Are Canadian Christians going to be persecuted?

[me again]

I don't know if we have any Canadians here, but.... Canadian Users: Do you think we are persecuted?

So fellow Canadians? Do you think Canada is becoming increasingly intolerant of Christians? Do you think it is on the brink of persecution? Do you think our kids will suffer harshly for being Christians? Or do you think the pendulum will swing back to tolerance?

Though I've lived abroad for many years, I do see the symptoms of persecution to come, the stage is being set. The legitimization of homosexuality and the growing indifference to pedophilia in the courts is significant. The lusts of the flesh are galloping away with people. The bishop of Calgary being referred to the Human Rights Commission for his stand on abortion - it all seems to point in the same direction.

As for actual persecution, I don't yet see it. Here in present-day China, I see real persecution (house churches being knocked down when they are found out, leaving people homeless.) And even that is, I think, is merely the beginnings of real persecution (they've had plenty of the real thing over the last few decades and the past few hundred years.) When we see Christians beheaded in Nathan Philips square to the cheers of the crowd, then there is real persecution. In any case, we should count it all joy... Hummmm....

[John Oscar]

I know that there having been several pastors charged with hate speech for openly condemning homosexuality. I'm not sure what the outcomes of the trials were though....

[me again]

I know that there having been several pastors charged with hate speech for openly condemning homosexuality. I'm not sure what the outcomes of the trials were though....Eeeeeeegad, the fact that they can be "charged" with a hate speech crime simply for saying that the bible is against homosexuality is... is... is... flabergasting and unbelievable!!!! :nervous:

News update:Though I've lived abroad for many years, I do see the symptoms of persecution to come, the stage is being set. The legitimization of homosexuality and the growing indifference to pedophilia in the courts is significant. The lusts of the flesh are galloping away with people. Fred Henry, the bishop of Calgary, was refered to the Human Rights Commision for his defence of traditional marriage in a letter to parishoners. It all seems to point in the same direction. Here's a snip from his letter:My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Contrary to what is normally alleged, the primary goals in seeking legalization of same-sex “marriage” are not the financial or health or inheritance or pension benefits associated with marriage. The search for stability and exclusivity in a homosexual relationship is not the driving force. The principal objective in seeking same-sex “marriage”is not really even about equality rights. The goal is to acquire a powerful psychological weapon to change society’s rejection of homosexual activity and lifestyle into gradual, even if reluctant, acceptance.

It is significant to note that 18 months after same-sex “marriage” arrived in Canada (principally as a result of court decisions in Ontario and British Columbia), more than 95% of adult Canadian gays have chosen to ignore their new legal right.

Since homosexuality, adultery, prostitution and pornography undermine the foundations of the family, the basis of society, then the State must use its coercive power to proscribe or curtail them in the interests of the common good.

It is sometimes argued that what we do in the privacy of our home is nobody’ s business. While the privacy of the home is undoubtedly sacred, it is not absolute. Furthermore, an evil act remains an evil act whether it is performed in public or in private.

Some would allege that opposing same-sex “marriage” is pure prejudice. This contention is also false.

It is the right and the responsibility of all citizens who are troubled by the proposal to reinvent the institution of marriage, to enter into the debate and, with clarity and charity, to make their voices heard by their fellow citizens and our political leaders.

Source (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/jan/050113a.html)His stance on abortion was at odds with Amnesty International, who was at the time considering entering into the abortion-advocacy arena on the basis of abortion as a basic "human right". It's quite a kettle of fish...It's quite a kettle of something alright. :what:

[John Oscar]

I think I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating-

In the Vietnam Assemblies of God, the final criteria for ordination into the ministry is that you must have spent serious time in prison for preaching or sharing the gospel. Pastor Paul Li, the General Superintendant of the Vietnam Assemblies of God state that this requirement ensures that when (not if) the secret police catch you, you will have already have experienced the torture and horrible conditions that you will have to endure.

Pastor Li has spent over 15 years in prison for the Gospel. This former witch doctor was saved through the ministry of an Assembly of God soldier during the Vietnam War. Paul hated the fact that this man was converting the local villagers to Christ, and tried every spell that he knew to stop him from spreading the Gospel message. After seeing that none of his spells worked, he decided he was not going to serve a second rate power, and attended a bible study that this soldier held at his tent. Pastor Paul was radically transformed by Christ, and has served Him ever since.

Of the over 15 years he has spent in prison for the Gospel, 3 of those years were spent in a 3x4 box for 23 hours a day to try to break his faith. In another 6 year stint, Pastor Li used his only blanket to share with a fellow prisoner a night, and raised up a church of over 1,000 through his sharing the only comfort he had....

I hear about things like that, and realize how carnal I truely am...

Persecution is coming brothers and sisters. It will truly divide the wheat from the chaff...

I'll stop now, or I'll really start preaching....:preach:

[me again]

Excellent story John. Thanks for sharing. :nod: Persecution is coming brothers and sisters. It will truly divide the wheat from the chaff...We've lived in unprecedented safety in the United States in the 20th Century. It's hard to imagine that persecution could ever come to our country. I found this quote to be interesting: As for actual persecution [in North America], I don't yet see it.

Here in present-day China, I see real persecution (house churches being knocked down when they are found out, leaving people homeless.) And even that is, I think, is merely the beginnings of real persecution (they've had plenty of the real thing over the last few decades and the past few hundred years.) When we see Christians beheaded in Nathan Philips square to the cheers of the crowd, then there is real persecution. In any case, we should count it all joy...It would definately seperate the wheat from the chaff.

[Zaph]

This will purify the church. Only the truly committed will remain. Only those who die to self on a daily basis will have the faith strong enough to endure such hardships. Just read "Fox's Book of Martyrs" and put yourself in their shoes and wonder to yourself if your commitment to Christ is that strong.

[SozzledBoot]

I'm a Canadian, eh?