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I read a historical novel where, when a Christian character says to a “pagan” character “have you seen the meaning of Christian love and forgiveness?” The “pagan” character replies “No, No, that is the last thing I have learned”, then cites examples of Christians and Christian leaders who hate each other, war against each other, and attempt to enforce Christianity at the point of a sword.* How many of us, often in the name of our religion, attempt or merely speak of enforcing our will or our philosophy upon others?

In the recent election, for example, I observed people calling themselves “Christian” while pushing their ideas of morality to become the law so that everyone, regardless of their religion, would be required to obey. I have seen many people judging the words or actions of others and reacting by communicating slanderous tales about those they have judged.

There are two references for consideration. First, the Bill of Rights, which promises freedom of religion, and speech. The second, Matthew 7:1-2

“Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.”

If I have freedom of religion how must it be protected? Does that mean that I have the right to make everyone Christian? I don’t think so. A wise philosophy professor I had in college said that “every right begats a duty.” Within our class discussion he made it very clear that for you to have a right I must recognize it. For example, if I wish to exercise my freedom of religion by going to church and the government outlaws churches, they are denying my right. How can I claim we have freedom of religion in the United States of America if I insist that everyone live by Christian beliefs?

The gospel of Matthew suggests to me that I avoid judging other people. To me that does not mean that I must accept your actions that I believe are immoral, but does suggest that I leave the “judgment” to God. I may pray for you. I may advise you if you will listen. I may decide not to vote for you if you are a political candidate. I may even refuse to associate with you. Those actions merely enforce my beliefs upon myself. But if I judge you I imply that I have power over you, and if I spread my judgement by circulating slanderous remarks to others, I have avoiding seeing “the beam in my own eye.”

* Valley of The Shadow, Peter Tremayne, p. 300.