“పరమత దూషణము లేల” – WHY DEMEAN OTHER RELIGIONS?

Ravi Zacharias, the famed apologist was once asked to preach on the topic, “Why I am not a Hindu” because he comes from a family who were from that religion. Ravi Zacharias promptly and wisely suggested that he wishes to preach on “Why I am a Christian” than the topic that was suggested to him. His reasoning as I could deduce is that, the suggested topic was confrontationalist and also demeaning that particular religion – most importantly, it does not speak anything about the glorious gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. On the contrary, both “confrontation” and “demeaning” are absolutely detrimental to the cause of Christ our LORD, if we wish to present the gospel, and the exclusive claims of the LORD Jesus in any sensible and meaningful manner, to a person from different religion. This principle I believe is the most fundamental and elementary in presenting the LORD Jesus and His free gift of salvation.

Sadly, we are getting to see a silent shift in the way many of Christian apologists wish to present the LORD Jesus Christ and His glorious gospel to the people of other religions. I have personally seen videos and read writings where the approach was confrontationalist and downright insulting to that particular religion. We may not agree with the views of the other religions – perfectly fine; but we should never be disrespectful to the other person, and his religion. We should focus all our efforts and energy in presenting the LORD Jesus Christ, His offer of salvation, and why what He did on the cross of Calvary is relevant to us.

I am reminded of an old Telugu song from the Telugu Christian hymnal, Andhra Kristava Keerthanalu. It speaks of our “witness” about the LORD Jesus and His offer of salvation to the lost world. The author, Mallela Daavidu, writing from his own salvation experience, gives the reasons for his witnessing about the LORD Jesus, and why one should consider Jesus the Redeemer.
– “సాక్ష్యమిచ్చెద మన స్వామి యేసు దేవుడంచు / సాక్ష్యమనగా గనిన వినిన సంగతులను దెల్పుటయే / సాక్ష్య మిచ్చు కొరకు నన్ను స్వామి రక్షించె నంచు ||సాక్ష్య||”
Here is a equivalent translation of the above verse – *”I will testify that our Lord Jesus is God / Testimony means to share the things one has seen and heard / Declaring that the Lord saved me to be His witness.”*

The above words so aptly reflect what the LORD speaks through Peter in 1 Peter 2:9-10.
– “9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” – 1 Peter 2:9-10

The stanza six of the above song is very unique. Not many writers, in any language, focus on this topic. Here is the verse.
– “పరమత దూషణము లేల పరిహసించి పలుకు టేల / ఇరుగు పొరుగు వారి కెల్ల యేసు క్రీస్తు దేవు డంచు ||సాక్ష్య||”
Here is the equivalent translation of the above verse – *”Why slander other religions and mock and insult them, while presenting to all thy neighbors that Jesus Christ is God?”*

Here under are a couple quotes from Google Gemini, which are relevant to us this morning.
– On the danger of judgment: “If becoming ‘religious’ has made you more judgmental, rude, harsh, or arrogant, then you have fundamentally misunderstood the teachings of Jesus.” – Anonymous
– On exclusivity and love: C.S. Lewis explored this balance in Mere Christianity, writing: “Being a Christian does mean thinking that where Christianity differs from other religions, Christianity is right and they are wrong…The only way to reach sinners is through love.” – C.S. Lewis
– On defending the faith with grace: “15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” – 1 Peter 3:15
– On treating our neighbours: “9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:9

How are we approaching the people who follow other religions? What views do we hold about them and their religious beliefs? How do we present the gospel to them? Do we approach them with love? Do we care for them and their views? Or, do we take a condescending approach? Do we mock, demean and insult them and their religious beliefs? Let us approach people of other religions with deep concern and gentleness. Let us approach them with the love that our LORD had so generously demonstrated. Let us love the people who are lost, even as we uncompromisingly present the gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ to them. But let us present our LORD sensitively and sensibly with grace, humility, and unconditional love; and not with pride, arrogance and rudeness masked as “truth” being presented as my right to freedom of speech and expression. Such an approach is not being politically correct, but rather being Christ-like in our thoughts and the expression of the same. Even so, the LORD help us.