The freedom of speech is getting passed off, and we are told we just need tolerance. If we don't tolerate all these other practices that we don't believe as being holy as Children of God then we are either shut-up, fined, or discriminated against. In reality, we are having to tolerate such people or be punished because they won't tolerate us.
TolerateA very dear friend and wise homeschooling mother of five wrote this on a public blog set up as "a brief commentary on government and home education in the news", which in the long run clashes with being a Godly parent and protector of the faith.
TOL'ERATE, v.t. [L. tolero, from tollo, to lift.] To suffer to be or to be done without prohibition or hinderance; to allow or permit negatively, by not preventing; not to restrain; as, to tolerate opinions or practices. (1)
There's been a lot of talk of "tolerance" lately. I truly hate that word. I really do. Not because I want to go throw rocks at everyone I disagree with - I don't. But rather, I hate how misconstrued the word is.
If you believe that abortion is wrong, and use your voting power - campaigning for pro-life candidates etc., you are likely to be called "intolerant" because you're against a woman's right to choose. Of course, never mind that the right to life supersedes the right to well being. Anyhow ...
Is disagreeing and standing up for your beliefs really "intolerant?" What if those understandings I hold affect the way I vote? What if, regardless of my beliefs and understanding of how these things work, I am kind and loving to those I disagree with - because that is 1) how Christ taught me to be and 2) because I feel that love in my heart? Does that make me intolerant? Because I disagree and say so???
-Deb Turner (2)
A lot of Christians are becoming tolerant of "other" practices, which are all quite disturbing. Those who don't tolerate them in speech and thought are considered to be judgmental and unloving towards others. We're considered to be "trouble makers" because we can't just "live in peace and accept one another as they were made".Jesus was not tolerant of sinful ways. He was not accepting of them, but that doesn't mean he didn't love the person and wouldn't forgive them if they asked. When the woman accused of adultery was brought to Jesus he didn't say "thou are a sinner but that's what you believe is right so go on your way". No, he didn't tolerate her sin, but he didn't condemn her either. He said "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more".
John 8:2-12I have seen worldly-Christians come up against what Mrs. Turner said above and call those who are not tolerate "holier-than-thou" because "they can accept others and live in peace". It's not right. We, as Children of God, must become a holy people again. We have strayed so far. We can no longer tolerate or accept sinful ways because "that's what people believe". Taking this stance of not tolerating sinful ways doesn't mean are condemning or will condemn those who do. Remember that without the blood of Jesus we would have the same fate as the adulteress and homosexuals. All of our sin is the same in Jesus eyes and we all need to learn to love, not tolerate, one another.
And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Now Moses in the Torah commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 13:34We need to learn how to love and teach, rather than tolerate and ignore. Jesus did not tolerate sin and to do so is sinful. The Bible forewarns of a peace and unity between all nations and religions. It is a peace that the Anti-Christ brings.
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Daniel 11:21People are searching and wanting people to just tolerate and accept them "as they are". Th
And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
e Bible says that the Anti-Christ will obtain the kingdom through flatteries, and because the human flesh is so weak and susceptible to flatteries (such as being accepted as a homosexual) they will cling unto him. We need to be really well-versed in the Word and know what is Godly and acceptable because the End Times are coming, and Christians who don't tolerate other religions or join the world in "peace" will be outcasts.Blessings to you as you Grow in the Grace of our Lord!
Sources: (1) 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary, (2) Deb Turner @ Home Where They Belong
5 Comment(s)! Please Leave A Comment!:
This was a really good post. I see it as, if we are tolerant with abortion, and other things, then someday, people will look on outright murderers and say "We can't do anything about that, that is just what they believe, or just the way they are."
Scary.
Miss Eyebright
A great post, Jocelyn.
People didn't speak up when they took prayer out of schools, either.
You are right, we must stand on the Word of God.
Love,
Grandma Starr
Amen to that, Miss Jocelyn. Powerful post!
One thing I'd like to say is that this magazine has readers as young as eight years old and as old as, well even grandmothers are reading. ;O)We thank you all for your support and questions each month.
A comment came through for moderation and some points are very well worth the discussion, however due to the age of some readers, parts of the comment will not be allowed.
A Commenter said, "I think that pretending American Christians are honestly "discriminated against" is disrespectful to the memory of the martyrs who sacrificed all for Jesus."
Truly our past Christian martyrs and those currently imprisoned for just sharing the Gospel in China are under greater prosecution than those who are not allowed to open their Bibles in a government classroom or invite a friend from those schools to church on Sunday. We do not discredit or disrespect those martyrs and what they stand for. Yet, it is still a form of persecution when a student is not allowed to thank God when they are valedictorian of a government school. Their speeches are edited for content, especially when the staff knows the Valedictorian is a Christian.
The Same commenter said, "It's terrifically ironic that in a post about censorship of Christianity and Christian ideas- one disparaging such censorship as wrong- the post I wrote, from the perspective of a Christian no less, was deemed unfit for posting. What hypocrisy. I can only conclude you're afraid to see others disagree with you, even fellow Christians."
We would allow a comment from someone who disagrees if they are asking for clarification from God's Word. However when a comment is sent in that is contrary to the Word of God then we have to prayerfully consider that it could be a negative influence on our readers. While our site is directed for the encouragement of young ladies as young as eight years old to live pure before the Lord and obey their parents, we are honored to have many mothers, grandmothers, and other adult women reading and enjoying our articles.
Some comments sent in from adult readers would not be appropriate for young readers and as such we aim to protect them from such influences. We know that many mothers appreciate our moderation policy and we strive to uphold our standards and prayerfully consider and read all comments sent in.
Let's just always look to God's Word in regards to a matter. I use a TV guardian to censor language and comment sin film so my children aren't influenced by them, the same standard of review goes for any sites I allow my children to read.
The Commenter said this, "I certainly hope you will reconsider posting my comment. If not, well, I will think twice about recommending this site to my friends."
If we allowed all comments sent in from our readers then we would lose all of our readership. We will remain a site that goes the extra mile to protect the eyes and minds of our readers.
And I will work harder on correcting my typos in the future. :P
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