"Why are Christians bigoted, intolerant towards other religions?": a reply

FredK
Forum category
Church & Ministry
Topic tags
apologetics
comparing religions

Are Christians really intolerant, narrowminded of other religions? This is a sneaky, trick question. It falsely implies that Christians are preventing people from choosing the religion of their choice.

I prefer the questions: “Does each person not have the freedom to choose his religion? Do not other religions have their particular beliefs too?” Let’s be honest, even handed. God gives each one the freedom to choose.

However having the freedom to choose does not mean that all choices are equally safe and wise. The Surgeon General, FDA, product labels and road signs warn us of dangers. Warnings are good but we make the decisions.

Admitedly, according to the Bible, besides trusting Jesus Christ for salvation there is just one other religion. All the man made religions are the same. They are all based on human merit, good deeds or religious rites. They have no answer for man’s sin. They have no Savior who paid the penalty for man’s sin. (Rom 6.23; 3.24). Other religions are just different dishes on the same bad buffet. Only Jesus Christ paid the penalty of a man’s sins. He alone offers the free gift of eternal life.

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45.22).

Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the father but by me.” (Jn 14.6) (Jn 1.29; 3.16;Ac 4.12; 1 Tim 1.15).

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Discussion

Profile picture for user TylerR
TylerR
Sat, 09/08/12 11:33 am

I agree with what you said. People are indeed perfectly free to choose to reject Christ. It is very important we have a working knowledge of basic apologetics to answer this question. Some points we could consider regarding this question:

1. What does the plethora of religions around the world tell us about what men and women intuitively feel about themselves? It seems to suggest that people can look around at the world and instinctively feel there is something greater than themselves from general revelation (Ps 19:1-6; Rom 1:21). They can also clearly see they fail to live up to a moral standard, that still small voice in their head which admonishes them for doing wrong. Scripture tells us this moral law is written on our hearts (Rom 2:14-15). Men, quite apart from special revelation, examine one another and find themselves wanting. I believe the sheer number of religions around the world testifies to that fact - men are trying to build a man-made bridge between the way they are to some lofty, ill-defined ideal. The problem is that Christianity is the one true way.

2. Other religions can politely but firmly be evaluated in light of their truth claims. We should always stand on Scripture, and never cast it aside and rely on pure reason when we witness, evangelize or do apologetics in defense of the faith. I am un-ashamedly presuppositional in this way, but I still recognize the invaluable work evangelicals such as William L. Craig do in defense of Christianity. Christianity can stand up to intellectual scrutiny; we have the facts and manner of creation, the nature of man, the fall, the prophesies of Christ, the fulfillment of these prophesies, historical evidence for the resurrection, and many more besides. Christianity is perfectly valid; it should be proudly expounded as such from Scripture, and shown to be true by rational arguments which support the Scripture. Other religions cannot stand in the face of these truth claims.

Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.