Dr Chuck Pearson

What I would want Christians to to learn are things that are mostly totally against anything I could ever imagine a church standing. But tolerance is probably the biggest thing I'd like to see more of in general. I mean doesn't the Bible say "Judge not lest you be judged" and yet everywhere I turn Christians are telling "non-believers" that what they are doing is wrong and they're going to hell, etc. Oh and maybe the Christian faith says that humans are here to rule the world but that doesn't give us the right to kill tons of animals and ruin the world for future generations. ugh. thats all for now.

I agree with Nancy. Christians need to learn to love, everyone and anyone. I've always believed that there is a certain amount of respect that one should pay to another human being, just for the fact that that other person is alive. Who's to say what he's been through or where he's been? He is alive and, thus, is one of God's creatures who deserves respect.

I know we are fallen, we are sinful, but since we are all fallen and all sinful, that means we are all equal, and so should respect each other as equals.

We are supposed to follow Christ's image. Well, didn't he love and respect us? We should do the same b/c He did.

"The single greatest cause of atheism today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." -dc Talk prelude to "What If I Stumble?"

we have to live like Him (like Heather said). it's not enough to just talk about it. in fact, that may do more damage than anything if you have no action to back it up.

It is extremely important for Christians to exercise tolerance. Watchful tolerance, to be sure, for we certainly shouldn't stand idly by while genocide or something occurs. HOWEVER. I also think that as much as we need to learn tolerance, we also need to learn respect for others. Christianity is not the way that everyone finds spirituality, and even though "we" may not believe that is right, that is what gives them peace and happiness. I think that Christians put too little stock, on the whole, in other faiths as viable ways of life. Simply because we cannot imagine finding God through a different venue does NOT mean that others should be or are the same. We get angry for others telling us we are wrong, and yet we are so very, very rapid to point the finger of "wrongness" at others.

So what do we do? Well, to me, Christ is, amazingly enough, the basis of CHRISTianity. So we filter everything we do and say through Him. Let's recap. Did Christ only hang out with those who agreed with him, with those who felt the same as Him, with those who saw God the same way He did? Um, no. The Jews, for those who haven't exactly read up on their Old Testament, weren't exactly chummy with God. Scared as shit of Him, yeah. Thankful even in the face of oppression, yes. But understanding the capability of Divine Love and Forgiveness? Not exactly. Did Christ condemn those who didn't jump in on His "bandwagon" (and I don't mean that with the common negative connotation )? Nope. He loved 'em anyway. The only folks I really recall Him getting terribly pissed at were the uber-pious, the ones who took the church to be a mockery, a place to show off how rich or wonderful or religious they were. A place to sell things, and a place to sell God. That, to me, seems to be the central tenant of Christ's teachings. In fact, why not use the Word here? Quoting from the NIV, Matthew 22:34, at the risk of "bumper-stickering" the Bible,

"... the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested [Christ] with this question: 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?'
"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 you neighbor as yourself." All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.' "

Huh. "Love your neighbor as yourself." Funnily enough, that doesn't say "Love your neighbor, who thinks and is exactly the same as you, as yourself." Love EVERYONE as you love yourself. And above that, love God and his commandments. Funny how that, what Christ claimed were the central tenants of what God wanted Him to teach, has gotten lost to so many modern "Christians." Funny how we've lost the focus on Christ... we've forgotten the man of Christ, the meaning of Christ, and made him into a banner to fly in front of our own petty arguments, quarrels that, ultimately, will not matter.

So as much as Christians need to learn tolerance, I think they also need to learn respect. And maybe a little (mind you, TINY... wouldn't want to go crazy here) dash of Love and Forgiveness wouldn't hurt either.

You know, Christians could do with learning about the other religions prevalent in our world. They're quick to condemn, but the majority don't even try to understand the principles of those they want to damn. God has many names and many faiths. In most, the key principles are strikingly similar. The Cliff's Notes version of what they should know: God is good. He's forgiving and patient. Do what you know to be good, both by God and man. Respect others, and realize that everyone is equal. Spirituality can be found in the ideas, not the formal name. These are all things that most Christians have forgotten - if they were ever taught them at all.