Posted on 05/14/2014 8:22:45 PM PDT by hiho hiho
The ubiquitous blue COEXIST bumper sticker incorporates symbols of Islam, pacifism, male and female, Judaism, Wicca, Taoism, and Christianity. Piotr Młodozeniec, a Polish graphic artist, created the original COEXIST image. Various companies sell merchandise with some form of the image, and — o a note of inevitable conflict — some have threatened legal action to protect their control of profits. At it core the image represents a belief that spiritual harmony can be wished into existence.
What is not to admire in this goal? Why would a Christian hesitate to display this sticker during a daily commute? We may begin with how philosophy — that supposedly esoteric pursuit — matters in our everyday lives. A fundamental rule of logic is the “law of noncontradiction”: a statement cannot be both true and untrue.
Consider how the Abrahamic faiths understand Jesus Christ. At John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except by me.” Judaism considers Jesus a prophet but not the Messiah. In Islam, Isa (Jesus) is a messenger of God. Islam makes the specific claim that revelation did not end with “the people of the book” (the Jews) or with the prophet Isa, but with Muhammad.
Jesus cannot coexist with contradictory claims to truth made in other faiths. If Jesus had been content with coexistence he might have escaped crucifixion. We should live peaceably with all people (Rom. 12:18), but we ought not reduce this peace to a glib assertion that all paths lead to God. The assertion that all faiths are the same and there is no exclusive truth is itself a doctrine, and one that excludes all but the universalist. It represents an incoherent quest for tolerance.
What, then, about a coherent philosophy of tolerance? What about the idea that all faiths contain and reveal some elements of truth? This is, in fact, classical Christian doctrine. In Anglicanism we confess that our faith is informed by Scripture, reason, and tradition. Reason, sometimes referred to as natural law, says that because human beings are created in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26) we have an ability to observe creation and gain some knowledge about God the Creator. We can apprehend truth. Faith is a human act, and in non-Christian religions we still find a very human seeking after truth. We recognize in each other a shared humanity and seek something (Someone) greater than ourselves.
The real danger of COEXIST, besides sloppy thinking, is its underlying assumption that how we live is ultimately a matter of human agency. The lessons of history, across societies, make clear that we will never achieve peace and harmony on our own. The purpose of life is determined from beyond humanity. Living in a society in which there is no dysfunction (even if this were possible) is not the same as attaining the kingdom of heaven, in which we are one with our Creator and see “face to face” (1 Cor. 13:12). Coexistence that treats Jesus Christ merely as an important moral teacher disregards that he revealed himself as God and reduces the saving act of God to a set of rules. It claims that if we live in a certain way we will attain salvation, thus toying with Pelagianism. For this reason, COEXIST is unworthy of anything more than a bumper sticker.
I prefer the rebuttal bumper stickers. My last 2 ASK about “Coexist?” with appropriate rebutting symbols.
I really, really hate those pompous, self-righteous condescending stickers.
Christianity and Islam cannot coexist. Impossible.
Yup, the offshoot of Coexist.
I also want a symbolic “Communist” rebuttal sticker.
It’s not mine. I’ve seen it posted before and thought it fit here.
good point.
Since Islam does not want to coexist with the others, this whole concept falls apart, in my opinion.
How do you coexist when others don’t want to coexist with you?
There is a third alternative (there is always a third alternative... and a fourth... and a...):
Jesus could have been misquoted (like the billions of Jews and Muslims and Mormons and even many non-theists in the world believe).
No, wait: They had live sound feeds or at least stenographers back in Roman times, didn't they? No, I guess not. Well, then I guess that I'm sticking with "misquoted."
Regards,
I agree with most of your statement, but I would group Judaism along with Christianity as a world wide faith that is based on love of God and your fellow man. Both faiths believe in the power of kindness and compassion. Both faiths view kindness, empathy and personal dignity as strengths and qualities of an evolved society, not as evidence of weakness and passivity.
As the article points out, these religions cannot coexist because they hold completely incompatible and contradictory views. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. He said if you saw Him (Jesus), you saw God the Father (John 14:9). A wise man, prophet, or teacher wouldn’t claim to be the Son of God. Only a madman would claim something like that unless, of course, Jesus really was the Son of God, perfectly attuned and aligned with God the Father so that if you saw Him (Jesus) you also saw the Father.
Well, you’re right. There are always far less plausible alternatives, but once you go very far down that path, there really isn’t anything left to believe in, is there.
I'm guessing your tagline relates to your feelings on the subject. The extraordinary evidence I would point to would be the Christians you would find in a true, born again, Christian church. I certainly know there are many exceptions to the rule, but I'd say the strongest devil's advocate would have a hard time denying that people like Tim Tebow, Sarah Palin, etc. have a special aura about them that comes when Christ has entered your life. And I would argue that such as effect would not be there if they were merely following a misquoted philosopher. I'm going sleepy bye now. All the best.
lunatic, liar, or Lord. everyone must decide for themselves. the overwhelming evidence points to Lord.
It’s ultimately personal presence that proves out the Lord. We can argue over “history books” till we are blue in the face. But when we meet the Lord, we know what has happened.
People who rule out the supernatural a priori are only deifying themselves.
i agree.
Agreed! He left no doubt about who He is as the Scriptures you cited attest.
I think just about everybody who hears the story has a pretty good idea about what it’s about.
It’s the personal applicability part that’s hard.
I used to be about one of the most stubborn snots there could have been about Jesus. Now He has made Himself obvious to me, and His love intention shows.
God loves you enough that He will annoy the devil out of you.
And made God the Father a liar....
You can not “coexist” with those who wish you converted, enslaved or dead.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.