Where's the Line?

Being a follower, a participant to a certain religion is a difficult thing.

There are people on all sides, on both extremes of religions saying all sort of things . . . many of which are trying to proclaim that they are saying the definitive view of their particular religion.

For example, there are lots of different Christians who say lots of different things, based upon their religion and religious beliefs. Last night's vice-presidential debate was a great case-in-point. Both candidates talked about abortion based upon their religious beliefs. They came to different conclusions.

One of my personal struggles is maintaining, for myself, Christian unity with people who are on different ends of the spectrum on a wide array of issues: social, political, theological, and otherwise. There are completely different things being said, as reported by the media, by followers of Christ, on both extremes, on all sides. It's just plain hard to affirm the similar faith we share and, at the same time, allow people the latitude to say things with which we completely disagree. It's a struggle I have. And I think we all probably, to a degree, have.

So . . . where's the line? At what point is our disagreements too much?

There is one area that I feel pretty safe saying, "No. That's wrong." That has to do with people being oppressed. When someone with whom I share a faith in Christ says something or does something that causes someone else or a group of people to be oppressed, that's the line.

Such as:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/15611617-505/arkansas-rep-calls-slavery-blessing-in-disguise.html

Now what those representatives are saying is wrong. I share, I think, a faith in Christ with them. But I cannot give them the latitude to say things like that. That's wrong. It's not right. That is not what followers of Christ should be saying. That goes against Christ.

I have heard it said that God sides with those who are being oppressed, at all times, in all places. How insightful. I can (and should) allow fellow Christians the freedom to have differing, even opposing, views with me on a whole list of issues. But when people who call themselves followers of Christ say and do things that oppress other people . . .

No. That's not right. That crosses the line.