Mon 15 Sep 2008
All Beliefs Welcome, Unless …
Posted by Darren under Epistemology , Evangelism , Faith , Hope , Philosophy , Pluralism , World ReligionsA great blog by Tom Gilson, Thinking Christian, has an equally great post dismantling a Washington Post article that epitomizes the double-standard of "tolerance" applied against the Christian faith (and often other faiths too, but most often the Christian faith) in modern western society:
“All Beliefs Welcome, Unless They are Forced on Others”
There is a weasel word used here: "forced". The original article title mentions "forcing" beliefs on others, while the article itself is really talking about when people "take their theology out in public". Of course we would never want anyone to try to "force" their religious beliefs; but what's wrong with sharing our faith (in love) with others?
If Christians truly believe we have found the greatest love, greatest hope, and greatest truth in the world, why would it be wrong to winsomely share that faith? I might argue it would in fact be wrong to keep such a wonderful thing secretly to ourselves!
2 Responses to “All Beliefs Welcome, Unless …”
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September 22nd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Hey Man, I think we have to 'judge ourselves' (the body) and agree that some parts of us can be quite dogmatic and that perhaps is correctly interpreted as forced. Different personality types interpret interactions differently and what is normal for one is forced for another. I do believe that some close people to me are too forceful of their views in relation to faith and can offend non-believers. Yet you will have other people who will state how a forceful viewpoint help sway them – horses for courses?
Sensitised listening with contextualised expressions of outworked faith (in word or deed) are deeply powerful – but i guess every approach has its place.
December 2nd, 2008 at 10:38 am
Yes, but….God calls us to go and spread the gospel. So, do we disregard what God wants just so we do not offend anyone???