Didn't you read the article? They feel they are being persecuted. So, undoubtedly they're being forced to meet and worship in secret; being thrown in jail for being Christian; being forced to perform in arenas in duels to the death for the amusement of their pagan overlords; and generally tortured and abused. How could you doubt their word on the matter?
Yup. And if one admits to being a Christian, they don't have a chance of being elected to Congress. Admitting that you are an atheist is the key to political success in this country.
Furthermore, Christian Evangelicals are a total fringe group in American politics. Their support is not neccesary for the election of an American President. That is why Bob Dole and the Senior George Bush were two-term Presidents, while Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush couldn't get elected.
Oh, the humanity!
Well. that's the Grippimg Hand. If a group (Blacks, Chriatians, feminists, homosexuals, Michael Moore) feel they are being persurited, they are being perscuted. It's in the Declaration of Independence "Life. Liberty. and the Feeling of Persectuion"