“More sadly, this secular approach to truth has even seeped into the Church. We fear doubt because doubt means that disagreement is near, and disagreement is dangerous and therefore must be suppressed before it can do any damage. Hence, at the first sign of doubt, we fight or we flee. Instead of being “merciful to those who doubt” (Jude 22), we have labeled them as dangerous and have either dismissed them by not creating a space for them to ask their questions or demonized them by treating doubt as a moral failure.
To this I would add only that it is not by mere questioning that we arrive at the truth, but rather by questioning that is taken seriously in the context of community and responded to with gentleness and respect.”
Zacharias, Ravi. Jesus Among Secular Gods (pp. 215-216). FaithWords. Kindle Edition.
I was told not to rejoin (annual membership renewal) my church of 30 years, because I might upset the “love and unity” the people have there. The reason? I believe Jesus when he said he would never leave me, nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5), no matter what, even if I reject him “because He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).
I was told I could join if I didn’t talk about my beliefs.
Recently, Face Book and YouTube “took down” videos that were critical of the handling of COVID-19. I have no idea if they were true or not, I didn’t get a chance to find out. I have had other people’s opinions about them given to me, and I am grateful. But I seek truth, and the free exchange of ideas is necessary to do that.
If you are afraid of ideas different than your own and stop others from deciding for themselves you will never find truth. You will find oppression. You may even find that you are the oppressor.
I AM for You! 