Persecution Research Paper

Jade vanEyk

Mrs. Roskamp

LA, 8C

9 March 2017

Christian Persecution

At least 100 million Christians are being persecuted for their faith worldwide in many different countries. These Christians have to be strong in their faith to withstand the trials that come with being who they are. Christians have been persecuted in the past, and are still being persecuted in countries such as Iran, however there are things we can do to help these Christians.

Up to 300. A.D. Christians were persecuted by many different Roman emperors because they did not treat the emperors like they were gods.  Nero was one of the worst emperors to persecute Christians. He would blame tragic accidents on Christians, a specific example being a fire that flattened the whole city. He would use them as fires to light his parties and carnivals and he would make them fight to the death for entertainment. Christians would be sentenced to death, unless they renounced their faith to make a sacrifice to the Roman god’s. Because they were Christians, they wouldn’t participate in sacrifices and rituals that were a part of life for the Romans. This made them to be seen as outcasts and they were not accepted by society. Because they had different rituals they would do for their faith, people became suspicious. One example was when Christians would celebrate communion they would talk of eating the body and the blood of Christ. Because of this the Romans thought they were cannibals. Most Romans would try to avoid Christians because they were different and society regarded them as superstitious and bad.

There are many Christians in many different countries that face Christian persecution today. One of the countries is Iran. In Iran the main religion is Islam, and people who convert from Islam to Christianity face the worst persecution. Iran is rated number 8 on the open doors world watch list and has extreme Christian persecution. In Iran, Christianity is considered a western influence and a threat to the government. Men who convert from Islam to Christianity can be sentenced to death. Women who convert from Islam to Christianity, even though they are not sentenced to death, face a life sentence in prison.

Christians in Iran are regarded as lower than Muslims. Because Christians are regarded as lower, Muslims are not allowed to shake hands, touch, or share food with Christians. In 2016, at least 193 Christians in Iran were arrested and put in prison.

Today there are many organizations that are dedicated to helping Christians who are being persecuted worldwide. One example of these ministries is Open Doors. People can donate money either for a specific thing or just in general to Open Doors and they will use it where they think it is needed. You can choose if you want to donate to a specific cause, such as purchasing Bibles or providing someone with healthcare,  or you can choose to let the organization decide where you money could be put to best use. One of the most common things a persecuted Christian will ask for is prayer. Prayer is one of the most important gifts you can give because that gift will come from God. You can also volunteer at an organization to help persecuted Christians. Some people even go on mission trips to help people that need it and to preach to people who possibly have not heard the good news of Jesus Christ, and you can help spread the word.

Christians have been persecuted in the past are still being persecuted in countries such as Iran however there are things we can do to help these Christians. As an Eighth grader probably can not go on a lot of mission trips to Iran and China to help save persecuted Christians, but there are still things I can do to help persecuted Christians across the world. I can pray. Prayer can be one of the most important and strongest gifts you can give to persecuted Christians. I can also donate money. Another way I can help Christians who are persecuted is I can raise awareness about what is happening. Some people do not know that Christians are being persecuted in the present. We are raising awareness by doing our exhibits on Christian Persecution and inviting a lot of people to come.  Even though I might not be able to travel the world there are still things I am able to do to help persecuted Christians around the world.

 

Works Cited

“Change a Life, Give a Bible.” Open Doors USA. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.

Ferguson, Everett. “Persecution in the Early Church: Did You Know?” Christian History | Learn the History of Christianity & the Church. Web. 01 Mar. 2017.

“Finding Trust in Iran.” Open Doors USA. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.

“HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH*.” HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH*. Web. 01 Mar. 2017.

Ireland, Open Doors UK &. “Iran.” Christian Persecution in Iran – Open Doors UK & Ireland. Web. 27 Feb. 2017.

“Nero.” Nero. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

“Persecution in the Early Church.” Persecution in the Early Church – ReligionFacts. 19 Nov. 2016. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.

“Preparing My Daughter for Persecution in Iran.” Open Doors USA. 10 Jan. 2017. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.

“Roman Emperors Persecute Christians.” Time Line of Early Christianity–The Lost Gospel of Judas–National Geographic. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.

“Volunteer.” Open Doors USA. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.

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