Are Christians persecuted in the United States?

Lately I am sensing from some evangelical and other Christians here on Fluther and in real life, that they feel persecuted for their beliefs. In this question it seems that one of the players in the situation described feels persecuted because of the music she listens to and some responses seem to indicate that Christian members of the The Collective have the same feelings.Do you think Christians are persecuted in the US? To what extent? If you believe they are, what do you see as the reasons?