Curious Christian

Reflections on culture, nature, and spirituality from a Christian perspective

Is Christianity Inclusive?

Published by

Matt Stone

2009-02-28

Tell me what you think of this article, “Diversity, Inclusion, and Tolerance. Where do they fit in Christianity?“

I think it makes a number of valid points. For instance, I agree that the intolerance shown towards Christianity by self appointed champions of tolerance is a wee bit ironic and hypocritical. But I think the author overplays his hand, and fails to adequately acknowledge the limits of Christian diversity, inclusion and tolerance. Every paths has its limits after all. That is, if it can be called a path.

Tags Christian, Diversity

6 responses to “Is Christianity Inclusive?”

Steve Hayes

2009-02-28

Obviously the writer doesn’t like “today’s social activists”, whoeer they may be, but I think they would be justifiably annoyed at the writer for unfairly sterotyping them with vague descriptions and vague denunciations. It’s too easy to take random pot-shots with a shotgun and then draw a target round everywhere a pellet hits and say “look at all the enemies we have”.

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Jarred

2009-02-28

I’m inclined to agree with Steve.
I’ll also note that it seems that Christians want the right to have discriminatory hiring practices as employers (see the article’s example of a CA employer being fined for not hiring cross-dressers), but wish to be free of discriminatory hiring practices (see the other week’s case of a nurse who was fired for asking a patient if they’d like prayer) when they are employees. It underscores why it sometimes seems like “tolerance of Christianity” is code for “special consideration for Christians.”

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nathaniel kidd

2009-03-01

i very rarely read a helpful discussion on this topic. this article was also unhelpful for me.
diversity, tolerance, and inclusion are complex and subtle subjects that Christians and post-Christians approach from very different angles. but instead of stepping back and appraising what we value and why, contact between the two groups tends to devolve in a shouting match. it brings out the worst in both groups rather than contributing anything to either the broader discussion of tolerance, or the unfolding Christian mission.
our approach to this subject needs to be seriously rethought.

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Matt Stone

2009-03-01

Steve, what a beautiful metaphor!

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Matt Stone

2009-03-01

Jarred, I have to agree with you. I think recipricosity is an important value and we undermine our witness when we ignore it.
This is part of what I meant by saying the author “overplays his hand”. He argues the case for Christian tollerance (which I feel there is a moderate case for) but fails to walk in the others mokkasins and explore what that looks like from the other side.

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Matt Stone

2009-03-01

Nathaniel, well that’s something I would definitely like to explore more here.

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