When we look at what is happening in the Middle East, the suffering that many are bearing for their faith and beliefs, we say unequivocally, “That is wrong.” To demand another to submit or die for one’s beliefs is wrong. We, who have been brought up in these freedoms, have it good compared to them, many who are giving up their lives for their beliefs.
Well, nearby in Oregon we have an example of the same actions, not necessarily demanding our heads, though, but surely our lives and our livelihood, all the accumulated efforts over many years’ work, the sweat of our brows.
This is the situation with Aaron and Melissa Klein, who may lose all they own, many years of work in their bakery business, because they cannot in good faith go against their conscience and their faith. (The Kleins refused to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple and possibly face fines for violation of state discrimination laws).
The disproportionate judgment against these sincere Christians is not any different than what the Middle East resisters are suffering. For what? For refusing to bow the knee to laws that require them to deny their sincerely held beliefs. Can this be happening in our America?
