Faith-based Fanaticism Forbidden

I recently had to take an on-line ethics course at work. Most of the information was pretty standard -- no unwanted sexual talk, no bullying, etc. In each type of harassment, the summary message was to not do anything that could even be construed as harassment. Stay away from anything that might make people uncomfortable. If in doubt, don't go there. In addition to the standard types of harassment, there was also a screen about "religious harassment".

The message is that religion can be a form of harassment. What are the conditions that make some event religious harassment?

1. frequently speaking about your religion
   
2. speaking negatively about other religions
   
3. criticizing a person's lifestyle with the intention of changing it
   
4. causing depression in others by sharing a pessimistic worldview
   

This is a bit scary. It means that people who are deeply religious can not express that part of their personality. We are supposed to keep our religion to ourselves. This contradicts what Jesus said about being "the light of the world". Next, it seems like proselyzing is forbidden if it makes people feel bad. Jesus calls us to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). That's not really a passive command. It can be forward. It can be "in your face". It can be offensive. If we truly obey Jesus, will we harass people? Maybe. On the other hand, maybe we need to know when to "shake the dust off your feet" and move on.

What about criticizing people's lifestyles? It is impossible to know exactly what happened in this case. Maybe the religious person was making derogatory comments about a woman who liked to wear plunging necklines or had short hair. That sounds like something the average person would not appreciate. On the other hand, what if the religious person offered wise and loving advice to a person who was engaging in self-destructive behavior. Just because the advice was sprinkled with religious terminology makes it wrong? Again, it depends on what really happened. Hopefully, the religious person was truly over-zealous and pharasaical. Otherwise, this country will lose the curbe that keeps it from going completely godless.

Finally, the last point could be another example of spin. Why was the religious person's worldview described as "pessimistic"? Did the religious person consider him or herself pessimistic? Did other people or just the "victim" of the harassment? Is a Christian worldview pessimistic? Of course, Christians believe that their worldview is the only true optimistic viewpoint.

If the world can redefine Christianity as a pessimistic worldview that is depressing, critical, and negative, more and more Christians will be criticized for living their faith. Will we have to choose between living our lives the way Jesus told us and keeping our job? Will we be persecuted for our love for others? If so, I hope and pray that I can keep my faith and be strong in the Lord.

What Motivates a Christian?

I saw a video the other day where they said that Muslims (and all non-Christians) are motivated by fear to practice their religion. I can see the point. Anyone who does not know Christ cannot possibly be motivated by love. So, Muslims (and all non-Christians) must be motivated by fear.

My question is, do they believe that? If I asked ten Muslims what motivates them spiritually, would all ten say fear? I wonder if even one would. Even though it may be their true motivation, do they really see it that way? That is what I am questioning. If most Muslims do not see Allah as someone to be feared and their works as a desperate attempt to tip the scales in their favor, then talking about grace vs. works with them wouldn't get us very far.

In the spiritual sense, we are all sick. When referring to the Pharisees, Jesus once said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." The pharisees were just as sick as everyone else, but they thought they were healthy. I would argue that so do most people including Muslims. Sometimes, when we talk about false religions, we imply that the adherents either know they are sick or would realize it right away if we simply tell them. I wonder.

Once when I was going door-to-door passing out tracts or something, I talked to a 55-65 year old man who was not a Christian. I asked him if he thought he would go to heaven. He said yes because he was basically a good person. Most people think that God, being the loving sort, will only send REALLY bad folks to hell. Most cults teach that the only people who will a) go to hell; b) live in outer darkness or c) cease to exist are those who reject the cult's teachings. Insiders will make it to some level of heaven.

People of other faiths do not have some way to get right with God. Also, if they are true to their teachings, they must live in fear and uncertainty concerning their fate. However, I think human beings always find a way to ignore the facts, rationalize their situation and hope for the best.

Perhaps our best plan for dealing with unbelievers is to pray that God would first bring calamity on them to force them to see the hopelessness of their situation without him. Then, pray that the Holy Spirit would work true repentance and faith in their hearts.

Encouraging Word #2

Here is another encouraging word. This time from Jeremiah 29:11.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."