Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[1]
You may wonder what the above scripture has to do with secularism and religious intolerance. My response is – keep reading, and you’ll find out.
But before I explain this scripture to you, let us have a look at where these two groups stand in the world today: 85% of the world’s population is religious, and the remaining group of 15% are unaffiliated, atheists, and others. This information is what I could find with limited research. What is lacking in research result is made up in a broad picture.
If we consider the two most significant components of the 85%, we will find Christianity to be the largest, followed not too distantly by Islam.
Is the Christian religion united as one? No, it’s not; Christianity consists of denominations and separatist groups. But for all that, it commonly agrees with most bible interpretations. Is Christianity tolerant of the doctrines of other religions? Not really. In its most straightforward assessment, the Christian Bible says there is a heaven and a hell. If you believe in Jesus, you will go to heaven; if you don’t, you will go to hell.
Is the Islamic religion united as one? Not really. They have three separatist groups. Are these three groups tolerant of other religious doctrines? No. You are a Muslim, or you are an infidel (unbeliever).
It was not possible to make any assessment of the rest.
Now, let me make an important statement: Some of my figures may be a little out, and my doctrinal interpretation not 100% accurate, but the principle message will be as correct as anyone can get it. The onus rests on you to confer with God and make your decision.
So, will secularism always be intolerant of religion and vice-versa? History says a resounding ‘YES.’
As a Christian, how do I deal with this situation then?
Firstly, I must accept every human being I meet as my neighbor. Secondly, I must acknowledge that God made laws for humanity to follow in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Jesus claimed that He had come to fulfill those laws and introduce a new way of living: With the Spirit of God in you and living in the Kingdom of God on this Earth. God never made doctrines; that was and is solely the work of humanity.
Life in the Kingdom of God is:
“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. For this, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law’” (Romans 13:8-9).
The words in this scripture make the importance of loving your neighbor plain – since loving your neighbor is part of fulfilling the Mosaic law. So you do agree with this scripture, right? Of course, you do. In this case, we can continue finding out who our neighbor is. In answering this question, you will find the following helpful scripture:
“But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?
In reply Jesus said: A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?
The expert in the law replied, The one who had mercy on him.
Jesus told him, Go and do likewise.”[2]
So, will secularism always be intolerant of religion and vice-versa? History says a resounding ‘YES.’
As a Christian, how do I deal with this situation then? Love EVERYONE you meet – simple. Here is my formulae for love:
Love = Empathy + Understanding.
The Samaritan put himself into the predicament of a man who was robbed and understood that he would die unless helped.
As a Christian, above my doctrine, I give my love.
Until next time
Love and blessings
Peter-James.