Disagreement, Dissent and Discernment
It is a mark of a healthy society when freedom of thought, freedom of speech and freedom of conscience are respected and protected. One does not have to agree with someone, but one should respect the rights of others to have alternative convictions, without any fear of condemnation. Dissent can be healthy. Discernment is always necessary. Christian love does not demand conformity. It is a fruit of the Protestant Reformation to respect freedom of conscience. When Professor Martin Luther made his bold stand before the Emperor, declaring: "my conscience is captive to the Word of God…”, he championed the principles of freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, freedom of worship and all the other freedoms which have become the foundation of Christian civilisation. Yet, today, there is a disturbing tendency to demonise dissent. Political correctness and charges of "hate speech" are threatening freedom of speech and freedom of conscience. Historically, Magna Carta and bills of rights have protected the rights of the individual to disagree with the majority. Today, however, it is becoming increasingly difficult and even dangerous to go against the tyranny of the majority. How should we, as Christians, respond? What can we practically do to restore discernment and respect for dissent and disagreement?
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage… For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Galatians 5:1,13
From the Frontline - episode 98 - When Was Jesus Born?
From the Frontline - episode 97 - What Can Go Wrong on a Mission?
From the Frontline-Episode 96-Oceans of Opportunity
From the Frontline-Episode 95-Why Home Education is Superior to State Schooling
From the Frontline-Episode 94-Why do Most Schools Not Work
From the Frontline-Episode 93-The 7 Year Jericho Prayer March & the Fall of the Wall
From the Frontline-Episode 92-Serving the Persecuted Church
From the Frontline-Episode 91-Halloween or Reformation
From the Frontline-Episode 90-The Urgent Need for Reformation Today
From the Frontline-Episode 89-Urgent Prayer and Action for the Persecuted
From the Frontline-Episode 88-The Fight for Life
From the Frontline-Episode 87-70 Years of Communism in China
From the Frontline-Episode 86-Is Socialism the Solution
From the Frontline-Episode 85-Gender Wars
From the Frontline-Episode 84-Evaluating the Legacy of Robert Mugabe
From the Frontline-Episode 83-Understanding the World War of Worldviews
From the Frontline-Episode 82-For Life and Liberty
From the Frontline-Episode 81-Understanding the Crisis in Sudan
From the Frontline-Episode 80-The Great Commission is Our Supreme Ambition
From the Frontline-Episode 79-Teaching Remote and Restricted Access Areas
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