If there is any one lesson that we should learn from recent new stories, it is that, if you want to get your way, the most effective course of action is to throw a big-enough fit. Two illustrations of this comes to mind:
1) In late February, troops at Bagram Air Field, the largest U.S. base in Afghanistan, burned Korans and other religious materials after the books were mistakenly thrown out with the trash and put on a burn pile. According to nearly every report, there was no malicious intent to this action. Repeated apologies have been made by the U.S. government over the mistake.
And the response of the Afghan people? An unbelievable display of violence by the Afghans against
Americans, resulting in the death of at least 6 in actions directly attributable to retaliation for the action (which really causes me to wonder why we are still there, providing help, and pumping into their economy billions of dollars in foreign aid, if they want nothing to do with us?).
2) Kirk Cameron, in an interview with Piers Morgan, said concerning homosexuality, “"I think that it's - it's - it's unnatural. I think that it's - it's detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization." Now, here he is just giving his opinion in response to a question asked him. He is not stating that this is the definitive answer that every Christian needs to adhere to.
And what was the response to Cameron’s honest opinion? Herndon Graddick, Senior Director of Programs of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), wrote, "Cameron is out of step with a growing majority of Americans, particularly people of faith who believe that their gay and lesbian brothers and sisters should be loved and accepted based on their character and not condemned because of their sexual orientation," In other words, what matters is not whether or not something is actually true, but what is the popular opinion concerning it?
There was a day in the not too recent past when what mattered was whether or not something was true. Now, we find that truth has little or nothing to do with it. All that matters is how loudly you shout, Shout loud enough, throw a big enough fit, and people will surrender to your demands just to get you to shut up.
As Christians, we have been called to be the proclaimers of the truth. We have been called to shine a light into the midst of great darkness. And there are a lot of people who are not that thrilled about that. They are comfortable in the dark. They like living in the shadows. Light hurts their eyes, and causes them to see things that do not appear in the darkness.
It is extremely naïve for us to think otherwise. And it is totally contradictory to the plain teachings of the Bible:
• John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
• 2 Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
• 1 Peter 4:12-14 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
As Christians, we have been called to be peacemakers. But even though we do not seek confrontation, we do not run from it. In love, we stand our ground, refusing to compromise what we believe. Now, for this people will consider us to be out-of-touch, confrontational, narrow-minded, and mean and hateful. But Jesus will call us blessed . So, who are we trying to please?
