We have ample proof of the intolerance of Christians. Every day we parade the lists of Christian intolerance. Protests against against the gay community. Abortion centers, excuse me, Women's Centers that are protested against. And of course general intolerance of anyone who proposes an alternate belief system other than Christian.

In order to back up these accusations we always refer to the Inquisition, the Salem witch trials, the Jewish Holocaust, the radical right, etc.

But are these accusations founded?

Are we to suppose in these allegations that ONLY Christians are intolerant? Are ALL Christians guilty of intolerance?

Jesus taught, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.", Mark 10:42-44, New King James Version.

A Christian is simply a person who has recognized their sinful nature and acknowledging their need of a Savior, Jesus Christ, they have given their life to live as directed by God and His revelation of Himself in the Holy Scripture known as the Bible. A Christian is one who lives their life dependent upon a faith that God is working in them to deliver them from the evil ways of selfishness and self-seeking and seeks to live as God has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ.

It is obvious with this simple statement that ALL who are called "Christian" do not hold this belief. For example, 96% of Americans label themselves as "Christian" yet many do not believe in the diety of Christ, His virgin birth or His atoning death and following resurrection. Yet these same people will become highly offended if you say they are not "Christian."

The Biblical book of Galatians tells us, "the works of the flesh are evident...adultery, sexual immorality... lewdness... hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissentions... envy, murders, drunkenness," etc.

This shows us that "intolerance" is not the sole domain of "'Christians," but is a human weakness. Often those who cry the loudest of others intolerance are themselves intolerant!

Is it intolerant of a government that was founded on the principles of Judaism and Christianity to forbid children to pray, to forbid the posting of the 10 Commandments (a historical document) when we are guaranteed by the Constitution to freedom of speech and religion?

Institutional intolerance is dangerous, whether it is along racial lines, ethnic lines, or political lines. Jesus went even further as He taught those who follow Him to "love your enemy" and to "pray for those who persecute you."

What about the Inquisition? This was a persecution, not of the the church against the unbelievers, but a persecution of those who had discovered the Holy Scriptures and were printing them and conducting home Bible Studies. The fear was that those who studied the Bible would give their allegiance to the Biblical God and Jesus Christ and would no longer serve the rule of men who did not live according to the Scripture!

Let's go back to the Salem witch trials. Religious Zealots, right? What is left out of this example is that the trials were conducted not by the church, but by the state! It was a minister of the Gospel of Christ that stepped forward and put an end to it!

But weren't the Christians behind the Jewish Holocaust? Again, Hitler, in his own handwriting, set himself up against the Church and God. His allegiance was to power and absolute power. He replaced Church leaders in Germany with political appointees who would rubber stamp his decrees and thus silenced a dissident voice! Detrick Bonhoffer, a prophet of God, was a clear voice against Hitler and the atrocities at this time and it cost him his life! Bonhoffer has much to say to our time if we will listen to him.

Remember also that along with 7 million Jewish deaths, 6 million others were murdered, most of them Christians who dared to stand up for the Jews and against Hitler's policies.

Also remember that the Russian People's Revolution murdered 30 to 50 million people, the Christian, the educated, etc. China's revolution killed between 70-100 million people. Intolerant?

This brings us to the "radical right." According to Janet Reno's definition of a cult, we are all in danger. References to this radical right remind me of the McCarthy hearings following World War II. All you have to do it point a finger and make an accusation and all debate over real issues and concerns are made null and void. The hidden intolerance is that there is no discussion of real issues and concerns. The Salem witch trials come to mind.

This "radical right" are generally church goers. People who try to live quiet peaceable lives, who don't want to be drawn into mindless debates. These "intolerant" people support the charities that feed the hungry, clothe the naked, the build hospitals and schools around the world to heal and educate the poor. Just ask any Church member about their denomination's ministries to the world's poor! Intolerant?

The most vocal accusation against Christians is that they are narrow minded. That they are not open to other religions and ideals. It is often said that Christians need to be more tolerant, like the Hindus or the Moslems.

Most Americans do not know that it is illegal in India to make converts to Christianity! Tolerant? Hinduism is based upon a caste system that divides people into social groups, you can never move from one caste to another! Tolerant? Indians die of starvation and sickness because their religion believes this is the working of karma, and to interfere with their life cycle is to deprive them of working evil out of their lives. A good excuse to not help your neighbor! Without Christianity India would have no hospitals to care for the sick, no feeding programs to help the poor! Is this really a tolerant society?

In the Muslim belief, the only assurance you have of gaining an after life is if you die in a Holy War, a Jihad. Thus every group is declaring war against someone so they can die in a righteous cause. News photos show children are raised with guns in their hands and hate in their heart. Peaceful? Tolerant? Up unto this very day woman have no rights in Moslem countries. Tolerant? Again without the influence of Christianity there would be few hospitals for the sick and no care at all for the poor.

Hindus and Muslims both claim Jesus as a great guru or prophet. Neither listen to what Jesus said. In a false show of tolerance they embrace Christianity, while their intents are to maintain their power and influence over the lives of others.

Today, the Muslims in the Sudan have killed an estimated 1.5 million people because they are Christian. In Egypt and Africa churches are burned and pastors murdered, women raped because their sin is to be a Christian. It is easy for any of us to shield our greed and selfishness behind the guise of religion, even Christianity. In China Bibles still are smuggled into the people and Christians are still being imprisoned! Tolerant?

When we worship power we desire to make our own laws that reflect our greed and selfishness. We lord it over our neighbors! We force our views upon them irregardless of what it takes. This is the source of intolerance! This is the ground spring for Salem witch trials, Inquisitions, Holocausts, anarchy, etc.

Christianity has a unique world history. When people discover the Bible and learn of Jesus Christ they throw off the forced dominion of men and governments. No wonder Christians are accused of intolerance. Like Peter and the other Apostles they loudly proclaim, "We ought to obey God rather than man."

Jesus said the greatest law is this, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is like the first. Love your neighbor as yourself."

Christianity has made the world a better place. Judaism and Christianity have given us laws that reveal our allegiance belongs not to man, or to a government, but to God. A God who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever should believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Pray this prayer right now asking Jesus to come into your heart!

"Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I have not remembered you and I have walked in my own path. I ask you to forgive me, Lord. I believe with my whole heart that You died for my sin of unbelief and I believe You were raised from the dead that I might live in You. Jesus, I invite You into my heart. I receive You as Savior and Lord of my life. Help me to live by faith, daily trusting in You for guidance and direction in every area of my life. By faith I am a new creature in Jesus Christ. The old man is dead and I now live by faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you Jesus for coming into my life and making me whole today! Amen!"

If you prayed this prayer, please call and tell us, and we will help you to live this exciting new life in Christ! Call Living Faith Ministries at 1-800-7FAITH1 (1-800-732-4841)