Tolerance Today: Are All Religions Equal?
Have you ever been taken to task by the “politically, correct police” over their notion of tolerance?
Frequently, I am called intolerant for disputing statements such as “all religions are equal.” I am told all religions are equally tolerable and that I should tolerate another’s religion whether, for example, they treat women as chattel. I will leave discussion of violent Islamic extremist for another day but I do wish to address those who worship at the altar of environmental extremism (eco-terrorist) or intend to protect wild animals over the needs of humans.
Lately it seems the high priest of climate change are pushing their views with religious fervor upon our unsuspecting youth. Like Malthus late 1700’s, apocalyptic claims about scarcity and poverty, many modern day doomsday claims about the environment taken to logical extremes are reduced to absurdity. Yet much of current public policy risks being driven by such extremist.
The PETA folks also seem to me to be pushing fantastic forms of faith about animals. Some maintain it is improper to kill a baby eating alligator in the Florida Everglades. Yet the creed of many of these same folks believe it is proper to sacrifice a baby in the mother’s womb. I speak for direct experience in this regard. Once I rescued three small children in a pond from a large, very old snapping turtle. Notwithstanding the fact the very turtle broke in half the oar of our boat and could have maimed the little children, I was chastised for killing the old turtle.
To some readers my description of extreme climate changers or PETA members practicing a type of religion maybe unfair. To others, I am be striking a responsive chord. Recall theories of Eugenics practiced not long ago in this country. http://www.cfpeople.org/SeminarianWritings/Sem036.html
We have only to witness the history of Margaret Sanger and Planned Parenthood to note the sordid history of this government supported organization. Be on the watch for government funding of so-called “faith based organizations.”
Michael,You cover a lot of ground in this post. You start by asking the question, Are all religions equal? While proponents of the different religions would like us to believe that the answer is yes, I seriously doubt that the founders of each religion would answer yes. There is only one religion where true repenting of sin and a commitment to submit to the will of God will lead to an abundant life on earth and in eternity. As a country, America has lost sight of the benefits given to us, by our Lord, because we were a Christian country. I say were because I no longer believe that America is a Christian country. We are to concerned in making every person happy rather than pleasing the Lord.The above point leads me to my thoughts on PETA and other organizations like them. While many of them have an admirable objective (i.e. mission statement), they have fallen into the trap of making the thing they are trying to save their god (idol) and their motivation is driven by self service rather than the will of God.I will end my comments with this question, What country where Islam is the dominate faith permits the freedom to openly worship through a different faith? The only country and faith that has permitted freedom of religion throughout history is the USA and Christianity. That alone makes Christianity a religion like no other. There are many other reasons why it is greater, but I will not address them here.Cliff
Cliff.Thank you for your thoughtful comments, especially, your noting another aspect of American Exceptionalism. I admire your own deep faith knowing it was strengthened in combat.I look forward to reading your book on Christianity. Do see today’s WSJ front page describing the growth of independent publishing.