I see where you are coming from ... the challenge is that when we look at how Christians are persecuted in the world, it matches up ... denial of access to Scripture, denial of freedom to worship ... with this twist: because the humanity of Africans was denied, that made it possible for Christians to justify persecuting other people of the same faith with the same cruelty that Christians are persecuted in other countries now. It's not just religion -- but being a fellow Christian is no defense against the cruelty people who claim Christ were and are practicing. AGAIN: right now, there are big-time Christian preachers teaching their people that I can't be a Christian because I might vote Democrat on Tuesday -- that actually crosses race, and will allow certain Christians to justify themselves in mistreating -- you guess it -- fellow Christians of any race. Any Catholic who knows American history can tell you: it's not just race. It's a pool of people who claim Christ and think He left them as the gatekeepers to who can pass His gates -- enough of them have been in power so that YES, the U.S. has viciously persecuted millions of Christians under various pretexts.
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I see that now. It's a new thought to me, a new awareness of what happened (and is happening).
It is not a pleasant thought ... but it relates to a deeper understanding of why the buildings are being abandoned ... but Christ's people will always find a way. My people gathered in the woods to worship for 246 years ... the Negro Spiritual is the record ... we had to form our own churches and denominations for the same reason, but, unfortunately, the building can still be a trap ... meanwhile, I find that I can meet Christians anywhere and still be in good fellowship, across races, because the worship place is US, not the building. In the U.S., the buildings are being abandoned for very, very deep reasons. Some are sick of gatekeeping Christians who hate other Christians ... some have been badly hurt because people come into the building but still do all the things there that evil does ... many are seeking the true old-time religion that does not burden the people with keeping up the institution that has not in this country even cared for all of the Christians.
I personally am still in church ... but mine is a church that loves the Lord and shows it by serving the community, without discrimination, and that is why I stay. But if that building was closed -- and it was, for 15 months in 2020 and 2021 -- we would find a way to keep doing that because that is what the Lord has called us to. It's not about the building. The building is not the Church. The people in Christ are, out of every tribe and nation, under God Who is no respecter of persons. Wherever that is denied, it does not matter how big and beautiful the building is -- no one will be safe with the gatekeepers.
Did not mean to leave you hanging last night. I went to bed.
I admire your passion. :)
Hope you got good rest, and I understand.
Thank you ... do this for me ... take that admiration and consider the depth of history and survival out of which it comes ... let it inform you of the true nature of the humanity of people said to be less than, and consider not the past, for nothing can be done there, but a just and righteous future for all, and what additionally that may look like now that you have a bit more information.