WWJD By Dr. Richard Youngblood
Question: Why do Christians think that Christianity is the only valid
religion? Why can’t they be more
tolerant of other world religions?
Your question reflects a
misconception in today’s pluralistic world that assumes holding any definite
conviction means one is “intolerant” of anyone who believes something
different. We should make a distinction
between having strong convictions about certain truth claims and being
intolerant of people who may believe differently. For
example, to believe that the earth is a round ball will not allow me to accept
the belief of some people that the earth is flat. The earth is flat or it is round; it cannot
be both. However, this does not mean
that round-earth people are intolerant of flat-earth people. Even though they may attempt to persuade the
flat-earth people to believe their truth claim, round-earth people can allow
the flat-earth people the right to believe and live as though the earth is
flat.
If the claims of
Christianity are true, opposing claims of other world religions cannot also be
true. For example,
the Christian Bible teaches that there is only one God and that we should not
make idol gods and bow down to them (Exodus 20:1-6). If this is true, any claim that denies this
God’s existence, accepts the existence of other gods or manufactures idol gods
to worship cannot be valid. Also, Jesus
said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me” (John
14:6). If Jesus is the only way to God,
then any religion that claims otherwise cannot be valid. If this claim is not true, then this truth
claim invalidates Christianity. The very
nature of these and other truth claims will not allow us to believe that all
world religions are equally valid.
Religious intolerance may take different forms and
provide varying degrees of hostility, especially if one’s friends or group
approve such actions. It occurs when a
group discriminates against those with whom they disagree by “jokes,” social shunning/gossip,
or outright malicious statements. Intolerance
also comes when any religious group—Christian, Hindu, Muslim,
Buddhist or other—attempts to deny another group the right to exist by use of
force. To engage in honest and open
discussion of our differences is not intolerance. If anyone believes certain truth claims, he
should have every right to present his views and even attempt to persuade
others to believe them. But to pass laws
or threaten imprisonment and death for anyone who believes and practices a
different religion is intolerance.
Jesus made some very clear truth claims (Read the Gospel of John.), but he was also very tolerant and kind toward those who did not accept his claims. Although some walked away in unbelief, Jesus never belittled them nor attempted to force them to believe what he taught (Mark 10:17-22; John 6:60-66). This did not mean he approved of what everyone said or did, but Jesus always respected each person’s right to think for himself. He did warn of consequences that could come because of their rejection of truth; but he was always compassionate, kind, gentle, patient and willing to “bear with others” (Colossians 3:11-14), even in their sins.
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