Dear Neko,

Just because many people followed Jesus during His public ministry and believed He rose from the dead after His crucifixion did not (nor does it) mean that these faithful people who put their trust in Jesus and not those who publicly screamed out for His crucifixion were not persecuted, imprisoned, tortured and yes eventually martyred! In the same way it does not mean that because Christianity is the dominant religion in the United States that people who remain faithful to Jesus' teachings, which have been made known to us by God through Holy Scripture do not presently or won't suffer in the future. It is true that up until same sex marriage was not legalized in the United States, Christians were not publicly persecuted in the United States. Since the legalization of same sex marriage, Christian bakeries, Wedding Halls, County Clerks who issue marriage licenses and Catholic schools throughout the US have been persecuted (in the form of lawsuits/legal action/imprisonment).