The Definition of Persecution by the Archbishop of Canterberry

[Allabord4Jah]

'Persecuted' Christians in Britain need to 'grow up'

[Musky]

Would you mind copy and pasting a few paragraphs from the article that kind of shows what it's about? It's easier on those of us who use mobile devices. Thanks!

Edited August 16, 2013 by Musky

[bagwell1987]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10244716/Persecuted-British-Christians-need-to-grow-up-says-former-Archbishop-Rowan-Williams.html

Lord Williams said religious believers should be wary of complaining about their treatment in the Western world, with those claiming they are "persecuted" making him "very uneasy".

He added the level of "not being taken very seriously" or "being made fun of" in Britain and the United States is not comparable to the "murderous hostility" faced by others in different parts of the world.

Speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, he urged those who complain of ill-treatment for their beliefs in Britain to "grow up".

Lord Williams, who stood down from his role as Archbishop of Canterbury at the end of 2012 and is now Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, said his perspective had been drawn from meeting believers from all faiths suffering around the world.

"When you have any contact with real persecuted minorities you learn to use the word persecuted very chastely," he said.

"Persecution is not being made to feel mildly uncomfortable.

"I am always very uneasy when people sometimes in this country or the United States talk about persecution of Christians or rather believers.

"I think we are made to feel uncomfortable at times. We're made to feel as if we're idiots - perish the thought!

"But that kind of level of not being taken very seriously or being made fun of; I mean for goodness sake, grow up.

"You have to earn respect if you want to be taken seriously in society.

"But don't confuse it with the systematic brutality and often murderous hostility which means that every morning you get up wondering if you and your children are going to make it through the day.

"That is different, it's real. It's not quite what we're facing in Western society."

Baroness Neuberger, Britain's second woman rabbi who was chairing the discussion, added religious people may just "need to make their case better".

Dr Williams added: "I think there's also a general cultural habit of making light of religion which is reinforced by a lot of the press and by our entertainment. I don't lose a lot of sleep over it."

Earlier this year, Lord Carey - also a former Archbishop of Canterbury, argued the David Cameron was feeding fears of persecution of Christians in Britain.

"Their fears may be exaggerated because few in the UK are actually persecuted, but the Prime Minister has done more than any other recent political leader to feed these anxieties," he said.

''He seems to have forgotten in spite of his oft-repeated support for the right of Christians to wear the cross, that lawyers acting for the coalition argued only months ago in the Strasbourg court that those sacked for wearing a cross against their employer's wishes should simply get another job.''

He added "many Christians" doubted the sincerity of Mr Cameron's pledge to support their rights, with a recent poll showing two-thirds believed they are now part of a "persecuted minority".

[Allabord4Jah]

Christians in America and Britain who claim they are persecuted should "grow up", says former Archbishop Rowan Williams

Cheryl got the story printed out.  I tried to get the story to print it out, but I couldn't get it.  Sorry.  But its up in here now!