Church Reaction to persistent call for Religious Harmony

The church and state is separate. This is good because they have different goals. However, there are times when they could be on a collision path. During the time of the Roman Empire, the state insists that everyone acknowledge that the emperor is divine. This the Christians cannot accept and many were martyred. Most modern democracies practise religious freedom. However, some, like Singapore, makes religious harmony a law. They insist that all religions should not criticise each other.

Christianity is an exclusive religion. If Christianity is true, all other religions are false. This is written explicitly, implicitly, clearly and unambiguously in the Bible. Jesus is the only way (John 14:6) and there is no other way (Acts 4:12). There is only one God (Exodus 20:3-5, 1 Timothy 2:5) and there is none else (Isaiah 45:22, Isaiah 43:11), in the past, in the present and in the future (Isaiah 43:10). Thus Christianity cannot be harmonise with other religions, monotheistic or otherwise and runs the risk of breaching the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act. So what can a Christian in Singapore do?

First, we have the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) to obey. Then we have the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act that forbids us to criticise other religions.

Let us heed the advice given by our Lord Jesus Himself, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16)." We do not have to criticise other religions in public gospel meetings. We just tell them that Jesus is the only way. It may be offensive to some, but we do not criticise the other religions directly. The hearers can form their own conclusions.

When we share the gospel with our friends, we can do it with more liberty. But if we share it with strangers, we have to do it with discretion, asking for wisdom from our Lord. But for our own church members, we should educate them on the error of other religions. We can do a comparative study of Christianity with the other religions, highlighting the differences. We have to do this on the basis of Bible teachings. We cannot criticise them flippantly, but scripturally and logically. Since our religion is true, our ground is sure.

We have to "sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (1 Peter 3:15 NASB). " We have to pray "for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity (1 Timothy 2:2 NASB)."

However, when we have to make a choice between the Church and the State, we have to follow the example of Peter and the apostles, who answered to the authorities of their day, "We must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29 NASB)."