Religious extremism and the eternal view
There can be little doubt that religious extremism is on the rise around the world and in all religions. And while atheists seethe when you describe their beliefs as a religion, it is certainly a set of beliefs about spiritual/supernatural things whose adherents use those beliefs to make significant life decisions. The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in August that “Atheism is the plaintiff’s religion, and the group that he wanted to start was religious in nature even though it expressly rejects a belief in a supreme being.” The U.S. Supreme Court, in the 1961 case of Torcaso v. Watkins, described secular humanism as a religion. So the rash of militance from atheists is no different from that of so many other beliefs: religious extremism.
Islamic extremism gets the most attention in U.S. media, but Hindu extremism–and violence–is becoming a serious problem in India. Even Buddhist terrorism is occurring. And make no mistake, Christian extremism is on the rise as well. When we look at people threatening public Quran burnings and desecrating funerals by shouting hate slogans, it can be easy to dismiss them as fringe loonies–and that’s exactly how most Muslims reacted to the beginning of extremism in their religion. The Oklahoma City bomber claimed to be Christian, and most of us can remember abortion clinics being bombed “in the name of Jesus.”
Where does it come from?
Some of it comes from each group’s set of basic beliefs or scriptures. And again, Christianity is not immune. No one can read the Old Testament and escape the incredible amount of violence done in God’s name–even at his command!
| “Perhaps more pressure on Christians in the U.S. is the best thing that could happen to Christianity in our country!” |
But the majority of it comes from human nature. Each of us has determined the belief system we’re going to follow in our own lives, and by definition each of us is convinced that his or her decision was the best one. If we didn’t feel that way, we’d have chosen something else! So if we believe our decision was the best one for us, then many…let’s say most…people think that that decision is the best one for everyone else. As Christians we have no choice! Jesus himself said that he was the only path to salvation, so we can’t believe his teaching and also think everyone else can find whatever path works for them. Well, the same urge that causes us to suggest that people watch a movie we liked drives us to suggest that people consider the belief systems we’ve decided are right.
Now add to that our innate desire for self-preservation. As we feel threatened, our natural tendency is to fight back. And then, of course, the others feel threatened and they have to fight back harder. The vicious cycle escalates almost inevitably.
How should Christians respond?
The Christian Old Testament is filled with examples of people fighting, killing, and being praised for killing people who didn’t follow our God, our way. But the story doesn’t end with the Old Testament. When Peter drew his sword to defend Jesus from those who were threatening him, Jesus told Peter to put his sword away. Jesus healed the ear that Peter had cut off the soldier threatening Jesus. There is not a single example–not one–of Jesus telling his followers to fight for him. Let that sink in, if you claim to be a follower of Jesus.
But won’t we be overrun by unbelievers?
When Jesus told Peter to put his sword away he said, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” His message is clear: yes, we should be loyal to Jesus and boldly proclaim our faith in him. But he doesn’t need us to fight for him. He can handle that himself.
This will sound controversial, but consider this: It has been observed throughout history that Christianity has flourished most when it was under persecution. When and where people suffer for Jesus, the number of people who become his followers multiplies dramatically. We can see it today in parts of the world such as China, where the church is persecuted. Far from being overrun by those with other belief systems, the more Christians are pressured by them the more true Christianity thrives.
But doesn’t God want his children to prosper and have good lives?
Of course, that’s why Jesus told us he was preparing a place for us in heaven! We will have more wonderful lives than we’re capable of imagining for countless thousands of years in heaven. This microscopic little sliver of time we’re experiencing right now is insignificant from an eternal perspective. Why would God care whether you’re prospering during a time no more important than the blink of an eye? What matters during this time is how many others are being influenced to make the decisions that will allow them to enjoy that eternal happiness.
The book of Acts says that when Jesus’ followers were imprisoned and beaten for their beliefs, they celebrated! They didn’t fight against the people with other beliefs that were persecuting them, they prayed for them and continued to speak out about Jesus. They were “rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”
We aren’t supposed to like threats to Christianity. But we are supposed to look at things from the “biggest picture” view. If Christians being threatened and persecuted means that more people become Christians, then perhaps we should be celebrating. Perhaps more pressure on Christians in the U.S. is the best thing that could happen to Christianity in our country!
Instead of focusing on keeping our own lives as comfortable as possible, how many of us are willing to pray, “Please God, let me life during this insignificant little sliver of time on earth be as uncomfortable as possible–if it means that more people will come to know you and be able to share eternal life in heaven.”
Are you?
