Tolerance is not approval. What the world today is looking for is approval, not tolerance. They have confused the two.
Tolerance is not saying that what someone does is ok, because some things just aren’t ok. Tolerance is not saying that someone is right, because they could be wrong. Tolerance is not saying that truth is relative, because we all know that lies abound.
To cry for tolerance is intolerant. It seems that those who say that Christianity is intolerant, are not themselves tolerant, by their own definition. A definition that they themselves have defined.
As Christians we should be tolerant of what others believe, but that does not mean we should stamp it with our seal of approval. There is a difference. I can certainly appreciate and listen to differing points of views on religion, but I believe strongly that there is only one way to heaven. That way is through Jesus the Christ. God’s only begotten son. The way (to heaven), the (only) TRUTH, and the life.
You are free to believe otherwise - a lie if you will, and I will respect you for your decision. But please tolerate my position to respectfully say that you are wrong!
(As you have already said of my position!)
Again, Heretic, we are in the same chior.
Of course, I think it is fair to look at this from both sides:
1. Yes, many people, Americans especially, are trained to be “tolerant” of all sorts of things, just not Christianity. The only evil is to call something evil. While political correctness (and even “Christian” open theism) says we must consider all religions as equal and valid paths to God(s), Chirstianity can not co-exist with other religions in this way, by definition. If there were more than one path, that really cheapens the whole cross thing. What would be the point?
2. Unfortuntely, I must also include here those inside the Church, who may see me having lunch with a gay man “approval” for his lifestyle instead of “tolerance”. How are we to minister to the sick, as Christ did, if we must see any interaction with any individual as a full endorsement of everthing he or she does? Can I also not eat with anyone divorced? Are we not all sinners? I would never tell a homosoexual (just using it as an example) that such a lifestyle is “OK”. I would simply be willing to speak with him or her as a human being instead of demanding one become fully clean before they are allowed to BEGIN a relationship with Christ.
God loves us just the way we are, but loves us way too much to let us stay that way.
Mike-
Good observation in point 2. I think the church has mis-interpretted the portion of scripture you are referring to here. We can eat with sinners - so long as they don’t consider themselves a brother. There’s a big distinction there between an unsaved sinner and a “saved” person who is in the habitual lifestyle of sin.
Does it not seem strange that sinners actually flocked to Jesus - and run from His followers?
Blessings!