City Life Starter

The Word:

The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. (Acts 19: 32)

By Blesson Selvanesan

The above ‘statement’ sound very familiar to all of us. This is not about any current event, but this is a description of what happened more than two millennia ago during the time of Paul in the city of Ephesus as recorded in the Bible. When we see the current trend in academic campuses and society today, there are protests and counter protests on daily basis. Why do we have this? What is the right response? What does Bible say about this?

Tolerance is the ‘buzz’ word in our society, in social media and in academic campuses. Yet, we often see violent protests against anyone who presents a contrary view. I have often noticed that the people who preach tolerance passionately is often the most intolerant bunch. It is sad to see the shallowness of thought among ‘educated’ folks who are prepared to shoot the messenger rather than to engage the message. People often tend to think that their view should be loud rather than be clear. They do not want to intellectually engage an idea with common sense and logic rather want to forcefully shut down any contrary views with shouts, slogans and threats.

In today’s “ME” society, “I” want to be in the center of everything. It has become almost unthinkable, that “I” can be wrong or “I” can be challenged! Everyone wants their agenda to move forward and if the idea is challenged, the “ME” society will have an immediate melt down with severe tantrums and go on a violent protest, troll on social media, assassinate the opponent’s character. Often, the tolerance of the tolerance preachers will only tolerate ideas that are similar to their own, if the ideas are different, they will be labelled ‘intolerant and bigoted’. See the irony? Recently, I was in at an international reproductive biology research conference. One of the experts was talking with me on women’s rights and was defending to me on the rights of women to make their own decisions (abortion) on their ‘own bodies’. The irony is that these are the same people who use sophisticated scientific techniques to separate maternal and fetal tissues based on maternal and fetal genes (which scientifically means that they are two entirely different individuals!). They want to be one way scientifically and the opposite morally and accuse people holding conservative views as bigots and intolerant! There is million-mile distance between what they preach and practice.

From Paul’s example, we can learn that he never stopped his message. He boldly presented his message and defended using sound logic and evidence. Although there were plenty of shouters, there were also listeners. We know from history that Ephesus went on to become a hub of Christianity. As followers of Christ, it is important that we learn to speak, debate and defend for the morals we stand for. There is no need for us to be a part of the ‘shouting match’ but we should persuade intellectually presenting the facts with love and gentleness. Truth is exclusive; it is intolerant and will stay as is, independent of one’s feelings. Real tolerance is giving room for other ideas yet having the freedom to accept or reject it based on one’s conviction. Tolerance is not celebrating and saying yes to every idea that walks by the door.

Prayer

Our Heavenly Father, In this chaotic world filled with confusion, struggle and intolerance, help me to be a pillar of peace. Help me Lord, to stand up for truth and engage people with contrary ideas lovingly and respectfully. Help me to be tolerant, yet uncompromising. In Jesus Name. Amen.