With respect, Jim, and I hope without heated controversy: I honestly think you are confusing the concept of "persecution", which means the systematic maltreatment of a community by means legally recognised by the licit authorities where it occurs -- as is the case with some Christians in some places at present, though not of course exclusively so -- with illicit violence, not authoritatively approved, to which some minorities are subjected by dissident elements within the societies where they live. It is this latter abuse that you seem to be addressing in the examples given in your last post. They are most regrettable and deplorable abuses indeed; but they do not IMO constitute "persecution" in the sense I urge here, and which seems to me to be the meaning of that referred to in the post to which you are responding. True "persecution" is done by, or with the approval of, governments; not by insufficiently controlled mob-rule.

~M~