monument removed from Oklahoma Capitol grounds. (n.d.).
Retrieved April 11, 2016, from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tencommandments-monument-removed-from-oklahoma-capitol-grounds/
(n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2016, from

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https://www.surveymonkey.com/analyze/t4ohdLqHncujn2RPM3zXO9JdKyFzI69
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