(In the following quote Ravi Zacharias is addressing, in my understanding, “Political Correctness” on university campuses and our increasing tendency to disallow disagreement. – Jim McNaughton)
“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 disagree with the Wesleyan Church.
I presented my disagreement to a leader and that I was going to share what I believed with others. I was told to remain silent or not to stay joined to the church. (I had been a member for over 30 years). The reason? A leader’s fear of me and my disagreement endangering what he said was the “love and unity of the church.”
Love and unity are not found in conformity.
Love and unity are found in mutual: seeking wisdom from Jesus in prayer, respectful listening, discussion, learning from each other, and collaborative problem-solving, under-girded by a commitment to a common Lord.
Not in suppression of disagreement.
I AM for You! 