Why do christians think they are the only ones persecuted or have the right to persecute?

PFC Chris Hemingway — Wed, 27 May 2015 00:00:02 -0400

honestly i had difficulties with my chain of command due to the fact my squad leader felt he could religiously persecute me all my coc did was tell him to stop but he did not. now on rally point i was called an abomination because i practise wicca now if i made these comments to christians i would be strung up and verbally drawn and quartered albeit i admit i insulted another by calling him a sheep. but in the end i apologized. however have i ever recieved apologies for the insults thrown my way no. so has anyone else that are not christian had these problems? if so what should we do to defend ourselves. or should we just be carpets and let them walk over us?

Response by PFC Chris Hemingway made May 27 at 2015 12:17 AM

PFC Chris Hemingway — Wed, 27 May 2015 00:17:15 -0400

You do realize they kill pagans to did you know there are Kurdish clans that are pagan and they have been slaughtered for it and again I said command and eo did nothing

Response by PFC Chris Hemingway made May 27 at 2015 12:20 AM

PFC Chris Hemingway — Wed, 27 May 2015 00:20:22 -0400

And what of all the pagans Christians have murdered over the centuries pagans have to hide their beliefs or be condemned in some states their religion has been used against them in civil court cases look it up happens all the time

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 27 at 2015 12:29 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 27 May 2015 00:29:33 -0400

I am a Christian. Deal with it. You practice what you practice, but I don't have to deal with it because it doesn't bother me one bit. In fact, I don't care if you don't believe in God or Jesus Christ. I don't even care if you are going to hell. I come to work and work. I don't talk about religion or politics, nor do I give the perception to other that I am the bad guy and I want to tell them how dumb they are for believing in what they believe in. This is exactly what I get you from you. You sound like a trouble maker. Leave religion out of work because obviously, it is making choppy water.

Response by SSG John Erny made May 27 at 2015 1:01 AM

SSG John Erny — Wed, 27 May 2015 01:01:19 -0400

Last time I checked the news Christians were getting their heads cut off for their faith. Go ahead an look at it from the safe and secure place we call the the USA which was paid for with blood, sweat and tears by many people. Some were on the winning side some were on the losing side, but never the less no nation has done more from human rights than America.

So some one says something that hurts your feelers, to bad, suck it up bettercup and drive on! You are free to speak your mind and not fear death or reprisal. We are all entiled to our opion, be tahnkfull for that.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 1:08 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 01:08:38 -0400

While I positively balk at the idea of Christians being persecuted in America, I'm not sure how to respond to anything else you wrote. It sounds like the sort of thing where you're intentionally leaving out some important details. I'm pretty openly atheist, and while I'm no fan of fairy tales, I'm also skeptical of people who seem to be seeking confrontation.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 7:28 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 07:28:13 -0400

Many holes in this story I feel. But, I am going to toss some thoughts in the air. You are listed as a Veteran with the rank of E-1. That tells me you...A) did not make it through BCT/AIT.....or B) did not make it very far after BCT/AIT. Regardless, it would appear that you were separated for some reason. Ill mannered conduct perhaps, based on what you have written.......perception can be such a double blade. It would also appear that you have a chip on your shoulder created by religion.......again perception rears its nasty head.....

So you are a Wiccan......good for you. You have a faith that works for you. But you appear to have an attitude that does not work for you. This is not a land of entitlement. You have Freedom of Religion rights, yes. You also have the right to turn around and walk away when someone gets in your grill about your religion. So someone wants to give you grief because you don't believe the same as they do. Be the bigger person and walk away. Don't give them the ammo they want/need to keep popping shots at you. But, if you think you are entitled to an apology, you are going to have a very long beard if all you are going to do is sit and wait for one.

Get up, dust off those insults, straighten your tie, and move out and enjoy life the best way you can. Someone gives you grief, the best way to handle it, is to smile at them and move out. If you cant to that, life is going to eat you for breakfast every day for the rest of your life.

Response by SSG Kenneth Lanning made May 27 at 2015 8:37 AM

SSG Kenneth Lanning — Wed, 27 May 2015 08:37:40 -0400

Ok; gonna nip all of this in the butt right now. Religions as a whole have been killing each other off for millenia; not just Christians, but ALL religions (ok, maybe Taoists are exempt haha)...in any case, it doesn't matter what religion someone is-if it brings fulfillment to your life so be it. If someone else starts harping on you about how you're wrong, that's THEIR issue-NOT yours. Don't feed the flames of hate by arguing the point...if they have to make themselves feel better by belittling you, then they aren't worth the breath it takes to come up with a comeback. If they want to have a an honest and open-minded debate, that another story; but always tread carefully.

Yeah it's always messed up when someone lets their personal beliefs interfere with their professional life, but just take it for face value-now you know how NOT to be.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 9:50 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 09:50:21 -0400

PFC Chris Hemingway As far as your actions go, all you can do is act professionally and with integrity. The best way to go about this in the military is to perform your duties with distinction and not mention religion at all. This was more easily done for me because I had/have no religion. But, outside of talking to the chaplain to obtain the services you require, you shouldn't be looking to discuss the matter at all in conducting your duties.

UNLESS your attempts to sidestep the issue are futile. If members of your unit are ACTIVELY seeking you out and making your JOB more difficult, you need to bring this up to your chain of command. Keep a diary of sorts; a journal to record these incidents and your responses to them as they happen (date-time stamps, weather, unit activity, everything) (in this journal, be completely honest about their actions and YOURS).

If it is your chain of command, go to your chaplain, as they have their own chain of command. If this doesn't work, continue going up the chain of command. Inform you first-line every single time you need to contact someone above him/her in the CoC. If you feel intimidated by your chain, or they're not doing anything about it (don't expect instant results), there's always IG.

The army has mechanisms for you to address grievances. I'm sorry if your first-line isn't supportive. But you need to handle this with PROFESSIONALISM and INTEGRITY, or you'll definitely make things worse.

Good luck.

Response by SGT John Rauch made May 27 at 2015 10:20 AM

SGT John Rauch — Wed, 27 May 2015 10:20:46 -0400

sounds like you're just a drama queen looking for something to complain about. something doesnt quite jive with this story.

Response by SGT Mark Sullivan made May 27 at 2015 11:04 AM

SGT Mark Sullivan — Wed, 27 May 2015 11:04:28 -0400

No one should be persecuted for their religious beliefs. Unfortunately, ignorance is prevalent in our society, and therefore in the military as well. I know it's hard to deal with this, and you may feel your chain of command doesn't support you. I would continue to bring this issue to your chain, if this doesn't work, then continue up the chain. Worse case scenario, if your chain of command doesn't work, and breaks down, there are other avenues to take. I would bring along as much information about Wicca as you can find. Especially information that shows the correlation between Wicca, Pagan, and Christianity. Don't let anyone bluster you into thinking that Wicca is not identified in the military as a religion, it is recognized. And that may be what your chain of command thinks, and could be why they haven't done anything.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 12:01 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:01:22 -0400

Well, Think about it this way. Did you really insult anyone by calling him/her/them, "Sheep?" If Jesus is my Shepherd what does that make me? When it comes to being Christian, I am a Sheep of sorts. So, that does not bother me.

What you need to do is move on. Who truly should give a flying turd about your religious beliefs? Look, if you really want to learn about my faith ask me. Sometimes I will interject it when I think it helps drvie home a point, but I do not do it to throw it anyone's face. Cpl Robert Lowes knows my views.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made May 27 at 2015 12:06 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:06:01 -0400

If you are truly being talked down to and such at your place of work then bring it up the chain of command. If that isn't working then speak to a Chaplain about it, a Wiccan chaplain if there is one at your post, if not any Chaplain would likely here you out to include a Christian chaplain and they would likely try to help you out an end to it.

If you feel like people here on RP were attacking you for being Wiccan then speak to an admin (those with the blue stars on their picture) and they should help you out.

Your right to your religious beliefs shouldn't be infringed upon by any member of any faith though responding by flaming back isn't exactly the answer either, although I can't help but chuckle at the insult of calling us sheep because we are sheep with Jesus as our shepherd essentially. But that's beside the point, the point is if this is a legitimate issue there are various levels of people to bring this up to.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2015 10:31 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 10:31:23 -0400

Why is it that people make broad, sweeping statements about something that is clearly a personal issue, or a perception from their experience rather than a fact?

You managed to exchange insults with people. You CLAIM to have apologized. (I said CLAIM. I wasn't there, and I am making no judgement as to whether this is true or not. But am I supposed to draw a conclusion having heard only one side of the argument?)

There are plenty of people in the world who are very prickly about what they believe. (Christians, Atheists, Wiccans, Jews, Moslems, ... shall I go on?) Perhaps the smartest lesson for ALL to learn is that if you are going to discuss things that are likely to cause friction, hurt feelings, insults, verbal drawing and quartering, etc. then you perhaps shouldn't get involved in such discussions. And if you are in the minority and still persist in getting into such fights ...

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with standing up for what you believe. But there IS something wrong with denigrating what someone else believes. And if you go into the nearest redneck bar wearing your favorite gay rights T-shirt, can you really be surprised if you get beaten up? Engage brain BEFORE engaging mouth.

Response by A1C Lisa Casserly made Jun 10 at 2015 4:40 PM

A1C Lisa Casserly — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 16:40:58 -0400

I am sorry to hear that you had this experience. I am a Christian, and will tell you that we are not supposed to do that... judge not, lest we be judged. As a Christian, we are taught that all humanity is a lost and fallen race. That's not just a judgment on you as a non-Christian, not just for you who practices Wicca; that's also me. Yes, really. I don't get a free pass for being Christian, and neither does any other Christian. We are taught that in the eyes of God, all sins are equal; and that all bear the penalty of eternal death. So, I will confess that I sometimes speed while driving, and I have written checks out before payday. Those sins are as damning to me as if I were a murderer or a child molester. As such, I try hard to remember that being rude and judgmental are also not on the "approved actions" list. I am to treat all with love and respect; be you friend or foe.

So... what else can I say? Not all who claim to be Christian really are... the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church are not in keeping with Christian teachings. And of course we all periodically climb on our moral high horse and point at others, hoping no one sees our own sin.

What should you do to avoid being a door-mat? Well, ideally, you don't have to do ANYTHING. First, again, as a Christian, we are not supposed to judge you; and secondly, at least for the time being! - we ALL have protections under the Constitution to freely practice our religion. Should I quote your own back to you? An it harm none. So long as we harm no one else, we should be free to practice or worship as we please. So, if you worship nature, and the Goddess and God, fine. If I worship Jesus as part of the Triune God, then that's also fine. Just as its fine for those who worship Allah or practice Buddhism or Zen or whatever.

I hope this makes you feel a little better. We are not all hateful and pushy.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jun 10 at 2015 5:02 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 17:02:26 -0400

This is something that should be handled in a discussion between the two of you and not to air out your dirty laundry in front of the community. Your thread title is offensive and clearly argumentative.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 12:28 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 12:28:00 -0400

Nobody has the "right" to persecute. By posting this it appears that you are in some way persecuting them in a way as well. I think that some feel that they are being persecuted the most due to the ISIS threat, countries outlawing Christianity, and if you do not agree with gay/lesbian marriage you are wrong and are not tolerate. I agree that there are others being persecuted. There are other religions, cultures, tribes, etc. that are being persecuted. Do not fall into the trap that lump one group into something because not everyone in the group do the same thing, etc.