"christian persecution is worse in the west than anywhere else"

i'm an atheist taking a required perspectives course (basically just bible class) at a christian high school, and this is something my teacher said the other day after a presentation from my classmate about persecution around the world today. my classmate described the torture & executions that go on, especially in north korea and somalia, for christians.

it struck me as extremely out of touch. my classmate ended off the presentation basically by being like "there is persecution here, but it's mainly social pressure" and my bible teacher said afterwards that he thinks persecution is WORSE here, with the social pressure, than it is in places where christians are killed & tortured. i think his exact words were that it's harder to be a christian here (canada) than anywhere else, and thats why persecution is worse here.

a few of my classmates made agreeing noises and the presenter agreed with him. this has always struck me as an insane viewpoint, whether the argument is that it's worse to be christian here (as in, it sucks more) or that it's harder because of social pressure rather than force, it's dumb and out of touch.

can any christian explain this viewpoint, if it's one that you have? or maybe verify for me that this is not a belief of all christians?