Are Christians known for being tolerant?
Are Christians known for being tolerant? What does it mean to be tolerant? Is tolerance bad? Why do some think tolerance is such a bad virtue? Should Christian and the church be more tolerant in the way we treat others? If so why? If not, why not? Is your church tolerant? How? If Christians and churches are to be tolerant of others, how do we become that way? How has your church become more tolerant of others?
What do you think?
Share your thoughts.
Share your thoughts.
posted by preacherman @ 9:18:00 AM
54 Comments:
I wrote a blog about just this! I really truly believe that tolerance is a Christlike virtue and a sign of a true Christan! Here is my post. http://brendahebert.blogspot.com/2011/04/neither-do-i-condemn-thee.html
Thanks Brenda. I will check out your link too.
When I looked up the dictionary meanings of 'tolerant' I wondered how I tolerant I really was. I hope I possess a "fair, objective and permissive [?] attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; [that is] freedom from bigotry." Although, I am not sure about being tolerant of a variety of behaviours [practices?] that I find unacceptable. Are there any behaviours/practices Jesus found unacceptable? Is it fair then to say Jesus was in fact intolerant of those behaviours?
I guess it depends on what you mean by tolerance. If by tolerance you mean not standing in for God making accusation against our fellow man because we disagree with them, then we as Christians could stand a little more tolerance.
If, as most define tolerance, you mean not sharing our faith with others lest we offend them, then no. You can't very well say you love Jesus and are His follower if you don't obey His commands, and one of them is to share the good news and make disciples. Part of the good news is that we sin, and most will be offended by this part, checking out before they hear that by the grace of God there's hope!
So, to totally not answer your question. Yes and no.
Manifest Blog
I would say Christians are not known for being tolerant. Does the darkness embrace the light? Did the Pharisees appreciate being call vipers? When what is being done in the dark is brought into the light, is appreciation expressed? Do lies appreciate it when they are called out by the truth? Jesus did not condemn those who were repentant but he did condemn those who were unrepentant...the narrow way is called that because it does not tolerate those who want to go down the broad way...
No one is really known for being tolerant, Even those bragging about being tolerant are not themselves tolerant of folks who are intolerant.
Kansas Bob,
That is interesting. So being intolerant of those of those who are intolerant is intolerance? Is that what you are saying?? Wow. Never thought of that.
Rev Chris,
I want to thank you for your input on this topic. I appreciate you giving the definition of tolerance. Was Jesus tolerant of the those who were different than Him? Gentiles, women, social outcast?? I think so. Was he tolerant of those in sin? I think so. He does offer forgiveness. Does he stone the woman caught in the act of adultery? Does he stay away from Zacheous's house? Does he eat with just the religious? Or does Jesus welcome all people? Behavior that Jesus finds unacceptable he offers peace, mercy, forgiveness, changed lives.
I do find it interesting that Jesus never addresses homosexuality at all. Never deals with a homosexual or talks about the subject at all. Was Jesus being tolerant in not dealing with the issue? Being the son of God did he know that the issue would be a major one for his followers and church? Well maybe that will be a later topic on my blog.
Again, thank you for your input and discussion on this topic. It is greatly appreciated.
Stephen,
Thank you for adding to the discussion.
I agree that we should share our faith in Jesus. How should we share that faith? With what heart, attitude towards the non-believer? Paul says, "I become all things to all people so that I may win some." Is that style that we should use in dealing with those who are different than us? I appreciate your attitude and honesty and heart. God bless I will check out your blog too.
Cheryl,
Thank you for your comments.
I appreciate them greatly.
I would agree that in the eyes of the world today that Christians are not seen as tolerant. The question I have is have we as modern day Christians decided just how narrow that road is? How narrow is it? Who determines how narrow the road is?
Again, thank you for your comments.
I will check out your blog as well.
Should Church be a place where anyone despite race, gender, sexuality find safety?
is this a trick question?
Just ask folks who want their behaviors to be tolerated if they are tolerant of those who do not tolerate their behaviors.
Nance,
LOL
Not a trick question.
Bob,
Again Wow. Wow. I think your on to something.
I think Jesus was tolerant of people for the most part. He was not too tolerant of money changers in the Temple. He also told those who see the speck in the eyes of others that they might have a beam in their own eye. For everyone, however, He did His work on the cross for our redemption. His Grace extends to all. In the end, however, when He seperates the sheep from the goats, His intolerance will be felt by all the goats.
Jim,
Thanks for your thoughts.
I did blog about that once in a brief post I called Intolerant of Intolerance.
Thanks Bob. I will check it out.
I wonder what Paul G has to say on this?
I am a gay Christian and feel like Christian and the church for the most part have been intolerant towards me and others like myself. I have been blessed to have found a church with an ordained gay pastor. I do see things changing and am hopeful. Thank you Preacherman for addressing this topic and letting there be an open forum for people to discuss the importance of tolerance.
David,
Thanks for you for sharing your story and experience with us all. I hope I can always have an open forum on this blog for anyone to share.
I believe God loves all people. Jesus loves all people. God loves the world that he sent His one and only son. God is love. We should love. All people. Even those different than us. Maybe especially those different than us.
tol·er·ate/ˈtäləˌrāt/Verb1. Allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that one does not necessarily like or agree with) without interference.
2. Accept or endure (someone or something unpleasant or disliked) with forbearance.
PM I don't precieve Jesus as being very tolerant.
PM I believe I am a Christian, a desciple of Christ, and I am not very tolerant. I believe you have witnessed the intolerance of myself as well as that of Bob, and Paul, right here on your blog.
The Word of God determines how narrow the road is, we don't. The Word of God must be our authority because it is the specific revelation of God to us and He tells us within those pages how we pass through the narrow gate. It is through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. Jesus was not tolerant of the religious hypocrites, the Pharisees and the like. He was loving to sinners, but he was not tolerant of their sin and expected them to change, which they did when they came face to face with Him. I would say the woman at the well, Zaccheus (sp?), the woman caught in adultery, Matthew (another tax collector), Peter,...all the disciples, except Judas Iscariot) changed.
The Word of God is clear to those who are willing to have ears to hear. If someone wants to burn your house to the ground, how tolerant are you going to be, or someone who wishes to harm you or yours, how tolerant will you be. Tolerant is a buzz word of those who don't want anyone to criticize or suggest that what they are doing isn't right.
God's word says that the light (born-again, children of God, are the light, as well as the Word of God) will reveal the wickedness done in the dark. Light is intolerant of darkness. All roads do not lead to God. The fact that Jesus didn't happen to mention homosexuality does not mean he was tolerant of it. There is plenty to say in the Old Testament and there are others in the N.T. who spoke of it. The subject must be taken in light of the entire counsel of the scripture. Jesus never said it was wrong for me to let the air out of my neighbor's tire, either. Does that make it right?
I agree with Rev Chris. He didn't say this exactly but I agree Jesus, and therefore, we, must be intolerant of certain behaviors because they hurt others or they hurt us and the the knowledge of those things to be intolerant about comes from the Word of God, not my human reasoning or human philosophical thought.
His ways are higher than ours. Are we following God or are we creating our own god to our own liking?
"Church" is the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ. The word church has come to mean the man-made structure where people meet around a philosophical or other idea of whatever god they serve.
Only those who are born again believers in Jesus Christ (John 18) are members of the church. Should we be tolerant of someone who says they are a Christian who beats his wife regularly, or robs banks on a regular basis, or lies habitually or steals, or lives in an immoral sexual relationship (you know fornication, adultery) unrepentantly?
I'm sorry if homosexuals feel we are intolerant for not accepting them. They are like all of us. Sinners in need of the salvation offered by Christ's death on the Cross. Watering down God's standard does not make us better it only makes us fools.
The word from God is repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Jesus that is tolerant of blatant, unrepentant sin, not matter what form, is NOT the Jesus of the Bible, but another jesus, one of your own making.
I'm very glad to hear that some of you are as intolerant as I am and the Lord Jesus.
There is an old saying "That the road to hell is paved with good intention", but I say that the road to hell is paved with tolerance.
First you tolerate a lie, then stealing, then coveting and after adultery, or homosexuality, then the homosexual person, then the pedophiles and child molesters etc. Where do you think that you and your tolerance will end? Perhaps in hell!
The Lord Jesus does not tolerate that you believe that God is three persons, or that you believe in another to be God, other then the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
He does not tolerate any other God next of Himself, and neither does He tolerate that you believe in your own ways and the ways of this world.
To tolerate means to compromise, to entertain, to reminiscing, to include and accept that which is NOT right in the eyes of the creator Jesus Christ our Lord and God.
A tolerant preacher is tailoring his words and speech so that it does not offend the sinner in his sins, but gives them comfort to stay as they are. Such a preacher seeks the praises of men rather than God.
A tolerant person in spiritual terms is a person who is neither hot nor cold but lukewarm; therefore the Lord will vomit them out of His mouth.
Well! Do you really want me to tell you what I think about tolerance?
Enough for now
Paul
David Smith;
I don't think that you are a gay Christian, since you do not sound colorful to me.
But what you are trying to say is that you are a Homosexual Christian.
Don't make the mistake to think that the Lord Jesus is tolerating a Homosexual in His Kingdom.
So then repent of your sin and be reconciled to the Lord of glory Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
And don't follow your Church and your Homosexual Pastor since the Lord will punish and destroy you and all those who practice Sodomy.
If the Lord would not punish and destroy you and your Church, then surely He would need to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah for destroying them.
So then make every effort to enter through the narrow gate and be saved, there are only few who find it.
Kind regards
Paul
Anonymous;
Since when do you tolerate a doctrine opposing the Word of God by saying that "God loves all people", when He clearly states that He hates the wicked and evildoers? (Ps.5:5 and 11:5 and 26:5)
I believe in tolerance for people and intolerance for sin. Love the sinner but hate the sin! I think we love people into change not judge people into change. I know that when others point out my flaws that I become defensive and hold on to them tighter but when someone accepts me despite them,they are much easier to let go. I also recognize that I am a sinner too and am in equal need of the Savior. We all have different weaknesses in this life, with different lessons to learn, and different challenges to overcome. Just because anothers sins are more visible does not make me less of a sinner than they. I have no tolerance for sin in my life nor do I allow others to have such influence over me or my family - I have no tolerance for that. I just try to be slow to judge others knowing that I too will someday stand to be judged. :)
Thought I would share another blog post - it explains better what I was just trying to say! :) http://brendahebert.blogspot.com/2011/03/who-am-i-to-judge-another.html
Paul do you sin?The advice u give David do u do that with ur own sin? Can someone be a or struggle with any sin and be a christian? Do we judge liars or cheaters or thiefs, gossips the way we do jomosexuals?
I felt I should clarify my position after Paul stated his, don't place me in that judgemental
(condemning to hell) intolarant class. I just mean when I see something I see as, wrong it is hard for me to keep my mouth shut.
By the way Preacherman, I have started writing and posting again.
I would appreciate your opinion again on my posts at.
http://laymond.wordpress.com
as well the opinion of your readers who wish to opine.
God bless.
Paul isn't sin, sin in the eyes of God? Is lying worse than gossip? Is Gossip worse than adultery or any other sexual sin as some see homosexuality? Are their Christians who lie? Are their Christians who cheat? Are their Christians who lust? Are their Christians who commit adultery? Is there anyone perfect? Can we be perfect? Why didn't Jesus address the subject of homosexuality in any of his gospels?
Why didn't Jesus mention homosexuality. Cast out any demons of homosexuals? Speak, preach or teach against homosexuality an any way, shape or form. If it wasn't a big deal for Jesus why should it be for us?
In case your wondering I am a proud, gay Christian man. Who loves God and doesn't see the way I was made as shameful or a sin in the eyes of Jesus. I am saved and love all people including heterosexuals.
Paul, can you please explain to the rest of us why this is the one sin named in the law of Moses that Christ's blood could not wash clean.
Lev 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood [shall be] upon them.
Are Christians known for being tolerant? No. I think we aren't tolerant to outsiders or other Christians. We are quick to look at the speck in our brothers eye. We are too quick to judge, especially those who aren't like us or don't believe or think like us. We have been influenced more by the religious right than the teachings of Jesus. We need to focus on His teachings and practices.
Brenda;
I understand what you are trying to say, but for the benefit of all who read your comment, just say it plainly. :-)
Some times it is not easy to read between the lines.
Anonymous;
Yes we judge all liars, cheaters or thieves just like homosexuals, pedophiles and whatever other kind of sinners there are.
(Rev.21:8) "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and ALL 'Christian' liars, their place will be in the lake of burning sulfur."
To me, it sounds like hell, doesn't it?
Preacherman:
Not all sins are the same in the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ, there are greater sins and lesser sins, sins that lead unto death and sins that don't.
It is just like someone burns down your house and another rapes and murders your little daughter whom you love. Even though both are heinous crimes against you, but the rape and murder of your little girl is worse.
Ben;
It severely troubles me when you say that you are a proud homosexual Christian.
I know the Lord Jesus and His judgment to be true, and that all the ungodly that the Lord destroyed before you were equally proud of their ungodliness just as the Scripture said, (Prov.16:18) that "Pride goes before destruction".
I'm sure that I don't need to tell you what the Scriptures say about homosexuality, but what I'd like to say is that there is only forgiveness in Christ Jesus our Lord for all our sins even the sin of homosexuality.
It is not that you have the power to rid yourself of this sin; therefore you need to call upon the name of the Lord to set you free. Remember what the Lord Jesus said, 'that whatever you ask in my Name, I will do for you'.
Only if the Lord Jesus sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Kind regards
Paul
Laymond;
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all our sins.
There isn't any sin big enough which the blood of Jesus cannot cleanse.
Leviticus 20 speaks of the severity of Gods judgment upon all who transgress the Word of God the commandments to this very day.
Even though we do not destroy the transgressors of the commandments anymore, but the Lord still does.
Look around you and see how the Lord utterly destroys the transgressors of His Word. The Hospitals are full of people who suffer the most horrific sicknesses imaginable, wars, tsunamis, floods and earthquakes etc. all that shows you the wrath of God against all ungodliness.
And every one of us including me is guilty and deserving the punishment for our sins.
For the law and the commandments have condemned us and declared us guilty before God, but the FREE GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
But that free gift is 'IN' Christ and not in a Church or doctrine or creed.
Only in Christ Jesus we are freed from the law, commandments, judgment and the condemnation thereof.
By 'IN Christ' I mean to be born again just like Jesus said in John chapter 3, a spiritual birth not by the will of men but by the will of God, because there is no other way to be in Christ then to be born again.
Paul
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