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The work of Save the Persecuted Christians has never been more important not only elsewhere in the world but here at home, as well. The video of our webinar, "The Demonization of America's Christians," can be seen here.
Indeed, even as we have seen the numbers of the persecuted faithful continue to rise globally, we have also seen a troubling increase in the marginalization and demonization of Christians in America. As one of our partners observed, persecution develops in stages: There is the “squeeze,” the “silencing,” and then the “smash.”
This pattern is very familiar elsewhere, and we must be alive to – and be prepared to counter – its manifestations here. What begins with the marginalization, discrimination, and “othering” of the targeted population, unless challenged, inexorably morphs into censorship and “canceling.” And, unless such non-physical suppression is stopped, there can quickly follow violation, desecration, seizure, and destruction of properties like churches and other sanctuaries. From there, it is an all-too-short a step to violence against communities of believers.
The rhetoric in America pertaining to Christians—especially Christians who stand in solidarity with Israel, believe in traditional marriage, a biological basis for gender recognition, oppose abortion and/or simply hold that America was founded as a nation based on Judeo-Christian values and teachings—is increasingly inflammatory and discriminatory. American Christians have been unfairly targeted by the IRS and the Departments of Justice, Defense, and Health and Human Services. They have increasingly been censored and canceled on social media platforms, excluded and punished for their beliefs, and radically maligned by the progressive Left. Conservative Christians in America have been described by their own government as “Christian nationalists” and “likely” domestic terrorists.
We allow this rhetoric to continue and build at our own peril. Will American Christians become the world’s next victim of persecution?
In short, we need a team like Save the Persecuted Christians today more than ever. We must protect the right of Christians to believe, worship, and associate freely worldwide or risk losing the ability and moral courage to exercise our own constitutional right to religious freedom at home. America will cease to be what the Bible calls a “shining city on a hill,” playing its historical role of a beacon of freedom to the world and a guarantor of it here.
For all these reasons, we ask you to prayerfully consider making a monthly or one-time contribution to the work of our organization now. Your tax-deductible gift will allow us to continue making a difference in the lives of hundreds of millions of persecuted Christians globally with our advocacy in action.
By so doing, you will: Help ensure that we can continue bringing witnesses to persecution to tell their stories at the highest levels of the American government. Help us continue to educate the American population on the threats to religious freedom for Christians and other believers in America and abroad. Help us to provide direct assistance to organizations providing aid to those impacted. Help us craft valuable documentation of such persecution to convince those in power that action is needed. Help us expand our avenues of communication. Help us help the world’s Christians live in peace.
With trust in God’s mercy,
Dede Laugesen
Executive Director
Save the Persecuted Christians
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