| Evangelical Christians usually figure at the top of the list | | | | what reason would he call himself a Buddhist? |
| of people who have such a narrow mind that they are | | | | In both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, |
| seen as barriers to religious harmony. Every religion | | | | God's servants are repeatedly and strongly warned |
| has some set of instructions, usually in written form | | | | against worshiping, honoring, or giving reverence to any |
| known as its Bible or sacred writings. The follower of | | | | god besides himself. Exodus 20:3, 5 records God's |
| the religion must know what things he is to do or not to | | | | word saying, "thou shalt have no other gods before |
| do in order to please the deity or deities he chooses to | | | | me. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor |
| serve. If he doesn't obey his religion's teachings, it can | | | | serve them." |
| be justifiably said that he's not true to the doctrine, | | | | One might argue that the lady's simple participation in |
| whatever it may be. This vital truth is often forgotten | | | | the ceremony would not have constituted worship or |
| when one hastily accuses Christians of being | | | | service to the gods involved. While such an argument |
| narrow-minded. The accuser is usually someone who | | | | certainly sounds valid, it is; nevertheless, in sharp |
| has virtually no knowledge of the Holy Bible, although | | | | disagreement with the Bible, the book that Christians |
| he may profess Christianity himself. Even many | | | | are supposed to follow. |
| ordained ministers and missionaries are shamefully | | | | The woman's participation in the ceremony shows |
| deficient in their knowledge and understanding of God's | | | | agreement with the natives' choice to serve the gods |
| word. | | | | they want to worship. Whether she agreed or |
| A Christian lady who was a youth counselor was | | | | disagreed with their choice, the government of the |
| once asked to participate in a Native American | | | | United States grants them a freedom to choose not |
| ceremony while at work. Her work place was made | | | | to serve her God, the God of Israel. God himself also |
| up of diverse employees and management wanted to | | | | gives everyone freedom to choose or reject him |
| show respect and interest in the diverse religions | | | | (Joshua 24:15). It is not their freedom of choice that she |
| represented. | | | | sought to take away but rather her own freedom to |
| Although the Christian lady showed interest as the | | | | faithfully serve her Lord. If the gods do not agree, how |
| ceremony took place, she refused to actually | | | | can it make sense to expect their servants to agree |
| participate in it. The event gave honor to the spirits and | | | | with one another? |
| gods the people believed in. Her refusal to take part | | | | God does not give his servants the freedom to walk in |
| was criticized and scorned as disrespectful. | | | | agreement and support, in spiritual matters, of those |
| Furthermore, she was labeled as narrow-minded. | | | | who have rejected him. The scripture of 2 Corinthians |
| A Christian is someone who claims to follow the | | | | 6:17 says, "and what concord hath Christ with Belial |
| teachings of the Bible. It should make just as much | | | | (name of an idol god) or what part hath he that believe |
| sense to say that if a person refuses to follow the | | | | with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple |
| Bible, he's not Christian. If someone refuses to follow | | | | of God with idols...? Wherefore come out from among |
| the Koran, how can he call himself a Muslim? If | | | | them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord. |
| someone rejects the teachings of the Buddha, for | | | | |