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As Christians, I propose we focus on protecting our families as we see increasing conflicts with the outside world approaching. These 21 tips are intended to provide both scriptural support and practical advice on hiding your Christian faith from outsiders. I apologize at the outset for its length. However, you can quickly skim down the BOLD headings looking for those items of particular interest to implement. Please pay particular attention to the “Conclusion with Biblical Support” at the bottom.
Theological Underpinnings of Hiding Your Christian Faith
Scripture clearly speaks to the importance of protecting you and your family from harm. Further, the Bible calls us to live peaceful lives, obeying the government, and those authorities placed above us. Those verses include:
- Protect our Family – 1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for… members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
- Live Peacefully – Romans 12:16a,18b Live in harmony with one another… peaceably with all.
- Follow the rules – Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities… those that exist have been instituted by God.
However, God puts many of us in a bind because the world does not always follow His Word. Christians have become tightly associated with controversial subjects like Trump, Antivax, Racists, Abortion, Marriage, Conversion Therapy, Climate Deniers, Misogyny, Fascism, Proud Boys, Creationism, 10 Commandments, Public Prayer, January 6th Insurrection, etc.
As we try to live “peacefully” in this world AND follow Christ’s teachings, what are we to do?
Prior to the last 10 years, Christians could easily hide their faith, opinions, and theology. Folks were not as polarized as they are today, looking to ferret out aberrant Christian worldviews. Today, we need to protect ourselves and our families from the increasingly negative consequences of our Christian faith. We must execute an action plan of misdirection. I do recognize some may not see the importance of this process in 2022.
However, the day is coming when most vestiges of Christianity will be driven out of our culture in the interests of fairness and inclusion.
If we don’t prepare for that “book burning” today, we will be on record as “one of them” when the mob starts coming for us individually.
Below is an exhaustive list intended on protecting ourselves and our loved ones. I recognize some of these tips are more easily accomplished than others. Each Christian family will have to make their own decision on what is practical in their specific situation, while, of course, remaining true to their Christian faith.
Hiding Your Christian Faith – In the Home
- What to tell your family – Before embarking on these needed changes in your lifestyle, you need to have good communication on the reasoning, timetable, and overall objectives of the process. Be open and honest with your spouse and kids. The guidelines you are imposing are in everyone’s best interest, given the continuing increase in oppression of Christians. Make clear that your goal is to protect yourself and your family from that persecution, and not to harm their faith in a Supreme God.
- Reading Material – Put away or give away all your dusty Bibles, Christian music and DVDs, pictures of Jesus, and any art that might suggest a Christian theme. You will eventually have new friends who will spot those items and call you out.
- Technology – You and your family (especially your kids) have numerous apps on their cell phones. You need to check every device for applications like Bibles, Commentaries, etc., and remove them. Further, it would be wise to install clocking software so any Christian websites visited would not be recorded. In addition, many of us have Alexa and other listening devices in our homes. As difficult as it is, you and your family need to stop talking about your faith in your home as those opinions are being, or will likely be, recorded at some point in the future. If you prefer, just remove the devices.
- Holiday Material – Any Christian icons used in celebrations need to be removed from the home. This would include those found on Easter and especially Christmas (creche with baby Jesus, Scripture-based ornaments, the star on the tree, etc.). Emphasize Santa, the Easter Bunny, and secular items during these times. Also, even if you only go a few times a year, avoid church services on these occasions. In fact, stop going to a Christian church entirely if at all possible (see “Church” below).
- Greeting Cards – If you have to send cards for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, etc. make sure they show NO religious connotations. You should have already cleaned the house of these products.
- Relocation – It may seem extreme, but moving out of the Bible Belt will also help disguise your Christian worldview. Many will hold on until it’s too late, hoping there will be protection in numbers. However, as the persecution continues, these bastions of the faithful will be targeted as a locus of what is destroying our nation. You need to move to a liberal city before your current location is targeted and property values crash.
Hiding Your Christian Faith – In the World
- Jewelry and Clothing – Today, crosses on bracelets and necklaces are benign. However, that may not be the case going forward, so be watchful for changing trends. As to clothing, you need to stop wearing any shirts, sweaters, or other garments with religious symbols on them, especially Scripture verses.
- Vocabulary – Christians have their own vocabulary. We often use buzz words to communicate with each other. Terms such as “brother” and “sister”, “apostle, deacon, elder “, and “pastor”, “saved”, “salvation”, “Scripture”, “Gospel”, “faith”, “prayer”, “Holy”, “grace”, “Heaven” or “Hell”, “rapture”, “Satan”, “spiritual warfare”, and “prophecy”, to name a few, need to be trained out of your family’s vocabulary. Those words are the quickest way for the secular hunters to recognize your faith background. Words like “God” or “Jesus Christ”, if used in a derogatory way should not be an issue.
- Public Etiquette – Besides not having any Christian clothing and abstaining from the use of churchy words in public, there are other behaviors that need to stop immediately. For example, never ask a restaurant server if you can pray for them before a meal (obvious, I know). Ignore anyone who is expressing Christian beliefs in public conversation; they may be baiting you. If someone is in trouble, help them, but never, never ask if you can pray for them (again, obvious). All these guidelines are even more important to follow in the workplace.
- Workplace – Do not, under any circumstances, have any Christian icons on your desk or at your workstation. Never speak to anyone about God or Jesus, especially if others try to elicit a faith-based conversation. Coworkers have long memories and what might seem comforting one day will be the basis for termination the next.
- Worthy Causes – Christians are known for their willingness to support good causes. There is no reason to change that altruism. However, you should no longer tithe to a local Christian church or any of the myriad of Christian para-church ministries (ex. Samaritan’s Purse). Currently, the Salvation Army (monitor this one), Goodwill, Climate Change, and Animal Rescue, are safe avenues for support, along with other secular-based institutions. As an aside, contributing to Planned Parenthood would provide good future cover.
Hiding Your Christian Faith – Political, Religious, and Social Affiliation
- Church – It is important not to hold any office in the church such as deacon or Sunday School teacher. Prayer groups, Bible studies, discipleship, preschool, children’s church, visitation, etc. will only expose you to future persecution. Often, many of these roles are published on church websites and kept in their records. Even volunteer work that exposes you to the general public (ex. Meals on Wheels) should be avoided. Mission trips are out of the question. Finally, as hard as it may seem, when you’re ready, request that your family’s data be purged from the church records. As you know, pastors’ like to keep lists of attenders (read tithers) and these records can and will be used against you.
- News Media – Generalizations within our culture suggest that you and your spouse watch Fox News. That needs to stop. You need to transition to CNBC, CNN, and, NPR among many others. This will help in two ways. First, it will give you the correct perspective in discussing contemporary issues with your new friends (see “Friendships” below) and coworkers. Second, as you listen, you will see how much the Conservative media has lied to you. Though the Progressive media does have its own inherent bias, listening to these programs will provide you with a much-needed perspective.
- Politics – As with the news media, most believe the generalization that all Christians are Republicans. Regardless of your current political affiliation, it is important to counteract any stereotypes that will inhibit your attempts to hide your faith. To be clear, you need to become a staunch Democrat, and preferably an outspoken Progressive.
- Denominations – Religious affiliations will not be attacked equally or at the same time. Some groups are more notorious for narrow-minded views than others. As hard as it may be to leave the fellowship of your current friends, you need to move away from many of the independent, Bible-believing churches: Presbyterian PCA, Assemblies of God, and, especially, Southern Baptist, as soon as possible. These will be the first groups targeted for hate speech. Eventually, many of the mainline churches and smaller ecumenical denominations will collapse into a global religion that will be promoted by the general population.
For reasons beyond the scope of this article, I would recommend staying away from this group if at all possible.
- Social Media Accounts – This is a problematic area because many posts made in the past can be resurrected and held against you. You need to immediately stop making any positive references to your faith. Begin seeding your media accounts with negative Christian statements, selectively making secular use of “God” and “Jesus Christ” as well as other blasphemies to counterbalance past faith-based posts. Social Media is a great place to put down evidence that you are “deconstructing” your faith (see “Deconstruction” below) and that you no longer believe in exclusive salvation through Jesus Christ. I know these actions seem extreme, but if you want to get the hound dogs off your scent, you will have to counter the Christian references you have made in the past. Remember to also clear out your music preferences, your profile page, and media associations (ex. Christian followers).
- Friendships – Needless to say, you and your loved ones will have to change friends. Implementing the other items on this list will help facilitate that (changing churches, etc.), but this needs to be actively pursued. Most Christians will likely hide their faith as times get tough. However, there will be a remnant who become entrenched, regardless of the persecution. Those folks will become angry with the “deserters” and will likely call you out as times get tough. It’s important to be proactive in changing to more secular friends who will defend you as being just like them when the battle lines get drawn.
- Social Settings – Kids – Controlling your kids could be your greatest initial challenge. Teaching them to change friends (if needed), as well as to stop using Christian terms (if they currently do), discussing theology (typically not an issue), going to church, along with other Christian activities, could be difficult if they are strong Believers. Studies show that this is becoming less and less a challenge in today’s culture as the educational system has stripped all faith-based moral underpinnings from its curriculum. Unless your children are going to a Christian or Home-based school, it’s likely they have already been naturally sanitized, due to peer and teacher pressure, from anything that might trigger a Christian family worldview. If your teens are truly Christians (most are fortunately not… yet), they might be listening to bullhorn voices like Ben Shapiro and Candace Owens. It’s important that you strongly counsel them against that. It will create conflict in the home.
- Social Groups – Kids – Beyond social media, you need to pull your kids out of anything faith-based. This would include Upward Basketball, Awana, Trail Life USA, after-school Bible clubs, etc. If your children are attending a Christian school, you need to get them out as quickly as possible and back into the public system. Parents willing to make a substantial investment in a Classical Christian education will be at the top of the list for persecution. Sadly, Home Schooling has been stigmatized as a Christian form of education. If you choose to continue or switch to teaching your children yourself, do not use Abeka or any of the other Christian curricula. Lists of customers for these products are readily available on the Dark Web.
- Theology – You and your family need to start publicly questioning your Christian systematic theology. This is typically referred to as faith “deconstruction” (see below). It can begin casually by affirming that the Bible is likely not inerrant. That first step allows flexibility in aligning yourself with the fluid ethical standards of our general population. If there is a verse(s) that does not fit the paradigm of your new peers, it becomes a verse that was added to the Bible later, mistranslated, or refuted elsewhere in Scripture, (you can use the internet for research to counter any verses you find uncomfortable.)
- Deconstruction – You must maintain a process of public deconstruction, or the breaking down your faith by questioning and then amending its Christian theological foundations. This can begin by actively moving away from the Bible and its teachings. Instead, refer to your own “feelings” about who God is and what He means, specifically and exclusively, in YOUR life. Having personal insight into what God is saying to you, while ignoring Scripture, allows for tremendous freedom in navigating through the minefields of today’s woke generation. One-sided concepts like, “Jesus was a good moral teacher” and “God is love” can add to your arsenal of safe ways to publicly move away from the narrow-minded view of your prior public faith. For current atheists, any concept of god is taboo so you must handle this newfound, personal insight carefully. Eventually, as mentioned earlier, all religions will coalesce around a central figure who, by performing miracles, will effectively terminate the atheistic view. However, don’t expect this to take place in your lifetime.
The recommendations above cannot be accomplished overnight.
As I mentioned earlier, one must have a plan to make this transition which will provide for the protection of you and your family. If one could boil this process down to a single word, it would be the popular term called faith “deconstruction” which I mentioned above. The concept of deconstruction not only encompasses all of the opportunities listed, it further implies there is a process to that effort.
I hope this has helped you in your desire to hide from the torrent of discrimination coming towards the Christian faith community. There will, of course, be a hardened and hated remnant of stubborn Biblical Christians that publicly hang on to their antiquated systematic theology. However, these fools will be ostracized from society and marginalized to the point of obscurity.
Conclusion with Biblical Support
The challenge with the suggestions above stem from a natural conflict that occurs as we implement anti-Christian actions, while remaining a Christian.
This cognitive dissonance (holding two opposing thoughts at the same time) can become irritating, particularly if the Holy Spirit is involved.
As you move forward in the process, keep in mind that Scripture states in Romans and John:
- Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
- John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
- John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
One needs to hold these verses close. If you have EVER “confess[ed] Jesus as Lord and believed…”, even as a little child that “no one will [be able to] snatch [you] out of [His] hand”, you should be fine. Of course, there is that verse in Ephesians which says:
- Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
So, you may do a little Holy Spirit grieving, but you’re still safely “sealed until the day of redemption”… right?
Of course, you may have to reconcile James’ pesky verse which implies Christians are known by their works (i.e., what we do):
- James 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
However, we can still hide all our beliefs and be good people, and do good things… right?
And then there is the Great Commission to deal with:
- Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
So sure, Christians are supposed to tell people the Good News of Jesus. However, one could easily argue that these days, everyone is anti-Christian. Given that reality, we can safely reject the Great Commission, based on the verses below… right?
- Matthew 10:14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.
- Matthew 7:6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
If someone hates what you stand for, Christianity, then you don’t have to say anything to them… right? We need to “shake the dust off our feet”, leave them alone and not “throw our” theology at the lost for the very reason that they will likely “turn and attack you”… right?
The whole point of this article is to protect you and your family from just THAT attack.
So, from all this, if we, as Christians, can get comfortable not evangelizing, then the rest of the process of hiding our faith for the protection of ourselves and our families should be pretty straightforward.
Below is a verse that will help.
- 1 Corinthians 3:15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
In the end, we may escape “through fire” as our good “work is burned up”, but we still get to go to Heaven for eternity, though likely smelling a bit smoky. I wonder if that was what God was thinking about when He wrote the following verse.
- Revelation 7:17b “… and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Perhaps God is “wiping away tears from [our] eyes” (below) because we protected ourselves and our family from this hateful world. Maybe, just maybe, we missed the boat in demonstrating the greatest love we could offer someone, by having the courage to tell them the Good News about a Savior who offers eternal life in Heaven.
- Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Many of our family, our friends, our coworkers, our neighbors, etc. still don’t know the real TRUTH. I guess we’ll all know how it turns out when we get to Heaven… right?
To wrap this up, if you want to hide your Christian faith to protect yourself and your family from those hateful persecutors the Bible warns us about, I have hopefully given you some impressive tips. Unfortunately, you will have to deal with the verses below. They seem to suggest that Christians should expect to be persecuted rather than hiding their light under a basket (Mat. 5:14-16). I am still working on that rationalization and will get back to you as soon as I can with some more good excuses.
- Mark 13:13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
- 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
- Acts 5:41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
- Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Luke 6:22 “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!
- Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
- 1 Peter 4:12-14, 2 Cor. 12:10, 1 Peter 3:14, 1 John 3:13, Rom. 12:14, Rom. 8:35, John 15:20, 1 Peter 3:16, John 16:33, 1 Peter 4:16, John 15:19, Mat. 5:11, etc.
