Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (Full Version)

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Walker311 -> Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/24/2008 12:26:31 AM)

<SOURCE link>

"57 percent of evangelical church attenders said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life, in conflict with traditional evangelical teaching.

In all, 70 percent of Americans with a religious affiliation shared that view, and 68 percent said there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their own religion."

You and I are witnessing 2Tm:4:3: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful?



mvic -> RE: Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/24/2008 5:33:37 AM)

Is Religious tolerance anywhere harmful?

Once you start diluting Christianity to accommodate a modern society then Christianity is in decline.

"I am the the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).



DaveW -> RE: Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/24/2008 6:26:58 AM)

It depends on what is meant by "many religions." If that is taken to mean Luthern, Presbyterian, Baptist, Pentecostal, and Methodist then I completely agree.

If OTOH it means Hinduism, Shintoism, Islam, Wiccan, Voodo, etc, then they are completely wrong.

The Roman empire of NT times was very pluralistic in religious tolerance with a bent toward Greko-Roman pantheism. God used it to spread the gospel. So it can be a bad thing but at the same time it can be a good thing. I guess it depends on how we use it.



BerianAardvark -> RE: Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/24/2008 6:43:33 AM)

There is a difference between tolerating other religions, not persecuting those who practice them, and diluting Christianity.

Christian churches as a whole do a very poor job of educating their congregations, or they would know simple scripture like John 14:6 "Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."

If they truly taught scripture then there would be no doubt as to the effect of other religions (they lead to hell).

But there would still be tolerance for those who practice them...nowhere in scripture are we told to do anything other than take the word to them and love them.

Note take the word to them, not beat them over the head with our Bibles till they surrender and (outwardly) comply.

To the extent that we do not teach the word we are, indeed living in 2 Timothy 4:3 times, but there are many churches, some very large and growing churches, that do teach the Bible, book by book, chapter by chapter verse by verse and precept by precept.

Because there are still churches like that, I can ask is the cause of this situation that the congregation will not endure sound doctrine, or that so many pastors are not teaching sound doctrine out of fear that they will chase away the numbers?

When pastors don't follow 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (1) "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:(2) preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."

it leads to "Christians" who do follow 2 Timothy 4:3-4(3) "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,(4) and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths."

But that is because that is what they have been feed instead of the word by those who lead them. If all they are used to is ice cream and pablum, they will find it hard to accept milk and meat.

Tim



SonInMe1 -> RE: Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/24/2008 8:08:06 AM)

You can't have situational freedom. It is a very good thing that people can believe in the way they see fit.

I presume you are not calling for a theocracy with your brand of religion controlling others into "belief"?

If we do not keep this freedom in our country, beliefs will fester in darkness. People will believe what they want to believe but will do so behind closed doors.

I prefer the KKK marching and out in the open so it can be countered. A hidden KKK is much more dangerous. Same with poor religions and false christianity.

Without religious tolerence we would fall into tyranny.

Now, inside of the church that is a totally different scenerio. That should be countered at all costs.



e.barrett -> RE: Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/24/2008 2:52:50 PM)

Israel faced exactly the same situations. And unfortunately they often fell into the trap of believing in other gods. But I don't see God wanting us to somehow forcefully make people stop following other religions. He's given us free choice, and I think we need to extend that same choice to others.

Plus it seems to me that Christianity spreads the most when exposed to a pluralistic world view - Abraham, Moses, and Jesus all lived in very pluralistic societies. And they seemed to do a pretty good job. ;)



Liveloved -> RE: Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/24/2008 3:30:32 PM)

quote:

Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful?


NO.

Our God is a God of freedom. He gave us freewill and wants us to choose Him. His way is love. And His desire is for ALL to come to the knowledge of the Truth. He suffers long with me and you. Do we dare not do the same for our fellowmen?



BibleL7 -> RE: Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/24/2008 7:19:48 PM)

well Depends if you believe there actually is Religious Tolerance in America. Now if you are talking about the Tolerance Religion in America yes it is harmful in keeping people from testifying of Jesus because they dont want to be sued or tossed out of school or even arrested. This country has had religious tolerance since the country was born and most were Christian then the country went more liberal and did not want to teach their children about Christ, then it was taken out of schools, then out of public altogether. Oh sorry if you think religious tolerance is saying any way is OK, and what we have in Tolerance Religion is not truly tolerance for if you believe that Jesus is the only way then you are not tolerated.



SavedByGraceMD -> RE: Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/24/2008 9:42:00 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Walker311

<SOURCE link>

"57 percent of evangelical church attenders said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life, in conflict with traditional evangelical teaching.

In all, 70 percent of Americans with a religious affiliation shared that view, and 68 percent said there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their own religion."

You and I are witnessing 2Tm:4:3: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful?

Simply put, yes it is



PureLight -> RE: Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/24/2008 10:48:37 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1

You can't have situational freedom. It is a very good thing that people can believe in the way they see fit.

I presume you are not calling for a theocracy with your brand of religion controlling others into "belief"?

If we do not keep this freedom in our country, beliefs will fester in darkness. People will believe what they want to believe but will do so behind closed doors.

I prefer the KKK marching and out in the open so it can be countered. A hidden KKK is much more dangerous. Same with poor religions and false christianity.

Without religious tolerence we would fall into tyranny.

Now, inside of the church that is a totally different scenerio. That should be countered at all costs.


I completely agree. Especially on the last part, although I do think giving a people an understanding of different religions is a fantastic way of being able to spread the gospel to a pluralistic society.



LCannon -> RE: Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/25/2008 12:33:51 AM)

Acts 4:7-"And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed, 10 be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Tolerance isn't the issue as though intolerance is. People will tolerate many imaginations(even lies)to avoid the truth and not just in America hence truth proclaimed is far superior then intolerance. However, tolerance of idols and in some cases encouragement of intermarriage with 'strange fire' has certainly weakened societies.



OneJohn410 -> RE: Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/25/2008 1:32:43 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Walker311

<SOURCE link>

"57 percent of evangelical church attenders said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life, in conflict with traditional evangelical teaching.

In all, 70 percent of Americans with a religious affiliation shared that view, and 68 percent said there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their own religion."

You and I are witnessing 2Tm:4:3: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful?


Whooo-eee, I'm a sure enough youngster on these boards. I completely missed the meaning of the words source link at the top of your post. So I wrote this whole thing without reading your quoted article.

It's not an easy thing to think about, but as I understand it, everyone will live an eternal life after their earthly death, and there's only two destinations. Your first statement refers to eternal life in heaven with God and Jesus and company. What troubles me there is not so much that it conflicts with the faiths of the earth, but that it conflicts with the Word of God.

I would need to read this report you refer to to answer your other questions... it would be interesting to hear if this survey was done by a religious association, or by whom, and as to how the religious terms they use in their conclusion are defined.

There's another poll that's been done that mentioned multiple roads to salvation, the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Religious Beliefs and Practices - The Pew Charitable Trusts. http://www.pewtrusts.org/our_work_report_detail.aspx?id=40650

I got this one from over in the Current Events section.
I'll try to bring more to this thread later.
OneJohn410



Ezra -> RE: Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/25/2008 1:57:13 AM)

Freedom of religion implies "religious tolerance" by the government and the public insititutions of a nation. And freedom of religion is a necessity for the propagation of the Gospel. Indeed, we should be praying daily that the Lord will continue to ensure that Christians remain free to propagate the Gospel in every nation.

Christians need not fear the existence of other religions side by side with Christianity since the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. The history of early Christianity reveals that in spite of tremendous opposition and persecution, Christianity flourished and replaced false religions. God the Holy Spirit is always present with the true Gospel.

At the same time, it would be naive to believe that Christ and Christianity will not be opposed wherever they exist and wherever the Gospel is proclaimed. Satan and his evil spirits war against Christ and Bible Christianity daily. Therefore this opposition will manifest itself in a variety of ways, especially in attempts by those opposed to Christianity to suppress its propagation or persecute churches or Christians.

The sad fact is that while North America has freedom of religion, evangelical Christians have not maximized their efforts to use it to vigorously propagate the Gospel. The cults are more zealous in propagating their lies than believers in propagating the truth.

Furthermore, religious freedom has been abused by many in the name of Christ, in that they make merchandise of the Gospel, the Bible and Bible truth. Christ said "Freely ye have received, freely give", but preachers and teachers are putting a price on the Gospel every day. Almost every radio or television ministry appeals for funds, which is a huge stumbiling block to unbelievers.

A very subtle method of compromising Christianity has been the willingness of churches and ministries to seek tax exempt status, and for Christians to utilize this for their Christian giving. Ultimately this will allow governments to control churches and what they propagate. This could lead to religious intolerance or atacks on religious freedom.

In brief, religious tolerance is not harmful in the least, if by that we mean tolerating the existence and propagation of other false religions beside Christianity. However, theological tolerance is another issue altogether, since it pertains strictly to Christians, and false doctrine or false practice should not be tolerated or condoned. Judgment must begin at the house of God.



URForgiven -> RE: Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/25/2008 3:08:52 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Walker311

<SOURCE link>

"57 percent of evangelical church attenders said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life, in conflict with traditional evangelical teaching.

In all, 70 percent of Americans with a religious affiliation shared that view, and 68 percent said there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their own religion."

You and I are witnessing 2Tm:4:3: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful?


This reflects directly on the Church, the body of Christ, not on religious tolerance or those who are lost. It is our responsibility to spread the Gospel, and we have failed to do so.

There is only one way that a professing, [as opposed to a possessing] Christian could come to the conclusion that there are many ways that lead to eternal life...and that is if they have no clue what salvation is.

Until a person understands what salvation is and why they need it, they will never understand why Jesus is the only way.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Jesus is the only way because only Jesus has eternal life, and life is the only answer to being dead.

Peace



mvic -> RE: Is Religious Tolerance in America Harmful? (6/25/2008 4:47:37 PM)

I feel that the problem here is that the Church (whatever denomination) has failed its people as well as those un-believers to whom it should spread the Word.

It failed its own people because over the years many church leaders have adapted and changed their message to accommodate different lifestyles and modern beliefs. Rather than stand firm as a rock and proclaim the Word of God many church leaders have diluted what they preach for fear of losing their audience and consequently their livelihood.

Is it any wonder therefore that the Christians are confused and don't know what to believe? What was doctrine one day is set aside to make way for new teachings.

As for the non-believers - they are bemused to see the Christians themselves confused and spending their time arguing with each other.

To give just one example: I know of church-going Christians who although they affirm and believe they are good Christians; yet they do not necessarily accept John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."



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