Tolerance and truth

Let me state the obvious:  We live in a society of tolerance. 

It has now become the centerpiece of our culture.

When it comes to religion, tolerance means accepting that all religions are equally true or untrue.

There can be no distinction.

One definition of tolerance is "to allow (something one dislikes ore disagrees with) to exist without interference - (or to) patiently endure (something unpleasant)."

As Christians, we can be considered intolerant because we dare take the stance that there are some things in this world that are wrong and we are right.

It has become wrong to tell others that they are wrong.

Of course the ironic thing is that the person saying that it is wrong to say that someone else is wrong is also saying that Christians are wrong for saying what they believe!

Just a thought then - the ultimate question at stake is not whether Christian belief is tolerant (or intolerant) but where it is true and real or not.

I believe it is.  In fact, I know it is.  So am I being intolerant of other religions and beliefs?

Am I being intolerant in stating that Jesus is the only way to God?

There is a (now famous) story of an elephant in the jungle.  Different blind scribes come up to the elephant and take hold of the different body parts.

One holds the trunk and declares, "This is a snake."

Another holds the leg and says, "You are wrong.  It is not a snake, it is a tree trunk!"

Still another holds the tail and says, "You are both wrong.  It is a rope."

The different individuals are said to represent the different religions of the world, and the moral of the story is that no one faith has the whole truth; it would be the height of intolerance and arrogant to state so.

In other words, everyone has a little piece of the truth.

But who is being intolerant and arrogant?

The people inside the story who are up close to the elephant or the storyteller who is standing back and thinks he has the whole picture?

The people inside the story who are blind or the person telling the story who thinks that he can see?

The implication of the story is that Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Muhammad and Moses were blind - but only the storyteller can see.

So who sounds intolerant now?  Who sounds arrogant now?

Is it not just as arrogant and intolerant to claim that YOU know that all paths lead to God as it is to claim that you agree with Jesus that he is the only way to God?

That in and of itself is intolerance.

Perhaps a more practical and pragmatic approach is needed here.

At the end of the day, anyone who claims the truth can go back to the first hand experience that they have of that truth.  The Bible promises that if we draw near to God, he will draw near to us.

That is a perfect and direct invitation to encounter God.

Why not pray this prayer today:  "God, if you are there, please reveal yourself to me."

And I believe that He will.

Why?  Because the Bible says so. 

How intolerant of me to say that......:) :)

Just a thought for a Thursday.