Melbourne academic, David Tacey, was recently quoted as saying, “(Evangelical Churches) are passionate in what they do but their political and social attitudes are wildly reactionary. They are anti-multicultural, anti other religions, saying that Christianity is the only way to God. No educated person would say that.” (Western Australian, 1 March 2003) As enlightened people, we’ve arrived at the conclusion: No belief system is any better than another. Karl Popper argues further in The Open Society and its Enemies that anyone claiming to have the truth is a defacto totalitarian. For someone to state, “I am sure”, inevitably leads to one declaring, “Therefore, I must be obeyed.” Question: Have we become spiritual fascist of the twenty-first century?

Tolerance, not love, has become the chief virtue of our times; however, tolerance is often grossly misunderstood. In order to gain a biblical understanding, Edwin Lutzer distinguishes three forms of tolerance. Firstly, legal tolerance affirms that every individual possesses the right to choose what he/she will believe. As the parable of the prodigal reminds, the Father grants people the freedom to choose how they will respond to Him, even when it means rebellion. Secondly, social tolerance affirms that all peoples, regardless of their belief, are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. Daniel and Joseph serve as biblical examples of God followers functioning effectively in “non-believing” societies. The rub comes in the third level called uncritical tolerance. Here, religious beliefs are viewed as equally valid. An absence of critical evaluation presumes that the content of one’s belief remains unimportant so long as one finds personal enrichment. Try reaching into your medicine cabinet and consuming the first thing you lay your hands on because the content doesn’t matter. The Bible declares, “Test everything and hold to that which is good.” Christians are called to extend freedom and respect to all while carefully evaluating the truthfulness of their beliefs. In Christ, arrogance and bullying give way to grace and truth, valuing grace to all people while maintaining truthfulness in what we believe.