Religious intolerance is destructive
We are being constantly attacked and threatened
Attackers and hackers are attempting to disrupt our programs. They want us to stop discussing the evils that others are propagating. They think that, as we discuss the evils propagated by their fellow believers, the world will regard all of them as evil.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “Anger and intolerance are the twin enemies of correct understanding.”
In their anger, some of them even resort to using brute force to make us give up.
However, instead of hitting back at them, the Bible entreats us as Christians to adopt the non-violent way. We hope they will understand that, their actions will rather make people to see them as enemies of peace and truth.
They constantly attack and hack our site because they are not comfortable with the truth
They know that we are not against their religious beliefs; we do not attack what they believe. It is the angry and violent method some people use in promoting their faiths that we oppose. We believe that people should be allowed to make their own choices. The attackers, however, do not want people to have their freedom to choose. They want to stop us from promoting peace and the freedom to choose, so that they can continue to promote violence, anger and mayhem.
Their actions confirm our writings; that some people love violence and cannot tolerate different views.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God,” (Matthew 5:9).
For books on peacemaking and how to make people listen to you visit…
Peacemakers should always help other peacemakers to promote peace. Genuine seekers of truth and peace will fight for truth and peace to prevail.
People proclaim they are preaching a God of peace and of love. Yet they promote violence and brutality; as if the deity they preach is a violent one.
Whether you are a Christian, a Muslim, an African Traditional Religionist, Buddhist, Hindu, etc., attacking people to make them accept your religion is not the right way to promote a God of peace and love.
God is Almighty; He does not need the help of frail humans to fight His battle. He rather fights and delivers His children from the hands of enemies. People who kill other people and force their beliefs on people are not promoting the way of the peace-loving God. Jesus told His followers,
“… a time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me,” (John 16:2-3; New King James Version).
The Qur’an says, “Let there be no compulsion in religion…” (2:256), and in 29:6 we read, “And whoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily Allah stands not in need of any of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists).”
God told Ezekiel to warn the people and leave them to decide for themselves. Man’s duty is to warn, not to compel (Ezekiel 3:18-21). The choice to accept rests with the hearer. God does not coerce people. Jesus said we should not use force to make people accept God, (Luke 10:5-12).
We live in an age of hate and violence
Communities nurture hate and instil in their offspring anger and hate against people they disagree with. Violence is being perpetuated, and religions are using violence to promote their cause.
Why should innocent people suffer when other people have disputes? Why do terrorists pick on the helpless to destroy?
How can a God of peace and love use violence to make people love Him? Can’t He use His tremendous power to turn the minds of people to love and worship Him without resorting to violence?
Jesus asked us to conquer by persuasion and not by force or threat.
Martin Luther King said, “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
God is Love, and Jesus taught us to promote peace through love. He taught us to love our enemies, to love those who curse us and who spitefully use us.
People of other religions, after listening to my radio message, call me on the phone to explain that their fellow believers who use violence to promote their religion are not true believers. These kind and gentle people are not happy when their fellow believers use hate to promote their faith. However, it is not my duty to say what their religion advocates. They should come out boldly to tell the world that their fellow believers who use hate and violence are not helping to promote their cause.
Paul asked the Galatians, “Have I, therefore, become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16)
We speak against violence, and not against the religion they believe in.
