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speratus said:
Of course, slander, reproach, etc. are persecution.
I am glad you agree, but that was not your statement. You specified a definition of persecution as being "Statements are not persecution. Burning people at the stake (Hus), firing them from their job(Schulz), etc. is persecution."

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But Pilgrim was referring to contradictory statements of doctrine not personal attack.
Is it not personal to God when you defame and mis-state His holy doctrine and make it profane? Is it possible to blasphemy God's doctrine and thus persecute God and be punished? Can Christians be persecuted by blaspheme?

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1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

Revelation 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
False doctrine persecutes not only God, but His children (His Church) as well.

Reformed and Always Reforming,