“Modern Christians often interpret their experiences in the world and interactions with others as part of this history of persecution and the struggle between good and evil… Sometimes this idea inspires great courage and heroism and provides comfort to the sick or dying. And there are places in the world where Christians face real violence. ...it is not only the suffering and oppressed who think of themselves as persecuted. Martyrdom is easily adapted by the powerful as a way of casting themselves as victims and justifying their polemical and vitriolic attacks on others. When disagreement is viewed as persecution, then these innocent sufferers must fight — rhetorically and literally — to defend themselves.” -Candida Moss