text: is true christianity dependent on suffering for ones' christian beliefs? john 15:18-25 "the world hated me, so it will hate you"(my paraphrase); if suffering is central to christianity, are christians in american/free nations really true christians without suffering for their faith? if you say that american christians are persecuted for their faith, how? and, how does it match to jesus' statement here in john? you might say american christians could have a different kind of suffering because of our freedom.  the freedom to choose addictions and a huge list of other hollow things that our material- and sex-focused society holds up as luxuries means a lot of americans suffer within a superficial christianity and don't know what is causing it.  in that way americans could suffer internal battles from several of society's messages versus externally from the govt.  people in other cultures who suffer for their faith hold their beliefs even more dear and maybe get stronger.  americans don't have to struggle for ours and don't get the same blessings in our lack of suffering, but it doesn't make us less christian. christian = forgiven sinner.  our culture persecutes us by forcing cheap replacements on us and working us to death so that our relationships and things that matter in this life suffer.   that is a menial persecution compared to torture and other grievances - i think i see where you're coming from.  maybe the verse touches on how people don't like to be convicted of truth.  people can respond fiercely when they are not ready to hear something.  people pushed jesus to the edge of society and killed him violently.  he was a peaceful guy but he exposed the religious leaders' motives and it was met with force.  ideas are powerful.  i think it is a warning that you won't be welcomed with open arms all the time when speaking about the bible and the story.