I generally don’t buy into the claim that American Christians are persecuted for their beliefs. Frankly, I wish it was harder to be a Christian in the United States. Then more Christians would be forced to consciously and deliberately live faithful lives.
But, having been a college student, I think there is some support for the claim that their are unique challenges in being, and at times persecution of, Christians in the university setting. This report from NPR, titled “Christian Academics Cite Hostility on Campus,” makes the case:
And it appears that climate may extend beyond science departments. A poll of 1,200 academics by the Institute for Jewish and Community Research found that more than half said they have unfavorable feelings toward evangelical Christians.
Aryeh Weinberg, who co-authored the study, says one reason for this is that there are relatively few evangelicals in academia.
“The question is, why? Do they self-select out, and if they do, why are they self-selecting out? Are they actually not hired? Are they trying to get hired but not getting hired? Are they getting hired then being forced out, not getting tenure?” Weinberg asks.
Turns out the question of whether universities discriminate against Christians is reaching the courts. A lot more good stuff in the transcript of Barbara Bradley Hagerty’s story here.
