‘If We Don’t Take a Stand Now’ against Hostility, the Church Could Become ‘Voiceless,’ Pastor Warns

[Vambram]

‘If We Don’t Take a Stand Now’ against Hostility, the Church Could Become ‘Voiceless,’ Pastor Warns

"I documented 18 separate incidences of either vandalism, theft, or hostilities in the year 2023 alone," Rob Rotola, pastor of Word of Life Church in Wichita, K

washingtonstand.com

On Wednesday, Family Research Council released a report that analyzed the rise of hostility against churches between 2018 and 2023. Over the course of six years, FRC “identified 915 acts of hostility against churches in the United States,” with 2023 experiencing 436 attacks — more than double what FRC found in 2022.
Authored by Arielle Del Turco, director of FRC’s Center for Religious Liberty, the findings suggest “that hostility against U.S. churches is not only on the rise but also accelerating,” and these acts of hostility include “vandalism, arson, gun-related incidents, bomb threats, and more.” And as FRC Senior Vice President Jody Hice emphasized on Monday’s episode of “Washington Watch,” the report does not account for every incident that has occurred.
“So, this increase in religious hostility should not be taken lightly,” Hice insisted. “It must be outright condemned,” he declared, pointing out that many churches facing these acts of hatred do not receive the recognition and support they deserve as they navigate their way through a variety of violent acts and threats. One example is Word of Life Church in Wichita, Kansas, and Pastor Rob Rotola shared his troublesome experiences on “Washington Watch.”

“I documented 18 separate incidences of either vandalism, theft, or hostilities in the year 2023 alone,” Rotola said. “And that is, honestly, with ignoring some of the smaller things that didn’t even make the list.” He explained how his church has four campuses around Wichita, but they chose to self-manage most of the incidents because many of the police officers in the area were replaced with social workers. “So, when you call now … the response time is markedly slower,” he added. While there may be many contributing factors to the rise in hostility, Rotola emphasized that most attacks are likely rooted in an increased and “general lack of respect for churches.” But in addition to that aspect, the media tends to describe “churches and pastors and ministers and rabbis in almost always a negative light,” noting that church authorities are often labeled as “crooks,” “pedophiles,” or other terms of “ill will.”

 

[Vambram]

PERKINS: Hostility to Churches Fueled by Biden’s Anti-Faith Climate

"It's an emotional moment," Pastor Robin Lutjohann said quietly, surveying the rubble of his church. "It's been a place of worship for a number of communities f

washingtonstand.com

Frankly, Congressman Nathanial Moran (R-Texas) insisted on Tuesday’s “Washington Watch,” the biggest reason for this spike is probably because “this is the behavior that’s being modeled by the federal government.” When we see “the Department of Justice weaponizing its political views against everyday Americans and religious institutions and faith-based organizations, more of [these attacks] are going to happen.”
Under Joe Biden, men and women at the highest levels of government have not only condoned religious intimidation, they’ve encouraged it — refusing to investigate, hold culprits accountable, or worse, targeting Christians themselves. From the FBI to IRS, the Biden administration has spent the last three years criminalizing Americans with biblical views, only to turn around and complain about threats to democracy. What bigger threat is there than a government weaponized against its own people?
And sadly, this 800% spike in church attacks hasn’t just triggered terror here at home, it’s also had deadly consequences abroad. During my time as chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), I witnessed firsthand that when American leaders turn their backs on religious hostility, it sends a message that the world’s persecuted are on their own. As my friend and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo understood: “If we got it right here in America, good things would happen all across the world.” If we get it wrong, we’re no longer just hurting ourselves, but millions of innocents who depend on the United States to fight against oppression around the world.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

‘If We Don’t Take a Stand Now’ against Hostility, the Church Could Become ‘Voiceless,’ Pastor Warns

"I documented 18 separate incidences of either vandalism, theft, or hostilities in the year 2023 alone," Rob Rotola, pastor of Word of Life Church in Wichita, K

washingtonstand.com

On Wednesday, Family Research Council released a report that analyzed the rise of hostility against churches between 2018 and 2023. Over the course of six years, FRC “identified 915 acts of hostility against churches in the United States,” with 2023 experiencing 436 attacks — more than double what FRC found in 2022.
Authored by Arielle Del Turco, director of FRC’s Center for Religious Liberty, the findings suggest “that hostility against U.S. churches is not only on the rise but also accelerating,” and these acts of hostility include “vandalism, arson, gun-related incidents, bomb threats, and more.” And as FRC Senior Vice President Jody Hice emphasized on Monday’s episode of “Washington Watch,” the report does not account for every incident that has occurred.
“So, this increase in religious hostility should not be taken lightly,” Hice insisted. “It must be outright condemned,” he declared, pointing out that many churches facing these acts of hatred do not receive the recognition and support they deserve as they navigate their way through a variety of violent acts and threats. One example is Word of Life Church in Wichita, Kansas, and Pastor Rob Rotola shared his troublesome experiences on “Washington Watch.”

“I documented 18 separate incidences of either vandalism, theft, or hostilities in the year 2023 alone,” Rotola said. “And that is, honestly, with ignoring some of the smaller things that didn’t even make the list.” He explained how his church has four campuses around Wichita, but they chose to self-manage most of the incidents because many of the police officers in the area were replaced with social workers. “So, when you call now … the response time is markedly slower,” he added. While there may be many contributing factors to the rise in hostility, Rotola emphasized that most attacks are likely rooted in an increased and “general lack of respect for churches.” But in addition to that aspect, the media tends to describe “churches and pastors and ministers and rabbis in almost always a negative light,” noting that church authorities are often labeled as “crooks,” “pedophiles,” or other terms of “ill will.”

This is not limited to Christian institutions.

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www.cnn.com

Nationwide Anti-Mosque Activity

[Last updated in December 2023]In recent years, anti-Muslim sentiment has spiked. Although these sentiments manifest themselves in many ways, attacks on mosques directly take aim at religious freedom. Existing and proposed mosque sites across the country have been targeted for vandalism and...

www.aclu.org

 

[RileyG]

Jesus warned us the world would hate us. It’s no surprise.

 

[Tinker Grey]

Galileo called. He wants his gambit back.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

Jesus warned us the world would hate us. It’s no surprise.

A lot of Christians seem to be causing a lot of hate to non Christians, liberal Christians, liberals and LGBT. They also seem to force their morals on other people. Even though they can't live by what they preach.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Jesus warned us the world would hate us. It’s no surprise.

Yes....Amen! Why are Christians so fearful?

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

A lot of Christians seem to be causing a lot of hate to non Christians, liberal Christians, liberals and LGBT. They also seem to force their morals on other people. Even though they can't live by what they preach.

Maybe they fear reaping what they sowed.

 

[RileyG]

A lot of Christians seem to be causing a lot of hate to non Christians, liberal Christians, liberals and LGBT. They also seem to force their morals on other people. Even though they can't live by what they preach.

You're right. No one is perfect, there will always be hypocrites.

 

[public hermit]

This is not limited to Christian institutions.

Loading…

www.cnn.com

Nationwide Anti-Mosque Activity

[Last updated in December 2023]In recent years, anti-Muslim sentiment has spiked. Although these sentiments manifest themselves in many ways, attacks on mosques directly take aim at religious freedom. Existing and proposed mosque sites across the country have been targeted for vandalism and...

www.aclu.org

Many Christians have taken an explicitly hostile stance toward the culture in which they live. It's rancor, and it breeds more rancor. Rancor is not a Christian virtue; it's a passion to be overcome. If Christians don't want hostility, don't be hostile. Let people live as they see fit. Stop trying to control others, and stop viewing the neighbor as the enemy. Living in a culture not dominated by Christians does not constitute a culture war. It's where we are supposed to be, to love as Christ loves all of us.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

If Christians don't want hostility, don't be hostile. Let people live as they see fit. Stop trying to control others, and stop viewing the neighbor as the enemy.

Yes...Amen! John 3:16.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

A lot of Christians seem to be causing a lot of hate to non Christians, liberal Christians, liberals and LGBT. They also seem to force their morals on other people. Even though they can't live by what they preach.

Rather all groups seek to impose their morality on each other. You for instance would seek a non Christian secular morality imposed on society.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

Many Christians have taken an explicitly hostile stance toward the culture in which they live. It's rancor, and it breeds more rancor. Rancor is not a Christian virtue; it's a passion to be overcome. If Christians don't want hostility, don't be hostile. Let people live as they see fit. Stop trying to control others, and stop viewing the neighbor as the enemy. Living in a culture not dominated by Christians does not constitute a culture war. It's where we are supposed to be, to love as Christ loves all of us.

You must only view actual Christians as enemies. Not the non Christian society surrounding you which advocates for everything hostile to Christianity eh?

How much incense would you have given to Caesar in the first century?

 

[keith99]

Maybe they fear reaping what they sowed.

Or worse yet what their God warned them about.

They have sown the wind, they should expect to reap the whirlwind!

18 instances of hate directed back at 'the church' in a year does not even come close to the instances of hate sown by just one small 'Christian' group.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Or worse yet what their God warned them about.

They have sown the wind, they should expect to reap the whirlwind!

18 instances of hate directed back at 'the church' in a year does not even come close to the instances of hate sown by just one small 'Christian' group.

And Jesus is love.

 

[jacks]

So is the dominant view in this thread; "Christians are being persecuted because they deserve it?'

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

So is the dominant view in this thread; "Christians are being persecuted because they deserve it?'

No, Christians are being resisted not persecuted in America because they cause it.

 

[jacks]

No, Christians are being resisted not persecuted in America because they cause it.

Semantics.

 

[Vambram]

No, Christians are being resisted not persecuted in America because they cause it.

Unbelievable.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Unbelievable.

Why is it unbelievable to you?