Thursday, December 19, 2013

Tainted Tolerance

Have you noticed how lately the term tolerance has become overused to the point where its very definition has become twisted and abused? It seems that most conservative and Christian individuals find themselves staring down the barrel of so called 'tolerance' time and time again.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, tolerance is defined as the, "willingness to accept feelings, habits, or beliefs that are different from your own". However, today that doesn't seem to ring true when Christians are continually being attacked for voicing their own personal opinions and beliefs.

This has most recently been seen in the public outcry that is occurring after Duck Dynasty member Phil Robertson was indefinitely banned from future episodes as a result of an interview with GQ in which he gave his personal opinion on homosexuality.

It seems to me that the word tolerance is taking on a completely new definition that means following the beliefs of the liberals and mainstream media. Since when is it acceptable to deem someones personal opinion as flawed or wrong? Personal opinions are just that...personal. They vary from person to person. Everyone is entitled to have their own beliefs, thoughts, and mindset regardless of what the rest of America feels.

For the record, I am a conservative and a Christian woman. I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman as God himself designed and intended it. I am against abortion and I believe that every life is sacred. Am I not allowed to have my personal opinion because it doesn't conform with liberal propaganda?

Our founding fathers recognized the need that individuals have in their right to have their personal beliefs and opinions as it is known in our first amendment. Why then, is our America now taking on such a tainted view of tolerance?

The answer is that as a society we have compromised too much. Too many times instead of standing up for what we believe we have laid quiet so that we don't offend anyone. Too many times have we looked the other way at an injustice, because what can just one person do? Too many times we have allowed the line of morality and values to be constantly pushed farther to stay 'socially accepted.' We have tried to make everyone else around us comfortable by compromising our own standards and beliefs.

The truth of the matter is as Christians, we are not going to have the same values and beliefs as much of the rest of the world. Christ didn't die for our sins so we would be comfortable and follow the world's ways. He died to free us from the sin we tangled ourselves in. Sins like putting the world's standards above God's standard. We are called to be DIFFERENT! We are called to stand out, to be the light in the dark, to speak the truth even when it's not socially acceptable, and we may lose some friends along the way. I am so thankful that my God is a bold God who gave His very life to save me.

Now it's our turn to be bold for Him. It's our turn to let our voices, beliefs, and convictions be heard no matter the consequence. This doesn't mean hating people or lifestyles that are different from us either. It doesn't mean accepting their lifestyle. It just means that regardless of who they are, what their lifestyle is, or what they believe, we are going to show them Christ's love. We have to remember, Christ loved them enough to die for them to.

It's not our job to convict anyone or pass judgement. We will all have to stand before God one day and account for ourselves. However, while we are here, it is time to get out of our comfort zone and be bold for God, to take our stand with Him even if it does make us less popular with the rest of the world.

How are you going to be bold for God today?

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