christian cross broken on ground
Is there a growing discontentment with Christianity?

A shocking new report shows an alarming increase in attacks against churches and Christian houses of faith last year. 

Using publicly available data, the Family Research Council (FRC) found more than 400 incidents of overt hostility against churches in the United States in 2023, more than twice the number of attacks on churches in 2022. 

It's led some to ask the question: is Christianity under attack?

Faith Under Fire

“Due to the perceived increase in acts of hostility against churches in the United States,” the report begins, “Family Research Council set out to analyze publicly available data to better understand the problem and determine whether there has been a statistically significant increase over time.”

Tracking everything from overtly dangerous attacks like arson, shootings, and bomb threats, to minor incidents like vandalism, the FRC found that churches suffered 436 hostile incidents in 2023 – a twofold increase from 2022, when churches reported 195 such incidents.

Going back further, researchers found 83 hostile incidents in 2019 and just 50 in 2018, indicating an alarming increase in hostility toward Christian churches in a very short period of time.

It’s worth noting that the FRC is far from a neutral source on this topic – they are an outspoken pro-faith nonprofit, interested in "issues that affect the nation from a biblical worldview." They have also been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. 

What the Attacks Mean

Looking further into the figures, the lion’s share of incidents appear to be vandalism. In 2023, 72% of reported attacks fell under this category – including everything from stones being flung through windows, to graffiti, to the removal of letters from outdoor church signs.

The report points to political motivations for much of this vandalism. In one incident, a church’s anti-abortion sign was removed and replaced with a pro-abortion sign. And in another, a church’s “We Stand With Israel” sign was spray-painted over with the message “Israel’s Genocide.”

Other incidents include numerous spray-painted Satanic messages on church property, and at least one Nativity scene where the parties were beheaded.

Growing Discontent

Why so many attacks on houses of worship? The report seeks to answer that question, too. 

"Americans appear increasingly comfortable lashing out against church buildings, pointing to a larger societal problem of marginalizing core Christian beliefs, including those that touch on hot-button political issues related to human dignity and sexuality. Attacks on houses of worship may also signal a discomfort with religion in general," the report reads. 

The author, Arielle Del Turco, argues that the attacks unequivocally show a "growing disdain for Christianity and core Christian beliefs."

What do you think? Have you noticed increased hostility toward churches in your area? And is it correct to assume this uptick represents backlash against Christianity as a whole, or is there something else at play here?

71 comments

  1. Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox's Avatar Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox

    The. Family Research Council is a christian nationalist hate group. It was started by James Dobson. I would say their “research” is opinion, not fact.

    They despise LGBTQIA2S+ humans among many others who do not fall into their narrow classification of people.

    Whack jobs.

    1. Daniel Gray's Avatar Daniel Gray

      So ANYONE or ANYTHING that does not agree with you is now considered a hate group by you Elizabeth? Do you even begin to understand why people are laughing AT you and not with you?

      1. Rev. Klaire ThD, MA's Avatar Rev. Klaire ThD, MA

        No one is laughing at Elizabeth, Daniel. Your comment is a classic example of a simpleton's shallow 'analysis' of a much deeper issue. It sounds like you don't take the time to look at things any deeper than your first level of reaction.

      2. Patricia Ann Gross's Avatar Patricia Ann Gross

        Daniel, no, it wasn't Elizabeth that designated them a hate group, it was the Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization that monitors behaviors and has long been recognized as the authority for designating various organizations as hate groups.

        1. Daniel Gray's Avatar Daniel Gray

          And the SPLC is shown numerous times to be a group that if you dont follow their views in lockstep, then they classify you as a hate group as a lot of other classify it as a hate group

          https://nypost.com/2023/06/08/southern-poverty-law-center-should-include-itself-on-its-hate-list/

          and there are over 200,000 sites on a simple google search that say the exact same thing

          1. Rev. Klaire ThD, MA's Avatar Rev. Klaire ThD, MA

            "don't follow their views"??? Their 'views' as you would know if you read their methodology are attached to US constitutional tenets and requirements.

            1. Daniel Gray's Avatar Daniel Gray

              Nice lie there. Their views are based on whatever the left likes. And why would you even begin to speak about the SPLC,or are you in lock step with the views of this man?

              https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-reckoning-of-morris-dees-and-the-southern-poverty-law-center

              https://www.alreporter.com/2019/03/15/splc-fires-founder-morris-dees-internal-emails-highlight-issues-with-harassment-discrimination/

              https://adflegal.org/article/truth-about-morris-dees-and-splc

              https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/years-of-turmoil-and-complaints-led-the-southern-poverty-law-center-to-fire-its-founder-morris-dees/2019/04/05/58717bfc-50fa-11e9-8d28-f5149e5a2fda_story.html

              https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/743195.page

              https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/25/us/morris-dees-leaves-splc.html

              https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/heritage-explains/what-went-wrong-the-southern-poverty-law-center

              https://www.ocregister.com/2023/07/19/john-stossel-the-southern-poverty-law-center-is-a-hate-group-itself/

              https://adflegal.org/setting-the-record-straight

              https://reason.com/2023/06/09/southern-poverty-law-center-moms-for-liberty-splc-hate-extremist-list/

              https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/08/17/southern-poverty-law-center-hate-groups-scam-column/2022301001/

              And THIS is the group and founder you want to quote from?

              1. Rev. Klaire ThD, MA's Avatar Rev. Klaire ThD, MA

                Your issue with confirmation bias is astounding. Did you bother to search for legitimate sources that also DON'T support your illegitimate presuppositions? Again, it's the confirmation bias that is ruining not only your ability to find reasoned answers to your fears but it's the confirmation bias that is ruining your ability to have a reasonable discussion with people who may have more of a wealth of information on this topic.

              2. Daniel Gray's Avatar Daniel Gray

                Really? And your problem with reality is breathtaking. How can you even begin to dispute this when you have links from BOTH sides of the political agenda that are saying you dont know what you are talking about.

                But yet here you are desperately trying to call all the links fake and one sided just because they destroy your whole argument of the SPLC a hate group.

              3. Rev. Klaire ThD, MA's Avatar Rev. Klaire ThD, MA

                Sad Daniel, I can see that your ability to discern the value of an informational source is limited. Generally, this is for two reasons. First, your need for confirmation bias is so great that a disingenuous necessity requires you to promote empirically illegitimate sources over empirically legitimate sources; or, secondly, you were never taught how to properly determine whether a source of information is useful or not. There are "links from both sides" that are empirically legitimate and those that are empirically illegitimate. At least three fourths of your short list above contain empirically unsupportable information sources and 'stories'. I'm guessing that your locked in a bubble of your own making.

              4. Daniel Gray's Avatar Daniel Gray

                And everyone can see you are as biased and the sun shines. I provided proof from BOTH sides of the fence that SPLC is a hate group in and of itself and instead of trying to refute it (and you cant) you go on a slimy little attack against the person who destroyed your whole ideal. How pathetic.

              5. Rev. Klaire ThD, MA's Avatar Rev. Klaire ThD, MA

                You provided virtually nothing but obfuscation and misinformation. It's hard to see that when you're head is stuck in a bubble.

      3. Rev. Michael Gerraghty II's Avatar Rev. Michael Gerraghty II

        Shes actually correct , About as much as West borrow Baptist church.

        1. Daniel Gray's Avatar Daniel Gray

          Nobody in their right mind does not consider the westboro family "so called" church a hate group. It is run by a father and his family, nothing more.

  1. David George Promis's Avatar David George Promis

    I won’t be flippant, I won’t be flippant, I won’t be flippant….yes I will! I don’t condone violence, but “turn about is fair play” for “Christian” churches have been terrorizing sectors of our society for years!

    1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

      Right, we're neck-n-neck with the Jews huh?

      FYI, in the legal sense, when someone says something then follows that statement with the three letter word 'but', it means ignore what I just said, what I'm about to say is what I really mean. Legal speak is similar to the Woke Hive Mind speak but it has rules and employs logic.

      See how 'but' works?

      Legally you only said 'I condone violence against the Christian Church, they deserve it'.

      Have a nice day.

      1. David George Promis's Avatar David George Promis

        Your unrelated legal gibberish shows me that you lack emotional intelligence and only react by the way you were indoctrinated…how sad 😞

        1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

          Regardless of your insults, you still condone violence against Christians.

          That's the real bummer here. Jesus did say you'd be that way though.

          My my how loving the Woke Hive Mind is huh?

  1. David Arthur Lewis's Avatar David Arthur Lewis

    So, a designated hate group (a.k.a. terrorist cell) whines and cries that they are being persecuted. FRC is sounding a lot like Hamas or Islamic Jihad.

    1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

      Lol, minus the rapes, rockets, murders, beheadings and acid baths!

      1. Rev. Klaire ThD, MA's Avatar Rev. Klaire ThD, MA

        But the same intent, and that's where it really starts, right!?!

        1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

          No. Christians don't set out in the morning with the same intentions that Islamic jihadist do. There are groups in the USA that do share those same jihadist intentions but not Christians. If you'd like to learn more about groups like that start with the anarchists called antifa and BLM. They're the rioters that terrorized our citizenry during the summer of love. I think the ones out west took over government buildings and created a mini country for a while. If they'd have had Iranian rockets like Hamas they'd have used them.

          It's odd that the word anarchists looks so much like the word antichrist isn't it?

          I wonder why the very peaceful and inclusive Hive Mind Drones don't voice their very strong anti violence opinions against Antifa and BLM.

          1. Rev. Klaire ThD, MA's Avatar Rev. Klaire ThD, MA

            I'm pretty sure you lose any possibility of reasoned argument when you start spouting extreme right-wing (maga) talking points and tag-lines. Please, feel free to try again when you have a grasp of the legitimate facts (not a bunch of make-believe rambling).

            1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

              Lol Klaire, it was plastered across every single news outlet on the planet.

              A Google search gives you thousands upon thousands of articles and videos. It was on every local news channel across the country morning and night. You couldn't watch any news program available without seeing it.

              Those weren't Christians burning down cities and beating people up. They were peaceful protesters with cans of gas,class b and c fireworks, baseball bats and bricks. BLM and Antifa are insurrectionists. Like actual insurrectionists.

              https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitol_Hill_Occupied_Protest

              The Woke Hive Mind must deny reality to exist.

              Warning Klaire, reading and learning truth causes severe glitching in the Woke Hive Mind.

              By the way, EF trump.

    2. Russel A. Kester's Avatar Russel A. Kester

      David, one need not be a friend of Family Radio to see a very big difference between it and terrorists. I lost a friend so many years ago on 9/11. She was in one of the towers that collapsed. We all saw the pain of 10/7 in Israel. I will never be able to unsee the sheer terror in that little boy's eyes as Hamas shot his family and then him which Hamas itself recorded and put on their own websites. There is no comparison between Family Radio and Hamas or jihadists. I'm sure you meant it hypocritically, but it might be too soon for some, especially those who lost loved ones.

      1. Russel A. Kester's Avatar Russel A. Kester

        My, Russel's, apologies. I meant to use the word hyperbolically NOT hypercritically.

  1. Daniel Gray's Avatar Daniel Gray

    I am amazed at how many people here actually condone this just by reading what they consider "snide" remarks. There is NO justification to attack a church, I dont care if its a Temple or a Mosque or a church. There is absolutely NO reason to do this. And anyone who does or is caught should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law no matter who it is.

    1. Don James Buckel's Avatar Don James Buckel

      Hello Daniel, I wanted to say that I am in agreement as well. A place of worship should be held as a holy place, not matter what religion is practiced in it. I am still a novice at understanding most religious beliefs, but from what I have found, almost all religions are founded on peace, love, acceptance and understanding. As well as worshiping God, in any name you call Him. Religion is peaceful, man is violent. Man has and will use any accuse to cause pain to others if they do not bow down to what they believe is right. I would rather spread love and understanding, then spew out hateful messages. I would rather give a hug than a punch. Bless you All. Peace be with you all.

    2. William Thomas's Avatar William Thomas

      Agreed.

      1. Frank Robert Seddon's Avatar Frank Robert Seddon

        I totally agree. I’ve studied the Bible, and failed to see anything that does not dictate that we love one another. I don’t mean just Christians and neither did the Bible. I believe somewhere in there it says I am my brother’s keeper. If Christians are to live, as Jesus lived then giving a hug to your enemy is exactly what is needed.

  1. Reverend Marika's Avatar Reverend Marika

    I wouldn't say Christians themselves are under attack, just their pastors and ministers. Perhaps Christians need to get pastors and ministers who don't preach hate from the pulpit.

  1. Robert Gagnon's Avatar Robert Gagnon

    Respect has gone out the window. People are climbing out of their basements to leave their mark. It's so aggravating that some folks act on their base instincts.

  1. Nicholas J Page's Avatar Nicholas J Page

    So why is this happening in America ? Is there no shame in attacking Churches where is the respect and the love for the church and ministers and everyone involved with the church We had years ago this sickens me and i dont run a church

    1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

      Nicholas,

      Our country is about to boil over. It's getting worse and worse.

      Our FBI and mainstream media has classified Catholics as potential terrorists. They're being watched by the FBI

      They've also labeled any Christian that believes human rights come from God rather than government as a Christian Nationalist even though it's in our Declaration of Independence. Christian Nationalists are also on the watch list.

      With all the illegals they've allowed in unchecked, they've let in complete and functional cartels from Mexico and south America along with foreign hostiles like Chinese nationalists and Islamic jihadists.
      Our children are getting murdered and raped by the illegals now. You can search all this stuff, you'll find it's all true.

      Things are shaping up for a horrific catastrophe. We are in big trouble and we don't have long unless something changes, which it won't.

      God is in the process of judging our nation in identical fashion as he's done in the old testament. Like clockwork.

      Take care.

    2. William Lewis Vass's Avatar William Lewis Vass

      First and foremost what is being attacked outwardly is buildings, monument's, shrines, etc. By the very definition of the word church, is not a building it is the body of believers so coming out of the gate you are misinterpreting the bible. A building is simply a structure for the church to meet in. I'm not here to point fingers at any group so don't blow up my comment with twisted versions of the truth.

  1. Merlin's Avatar Merlin

    “People who live in glass houses, should not throw stones.”

    1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

      Or as King Alfred, or some other ancient nobility once said. “People in glass houses should not stow thrones”

      🦁❤️

  1. Martin L Stigleman's Avatar Martin L Stigleman

    The article fails to mention that, the primary uptick in attacks on churches are against churches whos attendants are primarily minority. Most of the attacks you hear of are black churches. I have also heard a few reports of churches that cater to (or even welcome) members of the LGBTQ+ community. In cases where the culprits were caught, they have predominantly been white nationalists and people with connections to those groups. Most of the other attacks are, as even this article points out, retaliation against churches that advertise their push for "Christian Values" to override individual freedom and even to override our Democratic Government.

    1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

      Yep, the white guy did it. If we just had a way to gather them all up and keep them in a camp or something. Like a place we could concentrate all white Christians. Like a concentration camp or something. That would be a great solution. We just need a leader to execute the plan....

  1. Patricia Ann Gross's Avatar Patricia Ann Gross

    It sounds like the fox is watching the henhouse. I wonder if the church I am a member of was counted among the vandalisms when their rainbow flags on their church sign were stolen multiple times, or a church proclaiming a pro-choice stance is included in their numbers, or do they only recognize Christian churches with specific values and discount the others as not being Christian.

    1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

      I went to a church a few times that had an American flag on display. Really rubbed me the wrong way. It was a good bible teaching church but flags don't belong in church. Not American flags, not gay pride flags, not any sort of non biblical flag at all.

      If your church did not fly the rainbow as a symbol of God's covenant to not flood the world again, rather the gay pride flag, your church is in opposition to Jesus Christ. Done misunderstand what saying as an attack on the lgb Americans, I'm just saying a church is wrong when they fly symbols that don't point to Jesus. That's idolatry.

      1. Patricia Ann Gross's Avatar Patricia Ann Gross

        The flags were on the signs outside, not on display inside the church. It was allowing anyone outside to know that the church was open and affirming to the LGBTQ community.

  1. James S Weaver Jr's Avatar James S Weaver Jr

    Firstly, it’s true that you should always take what the Family Research Center says with multiple grains of salt, because they are a politically motivated advocacy group with an agenda of advancing a Fundamentalist Evangelical Christian (FEC) viewpoint. This brings up the next point; the FEC has aggressively inserted itself into the conservative politics of the day, and in doing so has taken a strident viewpoint against the civil rights of individuals and groups that do not conform to their very narrow and frankly unChristian worldview. When churches enter the fray pushing repressive legislation, then they leave themselves open to increased retaliation. It’s not that they hold certain beliefs that make them a target, it’s that they seek to force those beliefs on others.

  1. Amber Fry's Avatar Amber Fry

    I honestly don't care what the beef is, if its legit or not. There is simply no excuse for vandalism and attacking others. Speaking out is fine. People should speak out when they are wronged. But lashing out to something or someone is just not the way to go about it.

  1. Robert Louis Rada's Avatar Robert Louis Rada

    People are not only insane, but they must be very afraid…

  1. Russel A. Kester's Avatar Russel A. Kester

    I haven't been consciously aware, but I have noticed more stories about Christian Churches being vandalized around the world. I wasn't sure if it's just being reported more or is actually increasing. I am also wondering if there is more hostility to Christianity here on the ULC blog or if it's always been this contentious and hostile toward Christianity.

    1. Wayne Edward Kilmer's Avatar Wayne Edward Kilmer

      I have been a member here only a few months, but I agree with you, attacks on Christianity have increased and in this group Christian’s are blamed for everything.

      1. Rev. Klaire ThD, MA's Avatar Rev. Klaire ThD, MA

        I can see how you could see criticism as blame. That's generally a sense of regret for the wrongs you haven't spoken out against. A sort of hypocrisy without completion.

        But, more importantly, this isn't a 'christian' site so I don't quite know what you expected?

        Cheers

        1. Wayne Edward Kilmer's Avatar Wayne Edward Kilmer

          I knew this wasn’t just a Christian site. What I expected was an open dialogue based in reason. Criticism was expected but what I have seen is hatred. I know that many so called Christian’s have done evil in the name of GOD. Many religious and secular groups have that problem, not all its members stay true to the message. The assumption of a lack of veracity in the statements of many of the members here is disappointing. GOD BLESS

          1. Rev. Klaire ThD, MA's Avatar Rev. Klaire ThD, MA

            Which god?

            1. William Thomas's Avatar William Thomas

              Get thee behind me, "Rev.".

          2. Martin L Stigleman's Avatar Martin L Stigleman

            Wayne, I understand and agree with you that this should be a sight where we can rationally discuss our differences while we welcome one another despite them, however, I suppose we should step back and look at the big picture.

            1) We are primarily dealing with humans here.

            Humans in todays world tend to frown on anything that doesn't follow what THEY want to be true.

            2) We are dealing with religion.

            Nearly every religion demands, at it's core, for it's followers to stand against anything that disputes the tenets of that faith. Yes, there are many who will sit with those of other religions and calmly discuss opinions, but those are few and far between. Most people who discuss their religion are sitting on the edge of their seat, ready to attack anyone who disagrees with their view.

            3) You are on the Internet.

            The Internet is designed for people who hide behind a screen and spew their hatred at the World. Most of the people who scream so much hate on here would be quite closed mouth and respectful in person. Some of them, because they would be afraid of the reaction they would get, but many because, when you are actually dealing with someone face to face, you tend to think before you start to talk. If no one can reach them, and there are no consequences for being a POS, then people just don't care.

            Sorry for the disappointment. I'm more than happy to discuss things with you any time.

            1. Wayne Edward Kilmer's Avatar Wayne Edward Kilmer

              Well said. I will watch for your comments

        2. Russel A. Kester's Avatar Russel A. Kester

          Klaire, your argument is wrong. Basically you are seeking to silence anyone who speaks up about something they see as wrong by telling them that they are only doing so because they haven't accepted their own guilt. It is saying that if one doesn't say something, they are agreeing with the other's opinion and thus guilty, and if they disagree then they are showing fragility which is taken as evidence of their guilt. It's at heart a tautological argument with guilty as the only acceptable conclusion. That is not a good faith argument.

      2. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

        I've been nearly a year Wayne. Set back and enjoy Jesus' prophecy come to fruition before your very eyes.

        You will watch the antichrists behave precisely the way Jesus foretold thousand of years before their parents were ever born. It's astonishing.

        1. Wayne Edward Kilmer's Avatar Wayne Edward Kilmer

          If it comes in my lifetime I will stand against the Antichrist even unto death

  1. He Who Breathes's Avatar He Who Breathes

    I have decided not to comment on this post.

    1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

      I see what you did there. 🤭

      🦁❤️

      1. Alun Lloyd Palmer's Avatar Alun Lloyd Palmer

        Vandalism and arson are in general bad things. Where I take issue with the article is where the churches themselves were erecting signs making political points that offend others, i.e. pro-genocide and anti-abortion rights.

        If you are in favour of the indiscriminate murder of thousands of people based on a religious belief that your god gave their land to a chosen people, and you put up signs based on this morally indefensible position, what do you expect people to do?

        If you believe that women must give birth to the child of their rapist, or in circumstances that could lead to the death of the mother, and you erect a sign saying that, again, what on earth do you expect?

        If we were talking merely about damage to your religious symbols or buildings, I would say that was reprehensible, but in the case of the signs mentionned in the article, I have no complaint atall about those who deface, remove or even replace them. I would probably not do these things myself, but I tend to view those who do as quite reasonable.

        1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

          Alun,

          I'm not sure what your standards are for genocide. They sound different than mine.

          Would you consider 1.7 billion intentionally killed humans since 1980 genocide?

          When a foreign army suddenly invades a nation they had a cease fire with and then killed thousands of non combatants, is that genocide?

          When England attacked and defeated Germany for killing thousands of English, was that genocide?

          The Woke Hive Mind becomes very glitchy when it attempts to process logical statements.

        2. Russel A. Kester's Avatar Russel A. Kester

          Alun, what's wrong with vandalizing signs with messages one doesn't like is 1) it's illegal and 2) it violates another's civil right to free speech, and 3) the ideologies behind such acts. Wrong speech should be countered with right speech. Destroying another's property or shouting them down are the tactics of woke activists. Such tactics are used by revolutionaries to destroy a current society in favor of one revolutionary leaders promise to their followers who are usually young and easily radicalized because they still lack the maturity that comes with time and experience. I might not like what you say, but I don't have the right to punch you in the nose for it.

  1. Lacey Dunkley 's Avatar Lacey Dunkley

    I am sorry for speaking out like this as a minister. No on should be turned away for any kinda help . Is this what God really showing us to be like this no he is not he is showing us to love and to show respect to other even if there are people out there who have not found him. So it not mean we turn away same sex married couples or panjab or Muslim or Hindu .we should open are arms so they can find God to if they have not .sorry for speaking out of place!

  1. Ari Joseph Bertine's Avatar Ari Joseph Bertine

    The attacks on churches, mosques, synagogues, and monasteries have been going on for several years. It's not directed at Christians specifically, it's directed at any group that isn't the preferred group of angry and destructive individuals in the area. That does not indicate to me any anti-religion trends, it just demonstrates that society in general is becoming more violent and lawless. There are attacks on non-religious properties like this as well. Society goes more mad the more overpopulated and corrupt the world becomes. That's just how social animals like humans work; there is a cap on how many people can belong to a community before it becomes dysfunctional. Add in the actions of those on the top of the heap making life harder for all below them and you have a volatile society.

    1. Beth's Avatar Beth

      Attacks on religious buildings and symbols has been going on for a LONG LONG time, probably as long as there have been people. It's just now, with the Internet, it becomes news and is reported to a wider audience.

      There was an attack on a gay-majority church in a city I lived in during the 1980s. A Hindu temple attacked in the same city during the 1990s. Black churches have been attacked since before the US Civil War. Catholic Churches have been attacked by protestants, Protestant churches by Catholics throughout the Irish "Troubles" and before that through the time of Luther. The various non-Roman Christian Churches (Arian, Gnostic, etc) were attacked mercilessly during the first centuries CE by the Roman Church, later after Constantine made the Roman Church the State religion, and the Cathars far later.

  1. RAYMOND BENITEZ's Avatar RAYMOND BENITEZ

    FAITH UNDER FIRE: WHAT ATTACK MEANS, GROWING DISCONNECT Minister / Priests need to re assess their way of worship making it more spiritual and more pertaining to the scripture in the Bible. There are internal issues which needs attention. I blame the leadership. Here are 3 components to assess.

    1. Preach God’s Word faithfully. As pastors, our most basic responsibility is to preach the Word (2 Tim. 4:2). But in the midst of controversy, we can easily be side-tracked and put sermon preparation on the back-burner.
    2. Pray fervently. We need to remember that Satan is at work in every instance of church conflict. He intends for the conflict to divide the church. He intends for church members to be wounded and disillusioned. If possible, he intends to dishonor us.
    3. Meditate on Matthew 5 and Romans 12. During our church’s conflict, I was helped immensely by meditating on Matthew 5 and Romans 12. These two chapters contain crazy commands like “love your enemies” and “never avenge yourselves.” In short, they contain God’s wisdom for how to relate to others—even to those who oppose us name in the community. Leadership conflict in the church is hard. There’s no question. But as pastors, we can rejoice in the reality that God’s grace and wisdom are enough to sustain us. We can endure because we know that in due season we will reap, if we do not give up (Gal. 6:9). Let's not blame others but ourselves. In God's name. Amen
    1. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart

      Yes, let's make it more spiritual (whatever that really means), and pertaining to the scripture in the Bible. Let's ignore that the writings were from men who liked to pretend they were speaking to, and listening to, a real deity that doesn't even have the omnipotence to show himself to prove he's real.

      Let's believe in Unicorns, and talking snakes, and asses. Let's bring back slavery, and stoning people to death, just like that deity condoned. I personally don't think we should bring back drowning people, or killing little children though, but if that's what you want, Sir Raymond, being as it pertains to the scriptures you like to revere as being from a god. I never did understand his spirituality of infanticide in that book. Thank goodness it's only stories.

      I see you referenced Romans, Matthew, and Timothy. Couldn't you find anything decent in the Songs of Solomon? Were they not penned by human beings equally in tune with their fictitious god?

      As for referencing something called "Satan", this is of course yet another human construct by the authors with no demonstrable evidence of its reality, much like all the deities of the earth have been written about by human beings claiming to be "very close spiritually" to their particular god. I do quite like the idea though of Dionysus', the God of wine. I bet that deity made a great Merlot, or Cabernet.

      By the way, what type of wine was it that Jesus was supposed to have miracled from water? Was it just a table wine, or an aged Zinfandel with the taste and strength of being matured in oak whisky barrels?

      Anyway, thank you for your comment. I'm sure it was meant to be educational in some way. I'm not sure about the Gods grace and wisdom bit though. He was a bit of a weird sick kind of dude in my opinion. 🤗

      🦁♥️

  1. Matthew Mastrogiovanni's Avatar Matthew Mastrogiovanni

    The Christian church has been preaching and practicing hate for a long time. More atrocities have been committed in the name of god, then for any other reason. What goes around, comes around. Karma. The 3 Fold Law. You reap what you sow. Whatever you call it, it's happening.

    1. ServantOfJudgement's Avatar ServantOfJudgement

      Last century the Nazi killed 1 million Christians. The Russians killed about 15 million. The Chinese killed 1 million. Mexico killed about 100 thousand. 300 thousand murdered in Uganda. Globally today about 10 thousand per year are murdered for being Christian.

      Isn't that enough Mathew or do you think you've still got a few more to go?

  1. Revd. R. Vincent's Avatar Revd. R. Vincent

    No place of worship should ever come under a physical attack. No-one using a place of worship for its stated purpose should ever feel threatened or fear attack. However, places of worship that are preaching hate or worse should be closed down by the authorities.

  1. Dr. Bob Thomas's Avatar Dr. Bob Thomas

    I am truly sorry that people experience hate, experience violence, starvation, pain, and more. When I read scriptures and I look to Christ for examples on how to live, how to receive, how to be pleasing to Him and His Father, I do not see hate. I do not see violence. Only if you consider how certain groups of Jews manipulated their "Law" to reflect human traditions and beliefs and how Christ delt with that do I see disgust from Him.

    From Him, I see His hands reach out to the poor.

    From Him, I see His heart reach out to the needy.

    From Him, I see His will submit to a higher authority as He willingly went to His death.

    Christ welcomed all and only asked the " ... If you love me, keep my commandments".

    I see man rewrite those commandments to suit his own desires. And I see one supernatural being fully in support of that behavior.

    People tell me that the scriptures are out of since with "today's" culture.

    I see parents strive to protect and nurture their children, then and now.

    I see parents struggle to meet the needs of their families, then and now.

    I see conflict with authority, then and now.

    I see people being people, regardless of language, regardless of social standing, regardless of health and opinion. Then and now.

    I see Christ showing us how to deal with all of that. You may not like His message, and He has made an allowance for that. But He did leave a message for us.

    How we act, what we say and do all comes from our heart. How WE train that heart is up to us.

    I suggest that if you experience hate, or even spew hate, than you and not chosing to follow Him. That is the goal we must not loose sight of. Everything else is of man. We know that man changes like the wind, one day this is okay, the next day it is not. But He is the same, past present and forever. That speaks more than words. That speaks more than feelings. That speaks truth.

    Whatever else put to it does not belong to Him. Freely choose to be what and who you want. But as for me and my family, we choose to follow The Lord.

    I beg you to get to know Him yourself. Not from what one man or woman says, but through a study of the Word. It is there you will find peace for your soul, not in the dogma of man.

  1. Amber Fry's Avatar Amber Fry

    Same goes for schools. Is education under attack too? I think it's more about too many broken people and not nearly enough help to go around. People snap and target whatever they think is the root cause of their pain. It would be a much better use of people's time to consider the why and tackle that directly rather than jump on a gut reaction bandwagon. Until this country takes serious that how we treat others creates these messes and how we decide to deal with it will be how it gets fixed, or how it continues to spin out of control.

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