This popular bumper sticker is used by those who promote “tolerance” and world peace, but can those be achieved through man’s efforts?
You’ve probably seen the popular bumper sticker that urges people to “coexist.” Each letter is made of a popular symbol to indicate that Muslims, Christians, Jews, men, women, and more just need to get along. Of course, I want to live in a world where we can all get along, but I have some problems with the message behind this particular sticker.
First of all, we already do coexist. If we didn’t, then who are these stickers being directed at? Wouldn’t we all be dead? In the United States, we do have Christians, Jews, and Muslims living among each other peacefully. This doesn’t mean there aren’t ever any problems, but the vast majority of people in these groups get along quite well in our society.
Second, the message on the sticker is directed at several groups as though they cannot get along and need to cease any type of hostilities they may have. It’s true that religious wars have taken place and the ongoing Middle East crisis has mostly been fueled by religious ideas. But who is largely to blame for this? Secularists would like us to believe that Christianity and Judaism are worse than Islam in this regard. The Jews are repeatedly blamed for the violence in Israel, and Christians are often labeled as “fundamentalists” and compared to Islamic terrorists (who, according to the media, really aren’t Muslims, but part of a radical faction that has hijacked the religion for their own purposes). Think about it. How many Christian or Jewish suicide bombers have you read about? None. Because they don’t do it. How many airplanes have been hijacked by Christians or Jews for their religious causes? None.
The leftist media around the world attempts to squelch information that connects various terrorist attacks to Islam. Yet, the vast majority of terrorist attacks are carried out by Muslims. The Fort Hood shootings were done by a Muslim, as were the 9/11 attacks, and countless other suicide bombings. Do you remember the videos that played on 9/11 showing Muslims in other nations rejoicing when the towers fell? Those were quickly pulled in America, allegedly to protect American Muslims, and thankfully there were no outbreaks of violence against them (the videos can still be found on youtube). However, the media jumps at any opportunity to connect an attack to Christians. Within hours of the recent tragic attacks in Norway, members of the media rushed to label Anders Behring Breivik as a Christian but he clearly is not (a facebook page opened a few days prior to the murders where he calls himself a Christian does not make one a Christian). Nowhere in his manifesto or Internet writings did he give evidence that Christian beliefs fueled his animosity against Marxists and Muslims. It may be accurate to call him a far right winger, but not a Christian. And even if he claims to be a Christian, his actions were directly opposed to Jesus’ commands to love your neighbor and your enemy. Paul also wrote, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). Compare this to the many verses in the Koran which instruct followers to kill the Jews and other “infidels” (thankfully, many Muslims focus on other passages and do live peacefully with non-Muslims).
I’ve heard some people claim that the United States’ wars in the Middle East are examples of Christian hostilities. What a joke! It’s been quite a while since the U.S. government has been motivated by Christian beliefs. People can argue whether the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were a result of the 9/11 attacks, oil, revenge, etc., but they are not an example of Christian aggression in the world.
Others will bring up the Crusades as an example of Christian violence. While I will not defend the actions of everyone who calls himself or herself a Christian (we are sinners too), there are several problems with this claim. The Crusades were part of the so-called Holy Roman Empire’s attempt to take back Jerusalem from the Muslims who had conquered it. Also, whether they were “just wars” or not, it must be noted that this was part of Roman Catholicism and not biblical Christianity. Also, many atrocities were committed by the Crusaders against Jewish people who were not involved in the fighting. How in the world can a true Christian justify the slaughter of Jewish people? Keep in mind that Jesus and His disciples were Jewish, and nearly every passage of the Bible was written by Jews. [Note: the following sentence and video were added 3/22/16, the day of the tragic terrorist attacks at the Brussels airport.] Finally, before you try to equate the Crusades with some of the violence from Islamic terrorism, you need to have a proper perspective on these events.
There’s a third reason I don’t like these stickers. Many of the people who display these stickers are absolute hypocrites. I recently saw this sticker on a vehicle that had several other bumper stickers. One read, “Draft SUV drivers first,” while another stated, “Support your local revolution.” It sure sounds like that guy wanted us to coexist, doesn’t it? There are definitely some peace-loving people who use this sticker, but I’ve encountered far too many people who cry for peace but repeatedly spew hatred toward Christians.
It reminds me of recent claims of the “tolerant” liberals like Vice-President Joe Biden and Maxine Waters. Biden has called TEA Party members “terrorists” and Waters said that they can “Go to hell.” Other liberals, like Jason Levin, have called on their fellow party members to “crash” TEA Party rallies by attending dressed as Hitler and acting as racists or bigots just so the liberal media can denounce the movement. It’s pretty sad when someone has to create “evidence” for their position. And who can forget the “tolerant” death threats made by liberals to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and former President George Bush. But I digress. This wasn’t meant to be a political post.
When considering the world’s religions, this message is far more appropriate than the “coexist” sticker.
Finally, my biggest problem with the coexist bumper sticker is theological in nature. It places each of the religions on the same plane giving the impression they are all equal. Yet Christianity is different in so many ways. It isn’t about what we can do for God, but what God has already done for us. We don’t do good works to get saved, but we perform good works because we are forgiven. Also, Jesus claimed to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and said that no one could get to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). In light of this fact, I believe the design for the second image (Repent) is far more appropriate. Salvation cannot be earned by your own efforts because you are a sinner, so you will never be “good enough” to be saved. The Bible says that salvation is a gift that can only be received through faith. As the image states, “Repent” (turn from your sins) and place your faith in Christ.
There will continue to be many people who labor to bring peace in this world. While this is a noble goal, it will never be accomplished without the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that Jesus will return someday to rule over this world for 1,000 years (Revelation 20). Only then will this world have peace (see Isaiah 65:19–25 for a description of this time period). Even that peace will come to an end when man will once again rebel against their Creator, but their rebellion will be short-lived (Revelation 20:7–10). The battle described here will be followed by the final judgment. Those who have repented of sin and trusted in Christ will dwell with Him for eternity. All who have rejected Him will be sentenced to the lake of fire for eternity. You may think this is unfair or intolerant, but it is fair because it will be a just punishment for sinning against the infinitely holy God who is definitely intolerant of sin. Instead of being upset about it, be thankful that He is also merciful and gracious and is giving you time to trust in Him. Those who have can enjoy peace of mind since they will finally be at peace with God.
While I agree in general with many of the things you say in this post, there was one thing that seemed almost to be a double-standard (maybe I am not understanding correctly): You say “Islamic terrorists (who, according to the media, really aren’t Muslims, but part of a radical faction that has hijacked the religion for their own purposes).” But then a few paragraphs later, you say “Also, whether they were “just wars” or not, it must be noted that this was part of Roman Catholicism and not biblical Christianity.” Your first statement seems to suggest that you don’t agree with the media and that the terrorists (or the radical faction that has hijacked the religion) are still part of the Muslim community and show that Muslims do not coexist. But the second statement seems like you are separating the crusades from Christianity by saying they were done by Catholics who aren’t biblical Christians (which sounds somewhat similar to “a radical faction that has hijacked the religion for its own purposes). It seems that if you are lumping the extremist/radical faction of Muslims in with the whole group, shouldn’t Roman Catholics from the crusades be lumped in with Christianity? I know this is a small point, but I just felt like there were some parallels there. Anyway, just thought I’d share.
Hi Lindsay. Thanks for your comments and concern. There’s a bit of apples to oranges in your analogy, but perhaps I should clarify what I wrote. When we compare biblical Christianity and Roman Catholicism it is clear that the two groups have fundamental differences in the Gospel itself, and as such, they are two different belief systems. While we share similar beliefs on the Trinity and the person of Christ, there is a vast difference on the work of Christ. So different, that we have different “gospels.” Biblical Christianity states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). On the other hand, the Roman Catholic Church repeatedly anathematized all who make this claim (see http://carm.org/council-trent-canons-justification for a good summary of some of the canons and decrees of the Council of Trent). The “gospel” proclaimed by Catholicism is that a person is saved by God’s grace, which is received by faith and works (which includes the sacraments through which they receive infusions of grace). These are different gospels and both cannot be right. Paul made it very clear that there can only be one gospel message and anyone who taught something contrary to the biblical message, even if it was an angel from heaven, was condemned (Galatians 1:7–8). For the record, I believe there are some who identify themselves as Catholics who do trust in Christ alone for salvation, but this is contrary to what is taught by their church.
The difference between this situation and Islam is that there are two major factions within Islam itself (Sunni and Shia), but there have been countless terrorists and suicide bombers from each group. Their differences are largely political stemming from a disagreement about who should have succeeded Muhammad when he died. They share the same articles of the faith (five pillars of Islam). I don’t agree with the media that a radical fringe group has hijacked a peaceful religion. If that were true, it certainly is a large fringe group that controls several Middle Eastern countries. While there are undoubtedly many peaceful Muslims, Islam has had a long history of violence from its very inception and their holy writings and traditions (Koran and Hadith) often promote that violence. We don’t often hear peaceful Muslims condemning the attacks on Israel and the U.S.
Meanwhile, the Bible never instructs Christians to fight and conquer their enemies. We are commanded to love our enemies. We are instructed to share the good news of Jesus Christ dying for our sins and rising from the dead so that we can be brought into a right relationship with God and spared from His wrath.
It’s true that there are large segments of the Muslim population around the world that do not “coexist,” but they typically do in the United States, which is what I meant when I mentioned “our society.”
Thanks for your thoughts and for giving me the heads up to clarify this issue. God bless!
Very well said, Tim. This is my first visit to this website, and I really appreciate the thoroughness of your answer here, plus your kindness. God bless you, dear brother.