Is not getting your own way the same as oppression?

Very true. They get away with making it "One Nation Under God" (breaking the law), then put it in our pledge, on our money, etc.. then when someone says that they shouldn't be doing that because not everyone is a Christian, they scream that this is "one nation UNDER GOD", so you shouldn't be here if you don't believe in God.

It's sad. I like to think of it this way. If someone is beating their friend to death with a club and you take the club away from that person, are you persecuting them? Are you taking away their free will?

It's a confusing question. You are not taking away their free will, but rather enforcing the rules we have been instructed to live by. The people who actually stand up and make it known that someone is doing something illegal are the ones who are doing good to our world, just like the person who would get up and take the club away from the person beating someone.

not always as it depends on the situation/group/requirement

I agree that certain religious groups are so used to getting their own way that they cry persecution when they can't, they also want immunity when the preach hatred, bigotry, lies and intolerance

religion shouldn't mean you are immune to the laws or that you are above the law

Well, I want a trip to Hawaii but I can't afford it. Surely I am oppressed.

By the way, I agree with you completely. They cry persecution without realizing that their demands are everything but reasonable or civilized.

It's a persecution complex, a common delusion.