Persecution

Continuing the series concerning Catacombs.

Can you relate to people being persecuted for their faith nearly 2,000 years ago? I'm sure some can but many cannot. Do you feel persecuted for being a Christian? There are youth in other parts of the world and in the "safe" United States who indeed face imprisonment, torture and even death for being Christian. Do you remember stories from Columbine?

While most of us do not experience a gun pointed at our face, some youth experience discrimination and harassment regularly. The abuse may come from school mates, even family members. For some, the prejudice against youth who are religious is subtle but strong, causing a lot of young people to hide their faith for fear of rejection. These youth are especially vulnerable. Their fear may override their faith.

Fortunately, there are many who have had no such experiences. For them, the stories of the catacombs may simply be interesting, perhaps intriguing. So be it. By learning of the witness of these faithful ancient Christians if and when you are ever faced with making a choice, you may take this instruction to help you choose faith in the face of adversity or persecution.