As regular readers will know, I'm a retired pastor and committed Christian. (Some would say I should be committed, but what to, they don't specify.) I know we have various denominations and sects of Christianity, Islam and Judaism among our readers, as well as Hindus, Jains, Shintoists, atheists and agnostics. That's fine with me. I strive to get along with everyone. I don't have the right to preach at them, just as they don't have the right to preach at me. Provided we all offer each other respect, I see no reason why we can't get along in mutual respect.
Problems arise when some incident or report causes someone's religious convictions to ratchet upward, and they begin trying to convert others. I'm sure they feel that what they're doing is what God would want them to do, but it's also something that will annoy others of different faiths, and might lead to serious outbreaks of division, dissent and annoyance. Two commenters today apparently took my previous post on economic issues as a clarion call to "get right with Jesus" in preparation for whatever's coming. As a Christian, I certainly don't disagree with them. However, I'm quite sure many other readers don't share their opinion, and will not respond well to an impassioned appeal to "turn or burn". I've therefore not published either comment, so as to avoid that kind of conflict.
Friends, when you post on this blog, please remember to treat others with the respect you expect to receive here. If you don't want your faith disparaged, please don't disparage others' faith. If you have your own predictions about what the future may hold, please don't try to force them down others' throats. If times get tougher, don't spread gloom-and-doom about "if you don't get right with God, you're going to burn too!"
As for the "rapture" or "second coming" or "end times", none of us know when they're likely to occur. Why not wait to find out, rather than contradict the Bible - and Jesus himself - through uninformed speculation?
Sorry if this has wasted your time, but it's been frustrating having to deal with this. Let's do better.
Peter
5 comments:
The Golden Rule always works, regardless of your Faith or denomination. People should learn there's a time and a place, and screeching on your blog ain't it!
Get well soon, Peter.
Jesus is coming back...don't know when...better be ready.
I respectfully disagree.
We each have the right to preach to each other.
But it should be done in a respectful manner.
Much like Charlie Kirk did.
Wouldn't want to offend anyone. Seriously, your house, your rules, but Christ wasn't a real "whatever" kind of guy.
People are gonna 'people', regardless of what we do...sigh
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