Treat Others With Differing Viewpoints With Respect
Word-Of-The-Day: ‘(15) The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. (16) Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.’ (Proverbs 12:15-16); ‘A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.’ (Proverbs 13:1)
Why should the minority have rights? If the majority have a desire for a certain outcome, why care what the minority wants? The answer is simple, it is possible that both sides (in any situation) have a valid argument to where they are both right. Whether one viewpoint has a majority or not does not negate that, so the minority of the opposite viewpoint must be respected. Take the number ‘6’, and write it on your driveway (with chalk, so it can be washed off with the next rain). Stand on one end of the ‘6’, have someone else stand on the other end. Your viewpoint would be that it is a ‘6’, and you would be correct. The other person would have the viewpoint that it is a ‘9’ and they would be correct. Both are correct in their viewpoint of the same topic, though they have opposite viewpoints.
We have to be careful not to step over others or use coercion (or worse) to eliminate their opposition, unless their opposition is a viable threat to physical well-being, as Hamas is to Israel. We can debate, use evidence, and attempt to persuade but forceful coercion usually ends in disaster, and in typical fashion when the opposition gains power, the opposition retaliates in kind. This happened after the Crusades, when the forced conversions attempted upon the Muslims in Israel was eventually rebuffed and Islam retaliated by gaining ground in the Balkans and Spain. Other forms of simple majority rule forcing their viewpoints upon the minority ended up with the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany (and the Holocaust of Jews that soon followed), and the Tutsi Massacre in 1994 in Rwanda by the majority Hutu.
Sometimes the majority is wrong, and minority is right. This is never truer as with Christians living in the secular world today. We as Christians also need to practice respect, but never back down on the Truth that is the Gospel. We must speak the Truth, and hold the Truth without sway. Tolerance, of lies perpetuated, is not a Christian virtue.
The debates today in the public forum is split down the middle on almost every issue Americans face. This is acceptable, as these debates should lead to discussion and perhaps concessions and compromises toward an acceptable outcome. The discourse today in the public forum is one of ridiculing the opposing viewpoint, from both sides. This is where the US is teetering upon a dangerous implosion of separation that may not be able to be turned aside. Both sides of every viewpoint are becoming steadfast and entrenched; like in World War I both sides are locked down and cannot be budged.
What will break the impasse? The answer is, of course, Jesus. This is why the Great Commission needs to be carried out by Christians now. We can be different; in appearance, in politics, and social status. Some will not pay attention and some will be annoyed. But when we share Jesus, without shaming or browbeating unbelievers (or killing them like the Crusaders) but by simply giving them the truth, some will listen and take heed.
There will be those who will come to Christ right away. Some will take several times to hear the Word before responding. Some may not respond, which even happened to Jesus; we do have to examine ourselves to ensure we are not providing the Gospel in a coercive fashion or getting annoyed or insult if someone rejects us. We have to be careful not to rebuke harshly, but warn softly but truthfully of the consequences of turning away from Christ.
Most importantly, we must be considerate for our Christian brothers and sisters. We can agree to disagree on secular things, but we must always agree to come together for Christ and respect each other. We also must remember that we Christians are the minority in the secular world, but with God on our side we are the majority; we must show respect while at the same time be careful not to compromise on our beliefs. Where we must standfast is that the Word of God is paramount and resolute! We must show compassion and forgiveness to those who do disagree with the Gospel, and never get angry when we are rejected, the one thing we can never compromise is our Faith in our Lord and His precepts.
