Why Do You Attack and Judge Other Religions?

OUR RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION: “WHY DO YOU ATTACK AND JUDGE OTHER RELIGIONS?”

“Your website is a disgusting example of what is wrong with born again Christians. Contention is of the Devil, and all you are doing is creating contention within all of God’s Children. Jesus said, ‘Judge not, that ye be not judged’ (Matthew 7:1). The very idea of attacking another religion is un-American and un-Christian. It does not belong in this century. Get a life and live your own religion before attacking others.”

OUR RESPONSE:

Thank you for taking the time to share with us your thoughts and concerns. Although we do not agree with your perspective on certain issues, we appreciate your thoughts and we appreciate that you would at least consider our perspective on these matters.

You said, “contention is of the Devil.” Are you sure this is true?

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly CONTEND for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” —Jude 3

I also find it interesting that in the same breath in which you quoted Jesus’ words, “Judge not, that ye be not judged”, you “judged” our methods and motives by saying that it is “un-Christian” to criticize the beliefs of another religion. Do you really believe it is NOT proper to “judge”? Then, why do you feel it is ok to “judge” us by “contending” with us on our methods?

Let’s look at the rest of that passage you quoted. It says, “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7:2)? In context, Jesus is not saying that it is wrong for us to use discernment in evaluating (i.e., judging) another person’s doctrines. Rather, on the contrary, Jesus was referring to the attitude of a hypocrite who measures out “judgment” TO others, but will not receive the same type of “judgment” (i.e., scrutiny) FROM others.

Thus, to apply Jesus’ words to our situation, we are more than happy to receive the “judgment” and “critique” of others in regard to our own doctrines, just as we are happy to “measure out judgment” (i.e., critique) on the doctrines of those who do not agree with us. Indeed, do not Jehovah’s Witness and Mormon missionaries “judge” our beliefs when they come to our doors to share with us their message that our churches are “wrong” and their churches are the only ones that have all of the “truth” of God?

In regard to why we criticize the false doctrines of another religion, we believe that a true Christian is to:

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 10:5

Simply because we disagree with the position of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons on certain KEY points of doctrine, does not mean that we think they are bad people or that we feel we must “attack” them personally. Our method is to expose the error in their beliefs, while LOVING these people. Indeed, many of the people we reach out to in these religions are some of the most loving, kind people one will ever meet. Thus, we do all we can never to allow our discussions on religious differences to turn into an attack on the personal character of those we reach out to. This is consistent with what we state on our website:

“We value grace-oriented, Biblical truth and love that is passionately communicated and visibly enacted in the lives of those who are freed by ‘the Truth.’ (John 8:32,36)”

BUT if a person has the wrong Jesus, he is wrong for all eternity. It doesn’t matter how “sincere” or “Christ-like” the person is in his motives, if He has the wrong Jesus, he is lost for eternity. Jesus said,

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” —John 14:6

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” —Matthew 7:21-23

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free… If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” —John 8:32; 36

Thus, it is out of LOVE and true CONCERN for the spiritual state of those lost in “counterfeit” Christianity that we do this outreach. Indeed, if you feel that our ministry is in error in the approach that we use to sharing our faith, we appreciate your prayers for us that we would see the truth. The Holy Spirit has an amazing way of revealing truth when we ask Him to.

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE:

IS IT LOVING TO TEAR DOWN SOMEONE ELSE’S BELIEFS? –An Open Letter To Those Who Oppose Our Ministry