"Well, I'm being persecuted because I'm a Christian", he moaned.

"Persecuted? How so?", I queried.

"The government is taking away mine and my childrens' right to pray!"

"Wow!  That's harsh. So you can't pray anymore, anywhere, anytime?" I asked in astonishment.

"Well, not if the school or the government endorses it. That's persecution! It's all because the liberal elites want to be 'fair' to Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and other nutcases who don't believe in Jesus Christ!", he sputtered indignantly.

So, I patiently explained to Joe how our government, including public schools (which are run by the government) is not allowed to establish any religion, and forcing children to pray in school or be ostracized is a form of endorsement. Of course, Joe was not convinced, so I gave up on that particular subject and went on to see if I could talk him out of his nasty persecution complex. I knew that Joe was a member of the 1st United MegaChurch, a congregation of 10,000 with a 10 acre campus, complete with daycare, school, enormous auditorium and loads of very expensive high tech audio visual equipment.

"So, Joe", I began. "Can you go to your mega church anytime you want?"

"Well, of course, what kind of stupid question is that?"

"Do your kids go to the Sunday School there? "

"Yes, but..."

"Does anyone stop you from going to church, or teaching your kids whatever you like about religion?"

"Well, no, but..."

"Can you pray any time you want, and can your kids pray quietly to themselves during lunchtime at school?"

"Yes, but the liberals..."

"How much money does your mega church bring in every year?"

"Well, I don't know for sure, but I guess about about $10,000,000. But, the elitist media..."

"Did you know that the ACLU has actually defended religious people in a number of cases to protect their rights?"

"Really? No way, they're a bunch of pinko..."

"Does your church pay any taxes on the 10 acres it sits on, or on the money it brings in in the form of donations?"

"No, of course not, churches aren't taxed in this country!"

"Hmm, so, exactly HOW are you being persecuted?"

"Ah, well, you see... Um, yes... I'll have to think about that a bit..."