ABSTRACT
Persecution and millennial beliefs are interrelated in complex ways. This article highlights aspects of the interactions of persecution and millennialism in relation to catastrophic and progressive expectations and to the sociology of assaulted, fragile, and revolutionary groups. “Persecution” related to religious groups is understood to mean harassing to afflict or injure because of beliefs. Persecution is in the eyes of the beholder. Acts committed against a religious group may be deemed persecution by observers or by believers, while people committing those acts may see the action as being necessary to preserve social order and safety.
