Posted by giveawayboy on December 09, 2002 at 08:40:30:
Hey guys, I recently posted this selection on a messageboard for interreligious dialogue. I am printing it here knowing that we have both Christians and non-Christians who frequent this board. I hope that you will like my statement. I'm sharing it for what it's worth:
I am a Christian who believes that Jesus is God's ultimate revelation to man. I don't think it's convenient or easy to believe this. Also, I don't have all the answers. I feel that it is slightly presumptuous to expect that all Christians have perfect answers or rebuttals to everything. Also, I feel that it's strange posturing to make it appear like we need to be wow-ing people with our answers. If we believe we have a unique truth, even THE TRUTH, it should humble us and make us more teachable and willing to listen and learn. We should not be defensive since we know God is not anxious and has no need to defend himself. It is fine for Christians to believe that their religion is more true than others. But, it is not fine for us to be inflated w pride and blind to the truth in other religions. I just want people to know that I'm willing to talk to anyone of any religion, but I don't want to convert you to my way of thinking, although I do believe in Jesus and will always try to share what we Christians call 'the good news' about him. Still, I have no agendas. I won't rape anyone's conscience on matters of religion. I hope that the people of no faith or other faiths who come here are open to Jesus as a possibility, but I don't insist on things. I can see all of you created in God's image and therefore you have dignity to me and so I respect you. Still, I believe all those tedious teachings about Jesus that our religion advances, his being the savior of mankind, his dying for sin and rising, etc. Still, I won't force this down your throat like some commodity. Perhaps with respect and mature dialogue we can impact each other for the best and grow closer to the TRUTH that is universal to us all and is our origin. I believe in this. It is O.K. if we disagree as long as we hunger for the truth and are willing to accept it when it is revealed; and, as long as we can maintain a spirit of charity. In the meantime I won't try to demonstrate any spiritual prowess for anyone. I'm not out to convince anyone of my excellent spiritual physique. I'm not the Brad Pitt of Christianity.
Bill