Does Intolerance Remedy Intolerance? ∙∙
We must obey God rather than men. – Acts 5:29
Revelation 3:1-3
I know your deeds, that you have a name, that you are alive, but you are dead.
Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent.
Therefore, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.
The Turbulence of 2020 and the Rise of Cancel Culture
In the Spring and early Summer of 2020, the tragic killing of a civilian by a police officer in Minneapolis ignited a worldwide firestorm. Many people took part in peaceful protests for systemic reform and racial equality, but these efforts were often overshadowed by civil unrest. As anger grew, some protests turned violent, leading to riots and vandalism in various cities, further damaging society.
As the movement grew, its demands for social reform started to clash with the pressure to conform to certain ideological beliefs. This led to a culture of public shaming that discouraged open discussion in various institutions. The rise of “cancel culture” created an atmosphere where differing opinions were silenced, increasing intolerance. As a result, many people were reluctant to share their differing or more nuanced views, leading to an environment where intolerance overshadowed the original goal of achieving social equality.
The Warning from Harper’s Letter
On July 7, 2020, Harper’s Magazine published an open letter from 153 well-known individuals. They expressed their concern that the “free exchange of information and ideas, the lifeblood of liberal society, is daily becoming more constricted.” Freedom of thought and expression granted under the Constitution of the United States had been assaulted by intolerance. It is being aggressively and violently coerced into silence.
In its place was emerging “an intolerance of opposing views, a vogue for public shaming and ostracism, and the tendency to dissolve complex policy issues in a blinding moral certainty.” Presumed violations were met with harsh chastisement.
“More troubling still, institutional leaders, in a spirit of panicked damage control, are delivering hasty and disproportionate punishments instead of considered reforms. Editors are fired for running controversial pieces; books are withdrawn for alleged inauthenticity; journalists are barred from writing on certain topics; professors are investigated for quoting works of literature in class; a researcher is fired for circulating a peer-reviewed academic study, and the heads of organizations are ousted for what are sometimes just clumsy mistakes. Whatever the arguments around each particular incident, the result has been to steadily narrow the boundaries of what can be said without the threat of reprisal.”
The letter contends that injustice cannot be reversed by even greater injustice and mob rule. “The restriction of debate… Invariably hurts those who lack power and makes everyone less capable of democratic participation. The way to defeat bad ideas is by exposure, argument, and persuasion, not by trying to silence or wish them away. We refuse any false choice between justice and freedom, which cannot exist without each other.”
REFLECT & PRAY
Proverbs 21:2 warns, “People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.”
Judges 21:25 asserts, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Father, You know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from You (Psalms 69:5). Open the eyes of my heart that I might see, recognize my own faults, repent, change my ways, and walk humbly with You.
INSIGHT
A Disturbing Shift in 2020
Beneath the surface of the protests and demonstrations targeting federal buildings, businesses, and law enforcement officials, a troubling trend emerged: the targeting of sacred symbols. Rioters began burning Bibles.
This shocking escalation occurred on August 1, 2020. It raised critical questions about the motives behind such acts. What possible correlation exists between burning the Bible and the quest for social and racial justice? How can such actions contribute to the pursuit of social justice and equity? Could there be a deeper, more malevolent agenda? Jordan Davidson posited, “As they turn to burning Bibles, Portland rioters show their true colors.”
At the risk of sounding alarmist, one must consider whether these actions reflect a profound disdain for Western civilization, culture, and religion. Ian Miles Cheong added another layer to this discussion by highlighting the disconnect between the violent actions of certain protestors and the original intent of protesting police violence and brutality.
He warned against the misconception that these protests and riots serve as a legitimate movement for reform, asserting instead that they represent an effort to dismantle the foundations of Western civilization and overturn centuries of tradition and religious freedom.
Ultimately, meeting such hostility with equal intolerance offers no real solution. Instead, this cultural friction demands a deeply rooted, introspective spiritual response.
A Call to Self-Examination
For followers of Christ, observing these cultural shifts requires more than merely criticizing external events; it necessitates rigorous self-examination. It is far easier to condemn ideological opponents than to audit our own spiritual integrity.
The Apostle Paul articulated this mandate in 2 Corinthians 13:5, urging believers to test and examine themselves to ensure they remain anchored in the faith. Paul writes, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!”
And when we identify inconsistencies between our professed beliefs and our daily actions, we must actively realign our hearts with divine truth, shaking off the mediocrity that often creeps into modern religious practice. Are we truly living out our faith, or have we become complacent?
Confronting Spiritual Apathy
Engaging in profound self-reflection compels us to evaluate our spiritual vitality. We must question whether a true passion for Christ continues to inspire our daily actions or if a gradual apathy has dulled our devotion.
The Book of Revelation serves as a sobering reminder of this potential spiritual decline. The church of Ephesus is commended for its tireless labor, perseverance, and vigilance against false teachings. However, despite their outward commitment, they received a poignant rebuke for having forsaken their “first love.”
This ancient critique provides a crucial directive for us today. It urges us to pinpoint any spiritual drift, adjust our trajectory, and rekindle the foundational passion that initially ignited our faith.
The Apostle John captures this powerful message in Revelation 2:2-5:
“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.”
Lessons from Daniel’s Faith
The prophet Daniel offers a powerful example of unwavering faith in the face of coercion and persecution. During his time, administrators and high officials sought to find fault with him. Yet Daniel’s integrity and faithfulness left them with no grounds for accusation, except in matters of his religion. So, they weaponized his devotion.
As recorded in Daniel 6:5: “So they concluded, ‘Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.’”
As recorded in Daniel 6, his opponents concluded that their only avenue for accusation lay within the rules of his religion. They manipulated King Darius into enacting a discriminatory decree targeting Daniel alone. Violating the decree meant death in the lions’ den. They attempted to force Daniel into a fatal compromise.
Despite the threat, Daniel chose unreserved obedience to God over submission to an unjust human mandate. His steadfast trust led to divine preservation, proving that genuine faith requires action, even in the face of severe persecution.
Courage in the Face of Opposition
Daniel’s historical resilience establishes a clear precedent for contemporary children of the King. Standing firm often requires accepting significant personal risk and societal alienation. As the early apostles later declared in the Book of Acts, believers hold a fundamental obligation to obey God rather than any human authority.
Acts 5:29: “But Peter and the apostles replied, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority.’”
In a cultural climate that increasingly challenges orthodox faith and truth, we face a mandate to emulate Daniel’s unyielding courage. Standing firm may not be the path of least resistance, but it serves as the ultimate testament to our trust in God. By maintaining unwavering faith and remaining resolute in our convictions, we can navigate an increasingly hostile world with grace, truth, and profound courage.
Dare to Be a Daniel
The choice is each child of the King’s to make. Choose wisely! Let us dare to be like Daniel, unwavering in our faith and resolute in our convictions.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯9-10-2
© Dr. H 2026
Dr H Reflections 