1 | P a g e
The cross I wear around my neck, the Fridays I abstain from meat, and my defense of an unborn life are a few of the many reasons I get attacked. People simply knowing that I defend my faith tend to not hear my opinion when it comes to taboo conversations. For example, same-sex marriage has currently been blown up in the media. Anybody against it is questioned and persecuted for not tolerating or defending the cause; mostly these people are Christians.
Society says that those against samesex marriage are wrong and cannot fight for their cause; however those for defense of traditional marriage just want to be heard and have a voice the same way others do. My beliefs in Catholicism and my defense of them get me in situations where I have to tear apart relationships because someone is forcing me to change my views because I am
“intolerant” or “wrong.” This is hypocrisy.
The fact that others are asking Christians, not just me, to change our beliefs to tolerate theirs is intolerance in itself. Just as it is wrong to not tolerate other peoples’ views or lack thereof and attack the person, it is wrong for someone who does not agree with Christian beliefs to defend themselves by harassing and attacking the opposing views.
Modern society shuts down any slight presence of religion, claiming the believers’ immense intolerance of changing legislation and culture. It is claimed that religious persons are ignora nt towards people who don’t believe in their same faith. 100 years from now, people should be asking what Christians did that was so bad to be persecuted in this current way. Not all the blame is one-sided; some Christians stand out for being close-minded and truly intolerant. But, most Christians are respectful of opposing opinions even if they do not agree. It is the few who stand out that cause society to think that all Christians are the same: hateful and close-minded.
Personally, I have been in numerous situations where I am called out for having different beliefs than what is modernly accustomed. I have been bullied online and in person for believing what I believe but I have never been disrespectful to opposing views. It is depressing, the fact that the world is fighting for equal rights for women, minorities, same-sex couples, and many more but religion seems to be ignored. For example, in the midst of fighting for same-sex marriage people are being hateful and

2 | P a g e refusing to let others who don
’t agree have any voice. People are stripping the right to freedom of speech and religion by being intolerant towards Christians. My reaction to this is simply sadness and offense.
The people who shut Christians down simply don’t realize the similarities between the two. Persecutors simply believe that religious believers are wrong or irrelevant. Their justification is simply based on right versus wrong. Society needs to add religious freedom to the long list of equalities to fight for. Not everybody is ever going to share the same belief, but everybody needs to learn to live in a world where people are different.
I should be able to wear my cross and not be given “the finger”.
Just as advocates for different rights want a voice or change, Christians want the same voice of opinion without the harassment. Acceptance will come from the understanding that everyone is fighting for the same thing: a voice that is heard in society.
Change is all people want. I fight for my faith just as others fight for what they believe is right. In order to eliminate the persecution of Christians and the intolerance, people simply need to learn to acknowledge others’ views . If I can be the Christian that listens even when I don’t agree, those that I interact with can realize that not all
Christians are the same; not all of us are rude or ignorant. I can be an example in school, in the workplace, among my family, and many other places along with other
Christians by peacefully and understandingly fight for our equality and opinions.
I stand firm in my faith; I understand others stand firm in their beliefs. I get that arguments can clash. However, tolerance is essential. Both sides need to accept each other regardless. There are ways to fight for a cause without hurting the other side.
Tearing others to rise above isn’t the way that the world needs to change. In the future, the world should be asking why there was not tolerance of religion sooner.