Thou Shalt Judge No Other Gods Before Me...
Travis K. McSherley
August 2004

The liberal worldview has a big problem with the Christian faith.

Absolutely central and necessary to that faith is its contention that no other means to salvation exists but trust in Jesus Christ.  Whatever else this means, it doesn't leave a lot of room for the liberal dogma of inclusivism and relativism when it comes to faith.

Still, a columnist in the Charlotte Observer calls on Christians to have a more tolerant view of other religions.

It is sacrilege to some in my faith to be remotely tolerant of other faiths, and they are quick to declare you "hell-bound" if you refuse to try to proselytize in the name of Jesus.

During tough times, and specifically during times of war, we become less accepting of those who are different, and we call on our gods to take sides.

So we label others evil or devils or the anti-Christ, making ourselves, in turn, the chosen ones.

Condemn me if you wish, but I will not allow religious bigotry to contaminate my soul....

Love or acceptance of an individual should never be based on that person's religion or nationality or any other accident of birth.

The basis of my affection for others will be their own humanity and their treatment of others.

It bothers me greatly to see savagery carried out in the name of God, or to watch terror groups or nations (democratic or otherwise) declare that they are fighting "holy wars."

We ought to be careful about what we blame on God, or how we use God as an excuse for what we want to do to benefit us as individuals or as a country.

Religious folks, if you must, go through your rituals of ringing bells, lighting candles, blowing horns and chanting daily prayers, but it is time to stop the ritual of discrimination and hatred of those who are different.

Believe me, I know I'll hear from many of you who are ready to tell me how wrong I am and that I'm probably on my way to hell. I welcome your comments, but please leave out the Scripture.

The author also asks readers not to respond to him with Scripture.  While I can't dispute his claims to be a Christian, he clearly does not hold the Word of God in high enough reverence to allow its truth to be higher than his own.

But setting aside all of that, this column -- and many others like it -- is merely biting back against those "religious" believers who contend that their faith is real.  That the Christian faith grounds itself in the belief that Christ provides the only possible way to eternal life, is unsettling.  As it should be.  But here's the thing: the exclusivist claim of Christianity -- which was made by Christ Himself -- does not in and of itself constitute a form of bigotry toward other people.  Certainly, through the ages and even unto present day, some have claimed the name of the Lord in their personal vendettas against other people.  And let's be clear -- those who have exhibited hatred in Christ's name have done more to damage the witness of the faith than can ever be repaired.

Those exceptions, however, cannot be used to condemn the undeniable crux of the Christian faith.

That said, no one ever has the right to tell someone that he is going to hell.  Scripture is clear that we are all deserving of that fate, thus none has room to be self-righteous of boastful about his flawed self.  But God, whose righteousness demands payment for the transgressions of man, has provided a worthy sacrifice, upon which all men may attain salvation.  The only way men may attain salvation.

If a Christian recognizes this "narrow road" that holds the path to salvation, how could he not become frustrated at the worship of false gods and dead-end religions like Islam or Hinduism or Buddhism or, certainly, atheism?

For liberalism, of course, the road is wide enough for all people -- and all faiths -- to pass through.  Would that this were the case.  No genuine follower of Christ desires for a fellow member of mankind to end up in the great fires of hell.

But this faith thing isn't just made up of religious rituals and lifestyle rules.  It's reality.  And as such, there can be no "tolerance" for beliefs sans Christ to have equal standing.  God does demand that we take sides -- and He demands that we take His side.  We can't force anyone to choose God, and we shouldn't try, but in the end the choice will be made.

I choose to follow Christ.