Are you really persecuting others for their beliefs when you point out their error? What do you think the whole NT was about from Jesus on through the apostles and the ones commanded to do the great Commision? Was it just to preach the Gospel or was it also to point out error of the Jews and guiding the errant chruches. It was both.
That is evangalism, and Christ has indeed mandated that the Church teach all Nations; Scripture, however, does not tell us that all Nations (or even our own nation for that matter) will listen.
I think it this way - the best thing we can do is just show our love. It doesn't mean we need to directly support them but they do have every right as anyone else because of our laws and it's very clear that we are to follow the laws of our country.
By being non-combative and just by saying yes, they should have the same freedoms as we do as the laws define, it's no different than agreeing with the Bible.
My mother was saying the Muslims should go back to their country because all they want to do is chop our heads off.
I told her that wasn't a very Christian attitude and really no different than condoning the imprisonment of the Japanese citizens during WWII. They were citizens but not treated as such.
Just because people worship different does not mean we need to start another crusade. We show them love and they ask why. It opens doors.
St. Paul submitted to the Authority of the Pagan Roman Government, and requested that he be tried as a Roman Citizen before Caesar. Likewise, we have the examples of the Martyrs of the first three Centuries and many others from that time to present.
Our Lord also advocated submission to that same Pagan Government; "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's"; and ultimately to be arrested and tried by the Temple Authorities, and then tried and executed on our behalf by the same Roman Government.
I think for most of us, myself included, where we get into trouble is when we confuse "secular humanism" with the compassionate humanism of Christianity. Some well known example from the historic record would be; the Catholic Priests in Central America who openly opposed their Governments, and supported Rebel guerrilla organizations, and got assassinated by the government for doing so. Another example would be Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
We find it very easy to admire these men for opposing very evil and unjust governments; as Pastors, that is ordained servants of the Word who are held to a very high standard, and expected to be "imitators of Christ". As such, in light of the example Christ, his Apostles, and the Holy Martyrs, such admiration is misplaced.
The ELCA/ELCIC Commemorates Bonhoeffer as a Martyr, and by doing such they are sending out a very strong message that it is OK to seditiously plot against and violently oppose Government Authority. This certainly goes against what our Lord and His Apostles have taught us.
We must always be mindful that, as Christians, we are in this world, but not of this world.
