Yesterday USA Today reported the findings of a recent Pew survey that shows one in four Americans blend their Christian beliefs with New Age and Eastern ideas such as pantheism, reincarnation and yoga. There is a name for people who embrace all religions as having value and legitimacy: they are called “omnitheists.” Omnitheism stands in opposition to dogmatism, advocating there is no such thing as absolute truth.
This Pew survey would seem to indicate omnitheism is on the rise. And we should take note there is a corresponding escalating criticism of evangelical Christians for their lack of "religious tolerance.” The “I am the way/narrow-gate” message of salvation (Jn. 14:6; Mat. 7:13-14) stands in mounting contrast to the swelling movement of omnitheism. What is especially noteworthy is that nearly one-fourth of Americans who call themselves “Christian” now advocate the acceptance of all religions.
And what is more surprising are the people who are, however inadvertently, promoting it. A few years ago, President George Bush, an evangelical Christian said: “I believe all religions, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, pray to the same God.” This year in his inaugural address, President Obama, more than any president before him, declared our Nation (formerly often referred to as a Christian nation) to be religiously pluralistic. Even one of America’s most well known evangelical preachers, Joel Osteen, affirmed “omnitheism,” however unintentionally, when he was asked by Larry King whether Hindus will go to heaven if they don’t believe in Jesus. Joel Osteen’s alarming response: “I don’t know about judging other people [Hindus and other religions]; I just know they love God.”
Paul warns that in the last days, many will be enticed by this spirit of omnitheism: “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe; they will follow lying spirits and teachings that come from demons” (1 Tim. 4:1).
These are those days that were spoken about. Good will be evil, evil will be good. Morality has become the modern killjoy, and immorality is in vogue. The religion led by the Prince of Peace is not tollerable, and the religion of intollerance, Islam, is tollerable. The deception is thick, and less the light of the Lord burst through, it will not clear. It's our time to shine, and sing, "come Lord Jesus come!"
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely correct, David. There is no common sense. Islam, the most intolerant of religions, is presented as acceptable; it is not politically correct to do otherwise. But it is very 'pc' to criticize evangelicals.
ReplyDeleteSomtime in the next few weeks, I'm going to write about this wave of not only tolerating, but embracing Islam in America.
thanks for your good comments.