All those churches in every town are proof of persecution

[Major Nikon]

37. Please tell me how I just don't understand

Because that's exactly what you're describing. I get that you had to consult a UK published dictionary to find your subliterate definition for intolerance. So seeing as how you're such a fan of the Queen's English, I even threw in definitions from Collins and Cambridge for effect and damned if I can't find one that doesn't exactly define what you are describing.

So yes, please describe the difference Gil, because you seem to have those two words bassackwards.

per·se·cute
/ˈpərsəˌkyo͞ot/
verb
1. subject (someone) to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their race or political or religious beliefs."his followers were persecuted by the authorities"

persecute verb

per·​se·​cute | ˈpər-si-ˌkyüt
persecuted; persecuting
Definition of persecute 
transitive verb
1
: to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict
specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief

persecute
[pur-si-kyoot]
SynonymsExamplesWord Origin
See more synonyms for persecute on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), per·se·cut·ed, per·se·cut·ing.
1. to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religious or political beliefs, ethnic or racial origin, gender identity, or sexualorientation.
2. to annoy or trouble persistently.


persecute
verb [ T ] US /ˈpɜr·sɪˌkjut/
to treat people unfairly or cruelly over a period of timebecause of their race, religion, etc.:


persecute
(pɜrsɪkyut )
Word forms: persecutes, persecuting, persecuted
transitive verb
If someone is persecuted, they are treated cruelly and unfairly, often because of their race or beliefs.