Respect Other Religions?

Recently, a television news show host was discussing what he perceived to be intolerance or lack of respect toward various world religions on the part of some daytime talk show hosts. He made a comment to the effect of “I’m so tired of people not respecting other people’s religions.” We often hear things like this said, but I think it would be beneficial to think about it a little bit.

What does it even mean to “respect other religions?” What constitutes respect in this situation? What makes a religion worthy of respect? Are all religions worthy of this respect? Or only some? And if only some, which ones? How do we determine which religions are worthy of respect? Who decides? Us personally? Societal consensus?

I think there’s an important distinction that must be made here. In light of the gospel, and in light of the fact that Christ graciously loved us before we loved Him, we’re certainly to be kind and charitable to those who might be of a different religious persuasion. We ought not berate them or adopt an unloving spirit toward them, as such conduct would in no way align with the gospel. Further still, if we view them through the lens of the gospel, we understand that Christ died for them, and we have the weighty responsibility of conducting ourselves in such a way that they can see the gospel through us. In that way, I would say that respect is an appropriate thing.

However, I would argue that religious systems themselves are not due any measure of respect based soley on the fact that they are indeed religions. So what’s the criteria then? I think the criteria is simple. The criteria is truth. Truth must be the criteria by which we judge and analyze any religious system. So if a religious system is full of error, why should it be afforded the same amount of respect that a religion based on Biblical truth is afforded? That doesn’t make any sense.

Take, for example, two men. One man asserts that the earth is flat. The other argues instead that the earth is round. Now, would we lend both ideas the same level of respect? Of course not. We would think the first man’s idea is ridiculous because it does not contain the truth. We would respect the second man’s position though, wouldn’t we? And why would we do that? Because it’s based on the truth. His idea (the earth is round) is true.

The same is true when thinking about religions. There is but one absolute truth, and that truth is revealed in God’s Word. If we understand that to be true—if we agree that the Bible is the sole authority for the determination of truth—then our criteria becomes more concrete. Then we can ask, “Does this religious system accurately reflect and interpret the absolute truth found within the pages of Scripture?” If so, then it is certainly due our respect. If not, then it by no means deserves respect, as it is error. We do not “respect” error in other scenarios, so I don’t know why we would do it within the context of something as crucial as our religious beliefs.

By Matt Monge