Is it really that important that everyone else agree with our various opinions about Christianity? I'm not talking major issues like the virgin birth, death of Christ and salvation through Him alone, etc. I'm referring to trivial, minor things that cause huge divisions between God's people.
There are some Baptist groups in particular that think we all must agree 100% of the time on things like Bible versions, dress, music, homebirth, childhood immunizations, headcoverings, and even whether or not one should take medication for brain illnesses. Why on earth should such things cause people to break fellowship with each other? Why is Christian liberty looked at as a "bad" thing?
On another board, I recently read where one person has an issue with KJV-preferred folks as being "fake" or lacking "conviction" as compared to the KJV ONLY folks. We have people who love God, serve him, win people to him, but they can't stand to be around each other because one is KJVO and another is KJVP. Seriously? Another poster on the board is "convicted" to never let her children get immunizations. A CONVICTION? Honestly, this sounds like a simple personal preference, but since it's phrased as a Holy Ghost CONVICTION that came about through PRAYER, I guess everyone else who gets their kids' shots must be less than spiritual.
Why are we so full of pride that a simple difference of opinion (of very minor issues) must be considered a lack of spiritual maturity? Why can't we as believers love each other and agree to disagree on matters that have no bearing on eternity?
There are some Baptist groups in particular that think we all must agree 100% of the time on things like Bible versions, dress, music, homebirth, childhood immunizations, headcoverings, and even whether or not one should take medication for brain illnesses. Why on earth should such things cause people to break fellowship with each other? Why is Christian liberty looked at as a "bad" thing?
On another board, I recently read where one person has an issue with KJV-preferred folks as being "fake" or lacking "conviction" as compared to the KJV ONLY folks. We have people who love God, serve him, win people to him, but they can't stand to be around each other because one is KJVO and another is KJVP. Seriously? Another poster on the board is "convicted" to never let her children get immunizations. A CONVICTION? Honestly, this sounds like a simple personal preference, but since it's phrased as a Holy Ghost CONVICTION that came about through PRAYER, I guess everyone else who gets their kids' shots must be less than spiritual.
Why are we so full of pride that a simple difference of opinion (of very minor issues) must be considered a lack of spiritual maturity? Why can't we as believers love each other and agree to disagree on matters that have no bearing on eternity?