1 2

Barretto, Jose Alberto Christopher D. 14 - 0235 1PolEco September 19,2014

Christian Persecution

Christian Persecution has been around since the time of Jesus in the first century to present time. Chronologically, persecution of Christians may be divided into 4
major segments which are as follows, Persecution of Christians in the New testament including persecution under the Roman Empire as evident by the reign of Nero
in 64-68 AD, Persecution of Christians during the Middle ages as depicted in the Roman-Persian Wars, Persecution of Christians in the early modern period (from
1500- 1815) as peaked during the Reformation period when Christians and protestants reverted to violence and massacre and Persecution of Christians in present
time with numerous religions and sub-religions springing about, intolerance and discrimination has been observed the world over. Today in the year 2014, Christians
in the middle east are being prosecuted for their faith specifically by the terrorist group ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) warning Christians to “leave, convert or

!
die”.The group reportedly beheads all believes, even children, exerting extremely aggressive efforts to extinguish Christians in Northern Iraq.

Christian persecution poses a BIG problem because it not only robs Christians of their freedom of choice in terms of religious allegiance but also and as importantly
causes them their lives. The world claims to be modern, cultured and adaptive but despite this claim, why do we deprive our brothers and sisters of the most basic
right, the right to believe and choose in their faith of preference.

Christian Persecution is an important issue because it tackles a deeper and darker face of humanity, intolerance which then leads to
hate then to anger and then to violent efforts and before you know it, Christian genocide. It is important to address this issue so we
may for once and for all settle it—to find a concrete reason behind intolerance for other religious beliefs from one’s own and to find a
‘cure’ to this intolerance. Identifying the issue is the first step to solving the problem.

Who Will Stand up for The Christians?

The NewYork Times (online article)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/20/opinion/ronald-lauder-who-will-stand-up-for-the-christians.html?_r=0

August 19, 2014

'No place to hide': Iraq's Christians face ISIS slaughter as country disintegrates

June 30, 2014

It saddens me that despite the advancement of the world, when it comes to the most basic
human right, freedom of belief, we are still as barbaric as we were in the first century. I believe
that one’s faith and religious preference shouldn't be hindrance to anyone or to anything. It
breaks my heart knowing that all over the world, acceptance is still as scarce as ever because at
the end of the day, I think for as long as your faith does not hurt anyone and for as long as your
faith makes you a better person then there is no reason you must suffer for it. Your faith is the
tool to set you free, no way should it trap you.

I think there is no one resolution for my chosen issue but I think there is a way to start it and that is promoting tolerance
to safe guard one’s faith. I think people should just really concentrate on themselves and not on other people, meaning if
their chosen faith works for them then stick to that but in no way should they force their faith to other people, let alone
prosecute them for choosing to believe in whatever they want to.