Disagreement, Dissent and Discernment
It is a mark of a healthy society when freedom of thought, freedom of speech and freedom of conscience are respected and protected. One does not have to agree with someone, but one should respect the rights of others to have alternative convictions, without any fear of condemnation. Dissent can be healthy. Discernment is always necessary. Christian love does not demand conformity. It is a fruit of the Protestant Reformation to respect freedom of conscience. When Professor Martin Luther made his bold stand before the Emperor, declaring: "my conscience is captive to the Word of God…”, he championed the principles of freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, freedom of worship and all the other freedoms which have become the foundation of Christian civilisation. Yet, today, there is a disturbing tendency to demonise dissent. Political correctness and charges of "hate speech" are threatening freedom of speech and freedom of conscience. Historically, Magna Carta and bills of rights have protected the rights of the individual to disagree with the majority. Today, however, it is becoming increasingly difficult and even dangerous to go against the tyranny of the majority. How should we, as Christians, respond? What can we practically do to restore discernment and respect for dissent and disagreement?
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage… For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Galatians 5:1,13
From The Frontline-Episode 137-Why Communists Strive to Rename Cities and Streets
From The Frontline-Episode 136-When Ministries are Hijacked
From The Frontline-Episode 135-Identifying the Agenda Behind Saturation Media Coverage
From The Frontline-Episode 134-Countering the Subversion of Language
From The Frontline-Episode 133-How Propaganda Changes Perceptions and People
From The Frontline-Episode 132-UN Deception Operation Targets Africa for Abortion
From The Frontline-Episode 131-Effective Evangelism in a Time of Lockdown Lunacy
From The Frontline-Episode 130-Toxic Terminology and the War on Free Speech
From The Frontline-Episode 129-Weaponising Words in the World War of Worldviews
From The Frontline-Episode 128-The Battle for the Mind in the News Media
From The Frontline-Episode 127-War on History-Monuments Under Attack
From The Frontline-Episode 126-Anarchy Leads to Tyranny
From The Frontline-Episode 125-40 Years Ago - The Grahamstown Evangelistic Mission
From The Frontline-Episode 124-Essentials for Education
From The Frontline-Episode 123-When Disaster Struck-African Penguin Rescue
From The Frontline-Episode 122-The Untold Story Behind the Soweto Riots 1976
From The Frontline-Episode 121-Is Black Lives Matter a New Religious Cult?
From The Frontline-Episode 120-Racism, Riots and the Role of the Media
From the Frontline-Episode-119 What Downton Abby Teaches us about Civilization 100 years ago
From The Frontline-Episode 118-The Ascension Deals with Authority
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Life After Ministry
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)