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 178-Confronting Catastrophic Criminality and Communist Chaos
From the Frontline-Episode 177-Chaos Ensues when the Church Becomes 'Non-Essential'
From the Frontline-Episode 176-Celebrating 10 Years of South Sudan's Independence
From the Frontline-Episode 175-Why You Should Never Lose Hope
From the Frontline-Episode 174-Evaluating the Legacy of Kenneth Kaunda ins Zambia
From the Frontline-Episode 173-Motivations and Mediums for Missions
From the Frontline-Episode 172-Faith and Firearms The Case for Self Defence
From the Frontline-Episode 171-Reaching the Lost of Restricted Access Areas
From the Frontline-Episode 170-Can the Great Commission be Fulfilled in our Generation
From the Frontline-Episode 169-Pentecost and the Great Commission
From the Frontline-Episode 168-Ascension Day and its Importance for Today
From the Frontline-Episode 167-The Hand that Rocks the Cradle
From the Frontline-Episode 166-Discerning the Will of God in a World of Deception
From the Frontline-Episode 165-Fires in the World and in the Word
From the Frontline-Episode 164-Identifying the Threats That Confront Us
From the Frontline-Episode 163-Learning from the Holocaust in Rwanda
From the Frontline-Episode 162-The Centrality of the Cross
From the Frontline-Episode 161-Back to the Bible Mission
From the Frontline-Episode 160-The Authority and Inerrancy of Scripture
From the Frontline-Episode 159-A Heart that Longs for the Living God
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Life After Ministry
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)