I caught a portion of the Muslim funeral procession for the fallen NYPD officer, Didarul Islam, who was viciously murdered on Monday. Along with feeling sad for his wife and two small children, I was reminded of how this procession was an expression of American tolerance, which is rooted in our nation's Christian roots. For example, try having a public Christian funeral procession with crosses and prayers in
the name of Jesus in Iran or Saudi Arabia or any number of Islamic or Marxist
nations. It will not be tolerated or will be narrowly confined.
Indeed, no one
with knowledge and integrity can deny that America has been a very open and
tolerant nation, opening its arms to people of many different races, cultures,
and religious beliefs? The Statue of Liberty and the freedom it represents is
why people of all races and religions risk their lives and the lives of their
family members to come to this country.
But make no
mistake! This tolerance is rooted in the radical Christianity of America’s founders
who looked to Jesus as their example and the New Testament as their guide. It
was Jesus, after all, who taught,
Love
your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and
pray for those who spitefully use you (Matthew 5:44).
The people who
founded this nation were “dissenting Protestants.” They opposed the
Constantinian form of Christianity that developed after the 4th century,
which relied on political force rather than the power of truth for its success.
State churches, supported by the government, persecuted those who did not
adhere to the official lines of doctrine and practice put forward by the state
church.
However, groups
such as the Separatist Puritans, Baptists, Quakers, and Presbyterians, who
sought a return to the faith of the New Testament, opposed this intolerant
approach to faith that was characteristic of the Catholics, Anglicans, and
Lutherans. They insisted that there should be no compulsion in matters of
conscience, and no coercion when it comes to one’s sincerely held religious
beliefs (For a thorough discussion, see Hyatt, The Book that Made America Great, 52-50.)
These “dissenting
Protestants” brought these ideals of faith and freedom to America where they
were further developed on American soil. These ideals were reinforced by the
Great Awakening and burned into the consciousness of the American populace.
Because the teachings
of Jesus were central to their faith, an amazing tolerance and friendliness
toward other religions was manifest. For example, Benjamin Rush, a devout
Christian and signer of the Declaration of Independence, in describing a parade
in Philadelphia, said,
The
rabbi of the Jews locked in the arms of two ministers of the Gospel was a most
delightful sight. There could not have been a more happy emblem (Hyatt, America’s Revival Heritage, Second Edition, 96).
During George
Whitfield’s ministry in Philadelphia, city leaders decided to erect a large
building to accommodate the massive crowds. According to Benjamin Franklin, the
building was available for the use of “any preacher of any religious persuasion
who might desire to say something to the people of Philadelphia.” Franklin went
on to say,
Even
if the Mufti of Constantinople (Istanbul) were to send a missionary to preach
Mohammedanism to us, he would find a pulpit at his service (Hyatt, America’s Revival Heritage, Second Edition,
97).
The founders’
tolerance toward people of other faiths was based, not only on the words of
Jesus and the spirit of the New Testament, but on their belief in the inherent
power of the Christian Message. They believed that on a level playing field,
the truth of Christianity would always prevail.
Thomas Jefferson,
for example, held the teachings of Jesus in very high esteem and once said, "The
philosophy of Jesus is the most sublime and benevolent code of morals
ever offered to man. A more beautiful or precious morsel of ethics I have never
seen." He believed in the inherent power of the Christian Message, and wrote,
Truth
can stand by itself. If there be but one right religion and Christianity that
one, we should wish to see the nine hundred and ninety-nine wandering sects
gathered into the fold of truth. But against such a majority we cannot effect
this by force. Reason and persuasion are the only practicable instruments. To
make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged; and how can we wish others
to indulge it while we refuse it ourselves (Hyatt, America’s Revival Heritage, Second Edition,
98).
The First
Amendment created a free and open marketplace of religious ideas, because the
founders did not fear open debate. Compare this attitude to Marxist and Islamic
nations where opposing views are violently suppressed. The same is true of the
new Leftwing groups in modern America who seek to cancel anyone who disagrees
with them. They fear free and open debate.
In this critical
moment in time, we must stand boldly for Biblical truth and we must pray for another
Great Awakening that will turn the hearts of the American populace back to Jesus and the New Testament. This would do more than
anything to restore peace and tolerance in modern America for, after all, it
was Jesus who said,
But
I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless
those who curse you, and pray for those who despitefully use you. And just as
you want men [people] to do to you, you also do to them likewise. Therefore be
merciful, just as your Father also is merciful (Luke 6:27-36).
This article was
derived in part from Dr. Eddie Hyatt's books, America’s Revival Heritage, Second Edition and 1726: The Year that Defined America, both available
from Amazon and his website at http://www.eddiehyatt.com.
Check out Eddie's latest book entitled The Book that Made America Great
Excellent article Eddie, as always. Truth is all that matters.
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