Why Evangelicals are More Respectful of Other Religions
It is often suggested by liberals and others that evangelicals are intolerant of other religions. I would like to suggest that the opposite is true.
First of all, we need to define what tolerance is. Tolerance does not mean that everything is good. Tolerance is respecting what you do not like or agree with. I will tolerate cold weather because I do not like it but living in Canada it is inevitable. I cannot tolerate chocolate because I really enjoy it and so there is nothing to tolerate.
So those who say that all religions are the same or are equal ways to God cannot be tolerant. Only those who disagree with the truth claims of other religions are capable of tolerance. I will acknowledge that there are some evangelicals and other conservatives that are intolerant, but tolerance can only arise from this starting point.
However, I want to move beyond tolerance. I want to suggest that evangelicals are more respectful of other religions than many liberals.
How can I say such a thing?
If a liberal Christian walks up to a devout Muslim and says that they and the non-theist Buddhist are all on the same spiritual journey, is that respectful toward Islam? It is not. To be respectful toward another religion is to allow them to embrace their exclusivist claims.
I believe that Jesus is the only way to receive eternal life. That does not make me disrespectful toward other religions. It makes me more respectful. It means that I understand that:
- Muslims believe that there is one God and Muhammad is his prophet
- Jews believe that they are God’s chosen people
- Buddhists believe that enlightenment comes through the four noble truths and the eight-fold path
- Mormons believe that Joseph Smith restored the true faith
When people try to blend all the religions together, even if they start with good intentions, they are destroying the distinctives that make each of the religions unique. If you want to be respectful toward all religions, let us keep our exclusive claims and do not try to throw us into a religious blender.
Evangelicals are in a prime position to lead the world in a truly tolerant and respectful understanding of other religions.
