Though I won't fault 'Dabbler' for his own statement and question in the matter, I will say this much about it all (and yes, 'Caliban'; this is also somewhat of my response to your own statements on the matter)--
Unfortunately, though LESS of the persecution is there, it does still remain. While, ordinarily, one would be proud to declare their own faith/belief, there are still those who would persecute them for it, and thus they remain "in the closet", so to speak.
Whilst some, myself included, (and please, excuse my language) don't really give a damn what others think about their own faith/belief (and yes, I am also very open to what others would believe. However, though I respect the beliefs of others, there may be some parts of said belief(s) that I don't care for), there are still some people in this world, whom unfortunately, don't take well to them. Though our faiths/beliefs do not harm or lead us to harm others, there are still - and likely always will be - 'fanatics' of other such beliefs, whom not only scorn those like myself, or even those who technically share the same faith/belief, but they sometimes even go so far as to actively seek out such people, merely for the sake of persecuting them. One of these said such 'people of faith' happens to be those who consider themselves to be "Westboro Baptist Church" - of which, though considered to be a "church", is quite literally nothing more than a widespread hate group (i.e., unless you are part of THEIR "church", alone, they will do whatever they can to essentially 'kill' you (and I do mean that both figuratively and in the literal sense)).
Now, personally, I will openly state that, though I don't care what others think of my own 'faith/belief', I don't necessarily walk around, telling people what it is that I believe in, because I know that not many people will understand it. Granted, I know that I'm not persecuted for my own 'faith', but I also know that some people still don't have the strength or understanding to grasp it - one thing that tells me this is when people are actively trying to 'convert' me to their belief. Such a thing usually tends to show only how weak another person is, and thus they cling to it, like a security blanket (again, pardon my crudity of expression, there).
As an example (herein being part of my response to your statement, 'Caliban'), by my appearance, alone... most people, for some reason, ASSUME that I am either Satanist, Luciferian, or that I 'dabble' in the Dark Arts/"Black Magic". But few of them consider the fact that I'm just not one to dress as they would. I prefer my somewhat 'darker' appearance, because it's what I feel comfortable in. However, I have also had a few people, here and there, mistake me for being Christian, because, even through my "dark" appearance, when I approach someone in need of help or support, I'll often reach out, and give them My idea of a 'blessing', and I'll walk away, with that.
Now, mind you, I'm neither Satanist, nor Christian. I don't worship "God" or the Devil. But I also don't 'practice' the Dark Arts. Though I do believe in "God" and the Devil, both, I don't worship either one. To be honest, I don't "worship" any entity/deity. However, due to the notion that I'm also not a praying man... when I DO pray for someone or something, then it's obvious that whatever or WHOMEVER I pray for does mean allot to me. Hence, my own 'prayer' is my way of attempting to reach out, to help them in a way that doesn't make it so obvious, but they still know that I'm there. (Bearing in mind that I was once a Christian, but I was Scourged - both literally and metaphorically - by the 'faith'. Thus, I no longer follow Christianity, nor do I worship "God" or the Devil. But this is beside the point.)
Now, most people, understandably, are bound to ask an "odd" question or two. Sometimes more than that, even. and though there is a difference between Persecution and Indifference... to be perfectly technical, the line between the two is fairly thin, really. I have personally been shown both Indifference AND Persecution, though not often for my 'faith/belief', but for other things, instead.
Unfortunately, for some people, though they may be proud of their own 'faiths', the fact remains that for however lessened a show of 'persecution' may be, it is still there, if you are a person of one 'faith', who happens to be in the wrong place - particularly "at the wrong time".
This is one reason that I just don't talk about what My 'faith' happens to be, because though I can read people like a book, there are still those who may come along, who aren't quite so accepting, or even 'indifferent' about it. Consider it as somewhat of a thing similar to why I remain in the 'shadows' of society.
I'm simply "Just That Different", that people either don't understand me very well... or they simply don't want to. Thus, I stay away from most people. That goes for religion, spirituality, even so far as how people appear - even if it's caused by a genetic difference.
All in all, though, yes, there is more 'Indifference' shown, these days, there is still also the 'persecution' that some people will actively make apparent, through their actions. This is another reason that someone like myself isn't often seen, amongst most people, even when and if we may be heard about once or twice.
In short of it, the point is that people judge before they see. This is no different from "Leaping Before You Look". If you don't "look before you leap", then you're likely to find out that there's a deep 'pit of pain below your feet'.
