February 12, 2005

Hate Speech

Are hate speech laws a threat to Christian witness, preaching, or practice?

As we see hate speech laws spreading across the land, we see cases of Christians being charged for doing what they feel they are compelled to do, by the teachings and doctrines of scripture.

My fundamental question, though, is this...

Does Scripture require, compell or even encourage us
to attack anyone, their religion, or their lifestyle?


If we examine the various PUBLIC teachings (i.e. sermons) of Jesus, Peter, and Paul, do we see THEM attacking the other religions of their day? Do we see them attacking the various sinful lifestyles of their day? Or do we, instead, see them offering hope, deliverance, and salvation? Paul's most famous sermon (on Mars Hill in Athens) offers no such condemnation, nor does Jesus’ Sermon on the mount, nor Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost.

Can we not take the Gospel to the world WITHOUT Condemnation?

If you study closely Jesus’ messages his accusation are for God’s people (the Jews) not for the World.

Let’s take the Gospel to the world in love and peace, as scripture teaches and illustrates. And leave condemnation and judgment to the Lord.

~peace~

1 comment:

Matthew Carver said...

Right on man, our first and most important responsiblity is to get others into the presence of Jesus. He is the one that calls them. He is the one that saves them. He is the one that changes them. This doesn't mean we are against anything in the Bible. Far from it, your statements show it is not up to us to make people change. That's Gods buisness,and I can't find anywhere in the Bible where God asks any of us what we think. Just a Redneck hangin out with Jesus.





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