LET'S NOT OFFEND
By Dr. Robert Dreyfus
A major Christian leader recently said, “It is impossible for all Christian parents to either homeschool or afford to send their child to a Christian school. That is a fact and we must not make them feel like second rate citizens or bad parents”
Perhaps there is something to this. Let's apply it to some other issues.
Taking this into consideration the church probably shouldn't address the issue of divorce. Particularly in light of the fact that parishioners in some dominations divorce more frequently than the general public. We must not make them feel like second rate citizens.
The church probably shouldn't address the issue of tithing. After all, only a small percentage of the church tithes, and many say they really can't afford it. We must not make them feel like second rate citizens.
The church probably shouldn't address the issues of adultery, homosexuality, abortion, evangelism, the Cultural Mandate, prostitution, pornography, drinking, drugs, cursing, or smoking. These issues are controversial, and we must not make anyone feel bad.
I guess the church probably shouldn't point out that God COMMANDS parents to provide a Christian education. However it seriously troubles me not to do so, since according to studies over 90% of children attending public schools leave the church. We probably shouldn't point out that Christian Children Need Christian Education. We must not make parents feel like second rate citizens or bad Christians.”
Even educators have begun to take their lead from the church. They are considering banning the word "fail" from use in classrooms and replaced with the phrase "deferred success" to avoid making students feel bad by injuring their self esteem.
The church needs to remember to be loving, and not be critical. If we take the lead from social groups and country clubs, and make everyone comfortable, I'm sure we will see an increase in church growth.
Perhaps we should make “Let's Not Offend” the 11th Commandment!
Are the pastors who fear offending their congregations more than they fear God any different than the pastors in Germany in the 1930's who refused to stand with Niemoeller and Bonhoeffer? World history would have differed if they had made a stand rather than compromise with Hitler?
Many Christians place government schools above their children's welfare, and broken the Second Commandment by making government schools an idol.