Is it Wrong for a Church or Pastor to Offend or Upset You?
If so…why?
Atheist comedian Ricky Gervais has one of the best quotes of all time!
“Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right.”
This quote, given by an atheist, certainly applies to Christians who might be upset or offended over critiques of churches, Christians, or the Bible.
But can’t we apply it in the other direction too?
If you’re sitting in a church and the pastor says something in his sermon that offends you, does that mean that the pastor is wrong? Maybe the pastor is wrong. But does your being offended determine whether the pastor is wrong?
Are your sensibilities the determining factor when it comes to truth?
Frankly, I believe that most people live and interact with religion in general — and the church in particular — as if the answer were yes to that question.
We can all hopefully agree that it’s wrong for a church or pastor to be hateful. (Although many critics of religion seem to think that their hatred of people of faith is somehow justified). We can all hopefully agree that it’s wrong for a church or pastor to be abusive. And we can all hopefully agree that it’s much more reflective of Jesus when…
