Licensed to Criticize, but Never Tolerate Criticism

Often, I encounter an atheist or a Muslim leader from a local neighborhood come to my host church and tell its pastors and elders that I shouldn't have been given the chance to speak, as my sharing about their beliefs may provoke Christians to hate them. This was despite my emphasis on the teaching of the Gospel of Christ which ranks hatred as a sin and commands loving unconditionally. Hatred does not work in the mission of Christ, who gave His life for all, regardless of religious or political affiliation. On the other hand, if I believed in and promoted hatred, why would I leave Islam and limit myself with the teachings of Christ who promoted love and peace?

It is astonishing that the number one enemy for the leftists and number two for Islamists, after Jews and Judaism, is Christianity. Contemporary atheism began with demonizing Christianity as “the opium of the world” and as something that serves Capitalism for exploiting the rights of the working class. It is virtually impossible for them to give Christianity a rest in their daily criticism, so innately  is it linked with its roots as a reaction against it. It is the same for Islamists. Not only does Quranic text speak evil of Christianity, their daily prayers condemn it daily. History has proven that no other belief has created more hatred against Christianity and sanctioned the slaughter of million of Christians other than the beliefs of atheists and Islamists. It is those who embrace such ideologies that are now advising the churches in the West to avoid any discussion or criticism of their beliefs as it may cause hatred! Further, they accuse their critics of hatred, racism and fascism. Isn’t it something? Especially considering the absolute intolerance of churches within areas where such these ideologies hold power.

A few years ago, Pope Benedict recently mentioned another’s criticism against Islam in one of his lectures, but Islamists were not able to tolerate it and therefore burnt several churches and killed Christians, blaming the Pope’s for their own atrocities. ‘If the Pope did not speak ill about Islam, Muslims would not be hostile’, was the logic behind their hostilities. They themselves hate, terrorize, and teach their followers to outrageously ignore and breach the rights of others, but would never tolerate if someone disfavors their beliefs or condemns their attitudes. It is an ideological principle that compels them to blame their critics with evil words and deeds, creating poisonous arguments and clashes, raising up their voices in a bid to receive more attention and pave the way for their own despotism through fear.

Their beliefs have deified the rights of their own followers over the rights of others and licensed them to hate and criticize, yet also fight against the criticism or disapproval of others. But others must keep silent. Islamists have the right to rape Christian girls in Egypt and Pakistan in the name of Islam, but if a Christian boy falls in love with a Muslim girl, the entire Christian community will be under attack. Similar attitudes have been occurring in most of our universities in the West, where there is 100% freedom to belittle Christianity and Christians, but zero tolerance towards those who uncover their irrational and impractical theories and philosophies.

Such “criticism equals hate” mentality hinders creative, open and critical thinking and prevents hearing those who tirelessly work to protect freedom and reciprocal respect. And what is the key ingredient to its success? Ignorance. For this reason, they recognize the great necessity of using every means possible to keep others oblivious, thus ensuring their success. Ayatollah Khomeini used the same game card, as did Lenin and Mao Zedong, establishing their totalitarian regimes and shedding the blood of millions, including those who once trusted them, even going to far as the kill family members who opposed.

Blame games always go hand in hand with ignorance. That’s why the utmost effort of our contemporary leftists and Islamists is to keep our nations uninformed. Now, since people are unaware and thereby unable to challenge them for their irrational accusations, they have gone so far as to blame their critics with terrorism. I have been accused numerous times of terrorism for uncovering beliefs that are an insult to sanity. It amazes me that doctrinal discussions are equated with terrorism when done by those who oppose their ideologies.

This one-way ethic is not only dangerous for Christians but it has also paralyzed the nations who are ruled by Islamists and leftists. There is, therefore, a duty on our shoulders to act as the light and salt of Christ, reveal the dangers of such ethics and call people to follow and experience the Christ who paid a great price for establishing a fair ethic based on mutual love, care and respect.