When I say the word "tolerance", likely a bunch of different definitions enter your brain. To avoid any controversy, I will use the definition that I found on dictionary.com (we really need to invest in an actual dictionary). This website defines tolerance as, "a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from ones own". I think that's a pretty good definition of the word...now, we can move on!
There's a problem in our churches, homes, communities, and Christian circles. The problem is countless people tolerating intolerance. This is especially upsetting within the church walls. The church is a place that should be filled with tolerance, and acceptance. Unfortunately, that's not often the case. Now, I realize that the church can't control the actions of its members. People have free choice, and can say and do what they want. The problem is, we let a handful of intolerant people, say things, do things and act in ways that should not reflect the rest of the congregation, and yet through our own inaction we tolerate it. We allow and tolerate intolerance.
This must stop! Now, I realize I already defined the word tolerance, but I just want to clarify that I'm not meaning that everyone in church must believe the same things, and even accept every belief. I'm certainly not saying that we should let heresies be preached and just sit back and tolerate that...I'm not saying that we must allow people to live in sin. What I am saying, is that we need to accept people, and tolerate people from all walks of life, and listen to what people have to say. People don't immediately change when they walk in the doors of a church. It takes time. It's too bad that churches are often the most judgemental and intolerant places in the world. People walk in the door, and they are judged. If they have a bible in one hand, a cross around their neck, a shirt and tie (for women, a dress that goes past the knees and doesn't show any cleavage), and nice dress shoes, we accept them. They are holy and good. On the other hand, if a person walks in with a Marilyn Manson shirt on, a mohawk in their hair, earrings all over their face, spiked wristbands on their wrists, tattered jeans, flip flops, and smell like marijauna, we immedately judge them as doomed, and hell-bound. We probably don't even say hello to them. We stare at them, make them feel uncomfortable, talk about them behind their backs and then wonder why they don't return the next week for a sermon that they really needed to hear about Jesus' Love and Forgiveness.
Now, not everyone acts in this way. Not everyone is intolerant of change, or intolerant of people who look or act different, or who believe something a bit different, or who read from the KJV instead of the NIV. But the problem is, the people that don't think those judgemental thoughts, don't do something about those that do. Instead of talking to the "satanic sinner" ourselves, we assume someone else will. We stay away, think to ourselves 'how good it is that this person is going to experience the love of Jesus'...but we never let them see it firsthand. We are apathetic, and through that apathy, we allow those who are intolerant to act in ways that make outsiders feel uncomfortable, unloved, and judged. Our inaction keeps people from feeling the warmth and love of Jesus. Our apathy tolerates the intolerance.
So this is my challege to you. Don't tolerate intolerance! Don't allow it. I'm not saying control what others say and do, because that becomes just as intolerant. What I am saying, is...don't be so apathetic. Don't wait for "others" to talk to the outsider. Don't assume "others" will welcome someone else, or that "others" will give someone with a differing opinion or belief a chance to speak their mind. Be the "other". Welcome someone, say hello, ask them about what they believe, where they are from...anything. Be the tolerant person. You don't have to agree with them, but at least give them a chance. If enough people do that, then those who are intolerant won't matter...because they will remember the love and warmth of the few. Stop tolerating intolerance. There's a reason why the media, and why non-Christians view Christians as judgemental, closed, sheltered and intolerant...because we allow those type of "Christians" to leave the lasting impression. It's wrong, and it needs to stop.
2 comments:
The problem is that when your average church-goer sees someone with a marilyn manson shirt and a mohawk, they don't want to be welcoming to them, because in their eyes, doing so would be allowing them to live in sin.
What happens when people have different views of what is sin and what isn't? Should a church that believes being gay is a sin be welcoming of someone who is gay and believes it's not a sin? Should a pacifist church be welcoming to a non-pacifist who works for the military?
So basically, if it's okay to can exclude people who are living in sin, that pretty much provides an excuse for just about any intolerance.
I wasn't trying to say to not be welcoming to people living in sin (it may have appeared that way, but it was not the intent). There's a big difference between welcoming someone and allowing them to live in sin. My church is right next to a recovery centre for alcoholics. We get a lot of recovering addicts at our church...does welcoming them to our church tell them that being an alcoholic is ok? Of course not, that's ridiculous. Jesus talked with and welcomed blatant sinners; prostitutes, tax collectors, gentiles, pharisees, alcoholics. He built relationships. And when it came to those who were sick and crippled, he didn't forgive their sins first and then heal them...he healed them first and then said "your sins are forgiven". The relationship was built first.
Every persone who walks through the door of a church deserves to be welcomed. If we refuse to welcome someone because of their lifestyle, race, or sins, we are no better than the temple that Jesus turned the tables over in. We aren't doing what we are suppossed to be doing...and that's loving others.
Post a Comment