Posted by Dena on August 23, 2004, at 14:03:10
In reply to Re: Do we have any Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists?, posted by Jai Narayan on August 22, 2004, at 17:56:41
Dear Jai -
You wrote: "***The lack of freedom, as you call it, is to impose the One God theory.
This world is filled with beliefs and faith.
I think it's so unfair to say your way is the only way to the real God.
I am upset by this concept.
I have spent so many hours pondering how to talk to you about this issue.
Finally I have said what I felt I needed to say.
I fear that you will not understand.
I am sorry if my inability to convey the message gets in the way.
I do care about you and what you think, feel and believe.
Do you care about my beliefs?"I don't, and can't, impose any belief onto another person. For a person to become a Christian, it must be a decision for that person to make, between them and Jesus. No one can be forced to become a Christian - ever. I wouldn't even try to do any imposing.
But I do believe in One God, the one who describes Himself in the Bible. I don't make the claim that He's the only God, and that there's no other way to Him, but His way. However, He makes that claim for Himself. I didn't come up with this notion.
As a Christian, I'm called to share my faith with others. It's up to the others to accept or reject what I share. I can't force it on anyone, nor do I want to. Are you suggesting that I ignore His command to share this with others? And it is His command, not His suggestion.
Yes, the world is full of various beliefs and faiths. Each person has the complete right to choose what they want to believe. But Jesus also tells His followers to go into all the world, sharing the Good News of His salvation.
If I shared a plate of cookies with you, and you didn't want one, you wouldn't have to take one. I wouldn't force them on you. But you couldn't tell me to stop baking them, and you couldn't prevent me from offering them to you. You could continue to politely refuse my offer. Each of us has the right to free choice.
I choose to obey my Lord, and to do as He's told me to do.
I recognize that you may continue to refuse my sharing, and I take no offense at your refusal.
Yes, I do care about your beliefs. Much more than you can possibly imagine.
Shalom, Dena
poster:Dena
thread:380414
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20040729/msgs/381325.html