We may be opponents who disagree, but we are not enemies.
We may even be competitors, but we are not enemies.
We must make and remember the distinction, for the Love of God. ["We" being those who confess Jesus Christ as Lord, or who confess and declare a different divine centered faith.]
We may be on opposite sides of an issue of theology, but we are not out to destroy each other.
We may not even like one another because of our views on religion or the interpretation of a Holy Book.
But we do not intend or wish to eliminate one another or murder or kill one another.
The difference between enemies and opponents is more than one of degree. It is one of violence, or lack of it, in our hearts.
Thus, we need opposite points of view for balance and perspective and to keep our minds open to growth and change and learning.
But we do not need, nor is there room in our Christian faith, for wanting the destruction or the complete silencing of those who do not totally agree with our point of view.
Members of Congress' House of Representatives, Democrats and Republicans, may go to Hershey, PA for a weekend retreat to learn to disagree civilly, and it is a good and beneficial activity for our legislative leaders who have the nation's business in hand.
But it is also a great idea for religious leaders and practitioners to keep the same goals in mind: to disagree with courtesy and civility; to have differing views on important theological and biblical issues, but to love one another as Christ loved each and all of us. It is not the intention of the vast majority of church members and leaders to destroy those in another denomination or theological persuasion, I don't believe. We may want to persuade people or enlighten them or show them the error of their ways. But we do not want to see them executed. Do We? No!
So, there are vast differences within the universal Christian Church, and other major faiths of the world, differences in style, vocabulary, organization, theology, even in building design. But these differences do not make us enemies. We are rather partners in faith seeking to bring peace to a globe filled with warring enemies. Let the peace begin with us.
Richard E. Lake
2 comments on A Hershey Kiss
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A kind word turns away wrath. Will Rogers said I could only hate a man up until he said Hi to me, or similar words such as that, but I got the point. Cover satan's venom with your love, and speak out words of righteousness and blessings over your enemies, especially. Pray the "Our Father" every time you want to belt somebody in the face, and it diffuses all anger. Look at the greats that interacted, nonjudgmentally, with all such as Mother Theresa and Billy Graham, and you will see righteousness in action - not perfection - neither are or were dieties - but living sacrifices, with a sense of humor and intellect, that is and was valuable to the Kingdom. Blessings, Carol