We have seen story after story on the banning of Christian prayer at public schools, school activities, government meetings, and even pastors told not to pray in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
We see stories of Christmas displays either being banned or opened up to the most unbelievable God-offending displays, the words of Christmas songs are changed or banned altogether.
Now, under the guise of tolerance many Americans are allowing or encouraging Islamic prayer, even when they infringe upon the supposedly off-limits public government activities and in public schools.
Is this right?
It seems to me that we may discover one of three answers.
First, if the Bible ignores this topic each Christian must follow his own prayer, study of the Bible, and conscience to decide if it is acceptable or off-limits for them personally. They should not judge believers who disagree or try to force their view upon others (see Romans 14:13-14).
Secondly, if the Bible condones such activities, then as a Christian we can sleep well and not be concerned about any who participate in or support such behavior.
Finally, if the Bible condemns these activities, Christians should be reject participating in such events and share God's Word with anyone who does not understand that they are sinning against the Lord.
Let's begin by examining scripture in the Old Testament.
Before God delivered the wandering nation of Israel into the new land, there is a warning given:
"you [Israelites] shall utterly destroy them [non-Israelites]. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons." - Deuteronomy 7:2-3
Why would a loving God give such a command, such a warning? The answer is given in the very next verse:
"For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods;" - Deuteronomy 7:4
The Lord does not warn His people to avoid non-believers out of spite, or because He is restricting healthy exposure to other activities and experiences. God restricts our exposure and involvement with other religions because they will draw us away from God!
Other Old Testament scripture gives similar warnings and commands:
"You [Israel] shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. They shall not live in your land, because they will make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you." Exodus 23:32-33
Psalm 36 tells of a time when this is exactly what happened to those who permitted the false religions to co-exist in the nation of Israel:
"They joined themselves with Baal-Peor... They did not destroy the people, as the Lord commanded them... they mingled with the nations and learned their practices... which became a snare to them." Psalm 36:28,34,35,36
But, do these Old Testament restrictions apply to Christians? Unless we find New Testament scripture addressing the same (or similar) topic, are we forced to imply from Old Testament scripture our modern attitude toward false religions?
Thankfully, we do have clear New Testament instruction. Consider the following:
"I [Paul] know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you [Christians], not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them." - Acts 20:29-30
"For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds." - 2 John 7-11
These are clear warnings to Christians from the New Testament: Avoid false teachers! Avoid false religion! What is a false teaching? Anything that contradicts the Word of God as revealed in the Bible. What is false religion? Anything other than Bible-based repentance and faith in Christ as revealed in the New Testament.
In the passage from Acts those who teach false religions are equated with savage wolves, hunting down and killing their prey.
In the passage from John's second epistle, we learn that deceivers (false teachers) will teach lies. In this second example, we are warned that they will make claims like 'Jesus did not come in the flesh'. The result? Those who follow such false teachings do not know God. They are like the false religions in the Old Testament, an affront to God that are to be avoided.
Why is this serious? Can't we just get along?
There is a difference between tolerance (we can disagree and I won't punch you in the nose) and acceptance (all religions are the same). The fact is we are in a war for truth.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." - Eph 6:12
"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons" - 1 Tim 4:1
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